Owning an online store isn’t a necessity for engaging in online sales. Numerous online platforms allow you to showcase your products and begin selling right away. Businesses such as Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart, and others operate based on this concept. They don’t maintain their inventory but facilitate the sale of items listed by various vendors on their platforms.
The substantial expansion of e-commerce can be attributed to these online marketplaces. Consumers find it highly convenient to visit a single online destination for all their shopping needs. This eliminates the need to monitor promotions and discounts from multiple retailers offering a wide array of products.
Top 10 Online Selling Websites and Marketplaces
1. Etsy
If you’re interested in selling one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, artistic, or unconventional items, Etsy is the ideal platform for you. It has established itself as an online marketplace renowned for its diverse array of personalized gifts, distinctive decor pieces, minimalist products, and much more. In essence, you can craft your Pinterest-inspired home interior with the offerings available on Etsy.
Etsy also provides a seller-friendly program that caters to your needs. You can list your products for as low as $0.20 USD, and you’ll only incur transaction fees, off-site advertising costs, and payment processing fees when a sale is successfully completed. Additionally, Etsy offers a handy “Etsy seller app” available on both Android and iOS, enabling you to efficiently manage your business on the move.
2. Big Cartel
Alternatively, there’s Big Cartel, designed to specifically support artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs, with a focus on catering its community and support to those selling distinctive or handcrafted items. This platform provides customizable templates to align with your branding, allows you to use your personalized domain name, and provides marketing resources.
Vendors are charged a fixed monthly fee based on the quantity of products they offer. Customers make purchases directly from your store and can get in touch with you using a contact form.Monthly rates begin at $9.99 USD and cover up to 25 products.
3. Bonanza
Bonanza serves as an Etsy marketplace alternative, with a primary focus on the sale of unique products, encompassing arts, crafts, and collectibles. Its integrated marketplace offers sellers access to a pre-existing customer base, and Bonanza allows you to establish your independent online store. Listing items on Bonanza is free, and the platform applies final value fees.
Furthermore, Bonanza streamlines the process by allowing you to import your items directly from Etsy, simplifying the setup. It also automatically generates listings on platforms like Google Shopping, eBay, and Nextag, while offering a suite of marketing and analytics tools.
Pricing: Vendors are charged a 3.5% fee on the total sales price, which includes shipping, with a minimum fee of $0.50 USD.
4. ArtFire
ArtFire, a platform tailored to consumers seeking products crafted by artisans and crafters. ArtFire is particularly supportive of handmade items, offering lower commissions for such products, although it does permit the sale of commercial items on its platform.
ArtFire also boasts a thriving community where creators share guidance and mutual assistance. However, ArtFire follows a pricing structure that involves a monthly subscription fee along with various fees contingent on the specific items and the selected plan. Customization options on ArtFire are somewhat limited, as are the promotional features available.
Pricing: Monthly subscription plans start at $4.95 USD, and additional fees are applied per item listed and for the final valuation.
5. Zibbet
Zibbet provides artisans and creators the option to maintain an independent website and tap into its existing marketplace user community. Sellers can seamlessly transfer their products from other platforms like Etsy or eBay and efficiently oversee inventory management across all channels from a unified platform.
Zibbet further offers an array of integrated tools to assist with inventory, shipping, order administration, data monitoring, and analytical insights. Zibbet follows a straightforward pricing structure, levying a fixed monthly fee for each channel, such as your Etsy account.
Pricing: You can acquire monthly plans at a cost of $5 USD per channel.
6.eCrater
eCrater is an e-commerce platform that empowers individuals and small businesses to set up and manage their own online stores with ease. This marketplace has gained recognition for its user-friendly approach and affordability, making it an attractive option for those looking to enter the world of online retail.
One of eCrater’s key features is its cost-effectiveness. Sellers can list and sell their products without incurring any upfront charges, as eCrater offers a free service. This is particularly advantageous for entrepreneurs and artisans operating on tight budgets. The platform covers a wide spectrum of product categories, welcoming diverse sellers, whether they specialize in handmade crafts, vintage items, collectibles, or various other products.
eCrater also provides customization options, allowing sellers to personalize their online stores to match their branding and style. Sellers can manage their inventory, handle orders, and communicate with customers efficiently through the platform’s integrated tools. Payment processing options include popular services like PayPal, Google Wallet, and Stripe.
You get 100% of the sales you bring to your store, and you have to pay only a 2.9% fee if eCrater brings a sale through the central marketplace.
7.IndieMade
IndieMade serves as an all-inclusive platform tailored for artists, providing a comprehensive solution for marketing, website management, and development. It encompasses essential features such as photo galleries, web hosting, marketing tools, and customer support, making it a convenient one-stop destination for artists. Upon enrolling in a 30-day complimentary trial, users gain full access to these resources and more.
IndieMade offers four distinct product listing options, catering to various needs and budgets. Starting from the Basic plan at $4.95 per month and extending to the Plus plan at $19.95 per month, each tier comes with its unique set of features. The highest tier provides benefits like the capacity to list an unlimited number of products, multiple images per product, and the ability to offer coupons, among other advantages. Notably, there are no fees for listing products, and users have the opportunity to initiate their journey with a free trial.
8.Volusion
Volusion provides a marketplace that shares similarities with Shopify, offering a range of resources to help you create a tailor-made website with your own domain. This website is designed to be responsive, ensuring that your customers can access it seamlessly on any device. Volusion’s comprehensive suite of e-commerce tools encompasses various aspects, including product listings, order processing, payment handling, shipping options, and more. By subscribing, you gain round-the-clock access to e-commerce experts who can assist you in various ways.
There are several subscription options available. The Personal account, priced at $29 per month, allows for up to 100 product listings. The Professional account, available at $79 per month, accommodates 5,000 listings. For those with more extensive needs, the Business account at $299 per month offers the flexibility of unlimited product listings. Additionally, the Prime account, designed for high-volume sellers, features custom pricing and supports an unlimited number of product listings. Notably, there are no transaction fees, and you have the option to start with a free trial.
9. Folksy
Folksy has earned impressive reviews and high ratings on TrustPilot. According to the general consensus among customers, the selling experience on Folksy is characterized as smooth, convenient, and rewarding.
What distinguishes Folksy from Etsy and other platforms is its unique feature of zero shipping costs. Additionally, Folksy offers an “Etsy Import service” that simplifies the process of transferring your entire product inventory from Etsy to Folksy all at once.
Folksy offers two primary subscription plans: Basic and Plus. The Basic account is particularly cost-effective for those with a limited number of item listings. Conversely, the Plus account is better suited for sellers with high stock volumes. If you’re in search of platforms similar to Etsy, Folksy is a compelling choice.
It’s important to note that, while Folksy maintains reasonable selling commissions, it does impose UK VAT fees, which are added before listing an item or completing a sale. This distinctive feature positions Folksy as a direct alternative to Etsy for those seeking a similar platform.
10. Weebly
Weebly is a versatile and user-friendly website builder that empowers individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses to create professional and feature-rich websites with ease. It has gained widespread popularity for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a wide range of customizable templates, catering to various website needs, from personal blogs to e-commerce platforms.
Weebly’s strengths lie in its simplicity. Users can effortlessly design and launch their websites, even without prior web development experience. The platform provides a seamless web hosting solution, ensuring fast and reliable website performance.
Weebly is not limited to website creation; it also offers e-commerce functionality, making it an attractive option for online stores. Users can set up online shops, manage products, process payments, and handle inventory efficiently. The platform supports various payment methods and offers essential e-commerce features like shopping carts and product catalogs.