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10 marketplaces to sell your things online
10 of the best online platforms to help you sell products to customers around the world.
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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.
What's in this guide?
How to choose a marketplace
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.
3. Selling
4. FAQs and seller resources
Etsy's seller hub contains resources to help you start selling, including FAQs, fee info and seller success stories.
Read more..Amazon: Pros and cons
Pros
- Huge global platform. Amazon has marketplaces in several countries around the world and can help you target a massive audience of potential buyers.
- Easy to use. Listing products on Amazon is simple and straightforward, while the Fulfillment by Amazon program can help make selling even easier.
Cons
- Fees. You'll need to pay a monthly subscription fee to sell on Amazon, plus a commission of 6-15% on each item you sell.
- Competition. Because Amazon is such a popular marketplace, it can be difficult to make your products get noticed.
eBay
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.
3. Selling
4. FAQs and seller resources
You can find out more about how to start selling on eBay by visiting the eBay Seller Centre.
Read more..eBay: Pros and cons
Pros
- 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.
Watch: How much money could you make selling items on eBay?
Etsy
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.
3. Selling
4. FAQs and seller resources
Etsy's seller hub contains resources to help you start selling, including FAQs, fee info and seller success stories.
Read more..Etsy: Pros and cons
Pros
- Niche audience. If you're looking to sell handmade goods, Etsy can help you connect with a large audience of prospective buyers.
- Easy to use. It's simple and straightforward to create and run an Etsy shop.
Cons
- Only for specific items. Etsy is only designed for handmade items, vintage goods and craft supplies.
- Saturated market. Unless you have a completely unique product, it can be difficult to make your listings stand out from the crowd.
Facebook Marketplace
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.
3. Selling
Facebook Marketplace: Pros and cons
Pros
- 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.
How to sell on Facebook Marketplace
Bonanza
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.
3. Selling
4. Help and FAQs
Visit the Help Center to find FAQs, seller success tips and customer support contact details.
Read more..Bonanza: Pros and cons
Pros
- 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.
Gumtree
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.
3. Selling
4. Help and FAQs
Gumtree's seller's guide contains tips and FAQs. You can also search a help database or contact customer support 24/7.
Read more..Gumtree: Pros and cons
Pros
- Large audience of potential buyers. Gumtree attracts more than 7 million Australian visitors each month.
- Free. It's free to post an ad on Gumtree, but there are paid options available to help you increase your ad's reach.
Cons
- Haggling. Many Gumtree buyers like to haggle over the price, so you'll need to be prepared to negotiate.
- No international sales. Gumtree is for Australian buyers only, so you can't target shoppers in other countries.
Wish
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.
Wish: Pros and cons
Pros
- 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
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.
3. Customer support
Groupon Merchant's Resources section features FAQs to help business owners understand how Groupon campaigns work.
Read more..Groupon: Pros and cons
Pros
- Boost brand awareness. Everyone loves a bargain, so running a Groupon campaign can help build a bigger footprint for your brand.
- Easy to run a campaign. Groupon can help you build a campaign, target specific consumers and track the results.
Cons
- Limited fee information. There's very little information available upfront about how much it costs to run a Groupon campaign.
- Tight profit margins. Offering a discount deal through Groupon may offer little or no profit.
Newegg
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.
4. Help and FAQs
The Newegg sellers homepage contains useful esources such as webinars, ebooks, case studies and FAQs.
Newegg: Pros and cons
Pros
- 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.
Alibaba
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.
3. Selling
Head to the Alibaba seller homepage and click the link to purchase the membership plan you want.
Read more..
4. Help and FAQs
The Alibaba supplier help centre features a large database of FAQs to help new users understand how to sell on Alibaba.
Read more..Alibaba: Pros and cons
Pros
- Global platform. Alibaba gives you access to millions of business buyers around the world.
- No commissions. Alibaba doesn't charge any sales commissions or transaction fees.
Cons
- B2B platform. Alibaba isn't designed for businesses looking to sell directly to consumers.
- Membership cost. You'll need to pay an annual fee to be an Alibaba supplier – the cheapest package is US$1,399 per year.
What's next?
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.
Compare e-commerce providers
Watch: How to become a successful online seller
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.
Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.
Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.
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