Top Online Marketplaces: Where to Sell in 2021

Online marketplaces have fast-become the favourite destination for online shoppers, with almost 70% of Australians visiting an online marketplace or auction site like eBay or Amazon every month, and marketplaces in Australia growing by a huge 74.8%.

Selling in online marketplaces is now becoming a core part of many retailers’ strategies—both for small businesses and large—to build brand exposure, reach new customers, and increase online sales. But with so many different marketplaces out there, how do you determine which is the right fit for your business? Should you be selling on one, two, or many?

Let's take a quick look at an example. Ella is an independent artist who creates a range of unique craft items including jewellery and patterned headscarves, which she wants to sell online without building her own ecommerce website. For Ella, Etsy is the ideal online marketplace platform to do so. Amazon, on the other hand, wouldn't be suitable as it requires all product listings to have a UPC (barcode).

So whether you want to sell gifts on a local scale, sell wholesale in asian markets, or open your store to the world, this article contains a comprehensive list of the top online marketplaces in the world to help you better understand the retail landscape and ultimately increase revenue.

Part 1: The Current State of Online Marketplaces

Prior to the launch of Amazon Australia, we conducted a survey of Neto merchants to take a temperature check on sentiment towards Amazon and to understand more broadly how (or if) marketplaces like Amazon, eBay and Catch fit into our retailers' business strategies. Here are a few of the key insights:

• 95% of retailers intended to sell on Amazon
• Of those already selling on marketplaces, over half of retail sales were coming through those channels

We also asked our merchants why they wanted to sell on marketplaces, and this is what they said:

• To bring in new customers
• To sell more
• To build brand awareness
• To gain exposure to new markets
• For business expansion

Marketplaces are an important way to gain new customers. We’re in a niche industry so mass market advertising isn’t practical. Sites like eBay put our products in front of people who might not have found us online.

Part 2: Top Online Marketplaces Overview

Although there are hundreds of marketplaces in operation globally, we’ve handpicked a selection of 16 of the biggest and best online marketplaces in the US and Asia Pacific and pulled together all the key statistics to help you make the right decision for your business.

1. eBay

eBay is a global B2B and B2C platform selling new and second hand consumer products for auction or at a fixed price.

Key figures

• 170+ million active users
• 221+ million monthly visits to ebay.com
• 12+ million unique active monthly users to ebay.com.au

Where can I sell?

eBay has local sites in over 30 countries

What does it cost to sell on eBay?

Depending on your type of account and volume of sales you will be charged an insertion fee of up to AU$3.85, plus 10.9% final value fee, in Australia.

| Related reading: How to Sell on eBay

Marketplaces are an important way to gain new customers. We’re in a niche industry so mass market advertising isn’t practical. Sites like eBay put our products in front of people who might not have found us online.

How to get started on eBay?

To get started you'll need to open an eBay business account and start listing products to sell. To get the most out of the channel we recommend ensuring you have a system to easily list and update products and helps you track orders as they come through

2. Catch

Previously catchoftheday.com.au, Australia’s largest daily deals site rebranded and was launched as an online marketplace, Catch, in 2017.

Key figures

• 300+ million active accounts on Amazon.com
• 689+ million monthly visits to Amazon.com
• 4.6+ million monthly visits to Amazon.com.au

Where can I sell?

Amazon has local marketplaces in 10 countries including the US, Australia, UK and Europe.

What does it cost to sell on Amazon?

• Amazon US: US$39.99 monthly fee plus referral fees and variable closing fees (professional account)
• Amazon Australia: AU$49.95 monthly fee (ex GST), plus up to 15% commission on items sold (depending on the product category)

In an increasingly competitive market we are looking at expanding and see Amazon as a good opportunity to showcase our products

How to sell on Amazon?

Amazon runs each country's marketplace as a separate marketplace meaning that you will need to apply to create an account on each. You can sell on Amazon Australia by registering here and on the US marketplace here, once approve you can upload your products and start selling

4. Kogan.com Marketplace

Launched in 2019 by Australia's largest online retailer, Kogan.com Marketplace is a popular destination for electronics and more.

Key figures

• 2 million+ monthly visits
• 500,000+ products
• 1,000+ suppliers

Where can I sell?

Australia

What does it cost to sell on Kogan.com Marketplace?

Kogan.com offers custom pricing to its sellers

How to sell on Kogan.com Marketplace?

Open to approved sellers only, to sell on Kogan.com Marketplace you'll need to complete their application form first. Once approved you'll be able to list products and sell to their 2 million plus shoppers.

5. MyDeal

Australian-based marketplace established in 2011 with over 1,000 Aussie suppliers, MyDeal sells consumer products including furniture, electronics and fashion.

Key figures

• 2 million+ monthly visits
• 1,000+ suppliers

Where can I sell?

Australia

What does it cost to sell on MyDeal?

There are no subscription fees, insertion fees or commission on shipping on MyDeal. Selling is by application only.

How to sell on MyDeal?

To sell on MyDeal's marketplace you'll need to apply on their site. Once approved you'll be able to list products and on this leading marketplace.

6. Etsy

Etsy is a global marketplace where artists and designers can list handmade items or vintage products.