Selling on Amazon Is Expensive. Is there an Alternative?

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

Expanding isn’t just about finding another place to list your products—it’s about making a smart choice that aligns with your customers and your brand’s vision. Below, we’ll explore Walmart, eBay, Etsy, and Shopify as alternatives, then introduce how Multichannel Pro can help simplify multichannel operations, so you get the reach without the added work.

Why Consider Alternative Marketplaces?

Each marketplace offers unique benefits that could align perfectly with your business’s needs and customer preferences.

1. Walmart

Walmart’s marketplace is a great choice for brands looking to expand with a cost-effective approach. Since launching Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) in 2020, Walmart’s online marketplace has grown by over 50%, and 120 million unique monthly visitors 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 the steep costs Amazon often requires.

2. eBay

Known for its community-driven platform, eBay attracts 147 million global buyers 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. Plus, it allows sellers to maintain more control over pricing and customer interactions—perfect for brands looking to build a loyal following and a strong sense of connection with their customers.

3. Etsy

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

4. Shopify

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 worldwide on Shopify and 85% of consumers saying they prefer buying directly from brands when possible, Shopify offers an ideal setup for businesses seeking to create a deeper connection with their customers and foster brand loyalty.

Platform Overview

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

Selling on Multiple Platforms Can Increase Sales… and Complexity

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. Not only that, but brands often spend 20% more on customer service to keep up with the unique needs of each platform, which can strain even the most dedicated teams.

The Power of Multichannel Pro for Multichannel Management

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, Onsite Support, and ChannelReply into a single, seamless solution, purpose-built to simplify support operations and put all critical order information right at your team’s fingertips. This integrated system makes it easy for customer support agents to deliver the responsive, reliable service your customers expect.

• Hemi centralizes listings and orders from all marketplaces into one streamlined dashboard. With instant access to complete order details, your support team can confidently handle inquiries without juggling different platforms, cutting down on errors and saving valuable time.
• Onsite Support provides dedicated multichannel customer support, allowing agents to resolve issues quickly while accessing real-time order data. Customers appreciate quick and clear communication, and with Onsite Support, your team can easily build trust and ensure satisfaction across every channel.
• ChannelReply connects marketplace messages directly to Onsite, creating a seamless flow between customer inquiries and order information. Your team can respond quickly and accurately to customer needs, as they have immediate access to relevant order details, reducing response times and enhancing customer satisfaction.

By keeping essential order and communication details in one place, Multichannel Pro empowers your support team to provide a personalized, efficient service experience, helping you build customer loyalty while easing operational demands. This fully integrated approach minimizes administrative tasks and helps your team stay responsive and in control, creating an outstanding experience for your customers across all platforms.

Ready to Make Marketplace Expansion Easier?

Expanding to new marketplaces doesn’t have to mean adding stress to your operations. With Multichannel Pro, your team can manage the demands of multichannel selling seamlessly, connecting with customers and overseeing every aspect of operations from a single, integrated platform. This streamlined approach empowers you to grow confidently, knowing your support and logistics are running smoothly in the background.

Book a call with our experts to see how Multichannel Pro can simplify your operations, enhance customer connections, and support your business growth—all without the hassle.