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Online marketplace platforms are the best way to diversify your sales channels and engage your customers better. They offer a wide range of features to help you set up your store and offer products and services while attracting legions of new customers. The best way to move about it is by finding the right online marketplace platform that goes in sync with your business niche.
To help you find the right place, this article comprises top online marketplace platforms where you can sell your products anytime. So, without further ado, let’s see what these marketplaces are all about!
Amazon
Amazon is among the biggest and most widely used online marketplace platforms around the globe. Established in 1994, Amazon.com is an online shopping store specializing in books, but it markets nearly every type of consumer product, including clothing, electronics, groceries, etc. The marketplace enjoys a big client database, an effective delivery system, and efficient seller solutions, making publishing, navigating, and delivering goods convenient.
Amazon offers sellers two selling plans, an individual selling plan, and a professional selling plan, depending on the size of their business. Therefore, Amazon is a perfect place for those who need to expand their coverage and increase sales due to the availability of various additional marketing tools.
Key Features
- Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): Allows sellers to store their products in Amazon’s warehouses. Amazon handles shipping, returns, and customer service.
- Advertising Tools: Various advertising options to promote products and increase visibility.
- Global Reach: Access to a worldwide customer base.
- Seller Central Dashboard: Comprehensive tools for managing inventory, tracking sales, and analyzing performance.
Commission
- Individual Plan: $0.99 per item sold, plus referral and variable closing fees.
- Professional Plan: $39.99 monthly, plus referral and variable closing fees.
Join Amazon Seller Central and expand your reach today!
eBay
eBay is one of the oldest players in the online marketplace platforms and strongly focuses on auctions and a limitless variety of goods. eBay, the online auction site, was started in 1995, where the sellers can either auction their goods and services or offer the items at set prices. It is a multi-product, meaning users can find anything from collectibles, electronics, fashion, and much more.
The ease of selling and global accessibility also make eBay suitable for its clients, individuals, and businesses. eBay provides its sellers with promotional tools, precise customer data, and professional assistance in enhancing their sales strategies.
Key Features
- Auction and Buy It Now: Flexible selling formats to match different strategies.
- Global Shipping Program: Simplifies international shipping for sellers.
- Promoted Listings: Increase visibility and sales with sponsored ads.
- eBay Stores: Customized storefronts for branding and better customer experience.
Commission
- Insertion Fee: Up to 50 free monthly listings, then $0.30 per listing.
- Final Value Fee: Typically 10-12% of the total selling price.
Start selling on eBay and reach a global audience!
Etsy
Defined as one of the leading online marketplace platforms for handcrafted, vintage, and supplies merchandise. Starting in 2005, Etsy became a marketplace driven mainly by social orders that foster creative individuals interested in unique goods and services. This custom is perfect for artists, craftsmen, and lovers of vintage items.
Etsy offers sellers a simple platform, a cooperative community of sellers, and effective marketing tools to create and introduce their brand to the appropriate audience. Thus, the platform is focused on quality, creativity, and authenticity and is considered a favorite among select categories of internet users.
Key Features
- Etsy Ads: Promote your listings to boost visibility and sales.
- Customizable Shopfront: Create a personalized storefront to reflect your brand.
- Etsy Payments: Secure and simplified payment processing.
- Seller Community and Resources: Access to forums, tutorials, and seller guides.
Commission
- Listing Fee: $0.20 per item.
- Transaction Fee: 5% of the total sale price, including shipping.
- Payment Processing Fee: 3% + $0.25 per transaction.
Create your Etsy shop and start selling unique items today!
Walmart Marketplace
Walmart Marketplace is relatively new and highly popular. It enables third-party sellers to sell their products on Walmart’s site. This leading online marketplace has a broad customer base and is considered reliable, as it has a large audience you can sell to. Its long list of markets makes it ideal for many types of sellers.
One cannot mention Walmart’s competency as a marketplace without mentioning its strict sellers’ admissions policy. This emphasizes quality, coupled with Walmart’s well-developed logistics and relatively low commissions, making it possible for professionally oriented business meetings.
Key Features
- Two-Day Shipping: Increase sales with fast shipping options.
- Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS): Simplifies storage and shipping for sellers.
- Sponsored Products: Boost visibility through advertising.
- Advanced Analytics: Insights and reports to optimize sales strategies.
Commission
- Referral Fees: Ranges from 6% to 20%, depending on the product category.
Expand your sales with Walmart Marketplace today!
Shopify
Shopify is an emerging online marketplace platform that enables sellers to design their selling interface on the platform. Established in 2006, it has excellent features for designing, modifying, and administering an online store. Due to its ease of use and the number of applications, Shopify can grow with the user.
For its part, Shopify is synchronous with almost all types of business models, including dropshipping and retail. Due to the availability of rich store features, sellers can offer their customers a smooth buying experience by using advertising tools, payment solutions, and shipping interfaces supported by Shopify.
Key Features
- Customizable Themes: Choose from a variety of professional templates.
- Shopify App Store: Access to thousands of apps for functionality enhancement.
- Integrated Payment Processing: Accept payments with Shopify Payments and other gateways.
- SEO and Marketing Tools: Built-in tools to improve visibility and drive traffic.
Commission
- Basic Plan: $29 monthly, plus 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
- Shopify Plan: $79 monthly, plus 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction.
- Advanced Plan: $299 monthly, plus 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction.
Build your online store with Shopify and start selling now!
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a free marketplace for purchasing and selling, relying on Facebook’s social network. Established in 2016, it enables its users to trade by selling small items within neighboring areas. It is perfect for people who want to sell items occasionally or small businesses that want to target people in their locality but at a lower cost.
Facebook Marketplace allows people to offer an almost infinite number of goods, from used furniture and electronics to handmade items. It is integrated with Facebook’s social network, which makes it easy for sellers to communicate with potential buyers on the platform; the principle of social proof is also utilized.
Key Features
- Local Selling: Connect with buyers in your local area.
- No Listing Fees: Free to list items for sale.
- Easy Communication: Use Facebook Messenger to chat with buyers.
- Integrated with Facebook: Leverage your existing Facebook profile for credibility.
Commission
- No commission: Facebook Marketplace is free to list and sell items.
Start selling locally on Facebook Marketplace for free!
Alibaba
Alibaba is an international e-commerce company that provides services to buyers, sellers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Established in 1999, Alibaba is rich in its catalog of products, which are comparatively cheap on average. It also offers the option of purchasing products in large quantities. Essentially, it is a perfect market for any firm wanting to procure merchandise or retail in huge quantities.
Alibaba’s broad presence and business-to-business model enable the company to grow and enter global markets rapidly. Buyers can also enjoy marketing services from Alibaba, trade assurance, and global sourcing services.
Key Features
- Trade Assurance: Protects orders and ensures timely delivery.
- Wholesale Pricing: Competitive prices for bulk purchases.
- Global Reach: Access to buyers and suppliers worldwide.
- Alibaba.com App: Manage your business on the go with the mobile app.
Commission
- Subscription Plans: Varies based on the level of service and features chosen.
- Transaction Fees: Typically range from 2% to 5% of the transaction value.
Join Alibaba and access a global marketplace for your products!
Conclusion
The selection of an online marketplace platform will greatly influence your selling experience. All the platforms are equipped with features that benefit sellers depending on the size and products they sell, whether an individual selling products on Etsy or a huge business employing Amazon worldwide. Which marketplace should be used in this case depends on various aspects, including commission fees, the target market, and tools specific to each completely. Thus, if such platforms are chosen and used properly, they will help you sell as many products as possible to customers worldwide.
FAQs
Which online marketplace is best for handmade products?
Etsy is the right site for handmade items as it provides a specific section where artisans and crafters can target clients interested in unique items.
Can I sell internationally on these platforms?
Yes, most sites, such as Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, and Walmart, are facilitated with international selling options and tools and services for managing cross-border shipments.
What are the costs associated with selling on these platforms?
Some platforms’ commissions may be fixed and paid in any form, such as listing fees, commission on sales, and payment processing fees. For instance, Amazon has a referral fee and a closing fee, the latter being a variable charge, while Facebook Marketplace does not impose any listing/selling fee.
How do I decide which platform to use?
Factor in your product type, target consumers, and company size. Amazon and eBay are suitable for various products. In contrast, Etsy is ideal for homemade and old goods, Shopify is perfect for creating an individual shop, and Facebook Marketplace is the best for selling things within a specific region.
