Spree Commerce: How to Quickly Build an Ecommerce Website

The success of Amazon, eBay, and Etsy has driven up the demand for online marketplace development services. Business owners turn to software consultancies to launch a thriving ecommerce website. Here comes a question: what do they need to get the most successful online marketplace website?

A profitable ecommerce project starts with the right tech stack. The main qualities that a modern marketplace should possess are scalability, easy customizations, and flexibility. Therefore, choosing the technologies that will help these qualities is essential.

In this article, we discuss Spree Commerce as an effective and reliable solution for quickly launching an online marketplace website. You will learn about the main features of this framework and its key benefits for your business. Also, you will read the success stories of famous brands that created ecommerce sites on Spree.

Finally, we will share our experience delivering websites built with Spree Commerce.

Let’s dig in.

What’s Spree Commerce

Let's define what this term means before we share our ideas and practices on how to build an ecommerce site on Spree. At its most basic level, Spree Commerce or Spree is an open-source ecommerce solution built on Ruby on Rails. Developers can use this free codebase to quickly build online stores and marketplaces of any complexity.

Source: Spree Commerce

The modular structure of Spree Commerce simplifies the customization and upgrades. As a result, customers get a distinctive ecommerce marketplace solution tailored to their specific needs.

Sean Schofield, a RoR developer, created Spree in 2007. Since that time, the popularity of Spree Commerce store development services has steadily grown.

Let’s look at the specific figures proving this platform's undying interest.

• 2,415,745 downloads;
• 13,200+ GitHub stars;
• 25,000+ commits;
• 845 contributors.

Benefits of Spree Commerce

So why choose Spree Commerce to start your online marketplace website? To answer this question, let’s examine the key benefits offered by this platform.

Rapid Spree ecommerce development

We have already mentioned that Spree is built with Ruby on Rails. Like the Rails framework, Spree is noted for its high development speed. For example, coders using Spree Commerce for online marketplace development write ten times less code than those using other platforms like Adobe Commerce (Magento).

Rapid development is a key reason why startups with tight deadlines start wondering how to build an ecommerce site on Spree.

Related reading: What Makes Ruby on Rails Perfect for Marketplace Development?

Easy customization

Using Spree Commerce, you get extensive out-of-the-box functionality. However, it cannot consider all specific business needs that may appear. Luckily, you can always upgrade and customize your online store with the help of many extensions.

Besides, a skillful Ruby on Rails developer can create personalized extensions as well. They will add much-needed flexibility, scalability, and uniqueness to your ecommerce site on Spree.

It should be noted that Ruby is famous for its many gems and free, open-source libraries. Because of these, developers do not have to build some functionality from scratch. They just need to use a specific gem for each marketplace feature, such as product reviews, wishlists, or payments.

Scalability

Even if you plan to launch a small online store, always consider the possibility of further scaling. Remember that your ecommerce website should be able to handle lots of traffic. In this regard, Spree Commerce store development services may become your ultimate choice.

This framework is robust. It means that Spree can serve a great number of simultaneous user requests. There will be no interruptions in response time. When you build an ecommerce site on Spree, you do not have to worry about higher loads. Large traffic will not be a problem for your growing business.

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Mobile-first approach

According to a market research company eMarketer, mobile commerce in the United States is expected to reach approximately $710 billion by 2025, accounting for over 44% of total ecommerce sales. This statistic explains why the mobile-first approach has gone beyond being an ecommerce trend. Today, it is a necessity.

Spree was created with smartphone users in mind. Websites built with Spree Commerce have intuitive UI designs. Besides, the framework is compatible with frontend technologies used for PWA development. What will you get from progressive web app development services? The answer is: fast-loading PWAs that can function on mobile devices with a poor Internet connection or even offline mode.

You may also like: 10 Best Examples of PWA for Ecommerce Marketplaces

Spree is free

Finally, it is worth noting that downloading Spree Commerce will cost you nothing. Spree Commerce pricing does not consider the scope of your project. You can build a small online store or a large multi-vendor marketplace like Amazon; there will be no license fees or other costs.

Besides, all extensions that support extra functionality are free as well. Suppose you need multi-domain support or custom themes. You can download these extensions and apply them to get a unique and eye-catching design for your ecommerce site on Spree.

Numerous promotion opportunities

Launching an online marketplace website is only half the battle. You need to adopt the most efficient marketing strategies to attract as many buyers and sellers to your platform as you can.

So, what are the core Spree Commerce features for marketing? The following functionality will make the promotion of your ecommerce platform easier than ever.

• Enhanced user analytics to see sales reports and business metrics;
• A/B or split testing to compare two versions of any marketing asset and measure the difference in performance;
• Loyalty programs management to offer discounts, store credits, and gift cards;
• Integrated SEO (search engine optimization) to be visible on the web;
• High-level email marketing for better customer retention and sales;
• Heat maps to track user flow and understand customers’ behavior better;
• The analytical dashboard to make deliberate, data-driven decisions.

To sum up the Spree ecommerce benefits, review the picture below. It shows how helpful this tool is for marketplace development.

Spree’s advanced features for modern ecommerce needs

Let’s take a closer look at the vital Spree Commerce features that help you get the most out of this ecommerce solution built with Ruby on Rails:

• Advanced predictive search. Spree now features enhanced AI-driven predictive search. It not only suggests products as customers type but also considers their browsing history and preferences for more personalized results.
• Enhanced reporting and insights. Spree integrates seamlessly with Google Analytics 4 and provides built-in AI-powered insights. Learn about customer demographics, purchase patterns, and behavior while receiving actionable recommendations to optimize marketing campaigns.
• Global payments and crypto integration. Spree supports local payment gateways in over 150 countries and now integrates with popular cryptocurrencies. This ensures secure, flexible, and future-ready payment options for global customers.
• Subscriptions and memberships. Subscriptions are now enhanced with dynamic benefits. Offer discounts, early access to sales, exclusive content, and personalized recommendations to subscribers. The ability to manage recurring payments is now even smoother.
• Simplified order management. Order management has been revamped with automation features. You can now set rules for auto-approvals, automated refunds, and intelligent fraud detection, saving time and improving accuracy.
• AI-driven customer self-service. The new AI-powered FAQ and chatbot system ensures shoppers receive immediate answers to their questions. It integrates seamlessly with live chat for more complex queries.
• Dynamic product management. Manage products effortlessly with tools to bulk-edit items, add dynamic pricing (e.g., based on demand or customer tier), and optimize product listings with SEO recommendations.
• Streamlined returns and exchanges. The returns process now includes automated approvals, dynamic restocking updates, and real-time tracking for both the customer and the merchant.
• Real-time tax and compliance management. Spree now integrates with global tax compliance tools, ensuring automatic updates for tax rates, zones, and legal requirements in real time.
• Customizable general settings. Easily customize website themes, update security policies with AI-suggested optimizations, and manage multi-currency or language settings from an intuitive dashboard.

Build your ecommerce site fast with Spree Commerce

Starting an ecommerce site doesn't have to be particularly time-consuming. At more than 2.4 million downloads and over 13,000 GitHub stars, Spree Commerce is the second most popular open-source ecommerce solution on GitHub. It offers a customizable, scalable solution to get your online store up and running quickly.

This is its growing popularity among businesses for agile ecommerce solutions on the Spree Commerce platform, with 926 live stores across it. Spree Commerce can be used to build a platform fast, effectively, and with a good plan. Let's plunge into the very basic steps leading to it.

Step 1: Define your vision and audience

Success in ecommerce starts with clarity: pin down what you want to achieve or for whom you are building the platform. It's the foundation for going fast without missing the mark:

• Identify the major goals, such as revenue growth or market development.
• Know your audience's needs, habits, and preferences.
• Specify what the key success metrics will be.
• Distinguish how users will be different as a result of visiting your site.
• Define both short- and long-term priorities that drive decisions.
• Keep your vision user-centered for maximum impact.

Step 2: Study your market and competition

Knowing your market landscape helps you make smarter decisions faster. A little research goes a long way in avoiding pitfalls and delivering a competitive edge:

• Analyze competitors’ strengths and weaknesses.
• Identify features or services their solutions lack that you can offer.
• Stay informed about ecommerce trends and innovations.
• Understand pricing strategies and promotional tactics.
• Learn from their user reviews to address common frustrations.
• Position your site as a unique and valuable solution.

Step 3: Nail down must-have features

Time is saved when you focus on the features that truly matter. Spree Commerce makes it easy to prioritize and implement the functionalities users expect and love:

• Introduce AI-driven search for tailored product suggestions.
• Support global payments, including crypto, for convenience.
• Automate tasks like returns, fraud checks, and approvals.
• Use dynamic pricing to engage different user segments.
• Build powerful analytics for actionable business insights.
• Optimize mobile responsiveness for seamless user interactions.

Step 4: Create a realistic budget and timeline

Speed doesn’t mean cutting corners—it means planning wisely. A clear budget and timeline let you allocate resources effectively while ensuring quality:

• Determine your total project budget, including scaling costs.
• Allocate funds for hosting, marketing, and future updates.
• Break the timeline into focused milestones for better tracking.
• Anticipate challenges and include a contingency plan.
• Focus on delivering the core product first, enhancements later.
• Set a realistic launch date and stick to it.

Step 5: Test and perfect your idea

Before diving into development, validate your concept to avoid missteps. Early testing ensures your ecommerce site is built on a strong foundation:

• Create simple prototypes to visualize the user journey.
• Collect feedback from potential customers to refine ideas.
• Test for functionality and usability across multiple devices.
• Tweak features based on real-world insights, not assumptions.
• Identify any gaps in your offerings before full-scale development.
• Confirm your idea meets market demands and user expectations.

Step 6: Choose the right development partner

Speed and quality come together with the right development company. Partnering with experienced Spree Commerce experts means your site will be built to last without unnecessary delays:

• Look for a team with a proven Spree Commerce portfolio.
• Check client testimonials for reliability and communication skills.
• Ensure the team understands your goals and business needs.
• Choose developers skilled in scalable and secure solutions.
• Opt for a team offering long-term support and maintenance.
• Work with professionals who prioritize collaboration and results.

With Spree Commerce and a clear roadmap, building your ecommerce platform can be fast, effective, and tailored to your vision.

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Examples of ecommerce sites on Spree Commerce

It is always better to see how a live marketplace works to understand Spree's advantages. So, let’s consider prominent marketplaces built with Spree Commerce and the results they achieved.

Garmentory

This US-based online marketplace caters to emerging and contemporary fashion. The brand decided to choose Spree Commerce to provide customers with a curated shopping experience. As a result, business owners got a flexible and scalable niche marketplace, which was the key to their success.

Source: Garmentory

Garmentory was launched in 2014. Since then, the traffic to their ecommerce site on Spree has grown by 3,000%, and the customer base has increased by 300% year over year. This exciting data proves that Spree Commerce works well for fast-growing companies.

Finery London

In fact, Finery is a British brand offering contemporary, affordable, and luxury womenswear. The company opted for Spree Commerce to develop a modern and elegant ecommerce platform.

Source: Finery

Their ecommerce site on Spree was launched to the public in 2015. In the first year after the release, it attracted 100,000 customers and brought the company £5 million.

Moreover, Finery London’s website was named the Website of the Year at the Retail Systems 2016 Awards.

What helped the brand achieve such tremendous success? Basically, it is a clean and contemporary marketplace design together with a great user experience.

Violet Grey

This US brand offers shoppers a collection of luxury beauty products. The company needed a highly customizable website with straightforward billing and fulfillment systems. So Spree Commerce was Violet Grey's ultimate choice.

Source: VIOLET GREY

Their ecommerce site on Spree was released in 2015. Since then, the brand has reached a cult-like status among all kinds of customers, from leading Hollywood actresses to fashionable teens.

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How Spree Commerce helps us quickly launch marketplaces

Recently, we had an opportunity to work on a London-based ecommerce product. The idea was to create an inclusive AI-powered beauty platform. Its purpose was to help customers discover and buy beauty products from famous brands worldwide.

The client requested that we build an intuitive beauty marketplace website. It should enable visitors to choose cosmetic products based on their personal goals and preferences. Customers should be able to complete a quiz to sort out irrelevant products and find those that will work for them.

Since a short time to market was crucial for our client, our team suggested using Spree Commerce as the principal technology. This framework allowed us to quickly build a scalable, fast-loading, and beautiful ecommerce website. It has all the functionality of a profitable online marketplace.

The essential feature set was as follows:

• Quiz page;
• User profiles;
• Search and filters;
• Product page;
• Multiple payment options;
• Shopping cart;
• Wishlist;
• Ratings and reviews.

We customized the search and filtering system by adding new fields (brands, location). We also implemented the multi-currency feature, allowing us to recalculate prices automatically.

For third-party services and integrations, we added Stripe, a payment solution, and Shippo, a multi-carrier shipping API.

As a result, the client got a flexible and scalable beauty platform within a short time frame. The ecommerce site on Spree was delivered on time and within budget, according to the specifications provided by our client.

Back to you

If you need to launch your multi-vendor marketplace in the shortest time possible, you should definitely give Spree Commerce a try. Its extensive out-of-the-box functionality allows you to go to market quickly. Besides, detailed guides and manuals help answer the question of how to build an ecommerce site on Spree that will bring value to your customers.

However, be aware that this framework requires a fair amount of technical knowledge. If you are looking for a reliable single-vendor or multi-vendor marketplace development company to build your online store with Spree Commerce, feel free to contact us. We will eagerly take on your project and bring it to reality.