This document provides an overview of how to build a marketplace without code. It discusses using tools like Webflow, Memberstack, Airtable and Zapier to build the front end, enable memberships and monetization, store backend data, and automate workflows. Specifically, it outlines how to create profile and listing pages, set up an automated onboarding process for freelancers and clients, integrate payment options, and use Zapier to automate tasks like sending emails. Examples are given of how Unicorn Factory, a no-code marketplace, uses these tools together. Tips are provided for getting started, including building initial pages, integrating memberships, setting up Airtable and automating workflows with Zapier

1. How to build
a marketplace
without code
C O N N O R F I N L A Y S O N
@FinlaysonConnor
www.connorfinlayson.com/ncc

2. Kia ora, my name is Connor 👋
Wellington, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Freelance Digital Marketer
Creator of Unicorn Factory 🏗
A B O U T M E

3. About Unicorn Factory
15 mins
The No Code Marketplace Setup
15 mins
No Code Workflow Examples
15 mins
Q&A
until end
O V E R V I E W

4. I want to inspire you to build your own
marketplace without code!

5. A marketplace that connects freelancers and business owners in New Zealand.
W W W . U N I C O R N F A C T O R Y . N Z

6. Feb
2018
Built Prototype for Unicorn Factory
May
2016
Starting referring work to
freelancers + other startups
U N I C O R N F A C T O R Y S T O R Y
Nov
2015
Created apps for local business
to fund our startup

7. June
2019
Monetize the platform
for the first time
U N I C O R N F A C T O R Y S T O R Y
Feb
2018
Opened it up to NZ-based
freelancers

8. 240 NZ based
freelancers
180+ direct enquiries
per month
20+ community
projects per month
50-75 new
businesses each
month
$600/mth in
membership revenue
$2000/mth in
commission revenue
U N I C O R N F A C T O R Y T O D A Y

9. The No Code Setup

10. Automated Onboarding
Process
(with a review system)
Automated comms with
Clients and Freelancers
(with a review system)
Tiered Memberships for
freelancers
Metrics & Reporting
Dashboard in Airtable
Users can update their profile
W H A T C A N U N I C O R N F A C T O R Y D O ?

11. Webflow
Front-end build of the
website
Memberstack
Gated Content and
Monetization
Airtable
No Code
Database
Zapier
Workflow
Automation
T H E N O C O D E S T A C K

12. Build & Admin Time
12 hrs
Build the MVP
Freelancer CMS, Messaging
8 hrs
Memberstack + Community
Projects
8 hrs
Workflow Automation +
Airtable Setup
2 - 4
hrs
Weekly Maintenance and Admin

13. Webflow

14. Webflow

15. Memberstack

16. Memberstack

17. Airtable

18. Airtable

19. Zapier

20. Zapier

21. Building the Site

22. B U I L D I N G T H E S I T E : P R O F I L E P A G E
Create Profile Template
using CMS Collection.

23. B U I L D I N G T H E S I T E : P R O F I L E P A G E
Link a profile to other CMS
collections like case
studies or skills.

24. B U I L D I N G T H E S I T E : P R O F I L E P A G E
Create a custom contact
form on each profile page.

25. B U I L D I N G T H E S I T E : L I S T I N G P A G E S
Create listing pages for
categories like locations or
skills.

26. B U I L D I N G T H E S I T E : L I S T I N G P A G E S
Using the CMS sorting
feature to order
freelancers by availability.

27. B U I L D I N G T H E S I T E : L I S T I N G P A G E S
Integrate schema.org into
the CMS collection pages
to generate rich text on
Google.

28. B U I L D I N G T H E S I T E : S E O B E N E F I T S

29. Monetizing the platform

30. M O N E T I Z I N G T H E P L A T F O R M : M E M B E R P R O F I L E
Create pages in Webflow
and use Memberstack to
hide them if they don’t
have an account

31. M O N E T I Z I N G T H E P L A T F O R M : A P P L Y I N G F O R C O M M U N I T Y P R O J E C T S
Give paying freelancers
access to additional
features like community
projects.

32. How it all works together

33. Client makes enquiry
Freelancer Applies to Join
Freelancer is Approved
Client creates a community
project
Freelancer requests intro to
community project
Freelancer makes payment
A Record is Created in
Airtable
Creates CMS Items
Sends Onboarding Emails
Review Process
Tweets
Updates CMS Items
H O W I T A L L W O R K S T O G E T H E R

34. Unicorn Factory Examples

35. Clients submits enquiry form
Clients submits the enquiry form
E N T R Y S U B M I S S I O N Z A P S

36. Clients submits enquiry form
Creates a record in “Messages”
Create record in “messages”
E N T R Y S U B M I S S I O N Z A P S

37. Clients submits enquiry form
Creates a record in “Messages”
Sends me a notification in Slack
Send “review” Slack notification
E N T R Y S U B M I S S I O N Z A P S

38. Select Approve Checkbox
Select the “approve” checkbox
E N T R Y S U B M I S S I O N Z A P S

39. Select Approve Checkbox
Move Record to “Approved
Messages” View
Record is moved into “Approved Messages” view
E N T R Y S U B M I S S I O N Z A P S

40. Select Approve Checkbox
Move Record to “Approved
Messages” View
Forward Message to freelancer
Forward enquiry to the freelancer
E N T R Y S U B M I S S I O N Z A P S

41. Freelancer Application Completed
Freelancer application submitted
F R E E L A N C E R A P P L I C A T I O N Z A P S

42. Freelancer Application Completed
Added to Freelancer Funnel for
Review
Creates a record in “Freelancer” funnel
F R E E L A N C E R A P P L I C A T I O N Z A P S

43. Freelancer Application Completed
Added to Freelancer Funnel for
Review
Sends me a notification in Slack
Send a “Review” notification
F R E E L A N C E R A P P L I C A T I O N Z A P S

44. Review Application
Review application
F R E E L A N C E R A P P R O V E D Z A P S

45. Review Application
Click Approve and move to
“Approved Freelancer View”
Approve application
F R E E L A N C E R A P P R O V E D Z A P S

46. Review Application
Click Approval and move
“Approved Freelancer View”
Create a Webflow CMS Item
Automatically creates Webflow CMS item
F R E E L A N C E R A P P R O V E D Z A P S

47. Review Application
Click Approval and move
“Approved Freelancer View”
Create a Webflow CMS Item
Update the Airtable Record with
Webflow CMS Item ID and Slug
Update CMS Item ID and Slug (MUST DO)
F R E E L A N C E R A P P R O V E D Z A P S

48. Publish website
Stage profile for publish & publish to the interwebs
F R E E L A N C E R A P P R O V E D Z A P S

49. Publish website
Change Status from “In Review” to
“Active Profile”
Stage profile for publish & publish to the interwebs
F R E E L A N C E R A P P R O V E D Z A P S

50. Publish website
Change Status from “In Review” to
“Active Profile”
Send a Welcome Email
Send a welcome email
F R E E L A N C E R A P P R O V E D Z A P S

51. Publish website
Change Status from “In Review” to
“Active Profile”
Send a Welcome Email
Share with Community on Twitter
Share on Twitter
F R E E L A N C E R A P P R O V E D Z A P S

52. Client makes enquiry
Freelancer Applies to Join
Freelancer is Approved
Client creates a community
project
Freelancer requests intro to
community project
Freelancer makes payment
A Record is Created in
Airtable
Creates CMS Items
Sends Onboarding Emails
Review Process
Tweets
Updates CMS Items
H O W I T A L L W O R K S T O G E T H E R

53. Tips for your first No Code
Marketplace

54. Where to start
STEP
1
Start building the pages in
Webflow

55. Where to start
STEP
1
Start building the pages in
Webflow
STEP
2
Integrate Memberstack and hide
pages

56. Where to start
STEP
1
Start building the pages in
Webflow
STEP
2
Integrate Memberstack and hide
pages
STEP
3
Setup Airtable + automate
workflows with Zapier

57. Where to start
STEP
1
Start building the pages in
Webflow
STEP
2
Integrate Memberstack and hide
pages
STEP
3
Setup Airtable to collect all
information.
STEP
4
Share with the community

58. Download Slides and get in touch:
connorfinlayson.com/ncc
T H A N K Y O U
Let me know how your No Code project is going on Twitter:
@FinlaysonConnor