Printify + your favorite platform = more sales!
Choosing between eBay vs Amazon is key for anyone starting an eCommerce business. Both online marketplaces let you sell virtually anything, but selecting the right one will impact your sales strategy and online business success.
In this article, we’ll discuss selling on Amazon vs eBay and explore their features, pricing, and tools to help you find the ideal platform for your product and business goals.
Key takeaways
- Platform suitability: Selling on Amazon vs eBay depends on your product – Amazon is popular for mass-market goods, and eBay stands out for niche items.
- Cost differences: Amazon typically has higher fees due to referral rates and fulfillment costs, whereas eBay is more cost-effective for smaller sellers.
- Growth potential: Amazon provides advanced tools for scaling like FBA and ads, while eBay offers flexibility for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
- Customer reach: Amazon attracts a vast global audience looking for convenience and variety, while eBay pulls in niche buyers seeking unique or vintage items.
Overview of eBay vs Amazon
With a global gross merchandise volume (GMV) share of 12%, Amazon excels in mass-market retail and provides comprehensive services like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Meanwhile, eBay’s auction-style approach is perfect for selling unique and second-hand items.
Ready to choose? Dive into our detailed comparison to find the best platform for your business strategy.
Pick the best sales channel for your business: eBay vs Amazon
Want to tap into Amazon’s 37.6% US market share or capture eBay’s unique customer base?
Discover eBay’s and Amazon’s key features, from product focus and store setup to customer support and scalability.
| eBay vs Amazon | eBay | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Product focus | Diverse product categories, including new, used, vintage, and collectibles. | Primarily new products across various categories, with some used items. |
| Ease of store setup | User-friendly setup, ideal for individual sellers and entrepreneurs. | Slightly more complex setup, suitable for established or larger businesses. |
| Design and layout options | Customizable storefronts for branding. | Standardized listings with limited customization. |
| eCommerce tools | Standard selling tools and analytics. | Advanced tools, including FBA and comprehensive analytics. |
| SEO | Listings can rank on external search engines like Google. | Primarily relies on internal search algorithms. |
| Pricing | eBay fees include insertion fees, a final value fee, and optional subscription fees from $4.95/month annually. | Amazon fees include referral fees, closing fees, FBA costs, and a $39.99/month subscription for a Professional selling plan. |
| Analytics | Basic sales data and performance metrics. | Detailed analytics and reporting tools. |
| Marketing tools | Promotional listings and eBay Ads. | Sponsored Products and Brand Ads for enhanced visibility. |
| Customer support | Seller support and community forums. | 24/7 support with strict seller policies. |
| Scalability | Suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. | Supports large-scale operations with automated fulfillment services. |
Explore tips to improve sales on eBay and discover how to maximize profits on Amazon.
1. Product focus
Since eBay and Amazon serve different product niches, identifying your product category will help you choose the right platform.
Besides top-selling products like apparel, eBay’s marketplace is ideal for selling unique, vintage, or collectible items. Its auction-style listings attract online shoppers looking for rare or one-of-a-kind items.
eBay pros:
- Lower competition for niche products: Unique items stand out more easily.
- Customizable listings: Greater control over product presentation.
- Auction function: Maximize your profits by attracting buyers willing to spend more.
eBay cons:
- Perceived lack of brand presence: Building a strong, recognizable brand can be challenging on eBay due to its focus on individual listings.
On the other hand, Amazon excels as the go-to platform for new, mass-produced goods, letting you offer a wide range of products.
Its focus on fast delivery and a standardized product catalog makes it ideal for third-party sellers, dropshippers, high-volume operations, and white-label products.
Amazon pros:
- Supports diverse listings: Amazon is suitable for selling everything from custom apparel and electronics to premium private-label goods.
- Built-in customer trust: Amazon’s reputation for reliable quality and shipping increases buyer confidence.
Amazon cons:
- Intense competition: A saturated marketplace with established brands makes it hard to stand out.
- Strict selling guidelines: Failure to comply can lead to account suspensions.
2. Ease of store setup
eBay is designed for simplicity, making it an excellent choice for beginners and individual sellers to get products online quickly. eBay requires sellers to meet its basic selling standards policy but offers the flexibility to list items without needing a dedicated store.
For those seeking more structure, eBay Seller Hub offers tools like detailed analytics and inventory organization through eBay Stores.
eBay pros:
- Quick listing process: Publish products as soon as you open an eBay account.
- Beginner-friendly interface: Easy navigation and setup for new eBay sellers.
eBay cons:
- Limited advanced tools: You may need to invest in eBay subscriptions or third-party software for features like shipping automation.
- Manual inventory management: Without an eBay Store or integrations, managing inventory and listings requires more effort.
In contrast, Amazon provides a more structured setup process that’s ideal for professional sellers and larger businesses.
Seller Central offers comprehensive tools to manage listings and inventory and track sales.
Amazon pros:
- Onboarding support: Offers detailed guides and resources to streamline the store setup process for new sellers.
- Professional account options: Tailored features for large-scale sellers.
Amazon cons:
- Account registration requirements: Setting up an account involves multiple verification procedures, which can delay the process.
3. Design and layout options
How you present your online store directly impacts its ability to attract loyal customers and drive sales.
eBay is a better choice for those who want to stand out visually, as it offers more freedom to customize listings and store layouts.
Use HTML or third-party tools like inkFrog to design customized listing templates, create banners, and add branding elements to your eBay store.
eBay pros:
- Streamline listing creation: Make attractive listing templates and save them for future products, giving your store a professional and cohesive look.
- Greater visual control: Fully customize your store’s appearance and design to appeal to niche buyers.
eBay cons:
- Technical skills required: Customization often requires HTML knowledge, purchasing a third-party tool, or hiring a listing designer for help.
- Inconsistent user experience: Varied listing formats across eBay stores can make it harder for sellers to build buyer trust.
Amazon uses a standardized layout for all sellers. While this gives buyers a consistent shopping experience, it limits branding opportunities.
However, sellers can make their Amazon shop stand out with a multi-page storefront, A+ Content, and a brand story section to attract customers.
Amazon pros:
- Consistent layout: A professional and uniform appearance builds buyer trust.
- User-friendly tools: Simple setup for sellers without design and development expertise.
Amazon cons:
- Limited design flexibility: Fewer opportunities for distinctive store branding.
- Standardized product listings: Sellers have little control over individual product page layouts.
4. eCommerce tools
When deciding what is better, eBay or Amazon, consider the scale and goals of your eCommerce business.
eBay offers a straightforward approach to selling, focusing on features like multi-user account access and simplified inventory management.
However, these tools may lack the advanced functions needed for high-volume operations.
eBay pros:
- Bulk listing tools: Saves time by uploading multiple products at once, which is great for sellers with larger inventories.
- Seller dashboard: Manage your listings, orders, and performance metrics in one place.
eBay cons:
- No built-in fulfillment options: Sellers need to handle shipping independently or use third-party fulfillment services like Print on Demand.
In contrast, Amazon provides advanced tools for inventory management through the Seller Central dashboard that caters to larger eCommerce businesses.
FBA lets you store products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers while the marketplace handles shipping on your behalf, making it easier to expand operations.
Amazon pros:
- Advanced inventory management: Track and optimize stock levels seamlessly.
- FBA: The fulfillment method streamlines logistics by handling storage, packing, and deliveries.
Amazon cons:
- High fees for premium tools: Accessing advanced features requires a paid Professional selling account.
- Learning curve: Navigating and understanding all Amazon tools and policies can be overwhelming for beginners.
5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Unlike Amazon, which heavily relies on its internal search algorithm, eBay gives sellers more flexibility to optimize their listings for external search engines like Google.
eBay’s SEO strategy emphasizes the importance of well-crafted titles, descriptions, and keywords to rank higher in search results and attract buyers beyond the platform.
eBay pros:
- Data-driven insights: Access sales data to identify high-performing products and refine listing strategies.
- Customizable SEO content: Tailor your listings with keywords to better match search queries.
eBay cons:
- Manual research: Writing SEO-friendly listings requires effort and market analysis.
- Competitive landscape: High competition for popular keywords may affect visibility.
Amazon has a highly structured SEO system based on its internal algorithm. Sales history, product reviews, and fulfillment methods heavily influence rankings.
Since this system is automated, it gives sellers less control over SEO and limits your ability to attract traffic from outside sources.
Amazon pros:
- Internal ranking system: Automated and tied directly to performance metrics like sales and reviews.
- Built-in traffic: High platform traffic reduces the need for external SEO efforts.
Amazon cons:
- Less control over keywords: Limited ability to influence search results manually.
- Internal focus: Reliance on Amazon’s ecosystem for traffic reduces external reach.
6. Pricing
Carefully analyzing your business model and goals, along with the platform’s subscriptions and payment processing fees, will help you decide between Amazon vs eBay.
Budgeting is crucial for reaching your profit margin goals and setting competitive prices.
eBay sellers can list up to 250 items per month for free. Beyond that, seller fees include a $0.35 insertion fee per listing and final value fees of 13.25% for most product categories.
Subscribe to eBay Stores to get reduced expenses. The monthly subscription fees are $7.95/month or $4.95/month with a yearly renewal.
eBay pros:
- Flexible pricing strategy: Choose between auction-style listings or fixed-price listings.
- Lower upfront costs: Free listings up to a certain number each month help minimize initial expenses.
- Transparent fee structure: A clear breakdown of insertion fees and final value fees helps you plan your product pricing strategy.
eBay cons:
- Expenses for high-volume sellers: Exceeding free listing limits results in additional fees.
- Refund fees: Processing refunds may incur administration fees.
Amazon’s fee structure includes subscription fees, referral fees, and fulfillment costs. Professional sellers pay a monthly fee of $39.99, while Individual sellers are charged $0.99 per item sold.
Referral fees vary depending on category and are a percentage of the final sale price, including shipping costs. Sellers using FBA also incur monthly storage fees and other charges for inventory management.
Amazon pros:
- No listing fees for individual items: Amazon does not charge per-item listing fees for Professional sellers.
- Automated pricing tools: Adjust prices in real time based on market trends.
Amazon cons:
- Higher fees: Layered seller fees and fulfillment costs can impact profit margins.
- Complex fee structure: It can be challenging to navigate various fees, such as the referral fee percentage and FBA fulfillment fees.
- Standardized pricing approach: Amazon’s fixed price model offers consistency but lacks the flexibility of eBay’s pricing options.
7. Analytics
Access to performance metrics helps you drive more sales on any online marketplace. When comparing Amazon vs eBay, each platform provides unique tools to support sellers.
eBay’s Seller Hub gives insights on performance analytics, sales trends, and customer engagement to help you identify trends and improve listing strategies.
eBay pros:
- Sales metrics: Easily track purchases and listing activity.
- Actionable insights: Standard tools for product research and analyzing market demand are available for each eBay seller.
eBay cons:
- Limited advanced insights: eBay lacks built-in tools for comprehensive customer behavior and traffic data.
- Manual analysis required: Sellers must interpret the information without automation tools.
Amazon sellers, in contrast, have access to advanced analytics through Seller Central. These include detailed reports on customer behavior, trends, inventory health, and ad campaign performance.
For FBA users, additional insights help you manage fulfillment operations efficiently.
Amazon pros:
- Integrated advertising analytics: Amazon Brand Analytics provides data on top search terms and customer demographics, helping you refine campaigns and improve ad performance.
- Inventory management insights: Amazon sellers can monitor stock levels and sales in real time.
Amazon cons:
- Additional costs: Advertising insights and Brand Analytics require investments in ad campaigns or Brand Registry enrollment.
8. Marketing tools
Stand out on Amazon and eBay with exclusive deals and well-crafted marketing strategies to attract online shoppers.
Is eBay better than Amazon in terms of marketing? It can be if you want straightforward, cost-effective advertising options. Tools like Promoted Listings and eBay Ads are simple ways to enhance product visibility in search results.
Plus, eBay promotion strategies like bundle discounts and targeted offers make it easy to build loyalty and increase purchases.
eBay pros:
- Flexible promotions: Options to run campaigns like discounts, coupons, and bulk offers.
- Budget-friendly options: Ideal for smaller sellers looking for low-cost strategies.
eBay cons:
- Limited targeting capabilities: Ads rely on eBay’s internal search and less on comprehensive audience segmentation.
- Potential additional costs: Advertising expenses can increase depending on the campaign scale.
Amazon advertising has tools like Sponsored Products and Brand Ads for more precise customer targeting. They integrate with Seller Central, providing insights to refine campaigns.
The marketplace’s vast customer base gives you access to a broader audience, making it suitable for business growth through well-executed advertising campaigns.
Amazon pros:
- Advanced targeting: Create precise campaign strategies for your audience demographic.
- Extensive reach: Effective for high-volume sellers aiming for rapid growth.
Amazon cons:
- Higher costs: Competitive categories lead to expensive ad placements.
- Complex system: Campaign management requires some expertise to optimize results.
9. Customer support
For customer service, Amazon focuses on automated solutions that support streamlined operations and seller growth, while eBay provides flexibility in dispute handling.
eBay has guides and tools to resolve common customer support issues, while live chat and email support are available for more complex cases.
However, eBay’s support can feel less comprehensive for high-volume businesses managing multiple seller accounts. Resolving disputes about an item sold often requires the seller to communicate directly with the buyer, which can be time-intensive.
eBay pros:
- Seller resources: eBay’s Seller Hub provides a range of support resources.
- Flexible communication: Direct interaction with buyers for faster resolution.
eBay cons:
- Time-intensive processes: Handling buyer disputes yourself can require significant effort.
Amazon handles customer service for FBA orders to reduce the burden on merchants, maintaining customer satisfaction through chat, phone, and email support. Non-FBA sellers can opt into the Customer Service by Amazon program for similar assistance.
If you choose to handle customer support yourself, note that unresolved issues can impact seller accounts due to strict Amazon seller policies.
Amazon pros:
- 24/7 support: Assistance is available anytime.
- Streamlined customer service: Amazon handles inquiries and disputes for FBA.
Amazon cons:
- Strict policies: Unresolved cases may negatively affect your seller account.
- Automated responses: Some issues require escalation to you or an Amazon representative.
10. Scalability
eBay’s flexibility is fantastic for sellers developing their own brand identity, offering customizable listings and pricing models.
However, scaling on eBay means hands-on management due to limited automation tools. You’ll independently handle logistics, inventory, and customer interactions.
With a moderate global reach and a 3% US market share, eBay is less suitable for rapidly growing businesses needing to reach an extensive audience.
Meanwhile, as one of the leading online selling platforms, Amazon provides a structured ecosystem designed for high-volume sellers.
Services like FBA simplify logistics, leaving businesses to focus on scaling operations. A vast global customer base of over 3 billion visitors and comprehensive analytic and marketing resources mean rapid growth, but this comes with higher costs and strict seller policies.
FAQ
If you’re a buyer, choosing between eBay vs Amazon depends on what you’re looking for. eBay is great for collectibles and unique items, while Amazon offers fast shipping and a wide range of product categories like apparel and electronics.
eBay’s downsides include inconsistent buyer experiences, manual logistics for sellers, and limited scalability compared to other platforms like Amazon.
When evaluating eBay vs Amazon selling benefits, Amazon has a larger user base with billions of visitors globally. Meanwhile, eBay caters to a smaller but niche-focused audience looking for rare finds and unique products.
Yes! eBay is popular for making money selling one-of-a-kind, vintage, or second-hand items. It’s perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to attract a niche audience.
Conclusion
When considering between selling on Amazon vs eBay, it’s important to understand how they differ in audience, platform tools, and scalability.
Amazon offers fulfillment services, a vast customer base, and extensive features for rapid growth. On the other hand, eBay selling tools are perfect for quickly getting your products online and attracting niche markets with customizable listings.
Get started with Printify’sprint-on-demand integrations to seamlessly launch your business selling custom products on Amazon and eBay.
