Question
Hello there, I am planning to build an on-demand coaching platform, much like Clairty, in the college-admissions consulting space. I would like to know what options exist beyond just hiring a developer (or devp. company) to build it from scratch. Options that come to my mind so far are: 1) WordPress marketplace themes; 2) no-code solutions like Bubble; and 3) as previously mentioned, build from scratch.
I would like to get your thoughts and advice on which solutions (both off-the-shelf and tailor-made) I should look at. Thank you for your time.
Answer
It sounds like you're off to a great start with your marketplace idea! You've already mentioned some solid options like WordPress marketplace themes and no-code platforms like Bubble, both of which can be great depending on your budget and timeline. Another option worth considering could be white-label solutions—these can give you a head start with pre-built functionality that can be customized to suit your niche. If you’re thinking long-term scalability and want more control over the platform, then building from scratch (whether through hiring developers or a company) could offer greater flexibility. For a detailed look at the development process, here's an article that might provide some useful insights: https://www.cleveroad.com/blog/how-to-build-online-marketplace/. While it focuses on food ordering, the principles could easily apply to other marketplaces like yours.
Good luck with your project!
