Best Marketplace – When you’re first starting out with selling online, it feels like there’s a million places to sell your products. From Etsy to eBay to Amazon and beyond, the options are endless. As someone who’s been through this maze (and stumbled a few times), I can tell you that picking the right marketplace is way more than just picking the one that seems most popular. There’s a lot to consider if you want to grow your business and avoid the kind of burnout that comes from feeling like you’re screaming into the void. Trust me—I’ve been there.
How to Choose the Best Marketplace for Your Products in 2024
1. Know Your Product and Audience
Before you start diving into which marketplace is “the best,” you need to think about your product and who you’re trying to reach. I learned this the hard way when I tried selling my handmade jewelry on Amazon, just because everyone else was doing it. The thing is, Amazon’s massive platform wasn’t a great fit for what I was offering. People looking for unique, handcrafted pieces don’t often go on Amazon—they’re more likely to browse Etsy. It’s not just about picking a big marketplace, it’s about choosing the right one where your potential customers are hanging out.
So, start by asking yourself: Who is your ideal customer? What are they looking for? If you’re selling niche items like vintage furniture or custom skincare, you might be better off on a platform that specializes in those areas. On the other hand, if you’re selling a more mainstream product like phone accessories or fitness gear, Amazon could be a great fit because it has the traffic to make your products visible to a broad audience. The key here is aligning your product with a marketplace that caters to your audience’s needs.
2. The Fees and Costs Can Make or Break You
Let’s talk about money—because, let’s face it, it’s what all this boils down to in the end. When I first started selling online, I didn’t give much thought to marketplace fees. I was so eager to get my products out there that I skipped over the fine print. Big mistake.
Some marketplaces, like eBay, charge listing fees and a percentage of your sale price. Others, like Amazon, have a subscription fee, which can add up if you’re not selling enough to justify it. I remember when I was selling on Amazon, I had to pay a monthly fee, plus they took a cut of every sale. All those little costs really add up quickly, and they’ll eat into your profits if you’re not careful.
Do your homework. You want to figure out how much the fees are before listing a product. You’ll also want to think about shipping costs, whether you’ll offer free shipping, or if you’ll be using the marketplace’s fulfillment service. Sometimes, that convenience comes with a price, but in the long run, it can save you a ton of time.
3. Traffic and Visibility Are Key
Here’s a tip I learned after months of frustration: you can have the best products in the world, but if no one sees them, you’re not going to make any sales. Some marketplaces have built-in traffic, which is a game-changer. Amazon is a prime example of this—there’s so much traffic on the platform that even new sellers can make sales relatively quickly, provided their listings are optimized correctly.
But then, there’s the flip side. If you’re selling on a smaller platform, you might have to work a little harder to drive traffic to your products. For instance, if you’re on a niche marketplace like Depop (for secondhand fashion), you might have to rely more on social media promotion or word-of-mouth to build up your customer base.
One thing I’ll say, though—don’t get discouraged. There are so many creative ways to drive traffic, like leveraging your social media following or collaborating with influencers. But be prepared to put in that extra effort if you’re on a platform that doesn’t already have millions of users like Amazon does.
4. Consider Customer Support and Seller Tools
So, you’re ready to sell. But then comes the dreaded customer support. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dealt with frustrated customers asking about a return, a lost package, or a product question. The best marketplaces provide decent customer support for both buyers and sellers. After all, as a small business owner, you’re juggling a lot already—you don’t need to be chasing down customer service reps for hours just to get your issue sorted.
In my experience, marketplaces like Etsy and Shopify offer great seller tools to help you manage your shop, track orders, and provide great customer service. Etsy, for example, has automated responses and an easy interface to process refunds or cancellations. Shopify offers built-in tools that let you set up your own storefront and integrate various shipping options.
Make sure the platform you choose has tools that fit your needs—whether that’s inventory management, shipping automation, or the ability to offer discounts and promotions easily.
5. Scalability and Long-Term Growth
A mistake I made early on was choosing a platform that worked well in the beginning, but didn’t scale with my business. At first, it was all fine and dandy selling a few products on eBay, but as I expanded, I realized that eBay wasn’t really set up for larger, more complex operations. I eventually switched to Shopify, which allowed me to grow, offer custom branding, and scale up more effectively.
So, think about where you want your business to be in a year or two. Will the platform you’re considering be able to accommodate that growth? If you plan on expanding your product line, adding more services, or moving into international markets, make sure the marketplace supports those things. Some platforms charge extra for advanced features, while others have more robust tools that can handle growth.
6. Build Relationships with Your Marketplace Community
Lastly, it’s important to think about the community the marketplace offers. This is something I didn’t fully realize when I first started out. But being a part of a supportive seller community can really help you learn and grow. Etsy, for example, has a great community of sellers who share tips, tricks, and advice. That network of people can be invaluable as you grow your business.
Take some time to research forums, read reviews, or ask other sellers for their experiences with a particular platform. If you find a marketplace that’s full of engaged, helpful sellers, that’s a good sign that it’s a place where you can thrive.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best marketplace for your products in 2024 isn’t just about picking the biggest or most popular one. It’s about finding the platform that aligns with your business goals, product type, and target audience. Do your research, understand the fees, traffic potential, and support options, and always think long-term. It may take some trial and error, but with time and persistence, you’ll find the perfect home for your products. Good luck!
