Selling on Online Marketplaces: Tips and Tricks

To sell successfully on online marketplaces, focus on choosing the right platform, optimising your product listings, and using marketing tools effectively.

Key tips and tricks include:

• Select the appropriate sales channel: You can sell on established ecommerce platforms (like Amazon, Shopee, Lazada) which provide ready infrastructure, a large customer base, and built-in marketing tools, or create your own ecommerce website for full control over branding and customer experience. Each option has trade-offs in fees, competition, and setup effort.

• Understand platform fees and policies: Know the commission structures and any listing fees to price your products competitively while maintaining profitability. For example, Shopee charges commissions but offers promotional tools to offset costs.

• Use marketing and promotional tools: Leverage platform-specific features such as ads, flash sales, campaigns, and vouchers to increase product visibility and attract buyers. Shopee’s ads and flash sales are effective ways to drive traffic and boost sales volume.

• Create compelling product listings: Use clear, high-quality images and detailed descriptions. Highlight unique selling points and ensure accurate pricing and shipping information.

• Maintain good customer communication and safety: Use platform messaging systems to communicate securely. Avoid sharing personal contact details unless necessary and trusted, as scams are common on marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Carousell.

• Manage logistics and payments carefully: For local platforms where you handle shipping or meetups (e.g., Carousell, Facebook Marketplace), arrange safe public meeting spots and secure payment methods. Be proactive in coordinating delivery and tracking orders.

• Build your brand and customer trust: Register your brand if possible (e.g., Amazon Brand Registry), respond promptly to inquiries and reviews, and provide excellent customer service to encourage repeat business.

By combining these strategies, sellers can maximise their reach, stand out from competitors, and build a sustainable online business on marketplaces.