The digital marketplace isn’t just thriving; it’s booming. By 2025, global eCommerce is expected to surpass $7 trillion. That means, the old rules of selling are dead. Today, the consumer is online, your competition is online, and you must be online too. The question is: are you showcasing your product at the best places to sell things online.
Choosing the right platform can be difficult whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or a newbie in the eCommerce pool. Opting for a place to sell is like choosing the location of your digital storefront. It is what dictates how many people get to visit your store. Hence, choosing where to sell your product online is a strategic decision that can make or break your revenue potential.
With hundreds of options out there, decision fatigue is real. So let’s cut the fluff and teach you what is the right selling platform, understand the platform’s fee structure, and leverage unique features.
In this guide, we discuss the best online platforms available to sell nearly everything in 2025 — what works, what fees there are, and why that matters. Be equipped to make more informed decisions based on data, and take your online selling opportunity to the next level – not just as a process to move your goods, but also as a serious growth opportunity.
Why Online Selling Is Non-Negotiable in 2025
If you’re still thinking of online selling as a “nice-to-have add-on,” you’re already behind. The post-pandemic world permanently shifted buying behavior. Online shopping is the new standard. Your customers are browsing on phones during commutes, adding to carts during office breaks, and expecting 2-day delivery as a basic human right.
Online selling gives you:
- A global storefront (with no rent)
- 24/7 availability
- Lower overhead
- First-party data (read: power to retarget, personalize, and upsell)
This isn’t just retail. It’s the future of business. Full stop.
1. Build Your Own Online Store From Scratch
If you want full control? Start with your own online store.
Think Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Wix eCommerce. These aren’t just websites; they’re command centers for your brand. You can design this digital storefront exactly the way you want. Pick your colors, tailor its look, and speak directly to your target audience..
This will provide you the creative freedom to choose what you want to list. Alongside, you can also choose to upload other related content that can boost your visibility and sales.
Why it works:
- Brand authority: No competitor ads next to your listings. You get the full coverage.
- Data ownership: You get every click, cart, and conversion metric.
- Profit margins: Sales from your website would require no middleman, that’s extra savings for you.
- Recurring sales: Personalization, email campaigns, abandoned cart recovery.
Set it up with:
- A mobile-first, SEO-optimized design
- Secure payment processing (Stripe, Razorpay, etc.)
- Fulfillment options (in-house or via third-party logistics like Shiprocket)
Owning your store gives you the highest growth ceiling, but it requires marketing muscle to drive traffic. Learn more about the costs of a shopify store and how to succeed in building one.
2. Amazon: The 800-Pound Gorilla
There is no surprise here, Amazon is still the king of eCommerce. With over 2.5 billion monthly visits, it’s where online shopping begins for most people. However, with the massive reach and fulfillment possibilities, Amazon comes with high fees and extreme competition, demanding strategic pricing.
What makes Amazon a real-deal:
- Trusted by 70% of American online shoppers
- Prime member perks boost visibility
- Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) offloads logistics
Fee rundown:
- $39.99/month for Pro Sellers or $0.99 per sale for individuals
- 8–20% referral fee depending on category
- $1.80 closing fee on media items
Keep in mind, from selling plans and referral fees to storage costs and ad spend, the costs stack up fast. Get a detailed overview on the cost to sell on Amazon as a seller. With this guide you can plan smart, stay profitable, and scale faster than your competitor.
3. eBay: Global Reach with Flexible Selling
eBay might feel retro, but it’s still a global powerhouse with 134 million active buyers. It provides flexible selling options, including Auctions and fixed prices listings. You can choose the approach you are comfortable with. If your product has rare values, you might want to choose the auction option, otherwise a fixed price is the way forward.
Great for:
- Electronics
- Collectibles
- Refurbished or second-hand goods
Fees:
- First 250 listings/month are free, then $0.35 per item
- 13.25% final value fee on most categories
eBay’s platform is considered user-friendly and straightforward for both new and experienced sellers. However, its fee structure is a bit complex to grasp.
4. Etsy: The Craft Kingdom
If your products are handmade, vintage, artsy, or craft-supply-related, Etsy is your home. It’s built for creators, not resellers. Selling on Etsy could be profitable as it is relatively inexpensive, and there’s no need for a large upfront fee.
With over 96 million active buyers, you’re tapping into an audience that wants to buy unique products.
Costs:
- $0.20 per listing (renewed every 4 months)
- 6.5% transaction fee on total sale (plus shipping/gift wrap)
- Payment processing fees vary by country
In short: Etsy delivers niche traffic with built-in demand. Ideal for creators, not mass sellers.
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5. Facebook Marketplace: Local, Fast, and Free
Selling locally? Facebook Marketplace is a no-brainer. It’s got scale (2.7 billion users) and simplicity. List items like you’re posting a selfie. Done.
Perks:
- No listing fees
- Quick local sales
- No shipping required if you stick to your area
Drawbacks:
- No advanced eCommerce tools
- Limited payment integration
- Watch out for scammers (use common sense!)
Facebook marketplace is a fast, free, and effective tool for local sales, but it is not built for brand-building or serious scaling.
6. Poshmark: Fashion-Forward Resale
Poshmark is where pre-loved fashion finds a second life. With over 80 million users, it’s massive for clothing, accessories, and lifestyle items.
Why sellers love it:
- Flat-rate shipping
- Simple mobile interface
- Easy listing and social engagement
Fees:
- $2.95 on sales under $15
- 20% on sales $15 and above
- $7.97 for expedited shipping
Great for fashion sellers, especially if you’re flipping styles or curating secondhand trends. A seller only needs to print the shipping label and send the item, ultimately simplifying the logistics.
7. Walmart Marketplace: Underrated Power Player
Walmart may not scream “cool,” but it’s got serious buying power. With $600+ billion in global net sales, this is the elephant in the room everyone should take notice of. It is an underrated, high-credibility channel for mass-market goods and scaling businesses.
Sellers utilizing Walmart’s on-site advertising, promotes products and helps them appear in relevant search results. This way they can also by-pass the competitors.
Pros:
- No monthly fees
- Solid referral fee model (6% to 15%)
- Option to advertise inside Walmart’s ecosystem
The setup might take some time, but once you’re in, you’re competing on a trusted platform with serious reach.
8. Mercari: The "List and Chill" Option
Mercari is booming in the US resale space. It’s clean, simple, and doesn’t require you to overthink. It has a user-friendly interface with a strong base for sales where you can sell almost anything, from apparel and home decor to electronics.
Key stats:
- 23 million monthly users
- 10% selling fee + 2.9% + $0.50 payment fee
- No listing fees
Bonus: Mercari Local offers in-person delivery with no headache. Drivers pick up and deliver the orders, and the buyer pays the delivery fees, simplifying transactions for sellers. It comes with a wide range of categories and low barriers to entry, which is great for decluttering or side hustles.
9. TikTok Shop: Sell While You Entertain
TikTok Shop blends entertainment with instant commerce. If your brand vibes with Gen Z or Millennial audiences, this is your arena. It leverages TikTok’s massive and highly engaged user base targeting younger demographics.
Here’s what makes it tick:
- Shoppable videos + live shopping events
- Viral reach potential
- Direct product tagging inside content
Fees:
- No listing fees
- 5–8% commission + $0.30 per transaction
Massive attention and low fees makes TikTok a powerful social commerce tool, but you’ll need video skills and consistency to win.
10. Bonanza: The Low-Fee Underdog
- No listing fees, but $0.25 transaction fee for non-members
- 3.5% final value fee on the sale amount plus shipping (above $10)
- Good SEO (Search engine optimization) integration and Google Shopping feed support
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Choosing the Right Platform: It’s Strategy, Not Just Preference
Picking the best platform isn’t about trends — it’s about fit.
Ask:
- Is my product handmade, mass-produced, or secondhand?
- Am I targeting a local, national, or global audience?
- Do I want total control or instant traffic?
Many successful sellers go multi-channel: your store + a few marketplaces. Cross-listing tools like Sellbrite, List Perfectly, or CedCommerce make this manageable.
Pro tips:
- Write killer product descriptions
- Use clean, high-quality images
- Monitor competitor pricing
- Respond quickly to buyers
- Use buyer feedback to fine-tune listings
Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Sell, Strategize
The eCommerce battlefield is getting fiercer every day. If your products aren’t online, you’re invisible. The winners? Brands that don’t just list products—they build strategies.
Your platforms aren’t just channels; they’re assets. Treat your website like the flagship that carries your brand. Amazon? That’s your heavy-duty warship dominating the seas. TikTok Shop? The jetpack that can skyrocket your visibility overnight. And Craigslist is something that still gets you from point A to B when you need it.
The secret is to Diversify. Align the right platforms with your goals. Pilot each one like a pro. That’s how you stay competitive, profitable, and future-proof in this fast-moving digital economy.
Need expert help turning your online store or marketplace listings into revenue machines? Softtrix can make it happen. Share your product details, preferred platforms, and goals—and let our team craft a strategy that maximizes your sales without guesswork.
