Shopify has been getting quite a bit of coverage lately due to their new pricing model and the launch of the Shopify Marketplace. Their stores have great designs and a number of features to help merchants build and display an Online store for a small cost each month (free - $299.00) and percentage of each transaction (0.5% - 2.0%).

Shopify Marketplace is a place where Shopify store owners can showcase their store brand, products and design in front of many new shoppers and potential customers who visit and shop from the Shopify Marketplace. In addition, the Marketplace features a Shop of the Day on the front page that gives those stores the ability to receive even more exposure for their brand name and product line.To include your Shopify store and products within the Marketplace you must login to your account and request an API so you can opt in.

I have personally been following Shopify since their initial launch and have been impressed with their themes, features and other offerings. The addition of the Marketplace did surprise me, but I think it’s a terrific idea from the Jadedpixel team and Shopify which should help their clients get more product and brand exposure, not to mention, the ability to have the shop featured on the front page of the Marketplace.

Scott Lake, Shopify Founding Partner, took a moment to share some more information about Shopify and the new Shopify Marketplace. Check out the interview below and then check out their site, tools and features.

Scott Lake Answers 10 Questions About Shopify Marketplace:

Roughly how many merchants are included within Shopify Marketplace?

The Shopify Marketplace is an opt in process which just started last week at last check there were well over 600 stores that at published their products.

Roughly how many products are included within Shopify Marketplace?

At last check the marketplace contained almost 35,000 products. That number is continuously rising as more and more shops opt into the Shopify Marketplace.

Roughly how many individuals currently work on the Shopify Marketplace support and coding teams?

Currently there are three people who are primarily responsible the development of the Shopify Marketplace. Tobi Luetke is the lead developer on the Marketplace with both Cody Fauser and Daniel Weinand pitching in on various elements. I should note that Daniel is responsible for both the design of the Marketplace as well as the new Shopify site.

What other places across the Internet, if any, are merchants and products included?

Right now the only way to get on the Shopify Marketplace is to have a Shopify store. Showcasing our own stores and products is primarily purpose of the Shopify Marketplace. So far we have not included any other product sources within the Shopify Marketplace.

What, in your opinion, are the highlight features Shopify Marketplace offers it’s users?

When we launched, the main goal was to let people quickly be able to find the exact products that they are looking for. So far we’ve done this with the price range utility, tags and drill down by product type and product vendor. The Marketplace as it is now is just a beginning, the goal is to introduce many new features over time.

What, in your opinion are the highlight features Shopify Marketplace offers merchants?

The highlight feature that Shopify Marketplace offers to merchants is the ability to get 24 hour exclusive front page feature for their stores and products. This can be done directly from within the Shopify admin menu and stores who choose to advertise in the way will also have their product highlighted in the search for an additional 30 days. This has been a huge success because we instantly sold out the first two month block of advertising days.

Are new features being added and updated often? How often would you say?

Yes, features will be added on a continual basis. I cant say how often because it depends on the features, however we will be looking strongly to the Shopify community to let us know what features they want the Marketplace to have.

How does Shopify Marketplace plan to stay competitive with sites like Amazon and eBay marketplaces?

The Shopify Marketplace is first and foremost an outlet or broadcast medium for the Shopify community to promote their products. We really don’t see Amazon or eBay as direct competition even though we do similar things. Since Shopify’s launch, we have become known for having the best designed stores with many of the most interesting products. Instead of drowning our visitors with tons of exactly the same products, Shopify’s Marketplace will be a place to find an eclectic mix of very high quality products.

Where do you see Shopify Marketplace in the next 3-5 years?

In the next 3-5 years the Shopify Marketplace will look very different then it does now. At that point, it is very likely that several communities will have formed around different groups of stores and products. As the Shopify Marketplace grows, we will be listening to our users for them to tell us the features that they would like to see. From a product point of view, I know that the Shopify Marketplace will evolve into one of the most interesting shopping destinations on the web.

What Online product marketplaces, other than Shopify Marketplace, do you personally use to shop from?

Mostly I buy books online so I will browse Chapters and Amazon for used books. Other than that, once in a while I will buy something from eBay when I just cant find it anywhere else.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts:

I am planning on revisiting my own Shopify store to see what I have been missing out on over the past few months when I kind of got too busy to manage it and set it all up for the first time. I plan on adding my items to the Marketplace and will try and let everyone know what I think after using it myself. I like the direction Shopify is going and can’t wait to see what they come out with next. If you haven’t already, be sure to check them out and tell your friends. Shopify is certainly one of the most popular hosted shopping carts on the market and by the looks of things that won’t be changing any time soon. For more information about Shopify stores, be sure to read their site, blog, wiki and forums. Those should cover anything you need answered.

To Scott: Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer these question about the Shopify Marketplace. I really appreciate it and I am sure our readers do to. Be sure to let your team know that we support you all and wish you the best in your future ventures, keep up the quality work and don’t hesitate to keep us all informed about new developments.

To our readers: I hope you have enjoyed reading this installment of shopping site QandA with Scot Lake of Jadedpixel and Shopify. We plan on doing several more interviews with other comparison shopping engine founders, marketers and employees. Keep you eye out for those in weeks to come.

Shopify Marketplace is Featured as one of the shopping sites on our Product Listing Guide!