By: Michael Keenan
Introduction
The number of selling websites has rapidly increased, leading entrepreneurs to wonder: should they sell goods through online platforms?
Currently, there are hundreds of places to sell items online. Some sites focus on specific niches like video games and technology, while others allow sellers to sell anything from clothing to books and even furniture and beyond.
While there are benefits to selling goods online through platforms, it’s important to consider factors like commissions and transaction fees to find the best platform for you.
This list includes some of the best online selling sites, the benefits of creating your own online store, and how using both approaches can help increase sales.
Building Your Own Store
Creating your own online store can be rewarding, and when done right, it can generate more profits than selling through websites. However, the downside of creating a website is that you must market your business and draw people to your site. Building a brand can also take time.
When you run your own e-commerce store, you won’t pay fees on every sale or be bound by third-party rules. If you’re interested in this, here’s what you can do to build your website from scratch.
Shopify
Shopify is the easiest way to create your own store. As an e-commerce platform, it allows sellers to start and operate without technical skills and low costs. Shopify powers millions of businesses and is known for its affordable pricing, professional designs, and helpful marketing tools.
If you want to use a website builder to create a site, you can choose from over 100 templates with built-in features. With Shopify, you can get your own website, a blog, SSL certificates, abandoned cart recovery, and many beginner-friendly marketing tools. You can sell items on your website, across multiple marketplaces like Amazon or eBay, and create personalized shopping experiences that lead to increased sales.
Additionally, there are over 4,000 free Shopify apps you can utilize to expand your site’s functionality. Use the checklist to launch your Shopify store today.
Best Websites to Sell Products Online in 2023
eBay
eBay is one of the original destinations for people looking to sell goods online, having been established in 1995 and still thriving. The site has over 1.7 billion listings and 135 million users worldwide.
You can sell anything on eBay, from everyday items like shoes and watches to quirky things (yes, that’s a product category) like popcorn-scented pillows, air bottles, and giant vintage hand chairs from the 1970s. There is a constant flow of eager customers and easy ways to integrate eBay as an additional sales channel for your online store.
If you plan to sell on eBay, you should consider the site’s selling fees. They charge a non-refundable fee for each item and additional listing fees if you list the same items in two different categories. They also charge a final value fee (typically between 10% and 12%), which is calculated as a percentage of the total sale amount, including any shipping costs and processing fees.
Bonanza
Bonanza is a newer online selling site based in Seattle. You can sell almost anything on this platform, which receives over two million visits monthly on its site.
Think
acts as a social network specifically for neighborhoods, allowing people to buy and sell items within their local community.
If you’re looking to sell items in your neighborhood, Nextdoor can help you connect with potential buyers living nearby. It’s a great way to promote a sense of community while facilitating local transactions.
Letgo
Letgo is a mobile app that allows users to buy and sell items locally.
With Letgo, you can quickly list your items, and buyers can communicate directly with you through the app. This platform is particularly popular for selling secondhand goods like furniture, electronics, and clothing.
OfferUp
OfferUp is a popular platform for local buying and selling.
Similar to Letgo, OfferUp allows users to upload images of items for sale and communicate with potential buyers. Users can set up profiles, making it easier to build trust within the community.
VarageSale
VarageSale is a virtual garage sale app where members can buy and sell items within their community.
The platform focuses on local transactions, providing a safe environment to buy and sell secondhand goods. Users have to verify their identity, fostering a sense of trust among community members.
5Miles
5Miles is another local marketplace app where you can buy and sell items with people in your vicinity.
With 5Miles, you can list products quickly and connect with buyers nearby. The app also allows for negotiation and communication within the platform.
similar to Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, which focus on community selling. Nextdoor also fosters a friendly neighborhood feel by allowing people to share what’s happening in their area – whether it’s traffic delays or restaurant recommendations. It acts as a hub for any specific area.
VarageSale
The manual verification process in VarageSale helps reduce fraud.
VarageSale is an app for buying and selling used items online. It was founded in Toronto by a former elementary school teacher tired of scams and fake ads on other classifieds. User profiles in VarageSale rely on real identities – manual review is conducted for everyone before they are allowed to buy or sell.
Offerup
Using a marketplace like Offerup can help reduce the risks of personal transactions.
Offerup allows users to browse electronics, clothing, and even cars based on their zip code. Interested buyers can contact sellers through the app to negotiate prices and set a meeting location.
Best Global Online Selling Sites
AliExpress
AliExpress is a global selling site with lower seller costs than Amazon.
Founded in 2010, AliExpress is a cross-border e-commerce marketplace owned by Alibaba, welcoming nearly 20 million visitors daily. Users of the platform can sell products to individuals or businesses, whether they manufacture the products or add a dropshipping model from AliExpress to their own online store.
Taobao
Taobao is a Chinese selling site claiming to be the largest in the world.
Taobao is an online selling site founded in 2003 that has grown to become the largest online marketplace in the world by gross merchandise value.
OTTO
OTTO is the second-largest online selling site in Germany.
OTTO is the third-largest online selling site in Germany, focusing on fashion and lifestyle products. It evolved from a mail-order company after the war that sold shoes to a company with 11 million active customers.
Rakuten
Rakuten hosts a wide range of product categories.
Rakuten is a large marketplace based in Japan that provides e-commerce, banking, telecommunications services, and more. Similar to marketplaces like Amazon, you can sell in endless product categories, including clothing, books, sports, subscription boxes, and more.
Mercado Libre
Mercado Libre sells products in over 18 countries.
Mercado Libre is the largest e-commerce marketplace in Latin America, serving over 18 countries from Mexico to Argentina. The brand’s net revenue was $2.7 billion in Q3 2022, according to Mercado Libre’s latest investor report. The total gross merchandise value also exceeded $8.6 billion. Sellers on the platform offer various types of products from 20 main categories and 123 subcategories.
Flipkart
Flipkart is the largest online selling site in India.
Flipkart started as an online bookstore in 2007 and has grown to become the largest online selling site in India. Sellers can offer anything on Flipkart, including electronics, fashion, household essentials, groceries, and lifestyle products. As a competitor to Amazon, Flipkart continues to lead the market share in India’s e-commerce sector.
MyDeal
MyDeal’s marketplace attracts millions of monthly users.
MyDeal is an Australian marketplace offering over a million products across 3,500 categories, attracting more than four million visitors monthly. It’s a marketplace only, meaning it doesn’t sell its own products, just products from other sellers.
Conclusion
Every online business owner should explore different online selling sites, whether you run a dropshipping store or sell custom products. Sometimes these sites can help you kickstart your business thanks to the built-in audience of active buyers and marketing opportunities.
And with
It is important not to rely solely on websites for selling. You will want to create your own online store to build your brand, connect with shoppers, and retain more profits. With a digital home base, you will stop paying commissions and fees for each site to sell online and grow your business in the long term. After all, the best websites for selling online are those that you own.
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