Hey folks, I’m on the hunt for a platform that can handle multiple sellers, each with their own storefront, while also offering social networking features. The key things I need are:
- A shared user base so customers can buy from different shops with one account
- Sellers managing their own transactions (mostly through PayPal)
- Easy-to-use interface for non-tech-savvy sellers
- Common product search and categories across all shops
- Ability to customize store appearance (colors, graphics, etc.)
- Subscription tiers for vendors
I’ve looked at sites like Etsy and Artfire for inspiration, but I can’t find the right solution. Ideally, it would be open-source or have available source code, with commercial support options. .NET-based would be a plus.
Has anyone come across something like this? I’m open to making small tweaks, but I don’t want to completely overhaul a single-store system. Any suggestions would be super helpful!
Hey Isaac_Stargazer, your project sounds super interesting! Have you considered looking into Magento? It’s not exactly what you described, but it’s pretty powerful and customizable. I’m curious - what made you decide on the social networking aspect? That’s a unique twist!
I’ve seen some cool multi-vendor setups, but nothing that hits all your points perfectly. What kind of social features are you thinking about specifically? Like, user profiles, messaging, or more like product reviews and ratings?
Also, I’m wondering about your plan for handling disputes between buyers and sellers. That can get tricky with multiple vendors! Do you have any ideas on how you’d tackle that?
Keep us posted on what you end up going with. I’d love to see how it turns out!
have u checked out Sharetribe? it’s got most of what ur looking for - multi-vendor setup, social features, and seller management. not .NET tho. You might need to tweak it a bit, but it’s open-source and pretty flexible. Worth a look if u haven’t already!
I’ve been down a similar road, and I can tell you it’s not an easy find. Have you looked into CS-Cart? It’s not open-source, but it ticks many of your boxes. Multi-vendor functionality, customizable storefronts, and a unified user base are all there. The social aspects might need some add-ons, though.
One thing to consider: while having sellers manage their own transactions sounds good in theory, it can lead to inconsistent customer experiences. You might want to think about a centralized payment system with automated payouts to sellers.
Also, don’t underestimate the complexity of managing a multi-vendor platform. Dispute resolution and quality control can become full-time jobs. Make sure you have a solid plan for these aspects before diving in.