E-commerce is no longer new news to the world. Everybody either buys or sells online. A quick search and you will be amazed at the number of online buying and selling sites online on the Internet. Choosing the right platform may seem overwhelming but it is crucial for the growth and success of your business. But how do you know which online buying and selling sites are best for you?
In this article, we will introduce the top 10 online buying and selling sites in e-commerce for both sellers and consumers.
We are living in an e-commerce era. The development of e-commerce has produced enormous benefits including convenience and safety. Buyers are enjoying the fun that comes with shopping online as they can effortlessly find whatever they are looking for. Presently, e-commerce or electronic commerce is doing well and we foresee a brighter future. From clothing to handmade items, electronics, shoes, kids' toys, movies, books, games, etc., online marketplaces are your surest bet. But first, you'll have to understand the different online buying sites.
10 Top Online Buying and Selling Sites
There are hundreds of e-commerce websites out there. Here is a list of the top 10 most reliable online buying and selling sites in 2020 ranked by web traffic.
1. Amazon
Originally designed as a bookstore, Amazon has grown to become the largest e-commerce site in the world. The company offers millions of items in various categories including health, fitness, food, electronics, automobile, and so on. These huge offerings along with FBA (fulfilled by Amazon) and Amazon Prime makes this platform a popular choice for sellers all over the world. Online retailers can take advantage of Amazon's cash-back offers and almost free stuff on Amazon. Buying and selling on Amazon can be conducted via the Amazon app or through the Amazon website.
What users like:
- Fast delivery
- Excellent customer service
- Free shipping and add-ons for Prime members
- Frequent deals
What users don't like:
- The mobile website is not so user-friendly
- Amazon lacks a bidding system for online sellers
2. eBay
eBay is the world's largest auction site that has an online presence in over 100 countries worldwide. The site has over 170 million active buyers across 190 global markets. You can find anything on eBay, and this has given brands plenty of opportunities to grow and expand. eBay offers a wide variety of collectible and brand-new items. Books, video games, appliances, gift items, and furniture are popular categories you can explore. To start buying and selling on eBay, you'll need to pay an insertion fee and a final value fee when a customer buys from you. Unlike Amazon, online retailers and marketers don't need to pay any setup fee or annual fee. Besides, eBay.com is easy to use. You can use a variety of filters such as price, brand, color size, features, and customer reviews.
What users like:
- eBay is where you will find the rarest items for cheap
- Great platform to dispose of unwanted items
What users don't like:
- Only reliable sellers deliver timely and fast
- Selling items can be a time-consuming process on eBay
3. Rakuten
Rakuten is the largest e-commerce platform in Japan and among the top ten online marketplaces in the world. It was formerly known as buy.com and comes at $33 per month and $0.99 per item. The storefronts are easy to design and you'll find a wide range of exciting products including apparel, home furnishings, health and beauty, sporting items, office supplies, etc.
What users like:
- Easy and fast account opening
- Low fees
- Reliable mobile trading site
What users don't like:
- Poor customer care services
- Limited product portfolio
4. AliExpress
China's largest online marketing, Aliexpress, houses a large number of local and international suppliers. Presently, Aliexpress has shipped out billions of products to buyers all over the world. Selling online with Aliexpress is free; however, it can take a long time for new sellers to make their marks in the marketplace. Various benefits of Aliexpress may include access to millions of manufacturers and suppliers from the Chinese market and the world at large. It is free to upload items and prices are competitive.
What users like:
- No transactions fees and monthly subscription
- Products are free to upload
- Millions of products to sell and thousands of suppliers to choose from
What users don't like:
- It is easy to deal with the wrong seller. Too many untrusted ones.
5. Craigslist
Craigslist first started as a newspaper classified ads website. Now it is one of the largest local marketplaces to sell and find any item. All you need is to search through the product category and location. It is easy to get started with Craigslist. Just sign up on their site, upload images of the items you want to sell, and expect messages from interested buyers.
What users like:
- No setup fee required
- Best site to sell items locally
What users don't like:
- Ads automatically expire after 7 days
- No escrow system means you buy or sell at the owner's risk
6. Walmart
Walmart is a well-established brand and a popular e-commerce marketplace. It is based in the United States but supplies items to various parts of the world. Walmart is increasing shopping experiences by offering personalized services for customers. For example, anyone who ships through FedEx after placing an order at Walmart will get a 37% discount. This is attributed to Walmart's exclusive partnership with FedEx. WhileWalmart boasts a huge variety of products, especially from popular brands; intending sellers follow a strict approval process. Sellers will have to wait for about six weeks to get approval without any Walmart integrator.
What users like:
- Excellent customer service
- Accepts international returns
What users don't like:
- The strict approval process for new sellers
7. Etsy
Etsy is a great platform for creative entrepreneurs. It is an online buying and selling site that offers innovative crafts, blockbuster movies, homemade items, necklaces, and artworks from incredibly talented artisans globally. With over 200 million sellers and 35 million buyers across 85 countries, Etsy is the best platform where online retailers can find a huge targeted customer base for homemade items. Setting up your own storefront on Etsy is easy and offers sellers the option to customize many of their items. Etsy doesn't offer any subscription plans or packages for the sellers like other e-commerce platforms. Listing on Etsy is free for the 40 items while they charge $0.2 per item until it is sold or for 4 months + an additional 5% of the transaction fee.
What users like:
- Etsy is the go-to place if you're looking for vintage, figurative and literal items
- Artists using Etsy don't need to develop their own websites
What users don't like:
- Customer service is not so reliable
- Transaction fees might affect sellers' profits
8. Flipkart
We've listed top buying and selling sites from the United States, China, Japan, etc. India also has a leading online selling platform, which is the Flipkart Marketplace. It is a B2B marketplace where manufacturers and suppliers or vendors sell their products online. Here, you can buy or sell from various categories including electronics, homeward, kids and babies clothing, pet apparel, etc.
What users like:
- Products sold are tested and trusted
- Good promotional offers
- Fast payment system
What users don't like:
- The commission is a bit high
- Customer service isn't good enough
9. Wayfair
Wayfair claims to have received a whopping $8 billion in sales in the last 12 months. That number speaks volumes. Wayfair is among the largest online buying sites for decor, home furniture, textile, decorative accent, garden items, homeware, etc. They are an American-based company and the leading marketplace for products in the home category. Becoming a seller is as easy as filling an application form. Wayfair charges sellers a little commission, but also offers free shipping on most items.
What users like:
- Access to a huge customer base
- Powerful logistics and real-time shipments update
- Easy navigation for suppliers
What users don't like:
- Wayfair majorly deals in the home category
10. Wish
Wish is a popular online buying site where you will find interesting deals and mouth-watering offers. They have different sections that make them stand out when it comes to discount offers and prices. For instance, the Blitz Buy section allows you to spin a wheel to get money off your purchase. Most shoppers spend more time on wishes due to their cheap prices. Explore high-selling and popular categories including toys, shoes, bags, home decor, gadgets, hobbies, and phone upgrades. Wish would not charge you for listing products; however, if you can wait longer to get your item, then Wish deals might be ideal for you.
What users like:
- Direct shipping from China at low prices
- Wish allows you to set up custom notifications for certain deals and products
- No monthly fees
What users don't like:
- Deliveries take time to arrive
- In most cases, the wrong items are delivered
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Call to Action
To be profitable in e-commerce, you need to identify the best buying and selling sites. Fortunately for you, the aforementioned e-commerce sites hold the most promise for your brand. It's left for you to select the online e-commerce marketplace that works best for your business. Ensure to take wise choice as it is going to contribute to your online marketing success.
