1. Can the platform be sold to another company?

• Who ultimately controls the platform’s future?

• Could investors, marketplaces, or large corporations take it over?

• How would a sale affect your fees, terms, or control over your customers?

Why it matters: If a platform can be sold, your business could be forced to adapt to new rules, higher fees, or a shift in priorities you didn’t choose.

2. Who benefits when the business grows?

• Is growth primarily for investors or shareholders, or for producers like you?

• Are your interests aligned with the platform’s long-term goals?

Tip: Platforms that prioritise producers support long-term growth and help your business thrive.

3. What happens to fees, subscriptions, and contracts over time?

• Are fees fixed or likely to increase unpredictably?

• Could contract terms change if the platform is sold?

• How clear and predictable are fees and terms over time?

Tip: Predictable, transparent fees make planning and scaling much easier.

4. How much control do you have over your customers and data?

• Can you manage your own orders, subscriptions, and delivery areas?

• Can you export customer data if you move platforms?

• How transparent is the platform about data usage?

Tip: Your customers and their data belong to your business. Make sure the platform respects that.

5. Is the platform designed for long-term producer success, or for a future exit?

• Are features and improvements designed to help you sell more and work smarter?

• Does the platform encourage sustainable growth or short-term monetisation?

• How long-term is the vision for producer support and local food systems?

Tip: Platforms built for short-term sale may prioritise investor returns over your business.

✅ Next Steps

Use this checklist to compare any platform you’re considering, including your current one.

At Ooooby, we’ve designed our platform and ownership model to answer all these questions in favour of producers:

• Steward-owned – can never be sold to outside investors

• Modern, high-performing platform built to scale your business

• Community support – join 100+ UK producers sharing experience and advice

• Continuous improvements – new features released faster than ever