2. About The Author
Jared P Shaner
A student of the game who believes there
are no limits to learning nor humility. I
absolutely love staying on top of the
emerging trends and technologies for my
clients and learning from those far wiser
than myself.
Ohh and I’m a Makers Mark Ambassador so
it’s fair to say I love me some bourbon and
the fine smell of mahagony
About Plum Tree
The Plum Tree Group is an Interactive Marketing and Technology
firm, we work to implement enterprise level eCommerce
solutions leveraging Magento Commerce.
jared@plumtreegroup.net
plumtreegroup.net
@Jaredism
www.linkedin.com/in/jaredshaner/
3. More Customers = More Sales
Listing Your
Products on Online Marketplaces
If you're planning on launching, or have recently launched, a new site
and are looking for a way to increase sales quickly...you may consider
marketplaces.
Marketplaces frequently get confused with comparison shopping
engines, but there's actually a substantial difference. A marketplace
will hold a summarized version of your inventory for you and then
have established brands stand behind your products, giving them
credibility. Additionally, as opposed to comparison shopping
engines, marketplaces will have strict regulations that you must meet
before being displayed on their site. Examples of such sites are
Amazon, Sears, and Ebay. While marketplaces may be an entirely
different game, requiring it's own sales model, it can be the initial lift in
traffic and sales that you need.
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4. Things To Consider When Choosing
A Marketplace
Does it effect
my brand?
Is there a
similar
business
model?
Be careful when choosing a
marketplace, because you want to
make sure it represents the culture
and feel of your brand. Some
marketplaces can come across as
“discount-y”, while others may just
pick up on a demographic that isn't
your target market. Both of these
things can be good, if that suits
your brand
You want to make sure the
marketplace you've chosen has
a similar philosophy when it
comes to business. Without this
agreement, customers may be
confused and experience a lack
of consistency in things such as
response times, shipping
rates, shipping time frames, and
return polices. You don't want to
confuse or annoy customers.
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5. Things Ton Consider When Choosing
A Marketplace
Avoid internal
competition
You want the price of your
products to be the same in
your online store and
marketplace. Fluctuating
prices can be tempting if
you're trying to capture quick
sales, but think about your
brand with a long-term lens
3
6. Why List on Online Marketplaces?
There are a number of reasons why a company should list its products on
an online marketplace. But what are the top reasons why you should do
so?
How Online Marketplaces Make Your Life Easier
Reach
• Online marketplaces
have their own, rather
large, audience
• Gain access to larger
potential customer base
Larger audience
= larger
possibilities of
buyers
Comparison
Shopping
• This can be good or
bad, but…
• You products are
displayed next to similar
brands
Show potential
buyers why
you’re better
than the
competition!
4
7. Why List on Online Marketplaces?
There are a number of reasons why a company should list its products on
an online marketplace. But what are the top reasons why you should do
so?
How Online Marketplaces Make Your Life Easier
Fulfillment
Options
International
Business
• Ex: Amazon
• Alleviate any inventory
storage issues
Say goodbye to
annoying, needy
customers and
shipping issues!
• Marketplaces have
figured out how to sell
overseas…so you don’t
have to
Reach even more
customers by
being accessible
across seas.
5
8. Why List on Online Marketplaces?
There are a number of reasons why a company should list its products on
an online marketplace. But what are the top reasons why you should do
so?
How Online Marketplaces Make Your Life Easier
Increase
Revenue
• It was found that
retailers derived almost
15% of sales from
marketplaces!
It’s simple. Let
the marketplace
help you make
more money.
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9. The Major Players in the Game
1
Amazon
2
Google
3
Rakuten
4
Newegg
5
Etsy
7
10. Amazon
E-tailer in the world
137
5x
Million customers/week
Users are 5x more valuable than
eBay users
8
11. eBay
68
Reaches over 68 million people in the US/month.
Over 100 million people worldwide.
175
1.3
Billion dollars in sales in 2013
Million people make a living off of
selling on eBay
Auction-style selling
9
12. Rakuten
A Japanese electronic commerce &
Internet company – going global
B2B2C
E-commerce site in Japan
4.7
Billion dollars in revenue in 2013
10
14. Etsy
A marketplace focused on
handmade/vintage items
30
Million registered users as of August 2013
1
1
Million sellers
Billion in total annual transactions
12
15. The Must Have Software For Making
Your Marketplace Work For You
ChannelAdvisor
ChannelAdvisor is a provider of
cloud-based, or Internet-hosted,
e-commerce services that enable
retailers to increase profitability
through dozens of online
channels including Amazon,
Google, eBay, Facebook, and
more. Through automation,
analytics and optimization,
ChannelAdvisor leverages a
single inventory feed to connect
suppliers with shoppers to
increase sales
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