Revenue & Fees
How to make money with your marketplace: commission rates, fee structures, and revenue examples.
Revenue Calculator
Project your earnings based on your commission rate, average order value, and expected sales. Export to CSV or Google Sheets.
How Marketplace Owners Make Money
As a marketplace owner, your primary revenue comes from commission fees - a percentage you take from each sale on your platform. This is how Etsy, Airbnb, Uber, and virtually every successful marketplace generates revenue.
Your Revenue = Commission on Every Sale
When a seller makes a sale on your marketplace, you automatically keep a percentage as your platform fee. This is configured in your Store Settings and is completely separate from Prometora's fees.
Setting Your Commission Rate
You can set your commission rate in Store Settings → General. This percentage is automatically deducted from each sale and sent to your Stripe account.
Example: 10% commission on all sales. Try our calculator to see how different rates affect your earnings.
Commission Rate Guidelines
The right commission rate depends on your marketplace type and the value you provide:
| Rate | Best For | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 5-10% | High-volume, low-margin goods | Electronics, commodities, wholesale |
| 10-15% | Standard product marketplaces | Handmade goods, vintage, art |
| 15-20% | Service marketplaces | Freelance, tutoring, consulting |
| 20-30% | Premium/high-value services | Rentals, luxury goods, experiences |
How to Choose Your Rate
Research what similar marketplaces charge. If you're just starting, consider a lower rate (5-10%) to attract sellers, then increase as you add more value (traffic, features, trust).
Understanding All Fees
There are three types of fees involved in a marketplace transaction:
1. Your Commission
You Keep ThisThe percentage you set (e.g., 10%). This goes directly to your Stripe account. This is your revenue.
2. Prometora Platform Fee
Based on PlanA small percentage on transactions, depending on your Prometora plan:
- • Starter: 2% per transaction
- • Professional: 1.5% per transaction
- • Business: 1% per transaction
3. Stripe Processing Fee
Payment ProcessingStripe's standard payment processing fee: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (varies by country and payment method).
Complete Revenue Example
Let's break down exactly what happens when a buyer purchases a $100 item on your marketplace:
Seller side
Your net: $8.50 — Seller receives $86.80 after commission + processing fees
Who Pays the Fees?
Sellers absorb both your platform commission and Stripe processing fees (2.9% + $0.30). You (the marketplace owner) absorb only the Prometora fee from your commission. This is the industry-standard model used by Etsy, eBay, and Airbnb.
Seller Pays
- • Your platform commission
- • Stripe processing fee (2.9% + $0.30)
- • Both are deducted from the sale price
- • Industry standard approach
Owner Pays
- • Prometora transaction fee (from your commission)
- • Monthly subscription
- • Your commission is fully yours after Prometora's cut
- • Stripe fees do not reduce your earnings
Communicating Fees to Sellers
Be transparent with your sellers about fee structure. Most sellers understand and accept platform fees as a cost of doing business - just like payment processing fees. Include fee information in your seller onboarding and FAQ.
How the Prometora Transaction Fee is Billed
The Prometora transaction fee (1-2% depending on your plan) is not deducted from each individual sale. Instead, it is calculated on your total sales volume (GMV) for each billing period and added to your Prometora subscription invoice via Stripe.
1. Transactions are tracked
Every sale on your marketplace is recorded. The total GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) accumulates throughout your billing period.
2. Fee is calculated at billing cycle end
At the end of your billing period, the transaction fee is calculated as a percentage of your total GMV. For example, on the Business plan with $10,000 in sales: 1% = $100.
3. Added to your next invoice
The fee is automatically added to your Prometora subscription invoice alongside your regular subscription fee. For example: $199 (Business subscription) + $100 (1% on $10K GMV) = $299 total.
4. Counters reset
After the fee is reported, your GMV counter resets to zero for the new billing period.
Monthly vs. Yearly Subscriptions
The transaction fee billing follows your subscription cycle. On a monthly plan, the fee is calculated and charged monthly. On a yearly plan, the fee accumulates over the full year and is charged at your annual renewal.
Revenue Projections
Here's what you could earn at different marketplace sizes (assuming 10% commission, Professional plan):
| Monthly GMV | Your Commission (10%) | Prometora Fee | Subscription | Net Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $500 | $75 | $99 | $326/mo |
| $10,000 | $1,000 | $150 | $99 | $751/mo |
| $25,000 | $2,500 | $375 | $99 | $2,026/mo |
| $50,000 | $5,000 | $750 | $99 | $4,151/mo |
| $100,000 | $10,000 | $1,500 | $99 | $8,401/mo |
* GMV = Gross Merchandise Value (total sales). Net revenue = your commission minus Prometora fees and subscription. Stripe fees are paid by sellers, not deducted from your commission.
Upgrade to Business for Higher Volume
At $50,000+ monthly GMV, upgrading to Business ($199/mo, 1% fee) makes sense. You'd save $51/month in platform fees at $50K GMV, plus get API access, webhooks, and data export.
Tips for Maximizing Revenue
1. Focus on GMV Growth
Your revenue scales with sales volume. Focus on attracting quality sellers and driving buyer traffic. A 10% commission on $100K GMV is far better than 20% on $10K.
2. Start Lower, Increase Later
Begin with a competitive rate (5-10%) to attract early sellers. As you add value (traffic, features, trust), you can gradually increase your commission.
3. Consider Tiered Pricing
Some marketplaces offer lower commission rates for high-volume sellers. This encourages seller loyalty and growth.
4. Add Premium Features
Beyond commission, consider offering premium seller features: featured listings, analytics dashboards, or promotional tools for an additional fee.