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The technological advances happening rapidly has made everyone opt for online shopping. The marketplace is huge, but we need to have a good look at the two parties most involved in this cycle of exchange the consumers and the sellers.
A lot of attention is paid to the consumers but little emphasis is paid to the sellers.
While an online marketplace is a merry place for the consumer, does it provide the same comforts and assurances to the sellers too? No, it's not so smooth for the sellers. They have to pay a hefty commission to these online stores and are penalized every time theres a delayed delivery or a product is unavailable and they have a whole set of rules and regulations that sellers need to abide by which is why it's all the more important to choose a good platform to sell through.
Heres a little compilation of points you should keep in mind while scouring through these online stores
Popularity
You need to look for an online store which is popular, stores like Amazon, Flipkart who are synonymous with online shopping are popular amongst people and will allow you to establish a strong consumer base. Its always a good idea to start selling through one or more of these stores initially since they will guarantee you the sale of your product.
Know your Product
As a seller you should focus on creating a brand name for yourself on a website, this will attract more and more people towards your products. You should also focus on choosing a marketplace which is most popular for products of your category.
Constant Competition
You shouldnt forget how tough it is to sell products online, it is very similar to a physical marketplace where you constantly have to compete against other sellers to establish your niche. You can take certain steps to stand out such as by making sure that your products are of good quality and are shipped on time. You can also subscribe to new platforms where there is little competition.
Logistics
An online store with a strong Logistics is crucial to your business, before subscribing to an online store make sure that they provide assistance in and around the areas where youre located. If not, its better to look for another option or it could easily put you in a tight spot.
Sellers Fee
Sellers Fee or subscription cost varies from one online store to another. Some have high fees and some have moderate fees. You should make sure you know what that exact figure is and if youll be comfortable with it. New online stores usually have nominal subscription fees which make it easier for the seller to sell.
Rules and Regulations
Going through the sellers agreement/ guide will provide you with valuable insights and help you in deciding whether or not you want to sell with a specific store. The rules and regulations that some online stores brand on the sellers can be restricting, the online stores also have the power to penalize you based on these policies which are why it is always better to go with an online store which offers some flexibility if youre going to be in business for some time.
Return Policy
While looking at the rules and regulations make sure you have a long and hard look at this point. The return policy of the products, when a consumer returns a product the seller bears the brunt and is sometimes charged money because of the return. The payment on the product is also delayed because of this to the seller. You should know about all this in advance and your criteria to choose the website should include this point.
Social Media Engagement
Online stores such as Amazon, Snapdeal spend a lot of time and money in promoting themselves and their sellers, they have a strong social media presence which makes it hard for the consumers to miss them. These stores have made themselves indispensable, as a seller competing against several others sellers and with no means of establishing your visibility you need to look for an online store which offers you this possibility.
Keep these factors in mind find the best possible option out there for you!
