{"id":7528,"date":"2025-01-03T16:45:14","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T16:45:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.threecolts.com\/blog\/?p=7528"},"modified":"2025-10-10T14:05:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T14:05:13","slug":"selling-on-amazon-alternative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.threecolts.com\/blog\/selling-on-amazon-alternative\/","title":{"rendered":"Selling on Amazon is expensive. Is there an alternative?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For many businesses, Amazon is the obvious choice to start selling online. But as Amazon\u2019s fees increase and the market gets tougher, businesses are rethinking their options. According to Jungle Scout\u2019s latest survey, 58% of Amazon sellers are seeing smaller profit margins because of the platform\u2019s rising fees<\/strong>. So if you\u2019re looking for a more cost-effective way to expand your business, you\u2019re not alone, and there are other platforms that might better fit your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expanding isn\u2019t just about finding another place to list your products\u2014it\u2019s about making a smart choice that aligns with your customers and your brand\u2019s vision. Below, we\u2019ll explore Walmart, eBay, Etsy, and Shopify as alternatives, then introduce how Multichannel Pro<\/a><\/strong> can help simplify<\/strong> multichannel operations, so you get the reach without the added work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why consider alternative marketplaces?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each marketplace offers unique benefits that could align perfectly with your business\u2019s needs and customer preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Walmart<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Walmart\u2019s marketplace is a great choice for brands looking to expand with a cost-effective approach<\/strong>. Since launching Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) in 2020, Walmart\u2019s online marketplace has grown by over 50%, and 120 million unique monthly visitors<\/strong> make it a close competitor to Amazon in reach. With fewer fees and fast shipping through Walmart+, Walmart is ideal for businesses wanting to expand without <\/em><\/strong>the <\/em>steep costs<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>Amazon often requires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. eBay<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Known for its community-driven platform, eBay attracts 147 million global buyers<\/strong> and is a strong choice for brands with unique, collectible, or limited-supply items. With lower final value fees, typically around 10-12%, eBay can be a more economical choice<\/strong>. Plus, it allows sellers to maintain more control<\/strong> over pricing and customer interactions\u2014perfect for brands looking to build a loyal following and a strong sense of connection with their customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Etsy<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Etsy draws in customers who value creativity and uniqueness, with over 90 million active buyers<\/strong>. It\u2019s a solid choice for businesses offering handmade or artisan products. Etsy\u2019s dedicated customer base often returns, with 65% of buyers coming back to Etsy<\/strong> for its one-of-a-kind items, creating a natural opportunity to nurture customer loyalty and brand recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Shopify<\/h3>\n\n\n
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For brands wanting more autonomy, Shopify provides a direct-to-consumer platform that enables you to build a branded store and keep control over customer relationships. With 4 million businesses<\/strong> worldwide on Shopify and 85% of consumers saying they prefer buying directly from brands<\/strong> when possible, Shopify offers an ideal setup for businesses seeking to create a deeper connection with their customers and foster brand loyalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platform Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Marketplace<\/strong><\/td>Fees<\/strong><\/td>Best For<\/strong><\/td>Monthly Visitors (millions)<\/strong><\/td>Unique Features<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Amazon<\/td>High (Referral, fulfillment, subscription)<\/td>General products, large audiences<\/td>310<\/td>Prime membership, extensive fulfillment<\/td><\/tr>
Walmart<\/td>Moderate (Simpler fee structure)<\/td>Cost-effective, quick shipping needs<\/td>120<\/td>Walmart+ shipping, lower fees<\/td><\/tr>
eBay<\/td>Low (10-12% final value)<\/td>Collectibles, niche items<\/td>147<\/td>Auction-style, category diversity<\/td><\/tr>
Etsy<\/td>Moderate (6.5% transaction)<\/td>Handmade, artisan goods<\/td>90<\/td>Artisan-focused, niche audience<\/td><\/tr>
Shopify<\/td>Low (No marketplace fees)<\/td>Brand control, DTC<\/td>85<\/td>Customizable store, full ownership<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selling on multiple platforms can increase sales\u2026 and complexity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Expanding to different marketplaces opens new doors for brand visibility, but it also brings added demands, from managing customer service to tracking orders and inventory. According to a 2022 Retail Systems Research report, 70% of retailers say multichannel management is a significant operational challenge<\/strong>. Not only that, but brands often spend 20% more on customer service<\/strong> to keep up with the unique needs of each platform, which can strain even the most dedicated teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The power of Multichannel Pro for multichannel management<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We know that managing customer support across multiple platforms can create extra work for your team and increase the chances of costly errors. Multichannel Pro combines Hemi<\/a>, Onsite Support<\/a>, and ChannelReply<\/a> into a single, seamless solution<\/strong>, purpose-built to simplify support operations<\/strong> and put all critical order information right at your team\u2019s fingertips. This integrated system makes it easy for customer support agents to deliver the responsive, reliable service your customers expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n