I have recently launched a new platform - www.ekipa.co. We now call it 'the global marketplace for software teams'. One feedback we're getting from experts and from some of our providers is that high value transactions with a low frequency are not suitable for a pure online marketplace. If I look at for example Angel.co, I would argue that they do facilitate high value transactions. So my brain tells me the issue is in the naming 'marketplace' > Angel.co calls itself a community.
The core thing our platform does is match custom software buyers with the best software teams from all over the world. Teams are employed by companies (providers). Ekipa matches your project with a team that knows how to build the solution you need, in the technology you want and for companies similar to yours. After the matching, we support the collaboration with escrow payment and a local point of contact.
For providers, we give them strong profiles and access to clients + we vet them, which gives them credibility. On this side of the chicken and egg problem, we've got quite some traction now.
How would you approach this problem of labelling? Or do you believe there's a more fundamental problem?
I think we'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are not promoting here through a question it appears to me that there is a different issue at hand.
Could be branding, positioning, market focus, pricing or wording... Could be a number of things more suitable for a call I think.
Also,
Angel.co is a community, it doesn't call itself that. You can label whatever you wish but it has to embody how your customer base feels, often times this issuing does not come until you have a large user base and they themselves will give you the answer.
Branding is often a waste of time for most startups because the fundamental value of a brand come through user satisfaction & engagement. Here is where growth hacking comes in for most startups.
A marketplace is a common name for digital services however unless and until you have an established branded service that people know you for a marketplace label is more confusing than anything.
Again, it appears that you have a positioning, marketing, possibly pricing and maybe even management since all these relate to growth and sales.
Give me or anyone else here relevant to your issues a call :)
Claim your 10 minutes free with me using this link: www.clarity.fm/humbertovalle/Unthink
Humberto Valle
Neither "marketplace" nor "community" get the point across.
You're a "matchmaker", a dating agency that pairs projects with compatible teams of software engineers.
Perhaps: "Epika ... where Projects date Software Teams".
... or so I'd spin it, anyway.
I'm not sure that it is a serious issue but I do think that Marketplace sounds a bit more transactional whereas what you are offering is a little more in depth, involved, and long term. I'm guessing you probably want to steer away of anything that would make them associate your network with something like Elance or Odesk. For those reasons I would probably lean toward either "Community" or "Network". So possibly a "Network of Providers" or a "Community of Providers". Additionally I think the focus of the branding would/should focus primarily toward the client rather than the provider.
I support the idea of labelling it as a community and believe that your labelling should be focussed on that irrespective of what Angel.co does or does not do. Remember one thing that you have started Epika to bridge between software buyers and software teams and this can be only done by a community. There are several online communities from which you can draw inspiration from. These are as follows:
1. Community of Sweden. One of the most beautifully designed websites with an extraordinarily strong community and a great use of game mechanics. Tommy Sollen is a community genius.
2. SK-Gaming. If you play games online, you are probably a member of this near 1m strong gaming community. It is a hugely popular community with plenty of content about the community. Possibly the best use of game mechanics out there.
3. PoliceOne. A great example of building a community for a more difficult group. Most of the community anyone can access, but cops (once verified through their precinct) can talk in private areas. This community appeals to cops by offering great advice and satisfies affiliation needs well.
4. Harringay Online. You do not need strong technical expertise to build a community for your local neighbourhood.
5. Texans Talk. You can pick almost any NFL team and find a strong online community. The usual features are 1) It is unofficial 2) It uses an amazingly simple blog/forum 3) Very clear line between the top members and everyone else.
6. Gamer’s Voice. An active community using a Facebook group to tackle anti-video games policies and media. A good example of what a Facebook group can be.
7. Barista Exchange. The world’s top online community for Barista’s. Study the types of conversations carefully, you can use these in almost any community of practice.
8. Prisoner Life. Huge boundaries between insiders and outsiders. Easy to find affiliation and develop relationships within this community.
9. 4Chan. Best example of insiders entirely getting it and outsiders not having a clue. This community has its own language, culture, rituals, and many aspects that make a community strong.
10. Kiva. Excellent use of sub-groups to stimulate activity, good inclusion of game mechanics and it is all for a good cause.
Besides if you do have any questions give me a call: https://clarity.fm/joy-brotonath
