[Updated 2023] The 10 best platforms to sell online (2023)

Today, the Internet is a great tool for promoting eCommerce websites to a large audience. It is estimated that millions of people use the Internet every day in search of products and services. Do you think your product or service will sell well online? Once you've done your research on how to sell online successfully, the next step is to decide where and how to sell it.

In this article, we've researched and compiled the best online selling platforms to consider, with tips and advice on each.

Why should you sell on an eCommerce platform?

Installation and operating costs are lower than in a traditional business

The cost of actually establishing ae-commerce websiteis less than that of an offline business. Your entire business sales system is automated online. This will save you on employees, salaries and other business costs, which are typically expenses such as electricity, rent and heating costs. The money you save can be used to further develop your eCommerce site and product line. E-commerce sites will also help you expand your product offering faster than is normally possible in an offline business situation.

scalability

Starting a website for an e-commerce business is cheaper than starting a brick-and-mortar business. Your company's entire sales system is automated and managed online. As a result, you'll save money on employee salaries and benefits, as well as other commonly incurred business expenses such as energy, rent, and heating bills. For example, Amazon, the top-selling platform, has grown successfully as a result of expanding its product line and continuously monitoring what is popular with customers. As a result, they have been able to significantly expand their product line across a wide range of industries.

Customer Data Insights

Certainly, one benefit of sourcing and selling platforms that you may not have considered is the ease with which you can collect, measure and act on customer data. Ownership of customer data is essential if you want to focus on the customer experience. By tracking customer interactions, you can gather valuable first-hand information about your customers. To continue to innovate the customer experience, you'll need to maintain a constant feedback loop of actionable insights.

It is possible to operate the company from anywhere

With an e-commerce website, you no longer have to limit your business to the confines of your workplace. You can run your eCommerce business from anywhere in the world. Access to email, the Internet, and a phone are all required to run an eCommerce website from anywhere at any time.

Higher margins and better cash flow

Having an e-commerce website allows you to sell at higher margins if your business is in the commerce industry. This will further increase your profit margins. The shopping cart and payment options on these sites also ensure that you receive full payment from the buyer immediately. This will increase your cash flow, especially if your customers tend to pay in installments.

PayPal, Google Checkout, Sage Payment Solutions, WorldPay and others are trusted payment methods for eCommerce websites. This will ensure that all of your payment transactions are carried out efficiently, allowing your business to receive funds as quickly as possible.

The 10 best platforms to sell online in 2023

facebook market

Facebook Marketplace is a popular online selling platform launched in October 2016 and created to bring people together in communities to buy and sell items. One of the most intriguing aspects of Facebook Marketplace is the company's recent decision to support online retailers. Interestingly, Facebook has worked with online selling systems like Shopify to make it easier for online merchants to be visible on the Marketplace.

While there are no listing costs, there are specific rules and guidelines you need to follow if you want to be a successful Marketplace merchant.

Etsy

Etsy advertises itself as one of theAbove-offerplatforms, and many artisans have taken advantage of this to launch successful online stores selling their handcrafted goods and vintage collectibles. The site claims to bring together millions of merchants and buyers. Etsy also requires only a small initial investment because sellers can list their products for as little as 20 cents per listing, resulting in very low start-up costs.

When an item is sold on Etsy, a credit card processing fee and commission are deducted from the purchase price of the item. Another advantage of Etsy is that it allows sellers to list their products on other sites for free. If your item is sold through one of these off-site advertisements, you will receive a percentage of the sale price.

Also, an important consideration when selling on Etsy is the four month rule. If your products don't sell in that period, you'll have to renew your listing or remove the risk.

ebay

Having started with auction-style listings, eBay is one of the best platforms for selling online. To accommodate sellers who don't want to wait for an auction to complete, eBay now offers Buy It Now options. On some things in the marketplace, it also allows customers to submit "best deals", which sellers can accept or reject based on their own preferences.

Consider eBay the world's biggest yard sale. He keeps the art of haggling alive while helping customers discover a wide variety of new and used things. If you're just starting to market an item, listing it on eBay is a good place to start. Most categories don't require a listing fee, so it's a good place to see if shoppers would respond to your products. Individual sellers can list their products for free (with commissions awarded when items sell), while companies selling in bulk can enroll in premium programs.

eBay, like many other leading e-commerce sites, maintains customer satisfaction by holding sellers to high standards for product quality, description accuracy, shipping schedules, and other variables. As a result, to be successful on eBay, it is essential that sellers maintain an excellent level of feedback ratings. Negative feedback reviews can be the death knell for new business.

amazonas

Amazon is undoubtedly one of the most popular sales platforms besides eBay, attracting over 20.6 million people every month.

This best online selling platform allows you to sell almost anything while certain specialized categories need Amazon approval and enhanced sales plan. Depending on the type of sales plan you have, Amazon charges different types of fees for things sold.

For example, if you choose the regular individual selling plan, you'll pay Amazon 99 cents for each item you sell, plus a referral fee. The referral fee is a percentage of the item's total selling price, including shipping costs but not taxes, and generally ranges from 8% to 20%. Or, if you sell media products like books, movies, or video games, you'll also have to pay a closing fee of $1.80.

Also, the Professional Sales plan is $39.99 per month, but you don't pay 99 cents per item like the Individual plan. So the pro plan only makes sense if you sell more than 40 things a month.

Walmart

Having started as a retailer in the United States, Walmart is the grandfather of the online sales platform. The marketplace has an average of 496 million visits per month.

Compared to sites like Amazon and eBay, Walmart's online platform has an exceptionally high barrier to entry, which is seen as an important distinction. Businesses that want to participate in the retail market must have excellent seller feedback ratings.

When a product is sold on Walmart Marketplace, sellers are required to pay a referral fee. The referral fee is calculated as a percentage of the total sales earnings generated by the sale of each product sold through the affiliate program.

Shopify

One of the easiest to use and reputable. The e-commerce sales platform is Shopify. Currently, with the most up-to-date information, there are over 2,000,000 merchants using Shopify.

Using this best online sales platform as a starting point for an eCommerce website is a smart move. It's easy to use and straightforward, with exceptional customer service. Additionally, there are other Shopify apps available to customize your business, such as wholesale marketplaces like Handshake.

Shopify also has its own app store, an amazing feature where you can find and install third-party plugins to help streamline all aspects of your business, including email marketing, inventory management, and more. apps likePickyStory, which increases average order value with upsells and lets you sell products in bundles, can make a real difference to your store's success.

In fact, Shopify's monthly price is $29 for the most basic plan. All of this is included in this package: a personal website and blog; SSL certificates; abandoned shopping cart recovery; Sales channels on social networks.

craigslist

Launched in 1995 by Craig Newmark, Craigslist was originally developed to provide the best online selling platforms for many people and businesses. This online sales platform is best suited for people who want to sell locally and do business in person rather than online. Some people use Craigslist to their advantage, buying low and selling high, which can result in a substantial profit for anyone participating in market arbitrage.

The simplicity of this transaction is key: there's no packaging, shipping, or fees involved; you just get money in the palm of your hand. Unlike many other online-only sales sites, however, these marketplaces offer no guarantees or safeguards in case your buyer turns out to be fake or unreliable.

next door

Similar to Craigslist, Nextdoor is a supply and sell platform where neighbors can openly exchange information about what's happening in their areas, from announcing a block party to reporting that someone isn't emptying their trash cans in a timely manner.

Furthermore, Nextdoor serves as an online selling platform for people to sell their products for a small fee. No membership or listing fees are required on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, but you must serve your customers and trade items in person, just like on eBay and Craigslist, respectively.

Since you have to register and create an account, this online sales site appears to be a little more secure than Craigslist. Therefore, it is more private and has fewer scams than other forms of communication.

away you steal

Probably the best platforms to sell online and a vintage and antique shopping forum. According to EcommerceBytes survey results, Ruby Lane is the most recommended retail location in 2019. Ruby Lane had more than 1.80 million unique visits per month through November. 2020.

There's no price to set up shop on Ruby Lane, and these top-selling platforms don't charge to showcase their wares. Stores with 50 or more items, on the other hand, will incur a $54 monthly maintenance fee. The maintenance fee changes based on the number of items you have listed. RubyLane also charges a 6.7% service fee on all purchase orders (less sales tax).

was created to connect people who like to collect things. When it comes to selling antiques and collectibles online, this is arguably the best online sales platform for you if you are looking for a niche market. However, keep in mind that there are costs involved.

Newegg

Newegg is one of the best-selling platforms in California, with delivery facilities located in Canada and North America, and a global reach that extends to over 50 other nations. promises to be the#1 marketplace for all things techwhich includes devices, computers and components, smart home items, entertainment and games.

It's also easy for merchants to create rich and informative product pages and reach up to 36 million potential buyers. Newegg's target audience is primarily 18-35 year olds, so if that's your target audience, Newegg could be a fantastic alternative for you.

Newegg encourages you to leverage its many marketing vehicles, such as daily business emails, as well as its various vendor programs, to succeed in your endeavors. Also, make sure you provide exceptional customer service and don't sell illegal items.

In conclusion for the best online sales platforms of 2023

Each online marketplace has its own unique requirements, product categories, listing fees, and audiences. So, if you want to make sure you're making the right decision and discover the best online sales platforms for your business, some recommendations are needed right away. If you want an in-depth understanding of different strategies for online selling platforms, which ones hold the most promise for your products, and what you need to do to ensure a smooth start. Contact us for more information!