Hey everyone,
I’m working on a web app that lets other businesses sell their stuff through my site. I know how to build online stores but I don’t want to handle the money part myself. I want the buyers and sellers to deal with payments directly.
I’m not keen on PayPal and don’t want to use bank accounts for each seller because of the fees. Any ideas on how to set this up? I’m okay with being involved a little if I have to but want to keep costs down.
The site will start in the UK but might go worldwide later. I’ll probably use PHP but that’s not the main concern here.
Has anyone tackled something like this before? What worked for you? I’d really appreciate any advice!
Thanks in advance for your help!
have u checked out adyen? they do multi-seller payments and work internationally. i used them for a similr project last yr. setup was pretty easy, fees wern’t too bad. they handle the money stuff so u dont have to worry bout it. might be worth lookin into for ur marketplace idea.
Hey Mike_Energetic, your project sounds intriguing! Have you looked into cryptocurrency payments at all?
I’m curious if that might solve some of your concerns about fees and international transactions. Something like Bitcoin or Ethereum could potentially work, though there are pros and cons to consider.
What kind of products will be sold on your platform? That could impact which payment solutions make the most sense. And how tech-savvy are your target sellers?
I wonder if a hybrid approach might work - like offering crypto alongside more traditional options. That way sellers could choose what works best for them.
Have you thought about how you’ll handle disputes or refunds if you’re not directly involved in payments? That’s another tricky area to figure out.
Anyway, just some thoughts to ponder! Keep us posted on what you decide to go with. This kind of marketplace setup is always interesting to learn about.
Have you considered using Stripe Connect? It’s designed specifically for marketplace platforms like what you’re describing. Stripe handles the complex bits of multi-party payments, regulatory compliance, and international transactions.
With Stripe Connect, you can onboard sellers easily, and it manages the flow of funds between buyers, sellers, and your platform (if you want to take a cut). They handle currency conversion too, which is handy for your future global plans.
I implemented this for a client’s marketplace last year. The integration was straightforward, and it solved many of the headaches around managing multiple sellers and payments. Plus, their fees were competitive compared to alternatives we looked at.
Just be aware you’ll need to handle some KYC (Know Your Customer) processes for sellers, but Stripe provides tools to streamline this. Overall, it could be a solid solution for your needs.