Hey,
I’ve just been dreaming up some more ideas that I thought might be fun to share. Hopefully, these are deemed useful enough to see implemented one day, or maybe help inspire something similar!
Anyway,
- Progressional Membership Tiers
- E.g. - A vendor could advance to the next Membership Tier after meeting X goal/requirements.
For example - after posting 10 listings, a Vendor could automatically progress to the next Membership Tier that unlocks the ability to add 3 more images to each listing.
Or, unlock a new Attribute field, like the ability to add a video.
- Leaderboards (which could also be tied into an Achievements plugin)
- E.g. - Query various vendor stats and display them in order.
This could help incentivise Vendors to perform better, and site owners could even reward the top Vendors. (With a coupon code, third-party gift card or even a physical prize)
For example - A page that ranks Vendors/Listings by:
- Number of sales/bookings/orders
- Total Earned
- Most reviews received (total)
- Top Rated (ranked by star rating)
- Most Listings Created
- Automated Listing Moderation
- E.g. Borrow the logic from the blocked words feature in HivePress Messages, and allow us to create a list of blocked words/phrases/patterns that users cannot use in their listing description or attributes.
If the plugin detects a blocked word refuse to submit the listing form until the blocked word is removed. (Gives a feedback message stating “****” is blocked, etc.)
- Allow Auctions & Bidding
- E.g. A new option that replaces the default Price field with Reserve Price and a Buy it Now field (both optional), and a Auction length option.
Vendors would list physical/digital items to sell, whilst Users would be able to bid on the items, or Buy it Now - if enabled.
- Enhanced Statistics
- E.g. It would be nice if there was more detailed information about listings and their performance.
For example - If we could track the number of link clicks on phone numbers or email fields.
I feel there could also be some really nice crossovers between extensions, like once you’ve installed the Marketplace and Bookings extensions, the individual listing Statistics page could show a breakdown of sales/orders/amount earned/best selling option (if you use Tiers)/messages received related to this listing, etc.
- Third-party Vendor verification
- E.g. - Allow us to enter an API/Secret key for a service like YOTI which is tied into the ability for Vendors to submit proof of ID and (automatically) be awarded the Verified badge.
6.1) Phone verification - Another offspring idea of this that’s just come to me - If Vendors could earn a phone verification badge by entering a phone number and receiving a 2FA sms to prove ownership of the phone number.
- Sub-Vendors
E.g. a Vendor account could be used as a business shop/service/location - for example, a Barber.
Each Sub-Vendor would be a staff member who works at the Barber.
Then, perhaps, on the Booking Details page, a choice of staff members could be presented for users to select from?
Hopefully, these all make sense! .. I can try and expand on any of the ideas, if need be, but I’m sure there’s more use-cases for these than I can think of, too.
Cheers,
Chris 
