The basic mechanics
A marketplace provides the storefront, search, payments, and trust layer so individual sellers don’t each have to build their own. In exchange, it takes a commission on each sale. The bigger the platform’s leverage, the larger the cut it can charge.
How marketplaces make money
Most marketplaces earn a percentage of every transaction — commonly 15–30% — plus listing or payment fees. That’s efficient for the platform but expensive for small sellers operating on thin margins. See how Good Circles is funded »
What a community marketplace changes
A community marketplace keeps the convenience but realigns the economics: merchants keep 89% of profit on a 1% fee, shoppers save about 10%, and a share of every sale funds a local nonprofit. More on community marketplaces »
A marketplace built for local
Same convenience, different economics — see how the money moves.
How it worksFAQ
How do online marketplaces make money?
Most take a commission on every sale — commonly 15–30% — plus listing or payment fees. Good Circles instead charges a 1% fee on profit.
What makes a community marketplace different?
A community marketplace keeps the convenience of an online marketplace but routes value locally: merchants keep 89% of profit, shoppers save about 10%, and a share of every sale funds a local nonprofit.