15 Best Online Marketplaces for your Business

Online marketplaces, such as Etsy, eBay, Shopify, and Amazon, have grown to be indispensable channels for companies looking to expand their consumer base, make sales, build their brands and make money online. But how do you decide which market is the greatest fit for your company when there are so many possibilities available?

In this extensive guide, we’ll look at the dynamic landscape of online marketplaces available for your business, putting light on the industry’s leading players, each with their own distinct presence and serving as an important channel for businesses and consumers alike.

We will look at the top 15 online marketplaces for selling your stuff. So, if you’re considering expanding your online sales channels to a new platform (or two), you’ve definitely come to the right place.

What is an Online Marketplace?

An online marketplace is an e-commerce platform that allows vendors and consumers to exchange goods and services. It is sometimes referred to as an electronic marketplace, with the website owner overseeing all transactions. Anyone can use internet marketplaces to connect with potential clients who are interested in buying their products. Sellers can list their products on the online marketplace’s website, along with a price and information about the product’s features and traits. Customers can search for and explore products, compare pricing and quality, and make direct purchases from the seller.

Each online marketplace is unique in terms of criteria, product categories, listing fees, and target audience. As a result, if you want to be certain you’re making the greatest decision, you should conduct some preliminary study. You’ll have to understand the various tactics for selling on marketplaces, which ones have the most promise for your products, and what you need to do to get started easily.

Why Use an Online Marketplace to Sell?

Online selling and e-commerce marketplaces are becoming more and more popular, therefore these channels are always coming up with new and creative ways to satisfy customers. This implies that the majority of marketplaces will take significant steps to facilitate brand and seller marketing, sales, and fulfillment. Here are a few of their advantages:

1. Increased Sales: Compared to traditional stores, local companies can reach a far wider audience through online marketplaces. It is possible to present your company to potential clients no matter where in the world they live. This gives you access to a larger audience than you otherwise would, enabling you to market and distribute your goods.
2. Automation: Online businesses are more suited for automation than traditional ones, especially in light of recent technical breakthroughs. You are in total control of how your products are shown, priced, accepted orders, handled logistics-wise, data-analytics-wise, etc. when you establish an online marketplace. An online marketplace’s comprehensive automated features allow you to focus more of your time on the product itself rather than the day-to-day management of your company. 
3. Lower Costs: Renting a store, paying staff to operate the store, and other expenses must be taken into account if you decide to operate your business offline. Alternatively, these costs are avoided if you open an online store. All you have to spend is a small fee for the website, marketing, and advertising.

These are the top 15 online marketplaces that you should think about using to sell your goods:

1. Amazon

Amazon’s own e-commerce network, the Amazon Marketplace, allows independent vendors to post goods for sale. Amazon’s product offerings are accompanied by either new or used items at a set price. Additionally, sellers can highlight their product listings at the top of product search results pages by utilizing the platform’s advertising features. Platform sellers can use Amazon Vendor Central, which is for companies selling goods to Amazon in bulk, or Amazon Seller Central, which is for companies selling goods on the platform alone.

What Makes the Amazon Marketplace Unique?

Amazon is the largest product search engine and the world’s largest marketplace. Brands that invest the most in product content management and research are rewarded by its systems, which prioritize relevance when sorting product search results.

 Because of its widespread appeal and size, the Amazon Marketplace is a fiercely competitive marketplace where small and medium-sized enterprises, brands, merchants, and even individual sellers participate in the same market. Provided that certain conditions are satisfied, almost anybody with a tangible thing can sell on the market.

What is the Difference Between Amazon FBM and FBA Products?

Both “fulfilled by Amazon” (FBA) and “fulfilled by the merchant” (FBM) refer to products that are sold through the Seller Central on the Amazon Marketplace. The former implies that the third-party seller is responsible for handling the product’s storage, shipping, and customer support. Product storage and customer support are handled by Amazon in fulfillment centers when they receive an FBA classification. For FBA products, Amazon charges greater costs, so companies should determine which of the two listing options makes the most sense for their needs.

Amazon fees

The cost of selling on Amazon varies depending on your plan, product category, fulfillment strategy, and other factors. A Professional Seller package costs at least $39.99 per month. 

2. eBay 

On eBay, customers are able to provide their own products for sale and purchase goods through fixed-price or auction listings. In terms of popularity, Statista indicates that in 2022, the marketplace ranked second only to Amazon. Additionally, eBay has over 190 nations among its active user base, and in 2022, over 30.5 million downloads of its app were made. 

Businesses can connect with potential clients worldwide through the eBay Marketplace. It is worthwhile to become an expert eBay seller. You will not only boost sales and aid in the expansion of your company, but you will also raise brand awareness.

Types of Sales on eBay

Sellers can select from one of three sales categories (represented by buttons) when placing an item on the marketplace. 

1. Auction (Place bid): The buyer placing the highest offer gets the item in this kind of auction. For a set amount of time, each lot is up for bid. In the last few minutes, buyers usually became more competitive. 
2. Buy It Now: An object can be bought by a buyer for a set amount, which is typically greater than the auction price. For uncommon things, this is an extremely helpful choice. 
3.  Make Offer: The item’s pricing might be suggested by the customer. The buyer must pay the agreed-upon amount for the item if the seller accepts the offer.

It’s worth noting that you could sell practically anything on eBay, from everyday items like shoes and watches to unusual items like popcorn-scented pillows and air bottles.

eBay Fees

Most casual sellers can list their items for free on eBay. If you post more than 250 things each month, you will be charged a $0.35 insertion fee per listing.

3. Shopify 

The Shopify Marketplace transforms any social media or content development page into an ecommerce platform. Shopify delivers all the required tools, APIs, and guidelines to help users get up and running quickly.

Shopify’s ecommerce platform makes it simple to get started, without requiring technical knowledge or a substantial investment. Shopify presently runs more than a million businesses and is well-known for its low prices, professional designs, and clever marketing tools.

Shopify Fees

You can start for free and enjoy your first month for $1. After the first month, you can decide on the appropriate plan for your business. There are four plans available: basic ($24 per month), Shopify ($69 per month), advanced ($299 per month), and Shopify Plus ($2300 per month). 

Each plan has its own set of benefits and services, so carefully review the options before deciding on your favorite plan.

4. Etsy

Etsy is a third-party e-commerce site that helps small creators and businesses extend their reach by displaying (and hopefully selling to) a large audience who might not have seen them otherwise. Etsy is an online e-commerce marketplace where independent producers, DIY crafters, and collectors can set up virtual shops to sell their wares. 

It’s similar to Amazon for independent merchants that sell handcrafted, unique, or specialized products. The goal is to develop a large marketplace of products from various merchants, allowing customers to locate exceptional vendors. As of 2022, there are over 7.47 million sellers on Etsy, with over 95 million active shoppers.

Etsy Fees

For every item you sell on Etsy, a $0.20 listing fee will be charged. Every four months, listings expire. So, you will be charged an extra $0.20 if you decide to renew the listing since your item doesn’t sell. In addition to the amount you charge for shipping and gift wrapping, you will be charged a transaction fee of 6.5% of the displayed price whenever a sale is made.

5. Rakuten 

Rakuten Marketplace is an excellent platform for starting or growing your online selling business. This marketplace has about 1.3 billion users and has been referred to as Japan’s Amazon. If you’ve sold on Amazon before, you’ll see a lot of similarities with Rakuten, as well as some notable distinctions. 

Clothing, literature, sports, and subscription boxes are among the many goods you can sell. Businesses that want to sell on Rakuten must be registered in the United States or Japan; otherwise, they must apply via a service partner. 

Who Can Use Rakuten?

Rakuten Marketplace is an international e-commerce network, so it accommodates vendors from all over the world.

Local businesses in countries where the Direct Shop plan is offered can set up shops on Rakuten. This strategy enables them to keep their distinct brand identity while selling directly to customers. Here’s a list of countries where Rakuten offers Direct Shop Plan:

• Japan
• United States
• France
• Germany
• United Kingdom
• China
• South Korea
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan
• Canada
• Australia

Please note that the list is subject to change as Rakuten continues to expand its services globally. Always refer to the official Rakuten Marketplace website for the most updated information.

Rakuten Fees

Depending on your demands, you can choose between two types of subscriptions to become a professional seller on Rakuten:

• A €0/month Starter subscription with standard commissions
• An Expert subscription at €49 ex-VAT per month, coupled with reduced commissions

Sales Commissions

The percentages of Rakuten commissions fluctuate depending on the seller subscription selected, the type of item, and whether the goods is new, used, or reconditioned. 

• Commissions as low as 8% for merchants with Expert subscription
• Commissions starting at 14% for sellers with Starter subscription.

Handling costs are also charged based on the value of the item sold, ranging from €0.15 for products under €10 to €5 for products over €400. 

6. Aliexpress

AliExpress is a Chinese platform that facilitates online sales of products from Chinese businesses.  It is a website that brings together a large number of small manufacturers who sell a wide range of products, including apparel, gadgets, accessories, sporting goods, and much more. This platform was founded by the Alibaba Group in 2010, and it brings together a huge number of small Chinese producers who, due to eCommerce, can now sell their products directly to customers all over the world. 

AliExpress allows all types of electronic payments, including credit cards, prepaid cards, and other ways such as Paypal and Western Union. The preferred payment option, however, is Alipay, a virtual system similar to PayPal but entirely made in China. AliExpress welcomes users from all major locations across the world. It provides alternative language versions of its website and smartphone apps in English, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Turkish, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Arabic, Hebrew, and Polish.

Aliexpress Fees

On AliExpress, you just pay for each goods you sell. Commissions range from 5% to 8%, depending on the product type.

7. Newegg

Newegg marketplace has a vast number of visitors both in the US and internationally. It is a popular online store for tech enthusiasts. Newegg offers a wide range of new, refurbished, and used consumer goods, computer parts, gaming accessories, and entertainment products. This eCommerce portal also allows users to purchase non-electronic items like office supplies, jewelry, luggage, sports and fitness equipment, and more. For sellers, the application process might be challenging, and they must pass a quality analysis. More than 36 million consumers in more than 50 countries who are interested in electrical products can find Newegg.

Why should you try selling on Newegg?

You can use all of Newegg’s marketing resources, shipping and fulfillment options, and a personal account manager if you choose to sell on the platform. The Newegg Business service, intended for formal enterprises, offers B2B sales opportunities.

Newegg fees

Three membership tiers are available to merchants on Newegg Marketplace: Standard (free), Professional ($29.95 per month), and Enterprise ($99.95 per month) and Newegg’s commission rates vary by product category, ranging from 8% to 14%. 

Increased features and add-on services are offered with membership options, along with savings on Shipped by Newegg and Newegg Shipping Label Service. Greater item listing capacities are another benefit of each membership level: with the Standard plan, you can list up to 5,000 things; with the Professional plan, you may list up to 25,000; and with the Enterprise plan, you can list an infinite number of items.

8. Target Plus

Target Plus Marketplace is one of the leading eCommerce marketplaces. Target Marketplace, unlike Amazon and Walmart Marketplace, is a platform that requires an invitation to join. This implies that Target plus is now only offering exclusive collaborations with a restricted number of third-party retailers. Target Plus’ mission is to provide its loyal customers with quick access to a greater range of curated products and general merchandise, such as food, furniture, fashion, and household essentials, through partnerships with best-in-class specialty and national brands.

While Target Marketplace is invitation-only, there are still several steps that must be taken to increase a merchant’s chances of getting admitted to the platform. Sellers must meet several standards in order to sell on Target Marketplace, including:

• Business must be located in the United States.
•  Have a bank account in the USA. 
• Offer a unique product for sale. 
• Use proper UPC labels. 
• Shipping orders within 24 hours for them arrives within 5 days. 
•  Only ship within the USA.

Target Plus Fees

Online dealers must pay a commission charge of 5-15 percent. This is for each sale made through the website.

9. Bonanza 

Bonanza is an online selling service that is gaining popularity as an alternative to eBay. The platform allows you to sell almost anything, and its website attracts roughly two million views per month.

Consider Bonanza to be somewhere between Amazon and eBay in terms of online selling. Bonanza offers more unique and handmade things for sale than eBay, but less brand names than Amazon. For example, you can sell the most recent Nike Air Max model or a handcrafted copper jewelry and find eager consumers for both. Buyers can add things to their cart at a predetermined price or use the platform to negotiate a bargain with you.

Bonanza Fees

Bonanza doesn’t charge you anything to list your products on its website. After you sell, a small percentage of your ultimate transaction price is deducted. Furthermore, because many Bonanza sellers have their own online storefronts, Bonanza can be integrated with platforms such as Shopify to make it easier to manage and sell things.

10. Ruby Lane 

Ruby Lane, like Etsy, is a platform for selling antiques, vintage products, and handmade stuff. It functions slightly differently from Etsy in that vendors must pay a monthly fee to list on the site. There are no individual listing fees, and the monthly price can be refunded if you are an active seller. However, you will be charged a commission on each sale. 

To register as a vendor on the site, you must first review Ruby Lane’s terms and conditions. These terms specify what can and cannot be sold on the site.

Customer complaints could result in your removal from this marketplace and so may any infraction of Ruby Lane’s terms. 

Rubylane Fees

Currently, the monthly charge is $25. However, if you add at least 15 products to your store during the month, you will receive a refund of $25 each month. When an item sells, the shop owner pays a 9.9% commission. However, this commission is capped at $250 per item.

11. Bestbuy

Best Buy is a popular electronics and consumer electronics retailer in the United States. They run an online marketplace where clients can purchase a variety of electronics, appliances, and related items. Selling on Best Buy might help you access a huge number of tech-savvy consumers.

To sell on Best Buy, you must first register your business. This includes obtaining all the licences and permits required by your state and local authorities.

Bestbuy Fees

As a BestBuy seller, you will be obliged to pay fees and commissions. Best Buy charges an 8% referral fee on the total sales price of each item sold, with a $1.00 minimum and a maximum of $250.00. There is also a variable closing fee that fluctuates between $0.45 and $1.35 per item sold. These costs are withheld from your sales earnings prior to payment.

12. Walmart 

Walmart Marketplace is a well-known e-commerce site that is both operated and owned by Walmart. Walmart permits and provides millions of brands, items, and selections to its customers through partnerships with various Marketplace Sellers. 

Every month, Walmart Marketplace draws over 150 million unique visitors, providing retailers of all sizes with access to a massive potential client base. This marketplace enables third-party retailers to offer their products on Walmart’s site. If you’ve sold things on Amazon or eBay before, the process on Walmart Marketplace will be similar. People search the site and explore product listings from sellers.

Walmart Fees

The cost of selling on Walmart varies according to the goods you offer. Walmart charges a tiny referral fee for each product you sell, which ranges from 6 to 15%. You will pay this fee every time you sell a product, but it is the only money Walmart deducts from your profits.

13. Chairish

Chairish, a recognized online marketplace in the United States, has established itself as a specialized platform for vintage and secondhand furniture. Detailed item descriptions, including measurements, materials, and condition reports, promote transparency and confidence among its diverse audience, which includes interior designers, home décor lovers, and consumers looking for high-quality, one-of-a-kind products. When you first open your account, your selling plan is set to “Consignor” by default and when you attain ten live listings, you will be instantly elevated to “Professional”.

Chairish Fees

Chairish’s commission rates depend on your selling plan:

• Consignor: 45% for all products.
•  Professional: 30% off all goods.
•  Premium: 22% for vintage/used merchandise and 30% off any other newly manufactured and made-to-order products.

14. Taobao 

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, Taobao stands out as one of China’s largest and most powerful online shopping platforms, providing a unique portal for worldwide shoppers looking to explore a diversified and massive marketplace.

Taobao, founded in 2003 by the Alibaba Group, transformed China’s online commerce business model, serving as a catalyst for the expansion of digital consumption in Asia and beyond. It is a shopping environment that offers a diverse selection of products and a highly engaging user experience. The platform enables vendors to set up their own online shops and offer goods directly to customers, removing the need for middlemen. This has not only democratized access to online retailing, but it has also made a wide range of products available at reasonable prices.

Taobao Fees

The required deposit to start a store on the platform is 1000 RMB. In addition, there will be fees associated with company registration, acquiring licences, and logistics. Additionally, Taobao will deduct a commission from each transaction; this typically amounts to 5%, but it will vary based on the things you sell.

15. Alibaba 

Lastly, Alibaba. One of the biggest markets in the world! Alibaba provides a vast directory for business buyers searching abroad, with 200 million products from over 200,000 suppliers, the majority of which are headquartered in Asia. 

AliExpress is a sibling marketplace to Alibaba. AliExpress is a website for individual customers seeking to purchase products, whereas Alibaba is a B2B platform for companies wishing to purchase goods in large quantities. Alibaba has a significant impact outside of its native China. With millions of active users, both locally and globally. 

Alibaba Fees

Selling on Alibaba comes at a cost. Let us take a closer look at the plans. 

• Standard: The standard selling plan is $3,499 USD annually.
•  Standard Extended:  The regular extended plan costs $5,299 USD for two years. 
• Premium: The premium plan costs $6,999 USD annually

Note that . Alibaba.com does not impose a sales commission, allowing merchants to keep 100% of their earnings.

Key Features to Look Out For 

The important elements to look for in an e-commerce platform differ depending on the type of business. However, some considerations, such as affordability and security features, should always be prioritized. Here are a few features to watch for:

1. Pricing 

You will need to think about the budget for your business. Do you need to look for a company that provides a free plan? Can you afford a higher-tier plan with additional features? You will also want to evaluate the cost of a domain name, maintenance fees, add-ons, web hosting, and transaction costs.

2. Security Features

If you run an online business, your clients will submit sensitive information into your system, such as credit card numbers and addresses. You’ll want to be sure you have an e-commerce platform that can keep all of this data safe.

3. Inventory Management Features

Inventory management might be critical for businesses with a wide range of items. Ideally, your e-commerce platform will include inventory management in the same system, making everything more simplified. 

4. Built-in Features

You should also consider other features that could be integrated into the platform. This includes money administration, app integrations, and SEO optimization tools.

5. Software Integrations

An e-commerce platform with a large selection of software connectors is what you should be looking for. These integrations can be used for product sourcing, checkout features, shipping protection, analytics, payments, and accounting functions.

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Final Thoughts 

In conclusion, these top 15 online marketplaces can offer an abundance of chances for you to sell your goods, establish connections with potential clients, and develop your business, whether you’re an experienced seller trying to broaden your reach or an ambitious entrepreneur.

There is an online marketplace for every kind of seller, with multiple platforms supporting various product categories and marketing strategies. Therefore, there is a platform ready to display your products and draw in interested customers, whether you’re selling high-tech devices, vintage apparel, or handcrafted jewelry.

You don’t have to navigate these online marketplaces alone, even though it can be a difficult task. At Foundeck, our experts can assist you in realizing your full potential on these platforms, from handling customer service and logistics to refining your product listings.