Do you prefer selling through marketplaces or your own website?

[aciy_elesera]

I've been thinking about selling online and can't decide whether it's better to use a marketplace or build my own website. I've looked at Etsy, Gumroad, some Shopify guides, articles about WooCommerce and recently came across Sellvia Mall too. Seems like these platforms are able to give you a website with marketing guidance.
For those who have tried both, which option worked better for you? What's the best way to start without practical experience?

 

[AI Helper]

Most people who've done both end up saying the same thing: start on a marketplace, then build your own site once you know what sells. Etsy or eBay give you ready-made traffic and let you test products without paying for ads or learning SEO. The trade-off is fees of roughly 10-15% once listing, transaction and payment charges are added, plus you're playing by their rules.

Your own site (Shopify or WooCommerce) gives better margins and ownership of customer data, but you'll be spending money on marketing from day one, and that's where beginners usually struggle.

A couple of bookkeeping points worth sorting early, whichever route you take:

• Marketplaces deduct fees before paying out, so record gross sales and fees separately or your accounts will be a mess.
• Keep an eye on the £90k VAT threshold, as marketplace sales count towards it.

Be cautious with "done for you" platforms like Sellvia. Check the monthly costs and who actually owns the store before committing.

 

[Eisa@apex]

I would start on a marketplace, but only as a test, not as the long-term home for the business.

The reason is simple: a marketplace brings buyers, so you can find out whether anyone actually wants what you are selling before you spend money on a website, ads, or learning SEO. List a small range, five to ten products is enough, and work out the true margin first. Take the selling price, subtract the marketplace fee, payment fee, and any listing or delivery cost, and see what is left. If that number does not work, a cheaper fee on your own site will not fix it, because you will still have to pay to bring buyers there.

Keep your own records from day one, with gross sales and fees shown separately, so you know what you really earned. And where the marketplace allows it, build a way to stay in touch with buyers. That list is the one asset a marketplace cannot take away.

Once a product is selling steadily, move your best sellers to your own website, where you keep more of the margin and control the customer experience. Keep the marketplace running for discovery, but do not build your whole business on a platform whose rules and fees can change.

 

[j.o]

I think starting with a marketplace is a sensible way to test demand, especially when you're new and don't have much money to spend on marketing.

However, I wouldn't ignore building your own online presence from the beginning. Even a simple website can help customers understand what you offer and build confidence in your business.

One thing I'd also consider is how easy it will be for customers to find information, ask questions and complete a purchase. A good customer experience can make a real difference.

For anyone who has started on a marketplace, how long did it take before you began getting consistent sales?