- Home
- Business models
- Marketplace commissions
Business model · Marketplace commissions
Businesses that make money from marketplace commissions
The 1M.chat dataset has 119 businesses built on marketplace commissions. 74 of them have a revenue figure the founder reported in an interview. Their median is $79.2K a month, and 47% were at $1M a year or more when interviewed, with a median team of 6 employees. The growth channels founders credited most often were organic social media (64%), SEO & organic search (59%), paid ads (45%).
Revenue at interview
| Under $1K/mo | 1 | |
| $1K–$10K/mo | 10 | |
| $10K–$50K/mo | 20 | |
| $50K–$83K/mo | 8 | |
| $1M+ a year | 31 | |
| $1M+ a month | 4 |
Growth channels credited
| Organic social media | 64% | |
| SEO & organic search | 59% | |
| Paid ads | 45% | |
| Email & newsletters | 34% | |
| Word of mouth & referrals | 29% |
Share of 56 businesses with channel information; founders often name several.
Industries in this group
| Marketplaces & platforms | 96 | |
| Newsletters, blogs & media | 5 | |
| Software & SaaS | 4 | |
| Finance & real estate | 4 | |
| Courses & education | 3 | |
| Outdoor, sports & travel | 3 |
Tools named most: Twitter (29%), Instagram (24%), HubSpot (12%), Dropbox (12%), PayPal (12%) — of 17 that listed tools.
Case studies
Read how they did it
- The Office Providers: a flexible office search service at $14K a monthOnline office space and workspace search platform helping businesses find flexible workspaces.$14K/mofounder-reported 2023
- Wishup: a virtual assistant marketplace from India at $10K a monthWishup connects business owners and entrepreneurs with virtual assistants, bookkeepers, and remote developers.$10K/mofounder-reported 2023
Examples
Highest founder-reported revenues in this group
| Business | What it sells | Revenue / month | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| WishupMarketplaces & platforms | virtual assistants, bookkeeping and remote developers | $10K/mofounder interview 2023 | India |
| ReedsyMarketplaces & platforms | Marketplace connecting authors with publishing professionals | $2Mfounder interview | United Kingdom |
| Flight Expert Ban...Marketplaces & platforms | Online travel agency for flights and hotels | $1.7Mfounder interview 2022 | Bangladesh |
| CuddlyNestMarketplaces & platforms | Accommodation booking platform for travelers | $1.5Mfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| JetPrintOther physical products | Print-on-demand customizable products for e-commerce sellers | $700Kfounder interview 2023 | China |
| BACHMobile apps & games | app for planning and booking bachelor and bachelorette parties | $700Kfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| Empire FlippersMarketplaces & platforms | brokerage for buying and selling online businesses | $600Kfounder interview 2019 | Canada |
| ChronoexpertMarketplaces & platforms | luxury watches marketplace | $480Kfounder interview | Spain |
| ConnectionPointMarketplaces & platforms | crowdfunding platform for nonprofits and charities | $417Kfounder interview | Canada |
| Kosmos Innovation...Finance & real estate | Equity crowdfunding platform for startups | $400Kfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| GreenPalMarketplaces & platforms | lawn care services marketplace | $375Kfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| Mirai FlightsOutdoor, sports & travel | Private jet and air taxi booking service | $364Kfounder interview 2022 | United Kingdom |
| LuggageHeroMarketplaces & platforms | Short-term luggage storage network in shops and hotels | $358Kfounder interview | Denmark |
| Virtual LatinosMarketplaces & platforms | platform connecting businesses with Latin American virtual assistants | $350Kfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| ElectricityRates.comMarketplaces & platforms | online energy price comparison marketplace | $350Kfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| Easy SongMarketplaces & platforms | music licensing and clearance brokerage | $315Kfounder interview 2019 | United States |
| Baboo TravelMarketplaces & platforms | Platform connecting travelers with local travel agents | $300Kfounder interview 2022 | United States |
| Riders ShareMarketplaces & platforms | Peer-to-peer motorcycle rental marketplace | $300Kfounder interview 2021 | United States |
| ThirstySproutMarketplaces & platforms | marketplace connecting startups with remote technical talent | $300Kfounder interview 2023 | United States |
| Tiny AwayOutdoor, sports & travel | Tiny house accommodation rentals for travelers | $295Kfounder interview 2021 | Australia |
Revenue as the founder reported it in a Starter Story interview, at the interview date; not current revenue. “What it sells” is a 1M.chat summary. Business model is the main way the business charges, as listed on Starter Story or classified by 1M.chat. How this data is built
Questions
How much do businesses built on marketplace commissions typically make?
Among 74 businesses built on marketplace commissions with founder-reported revenue, the median was $79.2K a month at the time of the interview. The sample is founders who chose to be interviewed, so it leans toward businesses that were already working; treat it as a range of real outcomes, not an average for everyone who tries.
How many businesses built on marketplace commissions reached $1M a year?
35 of 74 (47%) reported at least $83K a month, the run-rate for $1M a year.
How did businesses built on marketplace commissions find customers?
Of 56 with growth-channel information, founders most often credited organic social media (64%), SEO & organic search (59%), paid ads (45%), email & newsletters (34%), word of mouth & referrals (29%). Channels are grouped by 1M.chat from what founders said worked.
Partner services
Setting one up yourself?
Sleek
Register an Australian company
ASIC registration, company secretary and address handled in one place. Use code AF774200 at sign-up for a partner offer.
See detailsSleek
Register a Hong Kong company
Incorporation, company secretary, registered address and annual filings in one place. Use code AF748473 at sign-up for a partner offer.
See detailsBizCover
Compare small business insurance (Australia)
Online quotes for public liability, professional indemnity and business insurance packs for Australian small businesses.
See detailsThese are partner links: 1M.chat may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. It does not change what the case studies say. Disclosure