Finding ways for you to move your products has just become a lot easier thanks to the digital revolution—now more than ever, you can sell virtually anything via online marketplaces and turn a pretty profit. Here are some websites that can help you get started on expanding your customer base from the local market to an international audience!
15. Instagram
As a photo-sharing network, it has limited use—meaning you’ll have to set up your own payment scheme. But it’s great for setting up a business inexpensively, as there are no fees whatsoever—and the tags will make it easier to find your product.
14. Tumblr
This site, though primarily used for social networking, is amazing at reaching and uniting fandoms, so if your product is based on popular movies or books, this may be the place for you. The user base is also incredibly helpful and supportive, and you can use various means of spreading word about your product, whether through text, videos or photos.
13. Ruby Lane
This site is smaller in audience, but if you’re looking to move vintage or antique products, it is one of the most trusted options, having been around since 1998 with a loyal customer base.
12. Bonanza
This site can be integrated with eBay and Etsy use as well, making it a great choice for those who want greater visibility. There are no added fees for setting up a store and it has good categorization, but remember that it will take its cut on a commission basis.
11. Big Cartel
With inventory tracking, no cuts from your sales and a straightforward design, this is also a good option for expanding internationally—however, it has pretty spare functionality and limits the number of images per product, so keep that in mind.
10. Ziibra
From Health and Beauty to Food and Drink, this charming site places a great emphasis on taking care of its sellers by putting them in the spotlight—allowing sellers to share portfolios and video content, making it a smart choice for creatives who want to commercialize their work and create a customer base without compromising their craft.
9. Zibbet
Another online marketplace that is famed for its vintage offerings, it has no listing or commission fees, and only charges a low fee if you want a premium account. With almost 50,000 retailers and a wide customer base, this lesser-known site is worth looking into.
8. Storeenvy
Widely touted as a strong alternative to Etsy, this online market also specializes in helping indie brands, so you can sign up for a store for free. Its base is smaller than Etsy’s, but the affordability and the option to provide discounts makes it a solid contender.
7. Gumtree
Although most people think it’s strictly for secondhand goods, many sellers of new products have used it to reach a wider customer base. One limitation this site has is that most people would rather get the product in person and pay for it then, than post payment.
6. Rakuten
This Japanese e-commerce site is a giant in Asia, and is gradually expanding outside the region, thanks to its acquisitions of other international market sites. One thing to consider is that it also recently acquired a virtual fitting room startup, which increases its potential if you’re in the garment
5. Alibaba
Rivaling Amazon in terms of shipping and expansion, Alibaba is huge and handles a majority of e-commerce transactions in China, making it a huge market. Its recent huge IPO debut also helps bolster confidence, which will make it a stronger player. It also comes with its own payment system.
4. Craigslist
Not a traditional online marketplace, this classified ad page is free and allows anyone to list anything for sale. A con is that there’s no set payment or store system, so you’ll have to work on everything on your own.
3. Etsy
Not only is it easy to set up shop with this market known for providing handcrafted or vintage goods, Etsy also has a very supportive seller community. It’s just a little harder to customize your page. Etsy also charges fees.
2. eBay
Another excellent option, eBay also has a huge customer base that allows you to sell anything under the sun. It’s also convenient because it’s easy to use—from inventory to categorizing your product—and can move products a lot faster than Amazon. However, it also has fees, and is generally more favorable to buyers because of the bidding systems.
1. Amazon
This website is top of the pops for customer bases—it is one of the biggest online retailers in the world, has plenty of credibility so customers don’t shy away from buying from you, and has a great tax and shipping support system. Just remember that you’ll have to pay fees for these conveniences.