Amazon is the undisputed retail giant in the ecommerce world. It gets over 2.5 billion visits to its website monthly and sells billions of products yearly. For many shoppers, Amazon is the first place they go when they need something.
Given its size and vast customer base, being on Amazon is an absolute no-brainer for many online retailers.
But Amazon isn’t the be-all and end-all of the online shopping world. There are other marketplaces where you can sell online and make a profit. In this article, we’ll look at 8 options you can try for your brand.
Why search for an Amazon alternative?
Although Amazon is the place to be for many sellers, it’s not for everyone.
Here are some of the drawbacks of selling on Amazon:
It’s a tricky marketplace to figure out, especially if you’re just starting your online business. To become an Amazon seller, you need to jump through a number of technical hoops, and many aspiring sellers get rejected outright.
It needs a lot of maintenance. It’s not just about joining the platform, you’ll need to constantly keep up with Amazon’s requirements for product listings, shipping times, customer satisfaction, and other elements.
Amazon fees can get quite high. There’s a monthly fee of $39.99 for the Amazon Seller Account just to be able to sell on Amazon. And there are commissions and other fees that eat into your profits.
The competition is especially fierce. Although you can access Amazon’s massive customer base, so does everyone else who sells there.
The customer base is split among regional websites. If you want to sell and ship internationally, you need to maintain a presence on all Amazon sites, which means extra work.
It’s harder for your brand to stand out. When people shop on Amazon, they think they buy from Amazon even if the item comes from an independent seller.
Given all these factors, let’s take a look at 8 other Amazon alternatives you should consider.
The top 8 Amazon alternatives
Here, we’ve listed 8 alternatives to Amazon, from other online marketplaces to platforms that make creating your own online store a breeze. Let’s jump right in.
1. Shopify
Source: Shopify
Having an online store with its own website ensures that when shoppers buy from you, they know you’re the seller. And if they’ve had a good shopping experience and the product lives up to their expectations, they can become repeat customers in the future.
Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms for creating your own online store. The setup process is smooth even for beginners, and Shopify lets you customize your store and build your brand identity.
Shopify even helps you source products—its app store offers integrations with dropshipping and print-on-demand platforms like Printful.
Price: 3-day free trial, followed by subscriptions starting from $29/month + a percentage-based transaction fee per order
Pros:
Shopify is a highly customizable and beginner-friendly ecommerce platform
It offers simple integrations with print-on-demand services like Printful to help you source products
Cons:
The transaction and monthly fees can get quite expensive
Shopify is not a marketplace, so you’ll need to direct your own traffic to your store
2. Etsy
Source: Etsy
Etsy is a popular marketplace that’s particularly apt for small businesses. Initially created for handmade product sellers, Etsy has become a major player in the ecommerce world, entering other product categories and allowing sellers to sell products like custom clothing, digital items, and much more.
It’s a beginner-friendly platform with a relatively easy setup process. Unlike Amazon, Etsy’s online marketplace lets your brand stand out more since it’s presented as a hub for small businesses.
Price: free to start (in some cases, a one-time setup fee may apply), 6.5% transaction fee per order + $0.20 listing fee per product + payment processing fees
Pros:
Etsy’s narrower target audience of people shopping for gifts and other custom items may be the perfect fit for your brand
Etsy has a built-in audience of active users but with less competition than on Amazon
Cons:
The transaction, payment processing, and listing fees can build up and eat into your profits
Depending on the products you sell, your ideal customer base might not be shopping on Etsy
3. eBay
Source: eBay
Another Amazon alternative to consider is eBay. Like Etsy, eBay has changed quite a lot over the years. Originally, it started as a site for people to sell their items second-hand through auctions. Although that option is still available, these days, eBay offers the same kind of marketplace experience as Amazon.
Like with any marketplace, you’ll need to figure out how to stand out among all the other sellers in the search results, and the competition can get tough. But in return, you get access to all the buyers who visit eBay. Many are looking to buy highly specific items, and that’s where you come in.
Price: free to start, percentage-based transaction fee + $0.35 listing fee per product
Pros:
eBay offers pretty much all product categories imaginable, so the customer base is more varied than on Etsy
eBay has several local marketplaces, and your listings will automatically show up on all of them
Cons:
Although eBay is a regular marketplace now, people still come there looking for bargains, so competitive pricing is a must
If you sell products with Printful, your items won’t be available for auction, one of eBay’s main selling points
4. Walmart
Source: Walmart
Walmart is a popular retail brand known for its brick-and-mortar stores worldwide, but particularly in the United States. It also has its own marketplace though, and any seller can join Walmart’s platform to offer their goods there.
With its lengthier setup process, the Walmart marketplace is better suited for more experienced sellers. Like Amazon, building your brand on Walmart is harder because shoppers will think they’re buying from Walmart, not a unique seller.
Price: free to set up, 5–20% referral fees, depending on the product category
Pros:
Walmart is a trusted brand, so shoppers will be less hesitant to make purchases on their marketplace
The Walmart marketplace has a built-in audience that you can tap into by adding your products to their online platform
Cons:
The Printful integration is currently only available for businesses in the US
When people shop on the Walmart marketplace, they think they’re buying from Walmart, so it’ll be harder to highlight your brand
5. Storenvy
Source: Storenvy
If the big marketplaces aren’t for you, one of the Amazon alternatives you should consider is Storenvy. It’s also an online marketplace focusing mainly on small businesses, with particular emphasis on artists. Like all marketplaces, it has a built-in audience of loyal customers. This, combined with the easy setup process, makes it a great starting point for your ecommerce business.
Price: free to start, subscription plans starting at $4.99/month if you want to list more than 20 items + 15% total sale commission fee
Pros:
The competition is not as tough as on the bigger marketplaces
Storenvy puts a special emphasis on the fact that shoppers are buying from unique brands rather than Storenvy itself
Cons:
It’s a lesser-known platform, so the visitor traffic will be much lower than for Etsy, Amazon, or Walmart
Like with all marketplaces, your products are listed along with other sellers, so it can be trickier to stand out
6. Wix
Source: Wix
Let’s look at another great platform if you want to create your own ecommerce site. Wix is a terrific choice if customizing your storefront is a must for you. Wix is simple to use, even for beginners, and has many ready-made templates. But it also offers enough customization options for advanced users.
The integrations available on its app market will help you build your business however you want, no matter your goal—starting a clothing brand or any other type of store.
Price: subscriptions starting at $29/month + percentage-based payment service fees
Pros:
The monthly subscription fee is lower than for Shopify, making it a more affordable option
The drag-and-drop website builder is simple to use, even for beginners
Cons:
Since it’s not a marketplace, you’ll need to figure out how to drive traffic to your site
Unlike Shopify, Wix doesn’t support live shipping rates
7. TikTok Shop
Source: TikTok Shop
Although it’s not exactly a marketplace, TikTok is another platform with the benefit of a built-in audience. TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms, and if you’ve established your presence there, selling your merch can mean an additional income stream.
But keep in mind that although people go to TikTok for product recommendations, it’s primarily used for entertainment, news, etc. So, you’ll need to figure out how to market and sell your products differently than you would on other marketplaces—here, it’s all about your brand.
Price: free to start, 8% order commission
Pros:
TikTok is a great option for established brands to expand their reach and find new customers
It’s particularly suitable for brands whose target audience skews younger
Cons:
You’ll need an established online presence on TikTok to make sales
The Printful integration for TikTok shops is currently only available in the US and the UK
8. ShipStation
Source: ShipStation
If you’re more tech-savvy, you can connect with other third-party marketplaces with the help of ShipStation’s platform. It functions as a middleman between Printful and your desired selling place. However, it can be tricky to set up, plus you’re adding another service with fees to your list of expenses. But if you want to sell on marketplaces that Printful doesn’t directly integrate with, ShipStation can make it happen.
Price: subscriptions starting at $9.99/month
Pros:
ShipStation lets you connect Printful with platforms that we don’t have a direct integration with
If you sell non-Printful products as well, ShipStation will help you manage everything in one place
Cons:
ShipStation is best for ecommerce experts—it’s not a platform for beginners
It comes with additional expenses since you’ll have to pay ShipStation’s fees on top of your chosen marketplace’s fees
How to choose the right Amazon alternative
As you can see, there are a number of different alternatives to Amazon, so picking the best one can take time and effort. When making your choice, put together a list of factors that are most important to you and compare all your potential picks.
Here are some things to consider:
Competition in your niche
Shipping costs and features (check if you can offer free shipping or live shipping rates)
Payment processing options and fees
Integrations with dropshipping partners like Printful
Ad programs on the marketplace
Once you establish the criteria that’s important to you, the choice among the different alternatives becomes much easier.
Remember that you’re not bound to only one place. Selling online means you can take advantage of as many Amazon alternatives as you wish.
Connecting with Printful
All the platforms and marketplaces listed in this article directly integrate with Printful. This means you can automate the selling process and add new products with ease.
Source: Printful
The steps for launching and connecting your store with Printful will be different for each platform. However, we provide step-by-step instructions in each case so you can conquer even the trickiest platforms.
Check out our ecommerce platform & online marketplace comparison to find out more.
Time to unlock new marketplace horizons
Although Amazon has been a game-changer in the global retail world, it can be hard to survive there. If that fight isn’t for you, consider the Amazon alternatives outlined here—you might find even more success with your online sales!
And remember that you don’t have to put all your ecommerce business eggs in one basket. You can join more than one marketplace, including Amazon, so feel free to experiment and find what works for you.
​Compare these 8 alternatives to selling on Amazon and find the best sales platform for your ecommerce brand. Â
Amazon’s Impact on Global Supply Chains and Logistics
Amazon, the global e-commerce behemoth, has transformed not only the way consumers shop but also the intricacies of global supply chains and logistics. Since its inception in 1994, Amazon has grown from a small online bookstore to a trillion-dollar enterprise that has disrupted industries across the globe. Its influence extends far beyond retail, profoundly impacting supply chains, logistics, and even the environment. This article explores Amazon’s multifaceted impact on global supply chains and logistics, examining how the company has reshaped these industries and what this means for the future.
The Evolution of Amazon’s Supply Chain
Amazon’s supply chain is one of the most sophisticated in the world, characterized by its efficiency, speed, and scale. The company has invested heavily in technology and infrastructure to build a supply chain that can deliver millions of products to customers in a matter of hours or days. This rapid delivery is made possible by a vast network of fulfillment centers, sophisticated inventory management systems, and a logistics arm that rivals traditional carriers like FedEx and UPS.
One of the key innovations Amazon has introduced is its Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service. FBA allows third-party sellers to store their products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, with Amazon handling the picking, packing, and shipping of these products. This service has not only made it easier for small businesses to reach a global audience but has also significantly increased the volume of goods flowing through Amazon’s supply chain. As a result, Amazon has become a central hub in the global supply chain, connecting manufacturers, suppliers, and customers across the world.
Disruption of Traditional Logistics
Amazon’s influence on logistics is equally profound. The company’s relentless focus on speed and efficiency has forced traditional logistics providers to rethink their strategies. In many cases, Amazon has bypassed traditional logistics networks entirely by building its own. Amazon Logistics, the company’s delivery arm, has grown rapidly in recent years, with a fleet of planes, trucks, and delivery vans that allow the company to control every aspect of the delivery process.
This vertical integration has enabled Amazon to offer services like same-day and two-hour delivery in many urban areas, setting a new standard for speed in the industry. Traditional logistics providers have struggled to keep up, leading to increased competition and innovation in the sector. For example, companies like FedEx and UPS have had to invest in new technology and infrastructure to remain competitive, while others have formed partnerships with Amazon to leverage its vast logistics network.
Amazon’s logistics network has also expanded globally, with the company establishing regional hubs and fulfillment centers in key markets around the world. This global expansion has allowed Amazon to offer faster and more reliable delivery services in regions where traditional logistics infrastructure is underdeveloped. In many cases, Amazon has played a role in building out this infrastructure, partnering with local logistics providers or investing in its own facilities.
Impact on Global Supply Chains
Amazon’s impact on global supply chains extends beyond logistics. The company’s demand for speed and efficiency has rippled through the entire supply chain, from manufacturers to suppliers to retailers. This has led to significant changes in how companies operate, with many adopting new technologies and strategies to keep up with Amazon’s pace.
One of the most significant changes is the increased reliance on automation and technology in supply chain management. Amazon has been at the forefront of this trend, investing heavily in robotics, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to optimize its supply chain operations. For example, the company’s use of robotics in its fulfillment centers has reduced the time it takes to pick and pack orders, while its AI-driven demand forecasting tools help ensure that the right products are always in stock.
This emphasis on technology has influenced other companies to follow suit, leading to a wave of digital transformation across the industry. Manufacturers and suppliers are increasingly using data analytics and AI to optimize their operations, while retailers are adopting new technologies like blockchain to improve transparency and traceability in their supply chains.
Another significant impact of Amazon on global supply chains is the shift towards a more customer-centric model. Amazon’s focus on the customer has forced companies to rethink their supply chain strategies, with many now prioritizing speed, convenience, and flexibility over cost. This has led to the adoption of new fulfillment models, such as just-in-time inventory and dropshipping, which allow companies to respond more quickly to changes in customer demand.
The globalization of Amazon’s supply chain has also had broader implications for international trade. By connecting sellers and buyers from different parts of the world, Amazon has made it easier for companies to access global markets. However, this has also led to increased competition, with companies now competing on a global scale. This has put pressure on manufacturers and suppliers to lower costs and improve efficiency, leading to changes in how goods are produced and distributed around the world.
Environmental and Social Implications
While Amazon’s impact on supply chains and logistics has been largely positive in terms of efficiency and convenience, it has also raised concerns about the environmental and social implications of its operations. The company’s emphasis on fast delivery and the constant movement of goods around the world has contributed to increased carbon emissions and environmental degradation. In response to these concerns, Amazon has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and has invested in initiatives like electric delivery vehicles and renewable energy projects.
However, critics argue that these efforts are not enough, and that Amazon’s business model is fundamentally unsustainable. The constant pressure to deliver goods faster and cheaper has led to concerns about the working conditions in Amazon’s fulfillment centers and the treatment of delivery drivers. Reports of long hours, high injury rates, and low wages have sparked protests and calls for better labor practices across the company’s global operations.
The Future of Supply Chains and Logistics
As Amazon continues to grow and evolve, its impact on global supply chains and logistics is likely to deepen. The company’s investments in technology and infrastructure will continue to set new standards for speed and efficiency, forcing other companies to innovate and adapt. At the same time, the environmental and social challenges associated with Amazon’s operations will require the company to rethink its approach to sustainability and labor practices.
In the future, we can expect to see more companies adopting Amazon-like supply chain strategies, with an emphasis on speed, technology, and customer-centricity. However, these changes will also require a greater focus on sustainability and ethical practices, as consumers and regulators increasingly demand more responsible business operations.
Conclusion
Amazon’s impact on global supply chains and logistics is undeniable. The company has reshaped the industry in its image, setting new standards for speed, efficiency, and customer service. While these changes have brought many benefits, they have also raised important questions about sustainability and labor practices. As the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon will continue to play a central role in the future of global supply chains and logistics, driving innovation and change across the industry.
