Whether you're looking to make some extra cash on the side or set up your own ecommerce business, selling online allows you to target customers all over the world. But with so many online marketplaces available, how do you know which one is right for you?
To help you decide where you should sell online, we've put together this guide to 10 of the biggest and best online marketplaces.
You'll need to consider the following factors when choosing a marketplace:
Customer base. The first thing you'll need to consider is how many shoppers use a marketplace. A larger audience means more potential customers but may mean you'll face increased competition from other sellers.
Target market. Next, consider whether you want to use a general marketplace where you can sell just about anything, or a site that targets a specific niche audience. You'll also need to consider whether the site allows you to sell to buyers in Australia only, or to customers all around the world.
Ease of use. Getting started as an online seller can be a daunting process, so it's important to look for an online marketplace that offers a simple and straightforward user interface.
Customisation options. If you're trying to grow your brand, you'll want to check out what options are available to help you tailor your online store to suit your preferences and increase customer awareness of your brand.
Fees. From membership costs and product listing fees to sales commissions, the fees charged by online marketplaces can have a big impact on your bottom line. Make sure you're aware of all fees that apply to online sellers before registering for an account.
Customer support. Finally, check what tools and resources are available to assist sellers. These can include online seller hubs, FAQ sections, and live online chat support.
Amazon
As one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, Amazon needs no introduction. You can sell items on Amazon across a wide range of product categories, and the platform also offers its own optional shipping service, Fulfillment by Amazon.
Based in the USA, Amazon also offers localised stores in Australia, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and several Asian and European countries.
How to use Amazon
Check out the screenshots below for details of how to start buying and selling on Amazon.
1. Creating an account
2. Buying
Find items to buy on Etsy by searching for a product, browsing by product category or checking top-selling items.
eBay launched in Australia in 1999 and is one of the world's biggest online marketplaces. It operates ecommerce platforms in more than 20 countries and boasts 182 million active buyers worldwide.
If you want to sell on eBay, you can list items across a huge range of product categories.
How to use eBay
Check out the screenshots below for details of how to start buying and selling on eBay.
1. Creating an account
2. Buying
Find items to buy on eBay by using the search box, searching by category or browsing deals and trending products.
Global reach. eBay is one of the world's largest online marketplaces, allowing you to put your products in front of millions of shoppers.
You can sell virtually anything. Aside from a handful of restricted or prohibited items, you can sell just about anything on eBay.
Cons
Complicated fee structure. From membership packages to insertion fees, final value fees and PayPal transaction fees, there are several extra costs you'll need to consider.
Getting lost in the crowd. eBay is a hugely popular marketplace and you'll face stiff competition fro other sellers.
Etsy is an online marketplace where you can sell handmade items, art supplies and vintage goods. It's free to create an account and start your own Etsy shop, and the platform boasts an audience of 33 million shoppers around the world.
How to use Etsy
Check out the screenshots below for details of how to start buying and selling on Etsy.
1. Creating an account
2. Buying
Find items to buy on Etsy by searching for a product, browsing by product category or checking top-selling items.
Facebook Marketplace is an online and mobile ecommerce platform where Facebook users can buy, sell and trade goods. If you're looking to sell some of the stuff around your house that you no longer use, Marketplace can offer an easy and convenient solution.
How to use Facebook Marketplace
Check out the screenshots below for details of how to start buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace.
1. Creating an account
2. Buying
Browse items for sale on Facebook Marketplace by selecting a product category or by searching for a specific type of item.
Free to use. There are no fees for selling on Facebook Marketplace.
Easy and convenient. If you already have a Facebook account, it's quick and easy to start selling on Facebook Marketplace.
Cons
Designed for local buyers. Facebook Marketplace is largely designed to help you sell to local buyers, not to target shoppers right around Australia and the world.
Not open to businesses. Currently, only individuals can sell on Facebook Marketplace in Australia.
Bonanza is an online marketplace built with the aim of being "seller-centric". Based in the USA, the platform boasts 50,000 sellers and users in 199 countries around the world. You can use Bonanza to sell a huge variety of physical goods, including everything from art and books to toys, fashion and video games.
How to use Bonanza
Check out the screenshots below for details of how to start buying and selling on Bonanza.
1. Creating an account
2. Buying
Find products using the search box or browse specific product categories, specially curated lists, gift ideas and discounts.
Potential to sell with low fees. While Bonanza's fee structure can get quite confusing, there's only one mandatory fee – a transaction fee that can be as little as 3.5%.
Easy to use. It's simple to set up a booth and start selling.
Cons
Confusing fee structure. There are several different fees and charges you'll need to understand if you want to sell on Bonanza.
Largely American audience. The bulk of Bonanza's web traffic comes from the United States, while all fees are quoted in USD.
With over 7 million Australian visitors each month, Gumtree is a popular online marketplace where you can buy and sell virtually anything. While it's best known as a platform where users can sell second-hand items they no longer want or need, businesses can also use Gumtree to reach a large audience of potential buyers.
How to use Gumtree
Check out the screenshots below for details of how to start buying and selling on Gumtree.
1. Creating an account
2. Buying
Use the search box on Gumtree to find products within a certain radius of your home. You can also browse by product category.
Wish is an online and mobile marketplace where you can buy and sell just about any type of physical item. The platform boasts 300 million shoppers across 80 countries, and it's easy to create an account and start selling on Wish.
How to use Wish
Check out the screenshots below for details of how to start buying and selling on Wish
1. Creating an account
2. Buying
You can shop on Wish by browsing product categories, viewing top-selling items or searching for a specific product.
3. Selling
4. Help and FAQs
Wish's merchant help centre contains a wide range of FAQs and also the option to submit a support request.
Global audience. Wish boasts millions of shoppers in 80 countries around the world.
Simple fee structure. Wish's fee structure is transparent and easy to understand.
Cons
Hard to get noticed. With more than 100,000 merchants selling on Wish, it can be difficult to make your products stand out.
Not targeted at an Australian audience. Wish is targeted at buyers around the world, particularly in the United States, so may not be the best choice if you want to sell to Australian shoppers.
Groupon is a daily deals marketplace where you can connect with bargain-hunting Australian buyers. Shoppers on Groupon use their collective buying power to access discounted products and offers from merchants, and over 16,000 businesses have offered deals on the platform since it launched here in 2011.
How to use Groupon
Check out the screenshots below for details of how to start buying and selling on Groupon.
1. Buying
Browse the latest deals on the Groupon homepage or use the search box to find deals near you.
Newegg is a popular online marketplace for computer hardware and consumer electronics, but users can also use the platform to buy everything from baby supplies to musical instruments. Boasting millions of buyers in more than 80 countries, Newegg is well worth a look if you're searching for a new online sales channel for your business.
How to use Newegg
Check out the screenshots below for details of how to start buying and selling on Newegg.
1. Creating an account
2. Buying
Newegg shoppers can search for items by keyword, item number or model number, or browse products by category.
Easy to get started. The Newegg signup process is quick and easy.
Global reach. With buyers in more than 80 countries, Newegg lets you target a global audience.
Cons
Fees. Newegg sales commissions vary depending on what you're selling and where the buyer lives, but range from 8-15% per sale.
Best known for tech. While you can sell a wide range of items on Newegg, it's best known as a tech marketplace, so it may not be a good fit for all sellers.
Chinese platform Alibaba is a B2B ecommerce marketplace that was established in 1999. It allows you to connect with buyers in over 190 countries and regions, and is designed for buying and selling items in wholesale quantities.
How to use Alibaba
Check out the screenshots below for details of how to start buying and selling on Alibaba.
1. Creating an account
2. Buying
You can search for products to buy on Alibaba by keyword or image, or browse products by category.
Once you've chosen a marketplace, you can start selling online by completing the following steps:
Know your legal and tax obligations. Make sure your online selling business complies with all legal and tax requirements. For example, check whether you will need to register for an ABN or purchase any insurance cover.
Sign up for an account and create a store. It's usually free to open a selling account on an ecommerce marketplace, but some platforms offer optional memberships to allow you to access extra account features. You can then create a name and provide a description about your online store.
Sort out shipping. Next, you'll need to work out the most cost-effective ways to ship items to customers in Australia and overseas. Compare quotes and delivery timeframes from shipping providers to find the best possible option.
Price your products. Consider your costs, your desired profit margin, competitor pricing and your target customers when deciding how to price your products at a suitable level.
List your products. Now it's time to start listing products on your online marketplace of choice. Make sure your listings contain detailed, SEO-friendly product descriptions and high-quality images to help attract customers.
Promote your products. If you want to boost your sales, make the most of the promotional and marketing tools the marketplace offers. These could include promoted listings, paid advertising campaigns, email marketing tools and more.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Ready to start selling online? Compare Online Seller accounts.
If you sell products online to overseas buyers, you'll need to find a cost-effective way to convert foreign currency payments back into Australian dollars. You can do this by opening an online seller account.
Online seller accounts let you receive and send payments in multiple currencies, ensuring that you receive fast payment and can secure a better exchange rate when you convert back to AUD. Check out the table below to compare some of the key features of online seller accounts.
Tim Falk is a writer for Finder, writing across a diverse range of topics. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, Tim has reported on everything from travel and personal finance to pets and TV soap operas. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors.
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