With the fast expansion of online marketplaces, it can be tough for you to choose where to sell your products. While we’ve previously highlighted the best selling platforms, if you’re a seller based in the UK, we’ve curated a list for you. If you’re seeking to sell your product online, here are the best UK selling sites worth considering:
1. Best UK Online Marketplaces for Selling General Products
- #1. Amazon UK – Best Choice for All Sellers
- #2. eBay UK – Runner-up
- #3. OnBuy – Best for Budget Sellers
- #4. Faire – Best for Small Businesses
- #5. Gumtree – Best second-hand selling sites in the UK
- #6. Fruugo
2. Best UK Online Marketplaces for Selling Handmade Items
3. Best UK Online Marketplaces for Niche Products
- #10. Wayfair – Furniture & home goods
- #11. Zalando: Fashion and Lifestyle
- #12. ManoMano – DIY, gardening and home
- #13. ASOS – Fashion
Best UK Online Marketplaces for Selling General Products
Although there are numerous top marketplaces for selling products worldwide, some are specifically tailored to the UK market or offer simplified services for selling from any location. Below is a curated collection of the best places to sell online in the UK for your reference.
If you are looking for top eCommerce platforms that allow selling everything in the UK, below are some of the best UK selling platforms for your reference.
#1. Amazon UK – Best Choice for All Sellers
Basic selling fees: Start selling with no monthly fee but per item fee. Or £25 (ex. VAT) per month
Visits per month in the UK: 369.4 million
It’s unsurprising that Amazon is the go-to platform among the best UK selling sites, and it should also be a top choice for selling goods. With its vast online presence, there’s a large audience ready to view your products. Amazon isn’t solely for sellers; it’s also a valuable platform for creators with the Amazon Handmade platform. Plus, if you are looking for the best book-selling sites in the UK, Amazon KDP would be a great choice for you.
Pros of selling on Amazon UK
- A ready-made audience
- Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
- Low marketing costs
- No stock upfront
Cons of selling on Amazon UK
- Fierce competition
- High selling fees
- Restricted brand control
Best for: Amazon UK is best suited for a wide range of sellers, including retailers, manufacturers, and private label sellers. It is not a good place for high-margin, luxury, or limited-demand products.
#2. eBay UK – Runner-up
Basic selling fees: Listing fees and final value fee (start at 12.8% of the total amount of the sale)
Visits per month in the UK: 229.9 million
If you’re seeking the best UK auction sites, eBay is likely your first choice. With millions of active buyers, eBay provides nearly identical benefits to Amazon. What distinguishes eBay is its auction and “Buy It Now” listings. The auction feature enables you to swiftly quickly sell a variety of products, including used items, frequently resulting in higher profit margins.
Pros of selling eBay Uk
- Vast audience base
- Simplicity and accessibility
- Sales of anything
- Secure transactions
- Auctions selling models
Cons of selling eBay UK
- High fees and commission
- Rule and policy restrictions
- Much competition in some niches
- Shipping hurdles
Best for: Like Amazon, eBay UK is one of the best UK selling sites for a wide range of sellers. Besides, this platform is also a great choice for individual sellers and those offering unique, collectible, or used items with a focus on auction-style listings.
For a better understanding of the pros and cons of selling on eBay, check our article about ‘Is Selling on eBay Worth it?‘
#3. OnBuy – Best for Budget Sellers
Basic selling fees: Standard membership costs £19 per month (excluding VAT), and Partner membership costs £39 per month (excluding VAT). Commission rates vary from 5% to 9%, with an additional PayPal fee of 1.9% to 3.4% and a transaction fee of 20p.
Visits per month in the UK: 4-5 million
OnBuy claims to be the leading alternative to Amazon in the UK. Being relatively new, OnBuy boasts a fee structure that is typically lower than other UK sales websites. Moreover, it encompasses a diverse array of product categories, spanning from electronics and fashion to home and garden items. Additionally, the platform provides appealing benefits for sellers, such as immediate payments and secure selling through its strategic partnership with PayPal.
Pros of selling on Onbuy:
- Fast-growing platform
- No competition between sellers and the marketplace
- UK-based platform
Cons of selling on Onbuy:
- A smaller audience
- Commission and fees can become expensive
Best for: OnBuy is among best UK selling sites for sellers looking for an alternative marketplace to Amazon, offering a wide range of product categories and competitive fees. However, the best-selling products here are home supplies, so if you offer these products, you can sell them on OnBuy. It differs from Amazon by providing a more streamlined and cost-effective selling experience.
#4. Faire – Best for Small Businesses
Basic selling fees: 15% commission (+ £8 for opening orders). 0% commission when users purchase through Faire Direct.
Faire is an online B2B marketplace that connects independent brands with retailers, helping brands get their products onto the shelves of local retailers across the US, Canada, UK, Europe and Australia. From clothing boutiques to grocery shops, selling on Faire can open up significant wholesale opportunities and provide logistical support, which can be especially beneficial for smaller brands aiming to scale.
Pros of selling on Faire
- Access to wide network of local and international retailers
- Streamlined order management
- 0% commission fee when goods are purchased via Faire Direct
Cons of selling on Faire
- Brands are responsible for shipping and fulfillment
Best for: Faire is best suited for individual brands looking to wholesale their products and build relationships to independent retailers across the UK, Europe, and the US. Faire’s wholesale marketplace makes it easy for independent retailers to find new products and with Faire’s flexible 60-day payment terms, retailers have the ability to try new products and wait for them to sell before paying the supplier.
#5. Gumtree – Best Second-hand Selling Sites in the UK
Basic selling fees: No upfront fees. If you use an ad package, the range is around £5-£8 per ad per week.
Visits per month in the UK: 52.1K
Gumtree stands out as the premier classified ads platform in the UK, drawing numerous potential customers who are eager to purchase your items. With no listing fees, you can sell your products at zero cost. Gumtree is one of the widely favored best websites to sell stuff in the UK for individuals looking to exchange unwanted belongings for cash. From clothing and furniture to vehicles, you can sell a diverse range of items on Gumtree.
Pros of selling on Gumtree
- Flexibility in negotiating prices
- Quick and easy listing process
- No listing fees
Cons of selling on Gumtree
- Potential for scammers
- Limited payment options
- Localized audience
- Limited seller support
Best for: Gumtree is beneficial for sellers of used or second-hand items, who value a simple and cost-effective selling process.
#6. Fruugo
Basic selling fees: 15% commission on every sale, plus a 2.35% processing fee
Visits per month in the UK: 2.6 million
Fruugo, a UK-based marketplace, hosts sellers from across Europe, offering a unique feature where product data is translated based on the buyer’s location. This facilitates easier purchasing decisions for buyers. Sellers on Fruugo benefit from having a dedicated account manager who assists in listing products and devising effective advertisements. This personalized support is a key reason why it has become one of the best UK selling sites.
Pros of selling on Fruugo:
- Large international reach
- Ability to translate listings into 11 languages
Pros of selling on Fruugo:
- Significantly expensive fees
Best for: Fruugo is best for sellers looking to expand their international reach and sell in multiple countries through a single platform. It offers a global marketplace with localized listings and customer support in multiple languages.
If you want to sell on more than one UK marketplace, refer to our guide on marketplace integration for a helpful instruction.
Best UK Online Marketplaces for Selling Handmade Items
If you’re willing to pay a commission fee, numerous platforms are available for selling crafts online in the UK. Here are some of the most UK online marketplaces in the UK specifically dedicated to selling handmade products.
#7. Etsy UK
Basic selling fees: £0.16/a listing, 6.5% transaction fee on the sale price.
Visits per month in the UK: 52.1 million
Etsy UK is the primary marketplace for personalized, creative, and artistic products. If you specialize in handmade or unique items, Etsy is the optimal choice. By showcasing your products on this best online marketplace in the UK, you are directly targeting consumers who are interested in your offerings. This targeted approach enhances conversion rates and accelerates sales growth efficiently.
Pros of selling on Etsy UK
- Ideal marketplace for craft products
- Diverse product ranges
- Millions of potential customers
- Simple shop management
Cons of selling on Etsy UK
- Increased competition
- Limited customizations & branding
Best for: Etsy UK focuses on handmade, vintage, and unique products. It caters to artisans, crafters, and creative sellers, providing a platform specifically designed for this niche market.
#8. Not on the High Street
Basic selling fees: A one-off joining fee of £199+VAT plus 25%+VAT commission
Visits per month in the UK: 4-6 million
Not on the High Street, founded in 2006, is a prominent competitor to Etsy in the UK. This best online marketplace caters to creators and small businesses, particularly focusing on gifts. If you produce customizable items, NOTHS is specifically designed to accommodate this niche, making it one of the best UK selling sites for showcasing your products.
Pros of selling on NOTHS :
- Large amounts of traffic
- Extra support for sellers
Cons of selling on NOTHS:
- High commission per sale
- Application forms can take time
- A a chance you won’t be accepted to sell on the site
- A high initial joining fee
Best for: Not on the High Street features unique and personalized products from small businesses. It is known for curating a selection of distinctive items that are not commonly found in high street stores.
#9. Folksy
Basic selling fees: 15p per item, or subscribing to Folksy Plus for £5 per month.
Visits per month in the UK: 267.8K
Folksy, another counterpart to Etsy in the UK, is ‘the UK’s biggest online craft fair’. Like Etsy, there is no initial setup fee, and setting up your own shop on Folksy is a fast and straightforward process. When listing an item for four months, you will be charged 15p. Once the item is sold, a 6% commission fee is applied. Additionally, Folksy provides three free listings for new sellers. This means it is technically free to start selling crafts online with Folksy if you are searching for free online selling platforms in the UK.
Pros of selling on Folksy
- Ease for creating a personalized shop page
- Ability to run different promotions
- Support team available for help
Cons of selling on Folksy
- Smaller customer base than most marketplaces
- Niche audience
Best for: Folksy is a UK-based marketplace dedicated to supporting and promoting British crafters and designers. It is a platform for handmade crafts and products, catering to a niche market.
Best UK Online Marketplaces for Niche Products
Beside top selling sites in the UK for selling all products online, there are some platforms targeting niche products. If you are just a fashion-related seller or the one focusing on home tools, below are some best choices for you.
#10. Wayfair – Furniture & home goods
Basic selling fees: No fee needed
Visits per month in the UK: 14.36 million
Wayfair ranks 1st among the top home furnishing online selling platforms in the UK, providing a significant opportunity for sellers to expand their reach. Its substantial investment in advertising helps promote products and reach potential customers more effectively. That reduces the need for sellers to invest heavily in individual advertising efforts and allows them to concentrate on their selling strategies.
Pros of selling on Wayfair
- Dropshipping opportunities
- Wide customer base
- No selling fees
- No marketing effort requires
Cons of selling on Wayfair
- Time-consuming payment process
- Limited branding
Best for: Wayfair is best suited for medium to large businesses looking for best UK selling sites in the home furnishing industry.
#11. Zalando: Fashion and Lifestyle
Basic selling fees: 5% to 25% of the sale price
Visits per month in the UK: 3-4 million
Zalando is known as one of the largest online selling platforms for fashion and lifestyle in the UK or Europe. Offering a plethora of advertising and marketing options, Zalando provides opportunities to amplify your product visibility within its expansive marketplace.
Pros of selling on Zalando
- Sellers decide prices
- Enormous global reach
- Increased product visibility
Cons of selling on Zalando
- Commission and fees can become expensive
Best for: Zalando is a great option for medium to large businesses in the fashion and apparel industry
#12. ManoMano – DIY, gardening and home
Basic selling fees: Selling on ManoMano is totally free. This best selling platform in the UK negotiates the commissions individually with each merchant.
Visits per month in the UK: 2.6 million
ManoMano is one of the best UK selling sites that specialize in DIY, gardening, and home improvement supplies. Boasting over 2 million active customers in the UK and 3,600 sellers, it is experiencing rapid growth. So, if you are selling one of the relevant items targeting the UK market, ManoMano is a good choice.
Pros of selling on ManoMano:
- Sellers can determine their pricing within suitable ranges
- Provides access to new markets
Cons of selling on ManoMano:
- Only suitable for specific product types
Best for: ManoMano is best for sellers in the home improvement and DIY industry, regardless of their business size.
#13. ASOS – Fashion
Basic selling fees: £20/month and a commission of 20% on each sale
Visits per month in the UK: 63.4 million
ASOS is known as one of the best UK selling sites for fashion retailers globally, with a presence in markets around the world. The English marketplace is suitable for the finest independent labels and vintage selections. If your clothing business aligns with this aesthetic, you can sell on the ASOS marketplace. This platform also presents an excellent opportunity to enhance your multi-channel strategy.
Pros of selling:
- Simple process for applying for a boutique, closing it, and selling products is very simple.
- Low promotion fees
Cons of selling:
- Demanding selection process for sellers
- High fees
- Minimum 15 products per listing (20 for vintage stores).
- Short promotion times (24 hours).
- Fast shipments are required (up to 2 working days).
Best for: ASOS is best for sellers in the fashion and apparel industry, particularly those targeting a younger demographic.
Are Online Marketplaces in the UK Potential for Businesses?
Selling online provides UK businesses with a multitude of opportunities. In 2023, approximately 2.64 billion individuals engaged in online shopping, presenting ecommerce sellers with access to a vast customer base. When compared to traditional brick-and-mortar selling, selling on the best UK selling sites offers significant advantages:
- Wide reach to a large audience
- Existing marketplaces with established customer bases
- Ability to target niche product buyers
- Elimination of the need for a physical store
- Cost savings from reduced overhead expenses
- Opportunities for international selling
Best UK Selling Platforms: FAQs
Among the most popular, Amazon is the best marketplace platform for UK sellers. It hosts consumer-to-consumer sales, as well as business-to-consumer, and its area is generic. It means you can sell almost anything in this place. There are some best UK selling sites you can start selling for free like Etsy or Folksy if you offer handmade items. Additionally, you can make use of social media channels like Instagram or Twitter to showcase products and engage with potential buyers directly. That will cut down on any upfront costs for listing or membership fees. In the UK, you can sell used items through various platforms: The simple response is “no,” yet as is often the case, the reality is more complicated. From a legal view, you can start selling on an online marketplace as an individual, a sole trader, or a limited company. It’s important to note that you can generate income of up to £1000 from your hobby or side business before being required to report it to HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs).
Best Online Selling Sites in the UK: Wrap-Up
The digital era has provided sellers with numerous best UK selling sites that make it easier than ever to sell stuff and make money in the UK. Whether you’re looking to declutter your home or showcase your creative talents, these platforms offer a diverse range of options to meet your needs. With the right platform in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to reach a wider audience and maximize your selling potential in the UK market.
If you need detailed guides about each platform, check out our eCommerce Blog now! Plus, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions related to selling online. The LitCommerce team is working 24/7 to support you.
