The Future For Ebay & Online Shops

May 9, 2011  

The majority of professionals selling products on the internet understand the pros and cons of selling on eBay, and more and more people are becoming aware of the potential benefits to their ecommerce business of setting up their own online shops.

While the conversation about which is the better option, online shops or eBay, might not be anything new, it is something that’s constantly changing as both of these options develop and evolve.

For those who don’t know much about online shops, as well as sellers who may be considering them as an alternative to eBay, what does the future hold for these two very different methods of selling online?

A possible future for those selling on eBay?

Many professional sellers on eBay might be quite pessimistic about the future of the world’s largest online auction site, and the impact that is likely to have on their business. More and more sellers, offering cheap, low-priced items means it’s getting harder for merchants to sell quality, high-value products on eBay, and the profits are likely to be smaller when they do.

Is this situation likely to continue, or even get worse? It certainly doesn’t show any signs of improving. A lot of the changes eBay has made over the last couple of years have meant that the balance of power has definitely shifted more towards the buyers on eBay (and of course, eBay themselves).

This could mean it’s likely to get even harder for sellers to build profitable businesses on eBay, and now might be a good time to look for a better alternative.

How are online shops likely to develop?

The future for online shops, on the other hand, and the potential they offer online sellers, couldn’t be a more different story. With the growth of sites like Weebly and eCrater, both platforms providing free online shops to ecommerce merchants, and sites like Amazon constantly improving their ‘Webstore’ offering, it’s not difficult to see why online shops are becoming a more popular choice for professional sellers – particularly those who have seen how much eBay has changed. As technology advances, more platforms become available, and setting up and managing these online shops gets easier and less expensive, it would seem to be more a question of when, rather than if, for professional online sellers who are serious about growing their business.

With much lower costs, more flexibility, and the opportunity to offer customers real value and service, rather than just the cheapest price, it’s difficult to see any reasons why those looking to sell products on the internet wouldn’t set up online shops – particular as it is so inexpensive and simple that die hard eBayers could always dip their toe in the water without any huge commitment. Online shops and eBay aren’t mutually exclusive, and having more than one route to market would be sensible for any type of business. While some sellers might want to take a little time to consider their options, with the way the future seems to be developing for these two online selling options, any professional seller with an interest in running a successful business might want to give online shops some serious consideration soon, before their competitors do!