Best Selling Platforms for Online Merchants – Overview
Running an eCommerce store can be lucrative. Yet, to make the most of it, merchants must consider many factors, including the best selling platforms to kick off or migrate their online stores.
Speaking of which, if you are seeking your perfect fit among thousands of websites, this is a must-read. LitCommerce is about to reveal the 27 best online selling sites, including:
- Amazon
- eBay
- Etsy
- TikTok Shop
- Reverb
- Facebook Marketplace
- Google Shopping
- Walmart
- Wish
- NewEgg
- Bonanza
- Shopee
- OnBuy
- Poshmark
- Wayfair
- Ruby Lane
- Mercari
- eBid
And 10 more seller platforms for merchants like you. Now, let’s wait for no more and get the ball rolling!
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Best Selling Platforms Online – Marketplace or Ecommerce Platform
Before diving into the list of 27 best selling platforms for e-retailers, let’s walk through the basics of marketplaces and eCommerce platforms regarding their notions, ways of operation, and different types.
Online marketplaces
Overall, “online marketplace” refers to an eCommerce site or app that facilitates shopping activities from many sources. The major roles of marketplaces are connecting vendors and buyers, enabling transactions, and occasionally providing order-fulfilling services. Some popular online marketplaces are Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart, and TikTok Shop. However, remember that online marketplaces are not responsible for inventory-related issues since they own none.
Ecommerce platforms
Simply put, an eCommerce platform is an end-to-end software application that allows business owners to manage all infrastructure, including inventory, transactions, sales, etc. To place our notions in clearer examples, some best selling platforms that belong to this category are Shopify or Squarespace. Speaking about eCommerce platforms they consist of two groups: Hosted and Open-source.
Best Selling Platforms: Online Marketplaces
Let’s get to our most exciting part! We are about to reveal the best online selling platforms regarding marketplaces. From those for general to niche products, we’ve got them all covered.
Are you ready to explore these 18 top places to sell online? If YES, we’ll be more than happy to guide you through!
1. Amazon
Being an eCommerce dominant and one of the best selling platforms, Amazon provides space for more than 9.7 million sellers and 310 million buyers in 2023. Yet, impressive numbers aren’t the only evidence for Amazon being among best selling sites. Let’s find out why this marketplace takes the lead just now!
Why Amazon makes one of the best selling platforms?
- Global reach is in hand: Amazon is available in 50 countries, and its international shipping reaches up to 120 countries worldwide.
- There are diverse product ranges to kick off: This marketplace for general products offers 25 main categories on its site. However, that isn’t the final number. According to AMZScount, there could be up to 25,000 categories and sub-categories.
- You get to use the FBA service: One of the reasons why Amazon is on our list of the best selling platforms refers to its FBA services (Fulfillment by Amazon). Briefly, this service helps you pick, pack, ship, and deliver to end-users.
- Amazon is where people start searching for products: Believe it or not, 51% of consumers start searching for desired products on Amazon (source: Jungle Scout). This is much higher than search engines (39%), Walmart (34%), Youtube (23%), and Facebook (22%).
- You can promote your products easily: Advertising opportunities are all over Amazon with Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, Sponsored Displays, Amazon demand-side platform, and many more.
- Amazon offers wonderful learning resources: You can barely get lost on this top online selling platform with Amazon Seller Guide, Amazon Seller University, eCommerce business guide, and learning materials for brands.
PRO TIPS: 61% of Amazon sellers have at least one additional channel. If you don’t want to get surpassed, taking on Amazon integration with more selling platforms might just be the answer!
How much is Amazon?
Let’s look at how much you may pay when selling on Amazon:
- Subscription: From $0.99 to $39.99 per month
- Category referral commission: 8 – 20% of total sale price
- Fulfillment by Amazon fee: Depends on sold items
Who should sell on Amazon?
Amazon can be the best place to sell online for both individual sellers and business owners. This online marketplace would also be great if you are selling consumption goods. Yet, the case doesn’t go for those with unique or rare collectibles.
Is Amazon truly worth selling on? Get to know more about the benefits and challenges of this online marketplace with LitCommerce now!
2. eBay
Coming right after Amazon is eBay – our 2nd best selling platform. Since its inception in 1995, eBay has empowered millions of e-sellers to run online businesses and share their success stories. Let’s now take a deeper look at why eBay will continue to be a rising force in the eCommerce realm!
Why eBay makes one of the best selling platforms?
- eBay is also everywhere in the world: Compared to Amazon, eBay’s reach is even wider since it is available in 190 countries.
- You can literally sell almost anything on eBay: From used to new, you can list nearly everything and start streamlining cash from this marketplace. However, stay out of eBay’s prohibited item list.
- eBay allows even the most “special listings”: More than just casual consumption goods, eBay lets you list and sell in automobiles, business and industrial (heavy equipment and attachments), rare collectibles, and luxurious goods.
- You get flexible selling methods: eBay become one of the best seller platforms because it lets you sell items either in a normal “Buy It Now” or auctions. Various selling methods are also one of the biggest benefits of an eBay store.
- It would be great if you target a male-dominated market: According to the latest data by SimilarWeb, up to 61% of total visitors to eBay are males. This almost doubles the females (39%).
- You can access the most powerful integrations: eBay has various integrations that are helpful for online merchants, from listing optimization to order management. You may want to give its list of third-party providers a quick check. Speaking more of this matter, eBay integration is also one of our most prominent packages for multichannel sellers. Check it out!
How much is eBay?
You must be eager to learn how much you might have to spend while selling on eBay. Here you go:
- Subscription: From $7.95 to $349.95/ month
- Insertion fees: $0.35/ listing (after 250 free listings)
- Final value fee: $0.30/ order
- Category referral commission: 8 – 15% of total sale price
Who should sell on eBay?
From our viewpoint, eBay is great for individual sellers. However, if you have rare products that should go on auctions, eBay would even make your best online selling platform.
There are other benefits of eBay you might want to know before making the final decision. Read our full eBay reviews right here!
3. Etsy
Searching out the next best platform for selling online? Have you ever tried going live on Etsy? Let’s take a further glance at this marketplace!
Why Etsy makes one of the best selling platforms?
- This is where your creative spirit goes to its highest: In recent years, Etsy has risen to be the best online selling platform for all kinds of creative and rare items, from physical to digital ones.
- Etsy’s audience has a high buying intention: Shoppers on Etsy usually look for one-of-a-kind or unique items, and they are likely to have a high buying intention. Also, based on eRank’s report on Etsy’s buying habits, this might be the best selling site for gifts.
- You get access to Etsy Plus and Pattern: Etsy Plus was designed to provide you with a set of enhanced tools and features to help manage and grow your Etsy shops. Meanwhile, Etsy Pattern (aka Pattern) is a service belonging to the Etsy eco-system. This one would help you build a standalone eCommerce store to showcase your items and brand better.
- You can advertise within and beyond Etsy while selling: Being among the best selling platforms, Etsy lets you promote your items easily in and out of Etsy with its Onsite and Offsite ads.
- It’s easy to start selling on Etsy: Getting started on Etsy will be the least to concern since you’ve got a lot of resources from the marketplace. They include the Etsy Seller Handbook and an active seller forum, where you can find or raise any questions related to your selling process.
Your creative spirit can absolutely thrive on Etsy, but don’t forget about other dynamic channels which can reward you equally. Integrate Etsy with more selling sites now!
How much is Etsy?
When selling on Etsy, you will be paying for several fees listed below:
- Listing fee: $0.20 per listing
- Transaction fee: 6.5% of sale price
- Subscription (for Etsy Plus and Pattern): $10 to $15/ month
- Payment processing fee: Based on sale revenue
There can be more fees such as currency conversion (for international sellers), in-person selling fees, and advertising. Yet many of them are optional, and will only be charged in specific scenarios.
Who should sell on Etsy?
You may find Etsy your best platform to sell online if you are kicking off with artisans, crafts, collectibles, or any kind of unique goods. More than that, this niche marketplace doesn’t restrict mass-produced items, as long as yours can adapt with its emphasized creativity.
Given all this information, can Etsy be your perfect match? Find out more about its pros and cons through our ultimate Etsy review here!
4. TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop is an eCommerce feature of TikTok, which was fully launched in September 12th, 2023. Despite its new entrance into the eCommerce industry, TikTok Shop has every chance to be the best selling platform, especially if you are targeting young millennials and Gen Z.
It is not only about the buyers, but also the rising seller number. As a matter of fact, TikTok Shop integration package has become one of LitCommerce most popular product after just a short while!
So, what exactly got TikTok Shop into this list? Let’s check it out!
Why TikTok Shop makes one of the best selling platforms?
- TikTok Shop has the fastest growing audience: Rising like a phenomenon in recent years, TikTok currently has over 1 billion users globally in 2023. And with TikTok Shop being a part of this powerhouse, it gets the chance to inherit such a massive audience.
- This marketplace has a great customer engagement rate: Another factor getting TikTok Shop the best seller platform is its incredible customer engagement rate (5.7%) This is much higher than Instagram, Twitter, or any other channels (including social media and commercials).
- You get the chance to sell and buy in a whole different way: Your selling experience on TikTok Shop will never be the same. That is because TikTok Shop provides you with in-app shopping and selling features, diverse user-generated content, and short-video formats to showcase your products.
- There is Fulfillment by TikTok: TikTok Shop creates its competitive edge against all other eCommerce giants with Fulfillment by TikTok. Similar to Amazon, this helps you pick, pack, ship, and deliver your items to customers.
- You can make use of TikTok’s recommendation algorithms: TikTok always gets your videos to the most relevant users, which may drive your business a step closer to buyers with the highest purchase potential.
How much is TikTok Shop?
For now, let’s see how much it costs to sell in TikTok Shop – a top selling platform!
- Referral fee: 2.9% of customer payment and platform discount + $0.30 per order
- Shipping fee: May vary depending on your service provider
Regarding all best selling platforms, TikTok Shop is quite appealing with a simple and affordable selling fee structure.
Who should sell on TikTok Shop?
TikTok Shop is a selling platform for businesses of all sizes (from individual and small to medium and large-scale). However, it is worth noting that TikTok Shop is the most suitable for general consumption products.
If you need a closer glance at TikTok and how it operates, feel free to check out our topic on What is TikTok Shop!
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5. Reverb
When it comes to musical instruments, and you want to discover the best selling platforms, don’t skip Reverb. Giving its entrance in 2013, Reverb has risen to be a go-to destination for anyone who wants to sell and buy new, utilized, or vintage music-related products. For now, it’s time we dive a bit deeper into this marketplace.
Why Reverb makes one of the best selling platforms?
- You approach a large audience with high buying intentions toward musical gear: Reverb is a popular niche marketplace for musical gear and relevant items. This means even if it doesn’t have as many potential shoppers as general marketplaces, its audience always has a higher buying intention.
- Reverb offers you tools to monitor and grow your business: This selling site allows you to track views and transaction history, promote your listings easily with the “Bump” function, and monitor your business with its detailed data analytics.
- There are local pickups for certain items: When selling on Reverb, you can either ship the items to your customers or have them picked up locally. Undoubtedly, a cut down on shipping costs with the local pickup will be a saveup for your business.
How much is Reverb?
The seller fee structure on this top selling platform is quite simple and in fact, affordable. Let’s go through what charges are in for you.
- Sales commission: 5% of the total sale price (already including shipping)
- Payment processing fee: from 2.99% to 3.19% of the total sale price + $0.49 per order
Notes: If you sell internationally, currency conversion and added shipping fees might be in for you.
Who should sell on Reverb?
Simply put, if you are in the niche for music-related products, there should be nothing holding you back from selling on Reverb. Also, this is quite a match for individual sellers and influencers.
Like other mentioned marketplaces, we have a full review of Reverb, just in case you need it. Read now.
6. Facebook Marketplace
It’s not just about scrolling anymore! It’s about making a profit right from your Facebook account. Let us now walk you through Facebook Marketplace and the reasons why it became one of the best selling platforms!
Why Facebook Marketplace makes one of the best selling platforms?
- This is an ideal sales channel for direct purchases and quick cash: Since Facebook Marketplace limits 100 miles in searching and selling products, it would be best for you to sell within your nearby areas. This feature also turns Facebook Marketplace into a great approach towards your local audience.
- You’ll be joining selling groups: Selling groups are a great way to access people with high buying intentions. In more detail, selling groups function almost like normal ones, except that you can list and sell products to relevant buyers.
- You barely have to deal with the first-stage setup: What makes Facebook Marketplace a great place to sell online is that you only need a Facebook account. No store setup or complex registration.
How much is Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace charges are quite seller-friendly with only flat-rate policies. The only fee you have to pay for this selling platform is the sales commission, which accounts for 5% per shipment or $0.4 for orders under $8.
Who should sell on Facebook Marketplace?
We highly recommend individual sellers go on Facebook Marketplace, especially if you are just starting out. Moreover, if you are selling apparel and accessories, this could be your best place to sell online.
Selling on Facebook Marketplace is hihgly recommended. However, always remember to understand its challenges and opportunities first. Check out LitCommerce’s full reviews of Facebook Marketplace here!
7. Google Shopping
Since its launching in 2002, Google Shopping has arisen from a user-friendly product comparison service into a candidate for the best selling platforms. Currently, it is directly competing with giants such as Amazon or eBay.
However, as it gets down to the best free-selling platforms, Google Shopping is probably our winner. Ready to know why? Let’s get into it!
Why Google Shopping makes one of the best selling platforms?
- Google Shopping increases your visibility: There are billions of queries per day on Google, including those for certain products. By inheriting the feature of a search engine, Google Shopping helps to boost your chances of getting seen and, perhaps, purchased if a customer has a high buying intention.
- You get same-day delivery for certain items: Depending on your listings and location, Google Shopping can help with same-day delivery. This is a crucial part for any online merchant because the faster your shipping is, the more customers would like to buy from you.
- There are robust business analytics and reports on Google Shopping: Here goes another key player why Google rises to be among the best selling platforms. You can monitor and make data-driven decisions based on Google’s powerful analytics (Performance data, Benchmarks, etc.). This is surely a must-have for any business.
How much is Google Shopping?
Surprisingly, Google Shopping has almost no selling fees for all online merchants. You are only charged if you use ads. That’s the only way Google generates profit from you, and it works as a PPC model (Pay-per-click).
Who should sell on Google?
From our perspective, Google Shopping is not exactly for individual sellers. Also, if you are ready to compete on Google, make sure you have a budget for advertising and its fierce bidding contests.
Get to know more about Google Shopping with LitCommerce through our detailed Google Shopping analysis!
8. Walmart
From its humble beginnings to redefining retail, Walmart has truly come a long way and remains among the best platforms to sell on with no upfront fees. YES, there are no setup fees when you go live on Walmart.
Continuing our list of the best selling platforms, we’ll skim through some highlights about Walmart.
Why Walmart makes one of the best selling platforms?
- Walmart is the best if you sell groceries and daily consumption goods: Which could be a better platform to sell online other than Walmart? People shop from Walmart on a daily basis, and if your business model aligns with that, don’t hesitate to join this selling spot.
- The marketplace allows pickup and delivery: Different from many other competitors, Walmart has an online selling platform and physical stores across countries. They include Africa, Canada, Central America, Chile, China, India and Mexico. If this is where your business runs, Walmart is worth consideration.
- Walmart dropshipping and POD models flourish: You aren’t limited to the traditional selling model when it comes to Walmart. In fact, dropshipping and POD are getting more popular on this platform.
- It also has fulfillment services: Walmart has fulfillment services that take care of picking, packing, shipping, and delivering. Also, when it comes to shipping, you can benefit greatly from Walmart’s two-day or three-day shipping.
How much is Walmart?
Walmart doesn’t cost you any upfront fees for setup. The compulsory fees you will pay to Walmart are sales commission (from 8 to 15% of the total sale price) and fulfillment fees (if you use its services).
Who should sell on Walmart?
Always keep in mind that Walmart is all about having the best price. Hence, if you have highly competitive pricing over others who sell the same products (wholesale and retail), Walmart can be a top choice.
If you need more information, please check out our complete reviews about Walmart online marketplace.
9. Wish
The marketplace was first known for its excessive growth as a mobile shopping app. Nonetheless, this online sales channel started to change direction, beginning with its rebranding to attract more sellers in 2022.
Ever since its rebranding, Wish is a selling platform that aims to deliver the message: Bargains made fun. Discovery made easy. More than its rebranding, it’s time to dive deep and find out how Wish makes it to our list of 27 best selling platforms!
Why Wish makes one of the best selling platforms?
- It is the most popular shopping app in 40 countries: This would be a wonderful piece of news if you are an international seller or simply target shopping app users. It’s time to take your chances with Wish!
- Wish is great for secondhand and competitively priced items: In general, Wish doesn’t not target luxurious or highly-priced items. It focuses on secondhand and low-priced items. If this is your niche, why not join Wish?
- Wish supports its merchants: After its rebranding, Wish emphasizes on how it can help merchants sell more. That’s why this top selling platform has partnered with popular eCommerce solutions and third-party service providers. One of the most popular names you might have heard of is BigCommerce.
- You benefit from Wish Express: Wish Express was born to give sellers like you a faster way to ship, which leads to more pleasant shopping experiences for your customers. So, if you want to join Wish, don’t forget about Wish Express.
How much is Wish?
Now, why don’t we glance at Wish selling fees?
- Transaction fee: $0.30 per item
- Commission rate: 11.70% to 18% of total sale price, depending on your categories
Who should sell on Wish?
As mentioned above, Wish is among the best selling platforms for secondhand and low-priced items. If you are going with any of these two, whether individually or not, joining Wish is a should. Also, Wish can be ideal if you have wholesale products.
Those are highlights for Wish, and remember to check out the Wish full reviews on our website!
10. NewEgg
When it comes to online tech selling, Newegg is a household name. This giant boasts an extensive catalog of electronic gadgets, computer hardware, and accessories. Without any delay, let’s get you straight to the highlights, explaining why it is among the best platforms to sell on!
Why NewEgg makes one of the best selling platforms?
- You are reaching an audience who search for tech products: Similar to Etsy and Reverb, NewEgg is a niche marketplace specialized for electronics and tech products. Since NewEgg is a niche marketplace, its audience comes with great buying intentions (tech-savvy and specific audiences that have an interest in electronics and tech products).
- You get to use Fulfillment by NewEgg: When selling on NewEgg, you can choose to have orders fulfilled by the house. It means no packing, shipping, or delivery. Also, NewEgg will take care of customer service.
- NewEgg offers great store customization: NewEgg store customization surpasses many other selling sites. The marketplace provides you with the Manage Store function to set up banners, a navigation menu, and more.
How much is NewEgg?
Selling fees play an essential role in deciding if you should sell on any channel, and the case still goes for NewEgg. Here are the fees you will pay to NewEgg:
- Sales commission: From 8% to 15% of your final price
- Order processing fee: $0.29 per order
- Unsold listings: $0.005 per SKU (applied to units staying unsold in 12 months)
Who should sell on NewEgg?
Those with high-quality computer gear or brand distributors should definitely sell on NewEgg. This selling platform isn’t simply a place where all can join, so there can be a bit less competition around the realm.
11. Bonanza
Bonanza is an online marketplace that has gained some popularity for its unique features and growing community of buyers and sellers. It is also one of the best selling platforms for the creative niche and probably a famous competitor of Etsy.
Why Bonanza makes one of the best selling platforms?
- Bonanza is where your creativity shines through: Like Etsy, Bonanza is all about uniqueness and creativity. This is where you can sell your one-of-a-kind items with no hesitation. Once again, being a niche marketplace, there are high chances that buyers on Bonanza have great buying intentions.
- It has great seller support: This top selling site supports sellers like you not only through its guidebook but also from its community. Bonanza has an active community where you can raise any questions and get answers for them.
- You can easily list and sell on Bonanza: The process to list and start selling on Bonanza is among the most straightforward. Furthermore, the marketplace will guide you through every step with SEO practices included.
How much is Bonanza?
When selling on Bonanza, you will pay FOV fees (Final Order Value). This is calculated as below:
- Orders that are under $1000: $0.25 + 3.5% of FOV
- Orders that are above $1000: $0.25 + 3.5% of FOV + 1.5% of the amount over $1000
Who should sell on Bonanza?
Sellers who should consider Bonanza are those with unique, niche, or handmade products. Moreover, small to medium-sized businesses seeking lower fees and tech-savvy sellers comfortable with online tools should be taking this selling platform into account.
12. Shopee
Shopee is a well-known online selling site in the South East Asia with a variety of products. The platform first made its launching in 2015 and became so successful later in the operated countries. Are you curious why it rose to being one of the best selling websites in Asia? We’ll get to the rationale just now!
Why Shopee makes one of the best selling platforms?
- Shopee is extremely mobile-friendly: If you are going for mobile shoppers, don’t skip this selling site. From its very beginning, Shopee has already emphasized mobile purchases and one of its biggest conversion targets is app downloads.
- You can run your own business as either a C2C or a B2C: You don’t really have to be a seller to sell on Shopee. The marketplace can facilitate even if you are a free seller who occasionally lists and trades a few items.
- Shopee tailors by its operating region: This means Shopee always gets the best way for both sellers and buyers to have a safe and convenient trading experience. In more detail, its methods of shipping and payment vary to fit the operating countries.
How much is Shopee?
Shopee charges two major fees, known as transaction and fulfillment services. The other fees may be optional (such as advertising or charges for Shopee Mall users). In particular, here is some information about transaction and service fees:
- Transaction fee: 4% of the final sale price
- Fulfillment service fee: Varies depending on the services used
Who should sell on Shopee?
Shopee is open to everyone for selling and buying. However, when it comes to selling on this seller platform, you should have competitive pricing if you are an individual seller. Or else, if you run a brand, Shopee is worth giving a chance.
13. OnBuy
Our next candidate for the best selling platforms is OnBuy – a UK-based online marketplace. In 2023, OnBuy attracted over 4.5 million monthly visits (source: Similarweb), and this number shows no stopping sign.
However, traffic isn’t exactly what impresses e-sellers, especially compared to Amazon, eBay, or Etsy. What really helps OnBuy be among the best selling sites online will now be revealed!
Why OnBuy makes one of the best selling platforms?
- You get instant payment for each sales transaction: Thanks to a strong partnership with PayPal, OnBuy is able to get you instant payment after each transaction is made. This is quite a competitive edge for OnBuy, making it one of the best selling websites.
- Domestic and international selling are all possible: Although OnBuy is primarily based in the UK, it is expanding to other countries. This indicates that it doesn’t matter if you sell domestically or internationally when joining OnBuy.
- OnBuy provides great selling tools to help grow your business: Do you know that OnBuy offers you tools to upload in bulk, set pricing with recommendations, and integrate with other service providers through powerful APIs?
How much is OnBuy?
OnBuy’s pricing structure for sellers is relatively straightforward and competitive. Here are its key pricing components:
- Standard seller subscription: £19/ month (plus VAT)
- Partner seller subscription: £39/ month (plus VAT)
- Category referral commission: 5 – 9% of total sale price
Who should sell on OnBuy?
OnBuy is a great place to sell on if you are kicking off general consumption products that have competitive pricing. Also, since the marketplace has a close bond to its audience back in the UK, it would be even more ideal if you target the same audience.
Don’t forget you have an in-depth OnBuy review to read. Give it a check now!
More best selling platforms you can refer to (as marketplaces)
Besides the most prominent online selling sites we have introduced, you can refer to several others, especially if you are in their niche markets. There are 5 more recommended platforms, including:
- Poshmark
- Wayfair
- Ruby Lane
- Mercari
- eBid
Let’s delve into them now!
14. Poshmark
Poshmark is a popular online fashion marketplace known for its user-friendly platform and social commerce features. It’s a go-to seller platform for buying and selling secondhand clothing, accessories, and more. With its strong community and sharing-based model, Poshmark provides a fun and interactive way to shop for fashion while connecting with fellow fashion enthusiasts.
15. Wayfair
From our perspective, Wayfair offers a valuable platform for selling furniture and home decor products. The marketplace’s vast customer base and user-friendly interface make it a great place to showcase your products.
Beyond that, Wayfair provides a seamless selling experience, with tools for managing inventory, fulfilling orders, and accessing a broad audience. While it can be competitive, the potential for exposure and sales in the home goods industry makes it among the best selling platforms that are worth considering.
16. Ruby Lane
Should you seek a niche marketplace that speaks directly to vintage and antique sellers, don’t skip Ruby Lan. This will be your best selling platform if you deal in unique, high-end collectibles, it offers a platform where your products are valued and sought after.
While it may not have the same traffic as larger e-commerce platforms, its focused audience and seller support make it a great choice for those in the vintage niche.
17. Mercari
Next on our list of best selling platforms, let’s give you a brief of Mercari – a user-friendly and accessible site for selling a wide range of items. It’s particularly appealing for smaller sellers and those looking to declutter, with straightforward listing and shipping processes. Although it’s not as niche-focused as some other platforms, Mercari’s large and diverse user base can lead to quick sales and good exposure for your products.
18. eBid
As an alternative to eBay, eBid is a hidden gem for cost-conscious online merchants. In particular, you can sell through auctions on this selling site, which is a notable feature for online merchants. The seller platform allows sellers to create a wide range of auction listings, attracting buyers with competitive bidding opportunities.
With its competitive fee structure and global reach, it offers a smart way to extend your market. Although it may not be as well-known as some major platforms, its budget-friendly nature distinguishes it.
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Best Selling Platforms (Online Marketplaces) – FAQs
- 1. What is the most popular online marketplace?
The most popular online marketplaces are Amazon, eBay, Etsy, TikTok Shop, Facebook Marketplace, Google Shopping, and Walmart.
Some other popular marketplaces are Reverb, Wish, OnBuy, Shopee, Bonanza, Poshmark, Ruby Lane, and Wayfair.
- 2. What is the best free selling platform?
The best free selling platform is Google Shopping, with absolutely NO subscriptions, setup and insertion fees, as well as commissions. There are also other selling platforms with no upfront fees, such as Walmart and Reverb. Besides, if you are tech-savvy, consider selling through open-source eCommerce platforms, which are 100% free to start with.
- 3. What is the most popular selling app?
The most popular selling apps for online merchants are Amazon, eBay, Etsy, TikTok Shop, Facebook Marketplace, Wish, Walmart, and Shopee.
- 4. What are the best selling platforms for handmade clothings & accessories?
The best selling platforms for handmade clothes and accessories are Etsy, Bonanza, Ruby Lane, and Poshmark.
- 5. Name some best selling platforms for selling used items?
Some best selling platforms for used items are eBay, Wish, eBid, Ruby Lane, Mercari, and Reverb (for musical gear).
- 6. What are the best sites to sell items locally?
The best sites to sell items locally are eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Walmart.
Best Selling Platforms: Hosted Ecommerce Platforms
In the next part, we will cover the top eCommerce platforms, including the 5 best hosted eCommerce platforms, which are:
1. Shopify
2. Wix
3. BigCommerce
4. Squarespace
5. Big Cartel
Those platforms provide an all-in-one solution for online businesses, and now we’ll see if they make the best selling websites for you!
1. Shopify
Speaking of the best selling platforms online, our list cannot go without Shopify. Starting as a snowboard shop, this platform currently supports 4.5+ million virtual stores with thousands of success stories. But what makes it so powerful? Is Shopify truly worth it? Here is what we’ve for selling on Shopify:
- Shopify is easy to use, even you just start building a standalone eCommerce site. The reason lies in its hosted feature, which means no coding skills are needed.
- It has a powerful market for integrations despite being a hosted cart. This eCommerce solution offers you thousands of apps and integration for adding features to your store.
- You can always ask for support in the initial stage. There is a dedicated support team and a whole active community filled with experts on Shopify. All is to help you get through any challenge on this platform.
How much is Shopify?
Shopify has three major plans, listed below.
- Basic: $39 per month
- Shopify: $105 per month
- Advanced: $399 per month
Notes: These pricing tiers only apply to USA e-sellers. If you are selling in other regions, Shopify may offer you different plans.
Who should sell on Shopify?
As long as you get that entrepreneurial spirit, this can be your best site to sell online. Shopify has powered from small to large-scale businesses.
Get to know more about Shopify with LitCommerce through our detailed Shopify reviews. Every pros and cons of selling on Shopify is there!
2. Wix
Here is another market-dominant hosted solution and the direct competitor of Shopify in terms of the best selling platforms – Wix. It stands out from the crowd for its drag-and-drop builder.
Also, according to experts, Wis is incredibly versatile and functional as an eCommerce platform. In case you are considering selling on Wix, here is a brief of its pros:
- Wix has all it takes to help you build websites. No matter if you are experienced or not, Wix got you with Wix Editor, ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence), and Velo by Wix. These tools combined make website building for any purpose effortless in no time.
- You get the best themes from Wix. Those choosing Wix as their place to sell online, be ready to take in all 800+ themes, which are created and strictly selected by its in-house team.
How much is Wix?
Wix eCommerce business plans are divided into three major categories:
- Basic: $17 per month
- Unlimited: $25 per month
- VIP: $35 per month
Enterprise plans are tailored based on your business needs. Therefore, if none of the mentioned plans suits you, contacting the Wix support team to get your best fit is advisable.
Who should sell on Wix?
From our viewpoint, Wix is open to a large number of potential sellers. You can be an individual, blogger, or small to medium-scale business owner when choosing Wix.
As functional as Wix can be, the platform still has some challenges. Read more about them in our full Wix reviews right here!
3. BigCommerce
When it comes to the best selling platforms, our list cannot go without BigCommerce. Being a hosted shopping cart solution, BigCommerce provides users with every tool to launch a store. But why is it on this list?
- BigCommerce is a hosted platform with great customization. This is much greater than that of Shopify. You can get an underlying code for a high customization level if you have technical expertise.
- Stores by BigCommerce are highly mobile-responsive. The platform ensures that your store is mobile-responsive, providing a seamless shopping experience for mobile users. Moreover, the loading speed on all devices of stores powered by BigCommerce is incredibly high, guaranteeing a pleasant experience for customers.
How much is BigCommerce?
There are 3 tiers for you to choose from, which are:
- Standard: $39 per month
- Plus: $105/ month
- Pro: $399/ month
If possible, you might want to bill annually and get discounts from BigCommerce.
Who should sell on BigCommerce?
The most suitable sellers on BigCommerce can be medium to large-scale businesses. Or else, you should have little expertise in technical to get the most out of this best selling platform.
Just in case you are searching for more information about this selling platform, don’t forget to read our latest BigCommerce review!
4. Squarespace
Next on the best selling platforms is Squarespace. You might find more information in our complete Squaresquace analysis. Yet, in the top platform recommendation, we’ll keep our words short and let you know the highlights of this selling website:
- You will build websites with minimum effort thanks to Squarespace’s drag-and-drop editor, which enables creating professional websites without coding skills. Additionally, it is supportive of users by providing everything to build a website, which includes hosting services and custom domain names.
- The selling platform is favored for its beautiful themes. More than 70+ themes are available on Squarespace, which are strictly evaluated and selected. Besides, when you look up themes, the site will go through several questions to understand exactly what you are after. As you complete the questionnaire, Squarespace will direct you to the most suitable themes for future practices.
How much is Squarespace?
Here are the plans from Squarespace:
- Personal: $16 per month
- Business: $23 per month
- Commerce (Basic): $27/ month
- Commerce (Advanced): $49 per month
Who should sell on Squarespace?
Unlike BigCommerce, Squarespace is actually ideal for small businesses and non-tech-savvy merchants. More than that, this is one of the best selling platforms for content-driven businesses, especially those focused on blogging.
We’ve just written a topic for Squarespace eCommerce review. Check it out for more details about this hosted solution now!
5. Big Cartel
Belonging to the best sites to sell online for unique goods, Big Cartel is a part of our recommendations for hosted eCommerce solutions. Now, let us present to you more deeply our reasons for choosing this seller platform.
- Big Cartel was designed for uniqueness, and it has always focused on artistic businesses. It provides customizable themes that allow artists to showcase their work effectively and creatively.
- It supports digital products. Surprisingly, not many platforms offer support for the sale of digital products. Ultimately, this has made Big Cartel a good choice for artists selling digital art, music, or other downloadable items.
How much is Big Cartel?
Big Cartel has three plans: Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Gold is free. However, you can only sell no more than 5 products. Otherwise, here are details about Platinum and Diamond:
- Platinum: $9.99 per month (no more than 50 products)
- Diamond: $19.99 per month (no more than 500 products)
Who should sell on Big Cartel?
Overall, Big Cartel is a niche platform tailored for creative and artistic businesses and independent artists. It excels in simplicity and affordability but may not be the best fit for larger businesses or those with advanced e-commerce requirements.
Best Selling Platforms – Open-source Ecommerce Platforms
The final piece of this puzzle will help you explore what are the best open-source solutions! Here comes the short list of 4 top open-source eCommerce platforms:
The open-source eCommerce platforms offer flexibility and customization options for businesses. These provide a solid foundation for building and managing online stores, allowing businesses to tailor their eCommerce websites to their specific needs and scale.
1. WooCommerce
Regarding the top open-source eCommerce platforms, our 1st spot goes to WooCommerce. Here is what we got about this online selling platform:
- Being a self-hosted solution, WooCommerce grants retailers unlimited customization capabilities. This means sellers have no limits of what functions their virtual stores can have.
- Many retailers who have used WooCommerce admit that it is quite functional, with numerous useful selling features to run online businesses, such as order tracking, customer engagement, and inventory management tools.
How much is WooCommerce?
The basic charges you must pay to WooCommerce include hosting costs, domain registration, themes, shipping integration, payment processing, marketing, and ongoing maintenance. All together can be as high as $1000 per year.
Who should sell on WooCommerce?
Considered one of the best selling platforms, WooCommerce is for those with technical knowledge running a small to medium business. In other cases, it would be great if you have a small team.
Learn more about this open-source solution through our newly updated analysis of WooCommerce!
2. PrestaShop
Coming right after WooCommerce, PrestaShop is another clear example of best selling platforms, regarding open-source solutions. Similar to other self-hosted sites, PrestaShop is free to download, view, and modify.
Getting to the main point, PrestaShop is making it to the best selling sites because:
- It has powerful customization capabilities. When selling through PrestaShop, you will easily find 2,200+ themes to customize your virtual stores.
- PrestaShop is extremely functional when it comes to eCommerce management. From inventory management tools and built-in SEO features to PrestaShop Ads, all will be your supportive partners as you launch a business.
How much is PrestaShop?
PrestaShop’s fee structure is mainly determined by hosting, domain registration, plugins, and ongoing maintenance. The approximate cost is around $500 per year. This can go higher if your store has a lot of traffic.
Who should sell on PrestaShop?
By any chance you are running a small to medium-sized business and you have a budget, this is the online selling site for you!
3. Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento)
If seeking the best selling platforms for mid to large businesses, you may want to consider Adobe Commerce (so-called Magento). Let’s get you a quick glance at this top selling website!
- Security is Adobe Commerce’s biggest strength. Since it is devoted to medium and large-scale customers, this open-source platform has an entire Security Center to keep up the safeguards.
- Renowned as a monster of a platform, Adobe Commerce will help you get the most out of sales with robust selling features. It has numerous sales channel integrations, automatic business analytics, a highly efficient inventory management system, and many more!
How much is Adobe Commerce?
The costs of Adobe Commerce almost resemble those of other platforms we mentioned. However, you will be paying for SSL certificates and transaction processing. The total fees can be somewhere around $2000+ a year.
Who should sell on Adobe Commerce?
People who should sell on Adobe Commerce are medium to large business owners. You must also have coding expertise and quite a budget to run on Adobe as well.
4. OpenCart
The last recommendation for the best selling platforms is OpenCart, considering open-source solutions. Ready to find out why? Here are our points:
- OpenCart’s target audience is individual sellers to small-scaled companies, it is much more affordable to maintain and develop during operation. This is a significant advantage over other players, such as Magento.
- OpenCart is evaluated as a quite user-friendly platform since you only need basic technical skills to maneuver through. Overall, it is easy to use and set up an online store.
How much is OpenCart?
OpenCart has basic seller charges, referring to hosting, domain registration, SSL certificate, and customization plugins. Combining all sections, you will need roughly $200 annually to start selling.
Who should sell on OpenCart?
OpenCart is a nice place to sell online for small and medium businesses with low budgets. Web development agencies and affiliate marketers can make use of OpenCart as well.
How Do We Decide The Best Places to Sell Online?
Prior to our answers to “Which platform is best for selling online”, we’d like to inform you about our selection criteria and process. We have sorted this list from thousands of websites and marketplaces in the eCommerce industry based on several factors:
- Market share;
- Customer base;
- Ease of use;
- Value for money;
- Selling tools and support;
- Fulfillment and shipping;
- Marketplace regulations.
And to finally get the best selling platforms into the following list and publish it, our team have gone through 6 major steps:
- Conduct a market research;
- Create a demo store and analyze its features;
- Assess that platform against its competitors;
- Start producing the material;
- Proofreading and publish;
- Review and update.
Apart from these criteria and procedures, our content is always committed to users first. Although we might earn a small commission from Affiliate programs, in no case we are influenced by our partners.
27 Best Selling Platforms to Kick off – FAQs
27 best selling platforms for online merchants: The best selling platforms for small businesses are Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Wish, Walmart, TikTok Shop, Bonanza, Ruby Lane, Mercari, Facebook Marketplace, Reverb, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, Big Cartel, and OpenCart. The best platforms for dropshipping are Amazon, Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair, Adobe Commerce, WooCommerce, OpenCart, and BigCommerce. If you are an artist, consider selling on Etsy, Reverb, Wix, Squarespace, and Big Cartel. All these selling platforms supports the spirit of creativity and uniqueness.
The Bottom Line – Top Selling Platforms Online
Have you figured out the best selling platforms for your business? Choosing the right sales channel surely depends on many factors, such as business scale, core products, target audience, and other resources. From our list of the best selling sites online, hopefully, you have found a perfect fit.
More articles like this are coming on our Retailer Blog to help e-sellers thrive in their businesses, given a scenario of the constantly changing eCommerce industry. Remember to stay tuned and join our dynamic Facebook community for the latest updates. Finally, if you have any interest in multichannel selling, don’t hesitate to try LitCommerce’s solution or contact us and discuss it in depth. We’re honored to give a helping hand!