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    3 Online Marketplaces to Sell Your Products

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    sell on online marketplaces canada

    If you’re wondering what online store would be best for selling your merchandise, we’ve got a comprehensive guide to three of the most popular options.

    Are you looking for a new way to make money? If so, selling on online marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, and Ebay is a great option. Whether you’re an experienced ecommerce business owner or just starting out in the world of online sales, these platforms offer huge potential for growth and success.With millions of users around the world, these sites can help get your products in front of the right people. In this blog post we’ll discuss how to get started selling on these marketplaces and what makes them unique.

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    3 of the Most Common Online Marketplaces

    Ebay, Amazon and Etsy are three of the most popular online marketplaces for selling products. Ebay is one of the oldest and most established platforms, offering a wide range of items from books to furniture. On the other hand, Amazon offers low fees but can be quite competitive with many sellers listing similar items at once. Finally, Etsy is great for handmade or vintage pieces; it’s user-friendly and doesn’t take a cut of your profits like some other sites. Read on to find out more about these marketplaces in depth.

    Etsy

    Etsy is a great choice for anyone looking for an online shopping platform for selling vintage or handmade products like stickers, jewelry, clothing, and home decor. To get started with Etsy, you’ll need to create an account and set up shop within their website. They offer tools and resources to help you create beautiful listings in order to showcase your items effectively. You can also join their Seller Protection Program to ensure that your products are protected against fraud and scams.

    Pros of selling on Etsy

    One of the pros of selling on Etsy is that it’s very affordable; you only need to pay a small listing fee for each item and a low transaction fee. Plus, you have the potential to reach millions of people around the world with your products.

    Cons of selling on Etsy

    Etsy may be an attractive platform to get your handmade and vintage products listed, but it does come with a few downsides. First of all, Etsy can be quite competitive; other sellers may have similar items listed at the same time as you, making it difficult to stand out from the crowd and make sales.In the early days of Etsy, supply was low and demand was high, so it was easy to make a name for yourself selling your homemade merchandise. However, the site’s popularity has since risen, bringing with it plenty of new sellers looking to start their own business.Additionally, while Etsy offers low transaction fees, it does take a cut of the total price you charge for your products. So if you’re looking to make a lot of money from selling on Etsy, you may not be able to do so as easily as with other platforms without putting time and money into other advertising strategies.

    Amazon

    Amazon is an excellent choice for anyone looking to sell both new and used items, like books, electronics, toys, clothing, and more. To get started with Amazon, you’ll need to create a seller account on their website. From there you can list items and set up shipping. Amazon also offers tools like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) which allows you to outsource product storage, fulfillment, and customer service for your business.

    Pros of selling on Amazon

    One of the major benefits of selling on Amazon is its reach. With millions of active customers all over the world, your products could have potential to be seen by a wide and diverse customer base. Additionally, Amazon offers very competitive fees; you only need to pay a small commission on each sale as well as a low listing fee for each item. Plus, Amazon offers a wide range of tools and resources to help you set up your business and start selling as soon as possible.

    Cons of selling on Amazon

    Amazon suffers from some of the same cons as Etsy, such as its highly competitive nature. You’ll have to focus on getting great feedback, making sure your orders go out on time, and making sure your products stay stocked. This can help you get and keep a good seller’s rating, which will encourage your audience to trust you above other sellers.Just like Etsy, Amazon also charges seller fees. The two main plans currently offered are the Professional and Individual plans.

    • Professional sellers can sell as many items as they want for $40 per month.

    • Individual sellers don’t have to pay a monthly fee, but they are charged $1 on every sale they make.

    Be sure to weigh out which plan is right for you. Many people recommend starting on the individual seller plan until they have enough traction to sell more than 40 items a month.

    Ebay

    Finally, Ebay is a great platform for anyone looking to sell used items or even rare collectibles. To get started on Ebay, you’ll need to create a seller account and follow their rules for listing items. They also offer tools like Turbo Lister which makes it easy to create listings quickly.Turbo Lister from eBay is a great tool for any seller who wants to create listings quickly and easily. It offers a user-friendly platform with an easy-to-use drag and drop feature that makes it simple to upload photos, descriptions, and prices for your products. Plus, with Turbo Lister’s automated scheduling capabilities, you can easily set up scheduled listings for any time of the day or week.

    Pros of selling on Ebay

    Ebay offers extremely low fees so you can maximize your profits, as well as a wide range of tools and resources to help you get started quickly and easily. There’s also no limit to the number of items you can list on Ebay, so you’re free to sell as many items as you’d like.Another benefit to selling on Ebay is that it’s very easy and user-friendly; buyers can find your listings through search or category filters, allowing them to easily find what they’re looking for. In addition, Ebay offers an excellent customer service platform, with a dedicated team of experts to help you with any issues that arise.

    Cons of selling on Ebay

    While Ebay is competitive and charges commission fees just like the other platforms we’ve mentioned, there are some other disadvantages as well. For instance, the auction model which helped the online marketplace gain popularity can be tedious for sellers. You’ll have to be sure to monitor the bidding process constantly, and reactivate the listings should they expire without getting any bids.Ebay also doesn’t allow sellers to customize their product listings outside of their own options, so it can be hard to cater your specific product to your customer’s needs.

    Do Your Research

    Selling on online marketplaces is an excellent way to make money, but it’s important to do your research before getting started. Research the platforms’ policies, understand their fees, and read up on best practices to ensure you have a successful business. With the right preparation and dedication, you can build up a successful online business right from the comfort of your own home.

    Make Sure to Have the Proper Insurance

    Whether you’re using Etsy, Amazon, or Ebay, selling on online marketplaces can be a great way to make money. However, when you’re running an ecommerce business, it’s important to have the right insurance in place. Business insurance can help protect your ecommerce business from any unexpected losses or damages that may occur while running your business. It’s important to get the right coverage for your business, so make sure you speak with a trusted insurance provider to explore coverage options that match your needs.

    We're here to help, with effortless solutions for digital insurance, providing you with peace of mind so you can stay focused on what matters. Get your free quote instantly and have your policy sent right to your inbox within fifteen minutes.

    Need Insurance for Your Small Business?

    APOLLO and Gallagher have partnered to provide insurance designed for businesses and business professionals. Get a free quote online in under five minutes and receive your policy instantly.

    Originally published January 4, 2023, updated October 29, 2024

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