The Platform Strategy Checklist
The 22 decisions that determine whether a marketplace or platform works, from the core transaction to cold start to defensibility. Decisions to make on paper, before you make them in code.
- 22 decisions grouped into six clear themes
- The mistakes that quietly sink platforms
- A one-page checklist to work through with your co-founders
22 decisions, six themes.
The decisions that make or break a platform, grouped so you can work through them in order, plus a one-page checklist.
The business model
The core transaction, how you earn, the harder side, and unit economics.
Liquidity & cold start
Which side first, the cold-start plan, where to start narrow, single-player value.
Trust, quality & money
Verification, curation, disintermediation, and how money moves and complies.
Product & build
The MVP, build versus no-code, matching and discovery, mobile or web.
Go-to-market & growth
Acquiring each side, incentives and the path off them, the metrics that matter.
Defensibility & risk
Moat and network effects, regulation and DPDP, capital and milestones. Plus the checklist.
Make the hard calls before you spend.
Hard decisions deserve a real sounding board.
Our Marketplace and Platform Consultation is consultation only and led personally by our founder. We help you pressure-test these decisions and design the path. We advise and design; you choose who builds.
Who it is for
Founders and product leaders building, or seriously considering, a marketplace or multi-sided platform, in edtech, B2B sourcing and trade, wellness and lifestyle, or any sector where two sides need to meet. If that is you, work through these 22 before you write a line of code.
Before you download
What is the Platform Strategy Checklist?
A founder-led checklist of the 22 decisions that determine whether a marketplace or platform works, grouped into six themes from business model to cold start to defensibility, plus a one-page checklist.
Is it really free?
Yes. We email you the PDF in exchange for your details, and occasionally share relevant insights. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Which side of the marketplace should I build first?
Usually the harder side to attract, because once it is in place the easier side follows. The real answer is whichever choice best solves your cold start, which the checklist helps you decide.
Do I need to build custom, or can I start no-code?
Start as lean as you can. Proving the core transaction with simple or no-code tools is far cheaper than discovering, after a custom build, that the transaction does not work.
Will MagicWorks build my platform?
No. Our platform work is consultation only and founder-led. We help you make these decisions well and design the path. You choose who builds.
Make the hard decisions first.
Download the checklist and work through the 22 with your team.
Get the checklist