If you have already got a brick and mortar store and you’re
fascinated by going “All In” by adding eCommerce, look at our recent article.
If, however, you’d wish to take some smaller steps, and check the waters a bit,
there square measure many choices (and those choices keep growing) to form your
entry into on-line mercantilism abundant easier.
Many sites permit you to sell on-line, even while not having
your own store. Here square measure the execs and cons for 3 of the foremost
well-known and in style sites that permit you to sell on-line, and that they
all connect with ShipStation for shipping:
1.

Amazon
Benefits:
Large customer base. Amazon
is that the largest on-line merchant within the U.S., and the second largest
within the world (after Alibaba). With many a lot of customers, it offers a
large chance for product sales.
Build on Amazon’s name. Smaller
corporations will level the competitive taking part in field by mercantilism on
Amazon. If your merchandise are unknown to customers, mercantilism them through
Amazon offers an added layer of trust for consumers.
Warehousing, shipping and
fulfillment. this is often one in all the foremost
necessary profit to selling on Amazon. With the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
program, you can have your merchandise warehoused at Amazon, orders picked,
packed, and shipped by the Amazon team, and even have your returns handled by
Amazon (for a fee, of course). Participation within the FBA program permits you
to utilize Amazon’s free shipping supply on orders over $35 and Amazon Prime.
Caveats:
Fees. Amazon
charges fees on everything as well as fulfillment, listing your merchandise,
repositing, transactions and shipping. These fees will run as high as twenty
fifth or a lot of of your products’ value. they create on-line sales easier,
however bear in mind you're paying for that convenience.
Small fish in a big pond. On
Amazon you're one amongst several sellers, and you don’t have plenty of say
once problems return up. you'll even be undercut on value by alternative
vendors or maybe Amazon.
No branding or marketing
opportunities. wish to use a branded box to ship your
things from Amazon? Hoping to create your list with Amazon customers UN agency
purchase your product? No will do. These aren’t choices once fulfilling through
Amazon.
2. eBay
Benefits:
Large customer base. eBay
might not be as giant as Amazon, however it's over a hundred million active
consumers worldwide. The intrinsic
traffic to the positioning helps new sellers.
Simplicity. eBay’s
three-step “List It, Ship It, Get Paid” model is backed by glorious tools and
infrastructure to assist get merchandise on the positioning quickly and simply.
International sales.
wish to sell your merchandise round the globe? eBay makes it straightforward.
look at our article on mercantilism internationally on eBay.
Caveats:
No warehousing, shipping and
fulfillment options. in contrast to Amazon FBA, you have got to
handle your own repositing, shipping and fulfillment (although you'll source
those functions). whereas it makes the fees not up to Amazon, it will need time
beyond regulation to meet on your own, have associate worker bonk, or manage
the outsourcing method.
Fees. whereas
not as high as Amazon FBA, fees is ten or a lot of of the terms. Fees embody a
list charge, final price fee, listing upgrade fees and supplemental service
fees.
Nonpayment and seller issues.
eBay’s bidding choice may be a huge nonpayment downside. additionally, eBay
leans towards protective the customer quite the vendor, with protracted come
and negative client feedback policies.
3. Etsy
Benefits:
Large, specific customer
base. whereas Etsy is giant, with over forty million
active members, they're specifically trying to find artisanal things, as well
as handmade and specialty. If your
merchandise match those niches, this is often a good place to sell.
Quick and inexpensive to set
up. It’s straightforward to list merchandise on Etsy, and
Etsy solely takes a three.5% mercantilism fee. alternative fees embody a $.20
listing fee per product and mastercard process fees.
Merchant community. in
contrast to alternative giant on-line sales sites, Etsy contains a sturdy
community. The friendly feeling is fostered through Etsy forums and groups.
Caveats:
No warehousing, shipping and
fulfillment options. like eBay, mercantilism on Etsy needs you
to handle your own repositing, shipping and fulfillment. Again, you'll source
this, otherwise you will bonk yourself or have workers beware of it, that might
take up a bit of your time.
Competition. whereas
Etsy has created a robust community, there's still a good deal of competition.
Etsy’s quality has attracted larger customers, particularly those from
overseas, UN agency square measure undercutting costs.
Final ThoughtsWhether you opt to dip your toe into the water, or move full force into on-line mercantilism, by investing on-line mercantilism channels you’re certain to increase sales. the following tips ought to assist you notice the proper fit your business therefore you'll start quickly and fruitfully.