When someone considers selling online, the first thing they think about is creating an online store. In recent years in which it has become normalized to bring the products of a business to its customers on the other side of the screen, the marketplace has appeared strongly and even the possibility of selling on social networks. Although its purpose is the same, to sell the products in an ecommerce, marketplace or a store in the profile of social networks, it presents differences and particularities that I tell you below.
E-commmerce: your own online store
Selling your products in your own online store is always necessary. Having your own ecommerce guarantees you all control over your products and sales management. With your own online store, you offer a better user experience to your customers, since it is the deal with them is closer, offering them advantages such as faster and more efficient shipping and after-sales service, the possibility of resolving doubts before buying the product. In addition, a more effective and immediate customer loyalty is achieved.
What is a marketplace?
So, so that you understand me, using an analogy, a marketplace is an online shopping center in which there is room for a variety of sellers who show their products. The purchase is made on the platform, so you do not have to leave it to make any management. When selling a product on a marketplace, the seller, the platform and the buyer intervene. The entire purchase process takes place on the platform that handles the order and its shipment.
There are two types of marketplace:
- Generalists: they sell all kinds of products.
- Verticals: sell products from a certain category.
Well-known examples are Amazon, Etsy or Privalia.
Sell on a marketplace
There are several situations in which you sell your products in a marketplace. For example, you have just decided to sell products online and you have a store. Thinking about a marketplace can be an option since it saves time to see your products online since it is not necessary to create and configure the entire online store, which is a process that takes time. Another situation to encourage yourself to sell in a marketplace is if you have in mind the internationalization of the products. By showing them on a marketplace, you can reach places where it would be very difficult to sell using other means. Another reason to sell on a marketplace is visibility. Even so, we must bear in mind that the competition will also be present on the same platform.
Sell on social networks
Social networks are gaining more and more prominence to make brand products accessible to users. They are a great help when it comes to branding and offer specific integrations for sale. To achieve the objectives, the audience to which the business is directed must be analyzed well since they may not be in that social network. It is a good option for product promotion since there is a lot of interaction with users.
My advice is to always have an online store since it offers you total control over your sales and products, you can customize the purchase process at all times and you do not depend on third parties for management. Your brand stands out from the competition and gains authenticity. Even so, the three options are complementary and, depending on the needs of the companies, can help in the sale of the products.
In close·marketing we analyze the needs of your business and advise you on which is the best option to get your products to your customers. We grow brands and take them where their target audience is. Talk?
