If you ask someone what eCommerce platform they know, they would say Amazon. No doubt about that. Amazon has risen to the top of the e-commerce sector for years. With a net worth of more than 1.7 trillion dollars, Amazon is, without doubt, the most popular eCommerce platform out in the industry.
Selling on Amazon is a must if you have an e-commerce business. They have a vast audience on their website. If you post your products or listings there, it would probably have a higher chance of being seen by the public. As a result, you will get more clicks and be more visible to potential buyers.
However, Amazon is not just an e-commerce platform with a lot of upsides. Of course, it has downsides as well.
One of these is the fact that Amazon is one of the biggest e-commerce platforms. Thus, the competition is somewhat extreme. That means that your products should be competitive, unique, and affordable to rise to the top and get noticed.
Another thing to discuss is the fees. In Amazon, there are two types of Amazon sellers that you can choose from: the individual and the professional.
For an individual account plan, you will not have to pay any monthly fees. However, you have to cough up some fees every time someone buys a product from you. They will deduct the price depending on what you sell and how much you sell it.
If you choose the professional plan, you will have to pay a monthly fee. It can cost you 39.99 dollars per month plus the other fees every time someone buys from you. Though additional fees are not that much as the individual account, it is still heartbreaking to know that you have to pay more on top of the monthly seller subscription fee.
Yes, Amazon is kind of expensive and confusing. That is why some are looking for an alternative amazon marketplace. Here are some suggestions that are cheaper, simpler, and less competitive:
1. Bonanza
Bonanza, established in 2007, has risen as one of the most popular e-commerce platforms. However, one of their edges over other e-commerce platforms is they have a vast range of categories.
Unlike other e-commerce platforms, Bonanza does not require you to pay for any monthly seller subscription fee. It is free when you sign up on their platform. Their sign-up fees are straightforward. For sales under 500 dollars, the payment is 3.5 percent. For sales over 500 dollars, the price is 1.5 percent. It is not complicated and confusing, unlike other e-commerce platforms.
Given that Bonanza is much smaller than Amazon, they still ensure that they are unique and will still be beloved by the public. This is because they always emphasize one of the essential things in business. It is to build a good relationship with customers. With this, you will get repeat customers, and eventually, you will have a sustainable business.
Bonanza’s marketing tools are also sought after by the sellers. It has this feature that gives the seller access to data about their product performance. This feature allows the seller to better market their items. Also, spotting trends and optimizing listings are possible with Bonanza’s marketing tools.
It does not end there. Bonanza also allows the seller to sync their shop with eBay, Amazon, and Shopify automatically. Imagine what convenience it does to the seller with shops in the e-commerce platforms mentioned.
Aside from the features stated, Bonanza also includes: Customized marketing tools, Image editing tools, and Google integration. Also, their customer support is on a different level.
2. eBay
Next on the list is eBay. Aside from Amazon, eBay is probably one of the most prominent e-commerce platforms out there. It has been in business since 1995. Over the years, eBay has made immense changes that made them reach its position right now.
eBay’s focus has changed and widened since its launch. They used to cater to the market in collectibles, and now they are more product-based. Some of the famous brands out there made their goods available on eBay. This feature made it possible for the consumers to bag a bargain and enjoy their shopping life more.
Since eBay caters to collectible items, they introduced auctions. This kind of service made them stand out from other e-commerce platforms. Also, this helped sellers who sell more collectible and rare items. As a result, it made their sales higher than they could have imagined.
Other upsides with eBay are that they also have a comprehensive range of categories that make a shopper’s life a lot easier. In addition, they can find almost everything in just one place.
eBay’s payment option for shoppers gave them an edge in this industry. They have more options than the other e-commerce platforms. eBay shoppers can pay through their credit and debit cards, PayPal, and other local collections. For sellers, they can accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and gift cards.
3. Etsy
One of the alternatives to Amazon is Etsy. Etsy was founded in 2005. By 2007, they had become successful and are one of the most popular e-commerce platforms. Also, they have managed to expand with nearly 450,000 sellers whose annual sales had reached 26 million dollars in just two years.
You can find a lot of items on Etsy. But they are more popular for printable and craft items. So, if your business primarily sells these products, then Etsy might be for you.
Like Bonanza, Etsy’s pricing approach is also straightforward but much cheaper. For each listing that you do, you only have to pay 20 cents. This listing is already good for four months. Then, the 5 percent transaction fee. For every successful transaction, 5 percent of your income will have to go to Etsy for using their platform.
If you want to re-list your products on Etsy since it is only available for four months, you have to do one thing. That is to select the auto-renew option, and it will be renewed automatically.
On Etsy, you can customize how your store looks. You can design it to match your products and your personality. This feature makes people attracted to your shop, and of course, buy your products. It is one of the great features in Etsy for sellers.
As mentioned earlier, Etsy has lower fees compared to other e-commerce platforms. Thus, Etsy is ideal for beginners. You get to post and sell your products for a low price and earn money to expand your business.
4. Walmart Marketplace
You may be asking why Walmart? Many people know that Amazon is dominating eCommerce. And Walmart is one of the most popular on the ground. However, recent sales figures say that Walmart’s e-commerce sales have gained 74 percent, making it a good alternative for Amazon.
Walmart also offers a fulfillment service like Amazon. But Walmart is less complicated than Amazon in terms of fee structure. Also, their referral fees are pretty competitive.
With Walmart Marketplace, you do not need to pay a monthly seller subscription fee like the others. However, you have to be aware of their other costs, including the UPC or unique product codes.
What makes Walmart Marketplace different compared to other e-commerce platforms is that they are not open for everyone. You cannot just go to their site, sign up as a seller and start selling. They are only available for invited brands. But, if you are interested in selling, you can fill out their interest form and register it.
5. Shopify
The last on the list for the alternative marketplace for Amazon is Shopify. It is a complete e-commerce platform. It lets you start, grow and manage your business. Unlike Walmart Marketplace, Shopify allows anyone to set up an online store and start selling. In addition, you do not have to register your interest before you can create your own business.
Shopify is a subscription-based software which means you have to pay to avail of its services. However, they offer free trials for new sellers. It is a 14-day trial, and after that, they will give you certain charges.
With their free trial, you can almost do everything to start your business. You can add products, give descriptions, set your shipping details, and customize pages for search engines using keywords. You are already creating your page. As your store grows and begins to ship internationally, you can sign up for a fulfillment service with expedited shipping.
Another great thing about Shopify is that it lets you customize your store. Customization allows the sellers to showcase their products and make them visually attractive to buyers. If done correctly, it’ll boost their business a lot.
After the 14-day free trial, you need to pay Shopify to continue availing of their service. Basic Shopify stores can cost 29 dollars a month. However, once everything is settled, you’ll find it easy to sell.
Some of the other great features of Shopify have been its highly-rated customer support and selling features. They have a different range of e-commerce tools and apps. And sellers can accept an extensive range of currencies.
Shopify also offers its Shopify POS. It’s their point-of-sale application and accompanying hardware. Sellers can also sell in physical locations, which is excellent for expanding the market.
You may feel like Amazon is the only option as an e-commerce platform. But there are other alternatives in the market for you to explore. But, first, you have to know what you need as a seller and always see if this e-commerce platform will meet it.