The modern business world leaves plenty of opportunities to make money. What’s even better is that there are numerous ways you can make money online. Online retail has become quite popular over the years, which lead to quite an increase in online retailers.
Luckily, nowadays, there are quite a bit of e-commerce platforms to choose from. It’s worth mentioning, however, that not every e-commerce platform will be the right choice for your endeavor. While some of these platforms are better suited for sellers looking to tap into a local or a niche-specific market, others offer the opportunity to present your business globally. That’s why we’ve created a list of some of the best online platforms you can choose to sell your products on.
By finding the right platform for your business, you can easily start growing your endeavor. Moreover, depending on the audience you want to attract and the market you want to penetrate, choosing the right platform will make your efforts flow more smoothly. So, check some of these out and see which one fits your needs best.
1. eBay
Believe it or not, but eBay has been operating since 1995. As one of the pioneers in the industry, eBay has millions of users. As such a huge marketplace, eBay enables sellers to sell their goods virtually anywhere in the world. But it’s important to mention that even though it offers plenty of opportunities to grow, eBay’s marketplace is super competitive. On top of that, the platform takes 10% of any profit you manage to make, which can be a bit off-putting. With all that said, eBay offers a great opportunity to tap into the global market, even if your business is still in its startup stage. This may propel your businesses sooner than you were expecting, which is something you need to keep in mind.
2. Amazon
Another one of the big players, Amazon has sort of becoming the face of online shopping. One of the huge benefits selling through Amazon will bring you is trustworthiness. Even though Amazon is a third-party platform, it’s one of the most famous platforms in the world. So, shoppers tend to treat every product they can buy on Amazon as sold by Amazon. On top of that, Amazon is not an auction-like platform, unlike eBay, which offers both buyers and sellers a more true-retail-like experience. Of course, listing your products on Amazon won’t come without a fee and a certain cut of your profit will go back to this platform. Another important factor to consider is the fact that Amazon has strict product-specific requirements which some retailers find quite challenging.
3. Etsy
Even though quite 2younger” than eBay or Amazon, Etsy is another popular retail platform that’s more than worth mentioning. Often referred to as a creative retail hub, Etsy is the perfect platform for various creative start-ups and individuals. This platform offers a chance to easily tap into a specific niche market, which can easily do wonders for your business. Some of the most popular items usually listed on Etsy include hand-crafted goods, vintage gems and a plethora of quirky and unusual trinkets. Of course, just like with the previous two platforms, any seller looking to list their products on Etsy will be required to pay both listing and final sales fee. On top of that, if buyers are purchasing items using PayPal, that’s a whole other set of fees sellers will need to take into account.
4. Facebook
Facebook has one of the biggest communities in the world, so it’s no wonder that Facebook Marketplace is another great place you can sell your products at. With well over 2.2 billion users worldwide, Facebook offers great potential reach. However, Facebook Marketplace is more suitable for start-ups that are looking to penetrate their local market. This is partially due to the fact that the default settings enable users to see their local listings before anything else. Additionally, Facebook Marketplace doesn’t have a listing fee, which is another added bonus. That being said, Facebook Marketplace doesn’t really offer any type of protection to either buyers or sellers, which is certainly something to keep in mind.
5. Squarespace
Squarespace is another great e-commerce platform perfect for sellers who can’t or don’t want to make their own website but still want to be able to personalize their products page. This platform offers various customizable templates that are quite easy to use, so that any retailer can completely customize their own page. Some additional perks include the option to catalog your goods and keep track of inventory, which is a huge plus. On top of that, Squarespace is very customer-oriented which is a huge plus. Having good customer-oriented digital solutions is always well-received among all types of consumers.
6. Shopify
Last, but certainly not least is Shopify. Unlike some of the aforementioned platforms, Shopify is another e-commerce platform that allows for full customization of your business’s site. All of these customizable options will enable you to create a site that fully reflects your business and brand. On top of that, Shopify comes with built-in SEO tools, which means that every retail site will have the necessary means to further improve its performance. On top of that, you can also choose between paid and free site templates, which means that Shopify can fit into everyone’s budget. Additional web components, such as 3D views and feature product videos will also be at your disposal, which will make presenting and marketing your products even more seamless.
7. Personal Website
Even though this is technically not a retail platform per se, you can always choose to sell your products through your personal website. If you choose to create your own e-commerce website and use it to sell your product, you will automatically be in full control. By having your own website, you can decide on web layout, product placement, product categories and all other important aspects. However, if you’re not sure how to take care of these things, you can always consult with a local professional. That way they can easily work together on creating a good e-commerce website. However, do know that owning a website comes with its own set of expenses and fees. But all of them will be more than worth it once your business takes off.
Summary
When trying to penetrate any market and launch your business, do know you’ll be met with various challenges. However, by choosing the right platform to list your products on, you’ll be able to get your business “out there” more easily.
So, no matter if you are looking to sell products you’ve made or you’re simply interested in reselling items, do know that there’s a perfect e-commerce platform for you. Simply research all of them, see their requirements and what they offer in return, and make your choice accordingly.
As a business owner, aside from working hard, you also need to learn how to work smart, and choosing an e-commerce platform that will offer great perks in return for a certain fee is quite a smart way to go. If not, you can always make your own website and truly become your own boss.
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