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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

1. Clothing and accessories

The clothing and accessories categories capture the most demand with evergreen staples like tees and custom hoodies. The global apparel market reached a revenue of $1.79 trillion in 2024, and with the print-on-demand model, selling profitable items like custom apparel is simple, easy, and fast.

• Apparel. Apparel is among the best items to sell on eBay, with decorated apparel such as embroidery and custom printing increasing in demand. Whether it’s sun dresses and custom t-shirts or custom Hawaiian shirts, these profitable products offer consistent sales.
• Shoes. From stylish custom sneakers to classy heels, the demand for footwear never stops. With a vast collection of brands, styles, and sizes, custom shoes are a hot ticket item, making them top sellers on eBay.
• Accessories. Offer one-of-a-kind items with custom beanies, bucket hats, and trucker caps – some of the hottest items on eBay. Custom tote bags, customized backpacks, and popular accessories like belts, gloves, and sunglasses can also help your eBay offerings stand out.

2. Health and beauty

Another one of the top-selling eBay categories, cosmetic products rank high thanks to its $295.95 billion market size in 2023. Lifestyle supplements and custom beauty products are among eBay top-selling items offering great profit margins given the right supplier network.

• Skincare. Sunscreen, lotions, and day and night creams are popular niche market options in the health and beauty category that appeal to a wide demographic.
• Hair care. Custom-made shampoos, conditioners, and hair oils that differ from mass-produced selections are bestsellers on eBay. Offering specialized hair care products can help your brand stand out and generate sales.
• Perfumes. Fragrances, colognes, potpourri, and other perfumed goods can be your next best-selling item. Curate enchanting scents, appealing to customers seeking personal and home fragrance solutions.
• Makeup. Cosmetics are among the top-selling items on eBay, from foundations to eyeshadow palettes. With a wide variety of print-on-demand cosmetics, you can cater to diverse customer preferences and beauty trends.
• Health supplements. Mineral, vitamin, and dietary custom-branded supplements are gaining more attention, with an expected market reach of $485.62 billion by 2027.

3. Fitness

The sports apparel market soared to $558.33 billion in 2024, while the fitness equipment market is set to reach $8.34 billion by 2025. Tap into bestsellers on eBay like fitness merchandise or sporting goods to join the ranks of best-selling brands.

• Athleisure wear and athletic shoes. Fashionable athletic apparel like custom hoodies, printed leggings, footwear, and branded workout sets perform well eBay, where buyers seek the perfect blend of fashion and performance.
• Equipment. From simple dumbbells and custom yoga mats to heavy gym machinery, offer top-quality sports equipment for home workouts and increase your eBay business sales.
• Accessories. From spacious branded gym bags and personalized towels to custom water bottles, sports accessories sell well on eBay and are perfect for customers to bring to the gym.

4. Jewelry and watches

The global jewelry market reached $360 billion in 2024, and a whopping 76% of that is non-luxury, affordable accessories.

Not only is this market segment a goldmine, but these items are easier to package and ship compared to more regulated items like electronics and health products.

• Watches and watch bands. Wristwatches and custom wall clocks are hot-selling items on eBay. Vintage, modern, and custom timepieces along with personalized watch bands are the most popular searches in this category.
• Necklaces, earrings, pendants. Custom necklaces, personalized pendants, tags, bespoke jewelry boxes, and vintage finds are among the best-selling products on eBay.
• Rings. From engagement to candy rings, you can offer a variety of profitable products in this category. Raise your average monthly sales, whether you source rings from suppliers, make it yourself, or resell exceptional vintage finds.

5. Pet supplies

Pet supplies are among the best things to sell on eBay. By 2030, the pet industry is predicted to reach $236.16 billion, driven by the demand from pet owners seeking cute custom product designs for their furry friends.

• Collars and leashes. Personalized dog collars and custom pet leashes are perfect for helping consumers make their pets stand out during walks or in Instagram photos.
• Bowls and feeding mats. Make feeding time fun and showcase unique designs with custom bowls and feeding mats that reflect each pet’s unique personality.
• Beds. Design custom beds and pillows for furry companions of all shapes and sizes to keep them comfy, and watch it become one of your best-selling products.
• Accessories. From all-over print tank tops and printed bandana collars to personal tags, bedazzle pets worldwide with these top-selling products.

6. Home and garden

This category is one of the most popular on eBay, offering a diverse product range catering to various consumer needs – from garden furniture to kitchen appliances. Here’s what sells the most on eBay from household equipment and garden supplies:

• Small kitchen appliances. Small appliances like blenders and coffee makers are things that sell well on eBay. Specialty appliances like air fryers and sous-vide machines are also increasing in demand.
• Custom home decor. Various home decor items such as custom pillows, blankets, and custom outdoor rugs sell best on eBay. In terms of average sales, custom-printed mugs are among the most sold home goods items.
• Heating and cooling systems. Many look for energy-efficient and eco-friendly heating and cooling solutions such as fireplaces, stoves, and HVAC systems on eBay. It can be exceptionally lucrative for those with the resources to sell heavy-duty equipment.
• Inverters and outdoor power equipment. Inverters that convert DC into AC are in high demand, along with outdoor power equipment like second-hand lawnmowers and leaf blowers as an alternative to new or top-brand equipment.

7. Cell phones and accessories

The mobile accessories market value is projected to hit $148.81 billion by 2030, making smartphones and phone accessories among the most sought-after products on eBay for consumer electronics. Digital cameras and video game consoles follow close behind.

• Cell phones. From popular cell phones to lesser-known brands, brand-new or lightly used mobile devices are best-selling items on eBay due to their more affordable price point.
• In-car phone holders. Among other useful tech gadgets for on-the-go, phone holders offer travelers a safe and convenient way to use their devices during daily commutes or road trips.
• Phone cases and covers. For an easy and high-impact branding opportunity, showcase your logo and unique designs on custom phone cases and covers.
• Phone parts and accessories. From batteries and custom charging pads to screen protectors, these are perfect high-margin products to sell on eBay that are always in demand within the consumer electronics category.

8. Automotive parts and repairs

Consumers often flock to eBay for their automotive needs, from car body parts and lighting to performance upgrades. Help customers keep their vehicles fresh by offering these products.

• Motorcycle and scooter parts and accessories. This category includes everything from brake pads and filters to helmets and riding gear.
• Lighting and bulbs. From replacement headlights and taillights to interior bulbs, lighting ranks high among the best-selling items on eBay.
• Auto electrics. eBay sellers can offer a variety of auto electric products, including batteries, fuses, and relays, to keep a car’s electrical system in top condition. 
• Bicycle components and parts. Replacement parts and accessories such as tires, chains, handlebars, and lighting systems are always in demand among cyclists.
• Jet parts and accessories. eBay is home to high-quality parts and accessories for jet engines, avionics, and interior components – popular among hobbyists and collectors.
• Vehicle maintenance and care. Options for vehicle supplies include oil, filters, cleaning supplies, tools for seasonal care, and other equipment to keep cars running smoothly.
• Performance and racing parts. Focus on the high-performance vehicle niche with a selection of racing parts, including turbochargers, exhaust systems, and suspension upgrades.

9. Crafts and collectibles

eBay is a huge market for hobby and art supplies. These include paper crafts, stone beads for handmade jewelry, musical instruments, canvases, and cameras – all of which have performed as eBay bestsellers for years.

• Canvases and posters. Sell your artwork on printed canvases, custom posters, or framed photos. With eBay’s diverse customer base, you can reach a global audience and showcase your art to potential buyers worldwide.
• Art supplies. Offer an array of products to support artists. Whether they’re into sewing, beading, painting, or sculpting, sell tools and materials to help bring your customers’ creative visions to life. 
• Musical instruments. From children’s ukuleles to electric pianos, drum sets, and guitars of all kinds, musical instruments and their parts sell on eBay at great prices. 
• Cameras. Popular brands like Nikon and Canon, along with more affordable cameras, lenses, filters, and camera bags, rank high among the best-selling items on eBay.
• Seasonal decorations. Create and sell decor from custom Christmas stockings to personalized ornaments, custom stuffed animals, and custom-printed pint glasses for special occasions.

10. Business and industrial goods

This category on eBay is a hub for professionals looking to source high-quality equipment and supplies from independent suppliers. Here are some of the most popular subcategories:

• Industrial automation. eBay has a variety of products for professional manufacturers, including PLCs and HMIs for streamlining production processes and managing hardware and interface control. 
• Medical, lab, and dental tools. Sell various healthcare equipment, from surgical supplies like masks and gloves to lab glassware for medical, laboratory, and dental practices.
• Testing and inspection equipment. These tools are vital for industries like electronics and construction to maintain work safety and accuracy. They’re a smart addition to your niche eBay store to attract professional buyers.

11. Computers and networking

This category is home to some of the best-selling items on eBay. From spare parts to various personalized enhancements, eBay sellers have sold hundreds of thousands of computer components and input accessories.

• Laptop replacement parts. From screens to keyboards and small essentials, sell these products on your eBay store to help buyers fix or upgrade their laptops.
• Printer ink, toner, and paper. Whether for reports, photos, or essential documents, many customers turn to eBay to get printer supplies for home offices and workplaces.
• Graphics or video cards. These essentials rank high among eBay’s best-selling items to enhance a computer’s visual performance and elevate the gaming or multimedia experience.
• Mouse pads. Practical and visually appealing, custom mouse pads are eBay bestsellers perfect for elevating customers’ gaming setup or desktop workplace.
• Laptop sleeves. Safeguard laptops while showcasing your beautiful designs with custom laptop sleeves. Design them in multiple sizes and patterns to appeal to a broader audience.

12. Automotive accessories

While automotive parts improve a vehicle’s performance, this category is all about improving the visual aesthetic. eBay has a big market for various interior and exterior car accessories. 

• Interior accessories. From custom car mats and seat covers to air freshener charms, people love these eBay bestsellers to spruce up their rides. 
• Exterior accessories. Custom license plate frames, flags, spoilers, and bumper stickers are just a few examples of products to offer your eBay audience. 
• Motorcycle accessories. From custom helmets and protective gear to unique riding gloves, these are a huge hit among bikers.

Shopify store overview

Shopify is an all-in-one eCommerce platform. Sellers use it to manage their own websites, including setting up product pages, contact forms, and payment processing. 

Unlike eBay, Shopify stores give you full control over the store’s design, branding, and product pricing. Shopify’s App Store adds even more customization opportunities.

eBay store overview

eBay is among the oldest eCommerce selling platforms operating as an online marketplace where sellers list products to immediately reach millions of buyers. 

Unlike Shopify, eBay handles traffic and search visibility, so you only need to focus on selling. However, eBay store owners face a lot of competition and must follow strict platform rules and guidelines.

Ease of use

Both Shopify and eBay offer beginner-friendly platforms but cater to different seller experiences. Shopify requires more setup but provides greater flexibility, while eBay lets you sell immediately.

Shopify comes with a structured store builder and customizable templates. It works for both beginners with no coding skills and developers who want to build their own website line by line. 

The clean interface offers built-in tools to handle store pages, inventory, payments, customer data, and analytics. What it lacks in a quick setup, it makes up in management tools.

eBay offers a fast way to start selling with no prior eCommerce experience. With a simple sign-up and listing process, anyone can add products in minutes and publish them to millions of active buyers. 

Sellers who register for an eBay Store subscription gain additional benefits like discounted fees, expanded inventory space, and better seller tools.

Pricing

You can sell one-off items on eBay for free. For long-term sellers, Shopify and eBay offer multiple pricing tiers with different cost structures. 

Shopify charges a flat monthly subscription fee, while eBay’s costs are based on sales fees and optional subscriptions.

Shopify’s pricing structure provides a free three-day trial, after which sellers choose a subscription plan based on their business needs. Here are the prices based on yearly payment.

• Shopify Starter ($5/month): Sell through social media, messaging apps, or a simple online store.
• Basic Shopify ($29/month): Best for newcomers with occasional in-person sales.
• Shopify ($79/month): Designed for growing businesses selling online and in person.
• Advanced Shopify ($299/month): Includes exclusive reports and lower transaction fees.
• Shopify Plus ($2,300/month): Enterprise solution for large-scale businesses.

eBay’s pricing structure lets sellers list products without a subscription. However, it offers five eBay Store plans for additional benefits, like lower selling fees and more support. Here are the costs for an annual subscription.

• Starter Store ($4.95/month): Ideal for beginners promoting their brand.
• Basic Store ($21.95/month): Includes discounts on fees and coupons.
• Premium Store ($59.95/month): Zero insertion fee listings for larger inventories.
• Anchor Store ($299.95/month): Advanced support for high-volume sellers.
• Enterprise Store ($2,999.95/month): For businesses with extensive inventory and high sales.

Fees

The fee structures of Shopify vs eBay differ significantly. Aside from subscriptions, Shopify’s costs mainly come from transaction fees, which can be avoided with Shopify Payments.

Meanwhile, eBay sellers face insertion fees, final value fees, and optional advertising costs.

Customization options

Want to curate a brand and build customer loyalty? A well-designed store can make a lasting impression. Shopify sellers enjoy full design flexibility, while eBay offers a more standardized look with limited customization options.

Shopify provides over 70 customizable themes and third-party apps, letting sellers create their own branded online store seamlessly. Modify layouts, colors, fonts, and product pages with compatibility across desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.

eBay stores follow a fixed template with limited branding customization. You can tweak the logo, banner, and store description, but overall store designs remain uniform across the eBay website. 

For eBay listings, sellers can customize titles, descriptions, images, sizes, and colors.

Marketing tools

Shopify provides both built-in and third-party tools for brand promotion, while eBay stores rely on marketplace-driven visibility and seller tools. Each offers its own benefits for attracting and retaining customers across different channels.

Shopify’s suite of marketing features includes email campaigns, social media integrations, discount codes, and SEO tools. Sellers can create custom promotions, run targeted ads, and optimize their online stores for better search rankings. 

With a Shopify account, merchants can also access the Shopify App Store for additional marketing tools.

eBay, in contrast, relies on its marketplace traffic. You can increase visibility with Promoted Listings, run eBay-exclusive discounts, and create email newsletters. 

An official eBay Shop gives additional branding opportunities, such as seller coupons. Plus, it’s easy to print shipping labels directly from your eBay account to streamline order fulfillment.

SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for increasing web page rankings based on user search trends, improving visibility and attracting customers.

Since Shopify stores operate as a standalone website, sellers are responsible for driving traffic. It offers built-in SEO tools like custom URLs, meta titles, descriptions, alt tags, and redirects.

Run content marketing strategies through blogs and integrate Shopify Apps and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for additional promotion.

eBay, as an online marketplace, automatically provides traffic through its internal search engine. Sellers can optimize product titles, descriptions, and images with relevant keywords. 

It includes basic social media sharing and newsletter options for eBay Store subscribers, but optimization beyond that is minimal.

Analytics

Shopify provides detailed analytics tools that monitor traffic, sales, and customer behavior, while eBay offers basic reports focused on listing performance and sales trends.

Shopify’s built-in analytics dashboard has various tools to monitor your online store’s sales performance.

• Overview dashboard: Tracks total sales, orders, and visitor activity.
• Sales reports: Breaks down revenue by product, channel, and customer type.
• Customer reports: Analyzes purchase behavior, repeat customers, and conversion rates.
• Marketing reports: Tracks ad campaigns and traffic sources.
• Third-party integrations: Connects to tools like Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel for deeper insights.

eBay’s Seller Hub has a reporting tool focusing on key features below.

• Traffic reports: Lists views, impressions, and conversion rates for each listing.
• Sales reports: Tracks revenue, order history, and buyer trends.
• Promoted Listings insights: Monitors ad performance and ROI for paid promotions.
• Competitive analysis: Compares pricing, demand, and performance against similar products.

eCommerce tools and features

Between Shopify vs eBay, Shopify is more focused on store management, branding, and growth. On the other hand, eBay prioritizes listing management and marketplace selling.

Shopify’s business tools provide various features for streamlining your online store operations.

• Inventory management: Tracks stock levels and updates product availability.
• Shopify shipping: Provides shipping labels, carrier rates, and real-time tracking.
• Burst: A free stock photo library for enhancing product pages and marketing materials.
• Image resizer: Opimizes images for consistency across all devices.
• Finance calculators: Breaks down ad costs, profit margins, and other metrics.
• The Shopify app: Lets sellers manage their Shopify account and store from anywhere.
• Shopify App Store: Offers over 13,000 third-party apps for additional features.

eBay’s seller tools equip merchants with the resources to manage their eBay shop efficiently.

• The eBay app: A mobile-friendly platform for managing listings, orders, and payments on the go.
• Seller Hub: A centralized dashboard for handling listings, payouts, and account management.
• Promotions manager: Lets sellers set up discounts, sale events, and promotions.
• Selling templates: Offers reusable templates for faster and more consistent listings.
• Selling manager tools: Helps with inventory tracking, relisting, and sales reports.

Customer support

Reliable customer support makes a big difference when selling online. Shopify has 24/7 support for all merchants, while eBay’s support varies by subscription level.

Shopify store owners get round-the-clock support through live chat, email, and phone. Plus, the Shopify Help Center has a ton of resources, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides for common issues. 

eBay sellers rely on the self-service Seller Help resource, but Anchor subscribers receive dedicated support. The platform also has an invite-only eBay Concierge program, which provides faster response times and personalized assistance. 

All sellers, regardless of subscription, have access to the eBay Help Center, which covers FAQs, store setup, and shipping costs.

Scalability

Both the Shopify and eBay platforms are scalable solutions for growing your online store, but they require different approaches.

Shopify lets businesses expand by adding new sales channels, upgrading plans, and integrating advanced tools through the Shopify App Store. Customize your business account, automate inventory, and use international shipping options to reach global customers.

The eBay marketplace makes scaling easy by providing access to millions of buyers worldwide. Sellers can list more products, subscribe to a higher-tier eBay Store plan, and use tools like Promoted Listings to increase visibility.

Security

Both Shopify and eBay prioritize security to protect sellers and buyers with robust systems.

Shopify provides built-in SSL encryption for all stores to secure customer data. It also has fraud detection tools, giving store owners real-time alerts into suspicious transactions. 

Account protection features include secure payment processing, chargeback protection, and PCI DSS compliance to safeguard financial information.

eBay has its own fraud prevention system and buyer protection policies. The platform’s  Money Back Guarantee helps build trust with customers, but sellers are covered in cases like false item-not-received claims or returns of damaged goods. 

The platform monitors transactions and flags unusual activity, but individual sellers have limited control over security settings.

Payment gateways

Shopify and eBay support multiple payment methods to sell online. Shopify gives more flexibility in choosing payment systems, while eBay standardizes payments across its platform.

How to dropship on eBay

Starting an eBay dropshipping business is straightforward.

Create an eBay seller account

Register a seller account to access eBay’s Seller Hub. Easily manage listings, track customer orders, and coordinate fulfillment with dropshipping suppliers.

A Personal account gives you basic selling tools, while a Business account unlocks advanced features, tax benefits, and the ability to register your business name.

The eBay Seller Hub

The Seller Hub is your control center for managing all aspects of your store – listing, marketing, shipping, and customer communication.

• What it offers:
  • Insights into sales performance and traffic analytics.
  • Access to Terapeak Product Research for finding trending products and keywords.
  • Tools for creating and managing listings, processing orders, and optimizing marketing efforts.
  • Features to track shipping progress and handle customer returns efficiently.

Choose what to dropship

The success of your eBay dropshipping business relies on identifying top-selling products. Focus on categories that are in high demand and align with current trends. 

Don’t try to sell everything – it’s difficult to attract eBay customers when you don’t have a clear target audience. Instead, determine your eBay store’s niche market.

Here’s a list of high-ticket items to sell on eBay:

• Phone accessories: Cases, screen protectors, and charging cables are consistently in demand.
• Clothing and accessories: Seasonal trends or basics like t-shirts, hats, and scarves.
• Home and garden items: Storage solutions, decor, and gardening tools appeal to homeowners and DIY enthusiasts.
• Pet supplies: Toys, grooming tools, and feeding accessories are among the best products to dropship on eBay.
• Decor: Wall art, LED lighting, and functional decorations offer great opportunities for unique listings.
• Supplements: Health-conscious customers often seek vitamins, herbal supplements, and protein powders.
• Electronics: Smaller gadgets like earphones, portable speakers, or smartwatch accessories.

Research high-demand eBay dropshipping products

Leverage tools like Sell The Trend, eBay’s search results, or other product research apps to identify trending items to dropship.

Don’t forget to check demand and competition to avoid oversaturated markets. Additionally, focusing on lightweight items is ideal for eBay dropshipping to minimize shipping costs.

When performing product research, remember to factor in eBay fees and adjust your pricing strategy to maintain healthy margins while staying competitive.

Offer custom products

Standing out in eBay’s crowded marketplace is key to long-term success. While our list of the best items to dropship on eBay helps get you started, branding is what builds loyalty.

Offering custom products is a great way to differentiate from other sellers. Branded mugs, t-shirts, or home decor items with personalized designs help you to cater to niche audiences, creating a unique identity for your online store.

Print on Demand (POD) is a good business model as an alternative for how to start dropshipping on eBay. While traditional dropshipping suppliers offer ready-made items, POD lets you sell unique, made-to-order products with custom designs.
Use Printify to choose from a catalog of customizable items, upload designs, and fulfill orders directly with our eBay integration.

Create product listings

It’s time to optimize your online store with attractive eBay product listings.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to launching products on your eBay store:

1. Open the listing form
   On your eBay dashboard, select Create Listing to add a new product.
2. Add a title and photos
   Write a clear, keyword-rich title highlighting the product’s key features. Upload up to 12 high-quality images or mockups from Printify.
3. Fill in item details
   Provide specifics like the product brand, material, size, and color. Include a description with usage tips to attract potential eBay customers.
4. Set your price and shipping options
   Determine your selling price based on competitors, desired profit margins, and eBay fees. Offer competitive delivery rates or free shipping if possible.
5. Publish your listing
   Double-check all the information and click List Item to go live.

How to optimize product listings

• Use relevant keywords: Add eBay SEO keywords to titles, descriptions, and item specifics. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner and eRank for insights.
• Add quality images: Use high-resolution photos with plain backgrounds, lifestyle shots, and close-ups to highlight unique features.
• Price competitively: Research similar listings with tools like Terapeak. Set prices that balance affordability, competitiveness, and profitability.
• Highlight benefits: Focus on how your product solves a problem or adds value to the buyer’s life. Be specific, brief, and engaging in your description.
• Offer flexible policies: Perks like free exchanges make your listings more attractive. See eBay’s selling practices policy page for more information.

Leverage eBay features: Use Promoted Listings or discounts to increase visibility and attract more buyers.

Market your store

Get more views on eBay with effective marketing. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced seller, using multiple marketing strategies is necessary for your eBay store’s success.

Social media marketing

Social media platforms are excellent for promoting your eBay store. Share engaging content about your products, post updates, and interact with potential customers.

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are particularly effective for showcasing visually appealing products, such as home decor or fashion accessories.

Content marketing

Create valuable content to engage your audience and position your online store as an authority in the market. Write blog posts or make videos about your niche to attract organic traffic to your listings.

For example, if you’re selling pet products, create guides or reviews for pet care items. This approach helps build trust and drive traffic to your store.

eBay’s built-in marketing tools

Take advantage of marketing features available directly in eBay’s Seller Hub:

• Promoted listings: Improve the visibility of your listings with paid promotion.
• Coupons and discounts: Offer limited-time deals to drive purchases and encourage repeat buyers.
• Email campaigns: Use email marketing tools to notify eBay customers of new arrivals or upcoming sales.

Leverage influencers and affiliates

Collaborate with influencers or affiliate marketers who align with your niche. Influencers can promote your store to their audiences through blogs or social media posts to drive targeted traffic and increase sales.

Build customer loyalty

Keeping customers coming back is just as important as bringing in new ones. 

1. Optimize your listings

First impressions matter. That initial glimpse of your listing either makes your customers click to see more or just keep scrolling. Make yours stellar with these listing optimization tactics.

• High-quality photos: eBay sellers must showcase products with multiple angles and close-ups to capture every detail. Use a clean background and good lighting – blurry or poorly lit photos scream “amateur” and deter customers. Invest in a good camera and lighting setup, or consider outsourcing product photography for a professional touch.
• Compelling descriptions: Don’t skimp on the details. Your description should be a captivating sales pitch that informs and entices shoppers. Highlight key features, benefits, and any unique aspects of your product. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant terms potential buyers might use and naturally incorporate them into your descriptions.
• Mobile-friendly listings: Ensure your listings display flawlessly on desktop and mobile devices. Use responsive design templates or preview your listings on a mobile device to identify any formatting issues.

2. Create a competitive pricing strategy

Pricing plays a pivotal role in attracting buyers. It’s another huge factor in whether they click Buy now or move on to the next product. 

Here’s how to find the sweet spot:

• Research the market: Before setting a price, use eBay’s advanced search filters to find similar items and analyze their pricing strategies.
• Calculate profit margins: Don’t just undercut competitor prices. Calculate your costs (including product acquisition, shipping, and eBay fees) and set a price that ensures you make a nice profit. 
• Offer promotions and discounts: Running promotions and discounts at the right times can attract buyers and increase sales on eBay. Offer free shipping on specific items or introduce limited-time percentage discounts to create a sense of urgency. Experiment with promotional strategies to see what works best for your target audience.

3. Generate feedback and improve seller ratings

Positive customer feedback is the gold standard on eBay and will help you to become one of the Top Rated Sellers. Having a high rating increases your trustworthiness, boosting sales. 

Here’s how to earn it:

• Fast shipping and communication: Ship items quickly, answer questions promptly, and solve issues efficiently. Set realistic timelines and communicate proactively with buyers in case of any delays.
• Encourage feedback: Include a friendly request for feedback in your post-purchase communication. This shows your commitment to customer satisfaction and encourages future buyers to trust your store. 
• Respond to feedback: Address both negative and positive reviews promptly and professionally. Negative feedback is an opportunity to show buyers you value their input. Respond with a sincere apology, outline how you’ll address the issue to prevent it from happening again, and thank them for bringing it to your attention.

4. Take advantage of eBay’s tools and features

eBay offers various tools and features to help sellers scale their businesses and increase sales. 

Here are some of their valuable tools:

• Sponsored listings: Use eBay’s promoted listings to increase visibility by promoting your products in relevant search results. Run targeted promotions to reach specific buyer demographics interested in your products.
• Promotions and discounts: Use eBay’s marketing tools to offer free shipping promotions and percentage discounts to attract buyers and generate sales. Set your promotions up in your eBay Marketing tab. Experiment with different durations and discount percentages to see what works best.
• eBay Analytics: Analyze data on your listings’ performance and use insights to identify areas for improvement. Track metrics like click-through, conversion, and best-sellers to refine your strategies.

5. Keep an eye on trends

Stay ahead of market trends to gain a competitive edge on eBay. Offering a popular new product before anyone else will increase the perceived value of your items, often letting you set a higher price.

Here’s how to keep your finger on the pulse:

• Identify trending products: Use tools like Google Trends or Terapeak to identify rising search terms and product categories related to your niche. Consider incorporating these items into your store, but be mindful of oversaturation.
• Seasonal fluctuations: Adapt your inventory and marketing strategies to capitalize on seasonal trends and holidays. Stock up on winter gear before the holidays and consider offering back-to-school deals in late summer.

6. Use email marketing

An email marketing strategy lets you connect directly with potential and existing buyers and inform them about upcoming sales, new product launches, and more. It’s a great way to stay fresh in your customers’ minds. 

Here’s how to use it effectively:

• Build an email list: Ask customers to subscribe to your email list to receive updates about new listings, promotions, and exclusive offers. Offer incentives like discount codes to encourage signups. 
• Segment your audience: Segment your email list based on client interests to send more targeted campaigns. For example, send emails about sporting goods to subscribers who have previously purchased athletic wear.
• Maintain CAN-SPAM compliance: Adhere to email marketing regulations to avoid getting flagged as spam. Emails must clearly identify the sender and their address, have accurate subject lines, and offer a straightforward unsubscribe option that lasts at least 30 days.

7. Do seasonal marketing

Adjust your marketing with the seasons to meet customer preferences as they shift throughout the year. Nobody’s considering buying parkas in the July heat, so ensure you adjust your product promotions seasonally to keep relevant products in the spotlight. 

• Plan ahead: Research upcoming holidays and events to plan marketing campaigns highlighting related products.
• Themed listings: Create special listings for seasonal items with festive descriptions and eye-catching visuals.
• Limited-time offers: Generate a sense of urgency with limited-time offers or discounts tied to specific holidays or events.

8. Provide great customer service

Excellent customer service fosters trust and loyalty, leading to repeat business and positive feedback – both great ways for eBay sellers to increase sales. 

Here’s how to put a smile on customers’ faces:

• Fast and friendly responses: Respond to buyer questions promptly and professionally. Exceed customer expectations by providing clear and helpful information. Set realistic response timeframes and communicate any delays proactively.
• Clear returns policy: Outline a straightforward and customer-friendly return policy to instill confidence in buyers and demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Go the extra mile: A little extra effort, like a handwritten thank-you note or including a small freebie, can leave a lasting positive impression. Small gestures of appreciation build customer loyalty and encourage repeat business.

9. Offer fast and free shipping

Use eBay’s shipping tools to find cost-effective shipping solutions to increase your listings’ appeal. Clearly communicate shipping costs, times, and policies to manage your eBay customers’ expectations.

• Free shipping appeal: Offering free shipping is a major draw for buyers. Analyze your profit margins and see if you can absorb the shipping cost or raise the product price slightly to cover it.
• Fast and express shipping options: Give buyers clear information on shipping options and estimated delivery times. Offer expedited shipping options for buyers who value speedier delivery, even if it comes at an additional cost.
• Reliable shipping partners: Choose reliable shipping partners with a good track record for on-time deliveries. Research different shipping carriers and compare rates and delivery times to find the best fit for your eBay store.

10. Categorize wisely

Placing your products in the correct categories ensures potential buyers easily find them. Misclassified products can lead to poor visibility and missed sales opportunities. Review eBay’s category guidelines to optimize your listings.

• Use your niche expertise: Focus primarily on categories where you possess knowledge and can offer buyers high-quality products and expertise.
• Specificity matters: Use subcategories to refine your product placement further. For example, instead of just listing a dress under “Clothing,” categorize it under “Women’s Clothing > Dresses > Cocktail Dresses” for better targeting.
• Research top categories: While some niche categories might be your place to shine, checking eBay’s top-selling categories can provide valuable insights into what shoppers are searching for. Use the eBay Analytics Sourcing Insights section or external research tools like Terapeak to identify popular categories and trending products within those categories.

• Weigh the competition: While top categories might offer high traffic, they also face fierce competition. Consider balancing category popularity with competition to find the sweet spot for your business.
• Prioritize profitability: Don’t be afraid to explore less popular categories if they offer higher profit margins due to lower competition.

11. Post new listings regularly

Regularly updating your inventory with new listings keeps your store active and engaging. Fresh listings attract returning customers and improve your store’s visibility in eBay’s search results.

• Engage returning customers: Fresh listings entice buyers to revisit your store and discover new products.
• Improve search visibility: eBay’s search algorithm favors active stores with frequent new listings. This can elevate your listings’ position in search results.

12. Learn about eBay’s search algorithm

Understanding the eBay algorithm, Cassini, can help you optimize your listings for better visibility, increase your chances of appearing at the top of eBay search results, and attract more buyers. 

Here are some ways to get on Cassini’s good side:

• Relevance: Ensure your listings accurately match buyer search queries. Include relevant keywords in your titles, descriptions, and item specifics.
• Item specifics: Fill out all relevant item specifics accurately. This will provide detailed information to buyers and help them find your listings. 
• Pricing and eBay seller performance: Competitive pricing and a strong seller rating can positively influence your search ranking.
• Listing freshness: As mentioned earlier, post new listings often to improve your search visibility.

13. Write catchy titles and descriptions

Your product titles and descriptions play the most huge role in attracting online shoppers and can significantly improve your click-through and conversion rates. 

Here’s how to write compelling listings:

• Use catchy titles: Craft clear, concise, and keyword-rich titles that grab attention and accurately reflect your product. Include relevant keywords that eBay users might type in their searches.
• Write compelling descriptions: Don’t skimp on details. Provide clear and informative descriptions highlighting your product’s key features and benefits. Use persuasive language that entices buyers and answers any potential questions before they arise. 
• Use keywords naturally: Integrate relevant keywords throughout your product descriptions organically. Don’t stuff keywords unnaturally, as this can appear spammy and reduce your listing’s trustworthiness.

14. Promote your products through social media

Social media is a powerful platform for promoting your eBay products and reaching a wider audience. Many shoppers use it to get inspiration for their next purchase, which could be your products! 

Here’s how to use it to your advantage:

• Share listings: Share your eBay listings on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
• Engage with followers: Respond promptly to comments and questions. Build relationships with your audience to foster brand loyalty.
• Run promotions: Use your socials to announce special offers, discounts, and promotions on your eBay listings. Encourage engagement by running contests or giveaways.
• Drive traffic: Ultimately, the goal is to drive traffic from your social media followers to your eBay store. Include clear calls to action, such as “Shop Now” or “Link in Bio,” to direct followers to your listings.

15. Monitor sales data in eBay Analytics

eBay Analytics provides valuable insights into your sales performance, letting you fine-tune your strategies to maximize your success on the platform. 

Here’s how to utilize this data effectively:

• Trends: Track key metrics like listing views, click-through, and conversion rates over time to identify changes in customer behavior and how to adapt accordingly. This can help you identify trends and understand what’s working and what’s not.
• Customer behavior: Analyze data on which products sell well, where your traffic comes from, and what keywords drive the most sales to identify changes in customer behavior and how to adapt accordingly.
• Informed decisions: Use data from eBay Analytics to make informed decisions about your listings, pricing, marketing efforts, and overall store management.

Optimize listing titles and descriptions

By optimizing your listings, you increase your chances of attracting organic traffic and potentially selling your items faster without relying solely on paid upgrades.

• Start with relevant keywords: Use tools like Google Trends or Semrush to research what buyers are searching for and include those keywords in your titles and descriptions. This helps your listings appear higher in search results.
• Be specific and informative: Clearly describe the item’s brand, model, size, color, and condition.
• Use bullet points: Highlight key features and benefits for easy reading. Focus more on benefits, implying how your product solves a problem or improves someone’s life.
• Write clearly and concisely: Avoid jargon and technical terms buyers might not understand.
• Proofread carefully: Ensure your titles and descriptions are free of typos and grammatical errors.

Choose the right category for your item

Select the most accurate category, so your listing reaches the right audience and avoids unnecessary fees.

Take advantage of free listings

To minimize insertion fees, make the most of eBay’s monthly free listings. Strategically plan your items to ensure you stay within those limits.

Additionally, eBay frequently offers promotions with free insertion fees. Keep an eye out for these deals and schedule your listings accordingly to maximize your free allowance.

Consider an eBay Store subscription

 If you sell many items on eBay, subscribing to an eBay Store can significantly reduce costs and raise sales. Here’s how to get started:

1. Analyze your sales: Track your past sales volume and estimate your future sales to determine if the subscription cost is worthwhile.

2. Choose the right plan: eBay offers various Store plans tailored to different sales volumes and budgets:

• Basic Store: Ideal for sellers with moderate sales volume. Offers more free listings, discounted fees, and basic promotional tools.
• Premium Store: Suitable for higher-volume sellers. Provides even more zero insertion fee listings, deeper fee discounts, and advanced promotional features.
• Anchor Store: Designed for large-scale sellers with extensive product catalogs. Offers significant free listings, highest fee discounts, and dedicated customer support.
• Enterprise Store: For high-volume businesses with the highest listing needs. Provides the highest number of zero insertion fee listings every month, deepest fee discounts, and comprehensive support.

3. Subscribe and activate:

• Visit the My eBay section and navigate to Subscriptions.
• Choose your plan and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the subscription.

Avoid optional listing upgrades unless necessary

Consider the potential return on investment before adding optional listing upgrade fees to your products, and use upgrades only when they add significant value to your offerings.

Offer combined shipping discounts

Offering combined shipping discounts encourages buyers to purchase multiple items at once, lowering their overall shipping costs and making your listings more appealing. 

Additionally, since the final value fee per order is calculated on the total sale price (including shipping), offering combined shipping can potentially lower your final value fees as well.

Here’s how to implement it:

1. Enable combined shipping: Go to your eBay Shipping Preferences and ensure Allow combined payments and shipping is selected.
2. Set up rules: Create shipping policies in your Business Policies section. Offer discounts based on the number of items purchased or a fixed rate for combined shipping.
3. Promote your offer: Clearly state your combined shipping policy in your listings and consider offering additional discounts for larger purchases.

Regularly review and remove unnecessary listings

Unused or inactive listings can reduce your free listing allowance. Regularly review and remove unsold or underperforming items to free up space for new inventory.

Misclassifying items in incorrect categories

Items listed in the wrong categories can lead to additional fees and lower visibility for your listings.

Overusing optional listing upgrades

Don’t get carried away with upgrades. Analyze their effectiveness and use them strategically. While upgrades can be beneficial, overusing them can quickly add up in costs. 

Ignoring eBay store subscription benefits

For high-volume sellers, eBay store subscriptions can significantly cut costs, while not subscribing may lead to higher fees. Evaluate the benefits of each plan to find one that best fits your business needs.

Underestimating shipping costs

When calculating your final price, factor in precise shipping costs to avoid losing money on shipping fees.

eBay

With approximately 132 million active buyers, eBay has grown into one of the largest and most diverse eCommerce platforms in the world.

Although you can find vintage items on this online marketplace, eBay offers a large range of products from electronics and fashion to collectibles and sports equipment.

Easily link your store with Printify through the help of our automated sales channel integrations.

1. Ease of use

Both Etsy and eBay offer an easy way to sell products and connect with your target audience. Ease of use goes a bit beyond just your seller experience – it’s also the experience of your customers.

Etsy: It’s user-friendly interface is clear and easy to navigate for both new and experienced business sellers, as well as Etsy shoppers.

Etsy offers curated product categories, making shopping a breeze for anyone that wants to buy specific goods. 

eBay: Creating an account and setting up shop is easy, but online selling is a bit more complex.

The downside of providing a higher number of features and options is that it can make it harder to navigate eBay for both the seller and buyer.

Winner

Etsy. The platform’s user interface and Shop Manager are easier to navigate.
The website and mobile app have a clean layout, highlighting text and featured products.

2. Product focus

What you plan to sell determines the best online marketplace for your online business.

Etsy and eBay place a different emphasis on the types of items they feature, catering to a variety of sellers and buyers across different niches.

Etsy: The clear focus is placed on vintage items, handmade goods, and craft supplies, primarily catering to artistic and creative buyers and art collectors.

Take a look at our guide on things to sell and the best selling items on Etsy to gather some useful insights.

eBay: A large variety of products, both new and used. Everything from electronics and car parts to fashion and vintage goods, appealing to a broad range of buyers.

Winner

It’s a tie. The best platform depends on the type of products you’ll be selling. Clothing and accessories work on either platform, but electronics sell better on eBay.

3. Pricing

From payment processing to final value fees, there are many mandatory and optional payments to keep in mind.

Refer to our Etsy vs eBay fee comparison table for a detailed overview of the fees you’ll encounter on each platform:

Winner

Etsy is the overall winner, as it generally has the lowest fees, but eBay is an easier platform to start on due to its zero insertion fees.

4. Design features

A visually appealing and well-branded storefront can make a significant difference in attracting and retaining customers.

Etsy and eBay both provide tools to enhance the design of your online shop.

Etsy: Allows you to customize your storefront with a shop icon, page banner, description, featured items, and a detailed About section.

Etsy Plus enables you to add a Carousel or Collage store banner, and more Featured Items customization options.

Set up with Pattern to build a separate, personalized website for your online business.

Keep in mind that your Etsy Pattern store will have your Etsy inventory and you’ll be able to manage it through the Shop Manager, but it won’t show up through Etsy’s search bar.

eBay: Lets you organize your eBay listings in product categories, add a store banner, and customize a section of Featured Items.

The eBay Store subscription offers a separate eBay page with your own URL and customized storefront.

Winner

eBay, because nothing beats a separate storefront that can be found on a popular marketplace search engine.

5. Analytics

Detailed and accurate store analytics is at the core of every successful eCommerce business.

Both Etsy and eBay offer tools that give insights into sales, customer behavior, and more.

Etsy: The platform simplifies this process by offering straightforward figures on metrics like store traffic, total revenue, and profit margins.

Etsy users have access to a CSV spreadsheet which presents your store transactions in a reader-friendly format.

eBay: This marketplace provides a variety of features that simplify both store and order management.

The Reports page on the eBay Seller Hub allows you to create and update product listings in bulk, fulfill and mark orders as shipped, generate reports, and manage customer feedback.

Winner

Etsy is the winner for starting businesses, while eBay’s features are great for high volume sellers.

6. Marketing tools

Promoting your products effectively is key to driving sales and growing your business.

Both Etsy and eBay offer marketing tools to help you reach your target audience.

Etsy: Aside from offering detailed marketing and advertising guides through the Seller Handbook, Etsy also gives you an option to run onsite and offsite ads that turn clicks into sales.

eBay: Use eBay templates to create and customize store newsletters to notify customers about new listings and share your brand story.

The Social page on allows you to link up your Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest social media pages. Etsy will use the right text, images, and hashtags to help you gain new and returning customers.

If you’re an eBay Store subscriber, you can use the Promotions Manager to easily run promotions, as well as offer coupons and discounts to your customers.

Set up with Terapeak to access additional advanced marketing tools for market analysis.

Create promoted listings and even try Etsy’s Offsite Ads BETA to help shoppers find your store.

Winner

eBay, since it offers a much greater variety of built-in marketing tools.

7. SEO

Search engine optimization is one of the best ways to ensure your target audience finds you.

Understanding the SEO practices of these two marketplaces will allow you to optimize your listings for maximum visibility.

Etsy: If you use the right keywords on your Etsy listings, the platform’s algorithms will make your products easy to find through Etsy’s search bar.

All Etsy Sellers are also encouraged to use descriptive and relevant product titles to ensure seamless product discoverability.

The Etsy guide on understanding Google SEO helps you optimize your Etsy listings.

eBay: The Cassini internal search engine takes your eBay shop ad compliance, seller performance, return policy, and various other factors into account, when generating quality search results for customers

Use the Terapeak analytics service for keyword research and remember to only add keywords that directly relate to your eBay listings.

Winner

It’s a tie, because you can reach store success by using SEO on either platform.

8. eCommerce tools

Both eBay and Etsy sellers have access to various features and seller tools that will help you simplify and automate your online store operations.

Etsy: 

• Etsy app is the perfect mobile tool for selling on the go.
  Manage and track orders, add videos and photos to your product listings and even receive a notification if you get a repeat buyer.
• Seller Handbook. A treasure trove of knowledge that lets you gain valuable insights on how to use the Etsy Marketplace.
  Learn how to add product listings, sell vintage items, understand Etsy ads, navigate seller fees, and start selling on Etsy.
• Community Forums. Etsy encourages sellers to support and interact with other Etsy sellers.
  Engage with the community by reading and sharing tips, tricks, and constructive feedback.
• Calculated shipping. Simplify the shipping process and transparency with your customers.
  It’s available for sellers in the US and Canada who use USPS, Global Postal Shipping, or Canada Post shipping labels.
• Integrations. Use third party tools to manage social media presence, monitor and analyze store analytics, or optimize product listings and your store.
  It’s also your way to connect a print-on-demand service like Printify to fulfill customer orders.

eBay: 

• eBay app. Create and edit listings, adjust shipping costs, and get an instant notification whenever an item sells.
  It’s your way to never miss out on a sale, no matter where you are.
• Shipping calculator. eBay sellers have the option to calculate the exact cost of sending items through various shipping carriers.
  Use the shipping calculator to set the shipping cost to vary by buyer location, making sure you don’t lose a part of your profit to shipping costs.
• Seller Hub. Manage listings, monitor and analyze your store performance and daily sales trends to identify your top performers.
  Gain insights on your competition and how your buyers find your products.
• Selling templates. Create reusable templates to streamline the process of listing products on the eBay online marketplace.
  It’s easy to edit, rename, or delete them, and a great way to ensure consistency across your online store.
• Promotions Manager. It’s one of the top features available for eBay Store subscribers.
  The Promotions Manager enables you to create promotions, offer product and shipping discounts, drive repeat purchases, and attract new customers.
• Third party providers. Use additional software and services to automate store operations.
  Try solutions for order and inventory management, listing optimization, as well as order fulfillment and shipping – check out Printify’s  eBay integration.

Winner

eBay, because of a wider selection of tools to help you manage, automate, and grow your online business.

9. Customer support

Having access to reliable customer support is an absolute necessity for resolving issues and a smooth selling experience.

Etsy and eBay provide customer support resources, though their approaches differ.

Etsy: Although it is technically possible to reach Etsy’s customer support, they are not easily accessible.

Your first point of contact will be the Help Center, which can aid with some basic concerns, but it won’t always provide the best answers to your specific questions.

If you can’t find the information you need and still need assistance, select a category that’s thematically related to your concern and press the grey “I still need help” button at the bottom of the page.

This will redirect you to an email form, but neither chat nor phone options are currently available.

Thankfully, there are also Etsy Community Forums, where you can connect with other sellers or search for answers to similar questions.

eBay: The eBay automated assistant is available at the bottom of the Help page.

It will answer most generic questions, or enter a queue to speak to a human support agent.

The Help page offers the option to email your questions to Etsy’s support team.

There’s also an option to bring your questions to the eBay Community.

Winner

eBay is the clear winner in this category because you can reach them much easier and faster.

10. Scalability

As your business grows, the scalability of online marketplaces becomes essential.

Both the Etsy and eBay platforms offer different ways to grow your business, regardless of whether you’re selling handmade items or mass-produced goods.

Etsy: The platform is best suited for small to medium-size businesses that sell handmade and customized goods.

Scalability options are limited to expanding product range and establishing a loyal customer base.

eBay: Ideal for small sellers to larger retailers, because it offers necessary tools for market analysis and promotion to a large segment of potential customers.

Winner

eBay, as it offers more ways to promote your business and make bulk product edits.