When selecting a B2B marketplace, SMEs should consider the following key things:

Target audience: Does the marketplace cater to your target industry, sector, or customer base?
Competition: Assess the level of competition on the platform and whether it aligns with your business goals.
Fees and commissions: Understand the fee structure, including listing fees, transaction fees, and payment terms.
Product categorization and search functionality: Ensure products can be easily categorized and found by potential buyers.
Marketing and promotion: Evaluate the marketplace's marketing efforts and opportunities for sellers to promote their products.
Security and trust: Look for robust security measures, such as data encryption and secure payment processing.
Integration and logistics: Consider integration with your existing systems and the marketplace's logistics and shipping options.
Reviews and reputation: Research the marketplace's reputation among buyers and sellers.
Support and training: Evaluate the level of support and training provided to sellers.
Analytics and insights: Ensure the marketplace provides valuable insights and analytics to help you optimize your sales strategy.

1) Reputation
2) Suitability for your product/service
3) Competitors on market place
4) Financial costs
5) Upkeep requirements
6) Data privacy/ownership

Joining a verified SME ecosystem gives small businesses immediate access to a curated network of pre-qualified suppliers, which eliminates one of the biggest risks in operations: uncertainty. Instead of spending weeks vetting vendors, checking credibility, or dealing with unreliable partners, businesses can confidently work with suppliers who have already been screened for quality, compliance, delivery performance, and financial stability.

This reduces exposure to supply chain disruptions, late shipments, hidden costs, and fraud. A verified ecosystem also creates transparent communication channels, uniform standards, and safer payment processes, all of which lower operational mistakes and protect businesses from costly setbacks. In short, the ecosystem becomes a trusted environment where small businesses can operate with confidence, reliability, and reduced risk.