A new online marketplace will include unique features that promise to make online shopping fun again, while also giving back to the community with every purchase.

Called “Better That”, the platform introduces the “Better That SHOP”, where a significant percentage of every transaction is given to the Shopper’s chosen good cause, and Better That DROP where Shoppers will receive unbelievable bargains as they compete in reverse auctions.

“Better That will be unlike any other online marketplace in Australia – a percentage of every sale will go to the Shopper’s chosen Good Cause, whether they be schools, sporting clubs, charities, or indeed any good cause nominated by the shopper. We are especially proud of this and believe this to be a world-first. We’ll also soon have all the fun and excitement of DROP auctions,” said John Phillips, Founder of Better That.

“Our mission was to build an online retailing experience that made people think, ‘Why would you shop anywhere else,” said Phillips.

All products on the site are incorporated in one master database enabling quick and easy comparison of the same product.

Now, retailers, even those without a retail presence, can join the platform free of charge and tailor their product offers to shoppers, based not on guess work but on real time quantifiable demand, maximising their profit margins when compared to fixed discounting.

Any Retailer who stocks product on the website is guaranteed the opportunity to sell it regardless of their size, advertising budget or store location. In addition, sales made using the Drop Auction function, are instantly finalised thereby eliminating the scourge of cart abandonment and fixed price discounting.

Better That’s decision to donate up to 25% of its net commission revenue to the Shopper’s chosen Good Cause was motivated by customer demand. According to the company’s research, 68% say social responsibility is an important factor in their purchasing decisions, while 87% would purchase a product because it advocated for a cause they cared about.

The marketplace will launch with 50 of Australia’s most loved causes, like Beyond Blue, The Leukaemia Foundation of Australia, and Save the Children – with customers able to nominate their own community organisation to be onboarded for future purchases and retailers able to tailor offers to their chosen Good Causes.

“Onboarding more charities and community organisations also makes good business sense,” said John Phillips.

“Now, Good Causes can join the platform free of charge, have continuity of fund raising and magnify their fundraising outcomes, based simply on consumer spend! They’re also rewarded for bringing their donors to the Better That site, if those donors spend,” he said.

Better That is expecting huge interest not only from Shoppers, but also from investors. For this reason, Better That is providing investors the opportunity to own shares in the company, which will fund ongoing software development and commercialisation. The share offer by way of crowd sourced funding will be managed by OnMarket, with intentions of raising $3 million capital.

Better That was selected to be part of the first X15 Ventures cohort for CBA’s Xccelerate 2020 program focused on start-ups helping small and micro businesses bounce back in 2020.