Getting vendors to sign up is one thing. Getting them to stay, list their services or products, and stay active? That’s the real challenge.
The onboarding experience is where that journey starts — and too many marketplaces get it wrong.
Here’s how to design onboarding that turns curious signups into long-term supply-side partners.
1. Start with the end in mind
A good onboarding experience is about momentum. You want vendors to:
- Understand the value of your platform
- Set up their profile or listings quickly
- Feel supported and in control
Before you design anything, decide what a successful Day 1 looks like for your vendor — then build backwards from there.
2. Make it stupidly simple
Vendors are busy. Many of them are not “tech people.” If your setup process is clunky or confusing, they’ll drop off — and might not come back.
Keep it tight:
- Break onboarding into steps
- Ask only what’s essential up front
- Use checklists or progress bars to show what’s next
- Give real examples of what “good” looks like
You’re not just collecting information — you’re building confidence.
3. Help them succeed, not just sign up
Onboarding isn’t just about forms. It’s your first chance to teach vendors how to win on your platform.
Consider:
- Quick tips or tooltips while setting up
- An onboarding call or chat option
- A welcome email series that explains best practices
- Access to real examples of top-performing listings
This is the difference between passive signups and active, invested users.
4. Celebrate the first win
Once a vendor publishes a listing, receives a booking, or gets a positive review — highlight it!
This could be:
- A friendly notification
- A badge or milestone
- A personal email saying “well done”
Positive reinforcement works. Small wins early on lead to more engagement later.
5. Collect feedback early (and actually use it)
Your first cohort of vendors are more than users — they’re partners in shaping the experience.
Ask them:
- What was confusing?
- What felt great?
- What almost made you give up?
Then act on it. Iterate fast. Let them know when you improve something based on their feedback — it builds loyalty and trust.
Final thoughts
Great onboarding isn’t a checklist — it’s the foundation of your vendor experience.
The goal isn’t just to get someone live on the platform. It’s to get them confident, active, and excited to grow with you.
At Markko, we obsess over onboarding — and we give every marketplace the tools to create a smooth, scalable setup experience.
Want to build better onboarding for your marketplace? Get in touch — we’ll show you how.