There are a lot of different reselling platforms out there and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. That’s why it’s important to diversify your reselling efforts and not rely on just one selling platform.
Before anything, it is important to know how reselling works to easily decide on which platforms you will use. For beginners who are looking for a straightforward, no-frills experience platform, eBay is definitely the place to start. It is perfect for beginners because it’s easy to use and pretty much anyone can find success on it. Plus, there are tons of listings available so you’ll never have trouble finding something to sell.
But if you’re looking for a more specialized experience, there are other reselling platforms out there that might be a better fit. You can also try to diversify with two to three different platforms. By doing this, you can reach more customers and hedge your bets in case one platform goes down or changes its policies.
Of course, managing multiple reselling businesses can be a lot of work, so it’s important to choose the right platforms. So, how do you choose the best ones for you? We’ve put together this guide for the best reselling platforms. We’ll compare and contrast the top platforms, so you can decide which one is right for your needs.
The best platforms for reselling
If you’re looking for the best platform to resell items, eBay is definitely worth considering. It has over 180 million active buyers worldwide and has been around for so long. But with eBay being a large platform, there is also big competition among the sellers.
So if you’re looking for an alternative reselling platform that can give more profit to your reselling business through reselling routines, here are the best ones:
1. Amazon
Amazon is by far the biggest and most well-known reselling platform on the market. Not only does Amazon have a huge audience of potential buyers, but it also offers a lot of features and tools that make selling easy and efficient. For example, Amazon has a great listing system that lets you easily add products and manage your inventory. You can also take advantage of Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon program to have your products shipped directly to customers with no hassle. And if you’re looking for more exposure for your products, you can always use Amazon’s Sponsored Products program to get your listings in front of more people.
2. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is incredibly convenient – people are already on Facebook all the time anyway, so they can just pop over to the Marketplace and see what’s for sale. Plus, there’s a huge potential audience on Facebook – literally billions of people. And because it’s so easy to use, you’ll probably find that more people are willing to buy from you on Facebook than on other platforms. So if you’re looking for a good place to sell your stuff, Facebook Marketplace is definitely worth considering.
3. Shpock
If you’re looking for a platform to resell your items, then you should definitely check out Shpock. With over 10 million users in the UK alone, it’s one of the most popular reselling platforms around. And it’s not just clothes and accessories that you can sell on Shpock – you can also find items for the home, garden, and even kids’ toys.
One of the great things about Shpock is that it’s really easy to use. You can create a listing in just a few minutes, and there are no fees or commissions to pay. You can also chat with buyers directly through the app, making it a great way to build up a rapport with your customers. So if you’re looking for a platform that’s easy to use and has a huge audience, then Shpock is definitely worth checking out.
But if you want to have the best experience in using Shpock, there are paid features available for a very minimal fee like their Premium Membership for $9 per month which allows you to add up to 10 photos to each of your listings, and free listing promotions every month.
4. Own online store
There are many different platforms that you can use to resell products, but one of the best is to create your own online store. This is usually recommended for experienced and professional resellers with regular sales and regular customers. This way, you have complete control over every aspect of the business, from the products you sell to branding and marketing. You can also save a lot of money as you don’t have to pay any transaction or subscription fees, so you can keep more of the money you make. Plus, customers will be able to find your store easily online and make purchases with just a few clicks.
But if you are having a hard time setting up your own online store from scratch, you can also set it up by using an eCommerce platform. One of the popular or user-friendly eCommerce websites is Shopify. In fact, over half of all online stores are powered by Shopify.
How to set up your own online store on Shopify:
Shopify is a complete eCommerce platform that gives entrepreneurs everything they need to create and run their online stores. It is easy to use, even if you’re not a tech expert. And it’s scalable, so it can grow with your business as it expands. There are also very minimal transaction fees when you use Shopify.
Here’s a quick overview of how Shopify works:
- You sign up for an account and choose a plan. Here are the available plans:
- Basic: $29 per month; 2.9% fee per transaction
- Shopify: $79 per month; 2.6% fee per transaction
- Advanced: $299 per month, 2.4% fee per transaction
- You choose a theme for your store and customize it to match your brand.
- You add reselling products and connect your payment processor.
- You launch your store and start selling!
It’s really that simple. And once your store is up and running, Shopify has built-in marketing tools and resources to help you promote and grow your business.
Amazon vs. eBay
It’s no secret that Amazon and eBay are the two biggest online marketplaces. But which one is the better platform for reselling?
When it comes to fees, Amazon is the clear winner. eBay charges sellers a listing fee for every item they list, as well as a final value fee for items that sell. Amazon, on the other hand, only charges sellers a referral fee, which is a percentage of the total sale price.
In terms of usability, eBay is still the top destination compared to Amazon. Why? Because it is very easy to set up an eBay account. eBay is simply more user-friendly than Amazon. When you’re looking for a specific item on Amazon, you have to wade through pages and pages of results, many of which are not even what you’re looking for. On eBay, you can narrow down your search using filters so that you only see results that are relevant to what you’re looking for.
eBay also offers more payment options than Amazon, which makes it easier to buy and sell used goods. And finally, eBay’s customer service is superior to Amazon’s, so you can rest assured knowing that you’re in good hands if something goes wrong with a transaction.
Pros and Cons of each platform
Amazon
| Pros: | Cons: |
| A vast majority of Americans already shop on Amazon, so there’s a ready audience for your product | Sellers have to pay monthly fees to list their products on Amazon |
| Amazon is a trusted brand, so customers are more likely to make a purchase | The competition is fierce, so it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd |
| Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) takes care of storage and shipping for you |
eBay
| Pros: | Cons: |
| There are no monthly fees to list your products on eBay | The competition can be just as fierce as on Amazon, so it’s important to have good customer service and a pricing strategy |
| You can reach a global audience with your listings | eBay doesn’t have the same level of trust as Amazon, so some customers may be hesitant to make a purchase. |
| eBay is easy to use and getting started is quick and simple | |
Regardless of the platform you choose, make sure that you get good eBay reviews so you can build trust with your potential buyers.
Amazon vs. Shpock
Decide if you want to deal with returns and shipping yourself or if you’d prefer to let the platform handle that for you. Shpock, for example, offers free shipping on all orders over $20, so if you’re selling smaller items it might be worth considering them. However, Amazon has a more sophisticated returns process, so if you’re selling high-end items it might be worth using them instead.
Here are other things to consider when making your decision:
Commission and Sales fees
One of the biggest advantages of using Shpock is that there are no commissions or sales fees. This means that you can keep 100% of the profits from your sales. On Amazon, however, sellers are charged a commission of $0.99 per item or $39.99 per month regardless of units sold if you buy the Professional plan.
Ease of Use
Both Amazon and Shpock are fairly easy to use. However, Shpock does have a bit of a learning curve since it’s not as well-known as Amazon. But once you get the hang of it, it’s just as easy to use as any other online marketplace. The payment options offered also represent an important factor for user-friendliness. Amazon gives sellers the option to be paid via direct deposit or check. Shpock also offers direct deposit but also allows sellers to be paid through PayPal or Stripe. So, if you prefer to be paid via PayPal or Stripe, Shpock would be the better option for you.
Which platform is best for reselling?
There are a lot of different alternative reselling platforms out there aside from eBay, and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you. To help you make your decision, we’ve put together a comparison of the top reselling platforms:
| Amazon | Facebook Marketplace | Shpock | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| User base | 310 million active users | over 2 billion active users | over 10 million active users | 2.1 million active users |
| Listing/Sales fees | $0.99 per item ($39.99 per month regardless of units sold for the Professional plan) | 5% per shipment, or a flat fee of $0.40 for shipments of $8.00 or less | Zero (0) | 2.9% / 2.6% / 2.4% depending on the subscription plan |
| Ease of use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| For beginners/ advanced/ professional | beginners | advanced | advanced | professional |
| Security | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Payment options | Credit or debit card, Amazon gift card, or PayPal | Credit or debit card, PayPal, Facebook Messenger, bank transfer | Credit or debit card, PayPal, bank transfer, or in cash if you’re meeting in person | Credit or debit card, PayPal, bank transfer, and other third party payment gateway |
| Shipping options | free shipping on orders over $25 | free shipping on some items; offers an express shipping option for an additional fee | free shipping on most items; offers direct shipping to your door or to a local pick-up location | a variety of different shipping options depending on location; offers expedited shipping for an additional fee |
| Return options | ✔️ easy to use return policy ❌ high return shipping costs | ✔️ low return shipping costs ❌ no standard return policy | ✔️ easy to use return policy ✔️ low return shipping costs | ✔️ customizable return policy |
| Customer Service (Support) | offer 24/7 customer support via phone, email, or live chat; provides a wide range of self-help resources on their website | offer 24/7 customer support via live chat; provides self-help resources on their website | offer 24/7 customer support via email or live chat; no self-help resources | offer 24/7 customer support via phone, email, or live chat; provides self-help resources on their website |
Conclusion
Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for the lowest fees and the most payment options, Shpock is a great choice. If you’re looking for a platform that’s specifically designed for you, then setting up your own store is a better option. And if you’re looking for the biggest potential audience, Amazon is the way to go.
So take some time to think about what’s important to you and your chosen reselling niche, and then make your decision accordingly. Whichever platform you choose, just make sure you do your research first and always be aware of the fees involved. Happy reselling!
