Mirakl have announced the launch of Mirakl Marketplace Platform for Services product. This enables retailers, brand manufacturers and distributors to enhance their marketplaces by offering both products and services to customers in a single transaction. The platform can also be used to run services-only marketplaces, for the first time giving services companies all the benefits of the marketplace model, by using 3rd party partners to deliver services.
The idea behind this is that if for instance you’re buying a new washing machine or tumble dryer, you could book an engineer to recycle your old device and/or install you new appliance. If you’re buying a shed, some people might be happy to self erect, but the supply could also offer a full installation service so that the shed turns up along with a crew to build it.
Whilst we have no indication that they’re interested, a typical customer who this could be useful for is Halfords, who already have a Mirakl marketplace. Say you buy a headlight bulb for your car or accessories for your bicycle – Halfords already offer installation services. What if you’re not located near to a Halfords store though, buying online and engaging the services of a local installer would make a lot of sense. Plus, if you as a marketplace retailer also offer services, Mirakl’s new platform could open up a new services revenue stream.
Mirakl Marketplace Platform for Services Features
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Mirakl service provider user interface
Gives service providers the ability to seamlessly manage the services they offer each customer. This is critical, as services differ from product SKUs in many ways and Mirakl’s platform now acts as the catalog management tool for service providers.
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Book and pay features for services
Shoppers can book and pay for services at the time of purchase. For retailers with products, this ensures the single great shopping experience that the customer expects when they buy online.
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Calendar scheduling functionality
Allows service providers to manage their availability, and shoppers to book a specific time with a service professional directly on the website, eliminating the need for extra phone calls or emails.
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Standalone or hybrid service marketplaces
A merchant does not have to offer product in order to launch a services marketplace; services can be available for a la carte purchase, or can be paired with specific products if desired.
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Category management
Lets consumers find service providers easily by managing a taxonomy of provider types.
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Tailored service definition
Services can be complex, so the Mirakl platform allows for unlimited attributes so that service listings can be flexible and dynamic.
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Mirakl quality control
The platform allows merchants to ensure third party service providers adhere to quality service levels and that customers are satisfied with the service received.
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Cross-sell and upsell
Allows merchants to link products and services together in Mirakl, allowing them to offer them at the point of checkout combined.
