Marketplace Idea Validation Report

Who This Is For

If you’re in the early stages of a marketplace idea, it’s hard to know if it’s viable, or where to start. This audit gives you clear, honest insight to help you avoid wasted effort and move forward with confidence.

It’s perfect if you're:

Thinking about launching a marketplace and don’t want to waste time or money

Wondering whether Sharetribe (or any no-code tool) will support your idea

Considering applying for funding, an accelerator, or pitching to investors

Looking for an expert second opinion before hiring a designer or developer

Feeling unsure how to turn your idea into a real product

What You’ll Get

This isn’t a generic report. You’ll get a personalised deep-dive into your idea, reviewed and structured by a UX expert who specialises in marketplace platforms. Here’s what’s inside:

Business Model Evaluation

Does your concept actually work as a marketplace? I’ll break down the problem you’re solving, assess whether a two-sided platform is the right model, and highlight any red flags or missed opportunities in your current thinking.

Buyer and Seller Mapping

You’ll get a breakdown of who your users are on both sides, what motivates them, and what kind of experience each group needs from day one. I’ll also flag if your early-stage user acquisition seems realistic.

Platform Model Fit

Not all marketplaces are built the same. I’ll analyse what kind of model you’re proposing (e.g. peer-to-peer, SaaS-enabled, managed, etc.) and whether that structure is likely to work in your niche or region.

MVP Feature Suggestions

I’ll help you understand what your very first version needs to include (and what can wait). This isn’t a technical spec, just a realistic, lean starting point based on your idea and users.

Build Platform Recommendation

Based on your goals, complexity, and audience, I’ll advise whether Sharetribe, no-code, or a custom-built platform makes the most sense for your MVP.

Competitive & Comparative Insight

You’ll get a light-touch review of other platforms doing similar things, including what they’ve done well (and not so well). This helps you better position your idea and spot key differentiators.

Get Your Report

How It Works

An async process designed for busy founders

1. You fill out a short intake form

You’ll answer a few simple questions about your idea, users, and goals. No pitch deck required (unless you have one you'd like to share), just your best current thinking.

2. I analyse and write your custom report

I use my UX and product experience (plus research tools like ChatGPT) to evaluate your idea and document practical, strategic insights.

3. You receive your report within 5 working days

You’ll get a beautiful, structured PDF, plus a short Loom video where I walk you through the findings and what to do next.

Get Your Report

Why Founders Love This

It’s fast: No drawn-out research or pitch-prep needed

It’s clear: You’ll walk away knowing what your next step should be

It’s async: No calls, no pressure, no awkward sales pitch

It’s actionable: You’ll have real direction, not just high-level theory

It builds momentum: Most founders use this to move into full product scoping

FAQs

Do I need a business plan?

No, all you need is an idea and a willingness to answer a few short questions. I’ll take care of the rest.

Is this a research report or UX design?

It’s a strategic, UX-led business evaluation. You won’t get screens or wireframes, but you will get clear thinking about what to build, why, and when.

Can I build this with Sharetribe?

If your MVP suits Sharetribe, I’ll say so. If not, I’ll recommend something better. This part is totally objective.

Will you try to upsell me?

No. If you want to move to the next phase (scoping project), I’d love to help, but the audit is a standalone, no-pressure product.

Do I need to speak to you live?

No, everything is designed to work asynchronously. You’ll fill out a short form at the start, and I’ll deliver your report within a few days. You won’t be asked to book a call or sit through a Zoom meeting.

You’re In Good Company

"Fiona came highly recommended from Sharetribe and our vendor, Journey Horizon. She exceeded all expectations with her organisation, skill, and delivery. Her flexibility to work with us as we iterated on design was very accommodating. Besides being a joy to work with, she impressed us with her design sensibilities and UX recommendations. For a startup launching an innovative platform, Fiona was the perfect partner."

Francis Porter

Co-Founder at ANALOGr

"To define Fiona as just a designer would be an injustice. She is a holistic online marketplace consultant who delivers high quality designs at lightning speed. Her ability to think through the objectives given by us, plan the entire user workflow, and finding the right solutions through her designs in a collaborative manner swiftly sets her apart from everyone else. We are very happy with the work she has done for InsightGig and would highly recommend Fiona to anyone looking for a professional designer for their online marketplace."

Sridhar V

Co-Founder at InsightGig

"If you're seeking a thorough, proactive, and professional designer with excellent communication skills, look no further than Fiona. She played a crucial role in launching my marketplace, offering valuable recommendations that saved me time and money in the long run. Acting as both a guide and designer, Fiona's expertise was invaluable during the startup phase. Despite the time zone difference, our collaboration was seamless, with completed design sections waiting for me in the morning. Fiona grasped my vision and created a design that felt clean and distinctly feminine, perfectly tailored to my target audience. Without hesitation, I would hire Fiona again for future projects. I hesitated to write this recommendation because I'm afraid everyone will want to snatch her up!"

Lauren Cain

Founder at Homebaked

"My team love working on projects that Fiona is involved in as she has an excellent understanding of Sharetribe and knows how to deliver clear requirements. She has made our development work much easier. Fiona is also great at helping the business owner turn their idea into a working marketplace. In short she is the true definition of a user experience designer."

Matthew Ryan

Co-Founder and CEO at Journey Horizon

Validate Your Marketplace Idea Before You Build