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Marketplace Archetype

SCOPE_ITEM: Two-sided (or multi-sided) platform that connects buyers with sellers, facilitates transactions, and earns revenue through platform fees, commissions, or subscriptions.

When This Archetype Applies

CHECK: Platform connects two or more distinct user types (buyer + seller). CHECK: Platform facilitates transactions between those user types. CHECK: Platform earns revenue by taking a cut or charging fees. CHECK: Platform must build trust between strangers (reviews, verification).

IF: Only one user type (internal staff). THEN: Use internal-tools archetype instead.

IF: Platform serves existing clients of one company (no transaction). THEN: Use client-portal archetype instead.

Variants

Product Marketplace

SCOPE_ITEM: Platform where sellers list physical or digital products and buyers purchase them (e.g., Etsy, Bol.com, Marktplaats model). INCLUDES: Product listings with media, shopping cart, checkout, split payments, shipping/delivery tracking, reviews. OPTIONAL: Inventory management, variant handling (size/colour), bulk listing tools, seller analytics dashboard.

Service Marketplace

SCOPE_ITEM: Platform where providers offer services and clients book or request them (e.g., Werkspot, Thuisbezorgd model). INCLUDES: Provider profiles with availability, service request flow, booking/scheduling, split payments, completion confirmation, reviews. OPTIONAL: Real-time availability, location-based matching, instant booking vs request-and-quote.

Rental / Booking Marketplace

SCOPE_ITEM: Platform for time-based access to assets or spaces (e.g., Airbnb, Peerby model). INCLUDES: Availability calendar, booking flow with date selection, split payments with hold/release, cancellation policies, reviews. OPTIONAL: Instant book vs approval-required, dynamic pricing, damage deposit handling.

B2B Marketplace

SCOPE_ITEM: Platform connecting businesses for wholesale, professional services, or procurement. INCLUDES: Company verification (KVK/CoC), quote/RFP flow, invoicing (not card payments), volume pricing, account management. OPTIONAL: Tender system, preferred supplier lists, purchase orders.

GE Stack Mapping

Layer Technology Notes
Frontend Next.js (App Router) SSR for SEO on public listings
API Hono on Node.js Type-safe, high-performance API
Database PostgreSQL + Drizzle ORM EU-hosted, GDPR compliant
Auth NextAuth.js Dual role: buyer + seller accounts
Payments Mollie Connect (NL, PRIMARY) or Stripe Connect (US, secondary) Split payments, escrow, payouts
Search Meilisearch Full-text, faceted, typo-tolerant
Media S3-compatible + image CDN Presigned upload, on-the-fly resize
Messaging PostgreSQL + SSE In-platform buyer-seller messaging
Background jobs BullMQ + Redis Payout scheduling, notifications
Hosting EU-hosted infrastructure GDPR Article 44 compliant

Complexity Estimation

Variant Typical scope items Estimated effort
MVP marketplace (one category) 80-120 8-12 weeks
Full product marketplace 150-220 16-24 weeks
Full service marketplace 140-200 14-22 weeks
B2B marketplace 120-180 14-20 weeks

Key Decision Points

IF: Marketplace operates in the Netherlands or EU. THEN: Default to Mollie Connect for payments (better EU coverage, iDEAL native support, EUR-first). See: transactions.md

IF: Marketplace operates globally or USD-first. THEN: Mollie Connect primary for EU + Stripe Connect secondary for non-EU. NOTE: Stripe is US-based — EU data sovereignty risk. See: transactions.md

IF: Marketplace has >1000 listings expected at launch. THEN: Include dedicated search engine (Meilisearch). See: search-discovery.md

IF: Marketplace involves high-value transactions or regulated services. THEN: Include seller KYC verification and escrow. See: dual-authentication.md, transactions.md

IF: Marketplace needs content moderation. THEN: Include trust & safety module. See: trust-safety.md

Revenue Model Patterns

Model Description When to Use
Commission % of each transaction Default for most marketplaces
Subscription Monthly fee for sellers Established marketplace, B2B
Listing fee Fee per listing posted High-volume listing platforms
Featured/promoted Pay for visibility Additional revenue stream
Freemium Free basic, paid premium Growth-focused marketplaces

Compliance Baseline

COMPLIANCE: GDPR — EU-hosted, DPA with payment processor, consent management. COMPLIANCE: PSD2 — Payment processing via licensed PSP (Stripe/Mollie). COMPLIANCE: Consumer rights — 14-day return policy display (EU directive). COMPLIANCE: Platform-to-Business (P2B) Regulation — Transparent ranking, clear T&C, complaint handling mechanism for sellers. COMPLIANCE: KYC/AML — Delegated to payment processor (Stripe/Mollie handles). COMPLIANCE: VAT — Marketplace may have VAT collection obligations (EU 2025 rules).

File Index

File Purpose
feature-tree.md Complete feature decomposition
dual-authentication.md Buyer/seller accounts, KYC, trust scores
transactions.md Escrow, split payments, fees, payouts
search-discovery.md Search, filtering, ranking, recommendations
trust-safety.md Moderation, fraud detection, reviews
checklist.md Scoping and delivery checklist