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Entering the world of e-commerce is a significant step for many businesses venturing into online sales for the first time. According to the “E-commerce in Poland” report by Gemius, over 78% of Polish internet users regularly shop online, steadily growing due to increasing availability, convenience of online payments, and responsive e-commerce platforms. For many entrepreneurs, creating a professional online store is not just an opportunity for growth but a necessity to keep up with rising customer expectations and evolving online shopping trends.
This raises a question: is it better to start an online store or sell through popular marketplace platforms? Each approach has unique advantages and challenges that could impact the success of an e-commerce venture. In this article, we’ll explore both options to help you decide on the best solution for your online business.
Establishing your own online store is one of the most critical decisions for entrepreneurs planning to sell products online. When you set up your online store, you gain complete control over every aspect of your business – from website design and product presentation to marketing strategies and customer data management. Unlike selling on marketplaces, where competition is fierce, and opportunities to stand out are limited your own online store allows you to build a unique brand identity and long-term customer loyalty.
Your own online store offers complete control over the look and feel of your site and how users interact with your brand. From aesthetics to navigation, thoughtful design attracts attention and helps build a cohesive, recognizable image.
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Starting from scratch enables customization according to the nature of the business, whether it’s a unique boutique or an expansive multi-brand site. Building your own store allows for implementing custom features, such as product recommendations, personalized shopping carts, and cohesive marketing campaigns that boost engagement and conversions.
Building an online store is a long-term investment that yields tangible benefits over time. Although initial setup costs can be higher than selling on a marketplace, it provides independence and revenue potential without paying commissions to third-party platforms.
With custom e-commerce software, store owners have complete flexibility to grow the store in line with current needs and trends. Integration with systems like CRM, ERP, or analytics tools enables better resource management and effective sales strategy planning.
SEO for your online store is a critical long-term strategy; your online store provides unlimited opportunities in this area. Unlike marketplace platforms where competing products are displayed side-by-side, a standalone site allows full SEO and search visibility control. Optimizing your store for search engines drives organic traffic, which, in the long run, lowers operational costs and increases direct revenue.
Through blog posts, social media content, and product descriptions, online store owners can effectively increase visibility on search engines like Google while growing their store’s popularity. A strategic approach to content marketing also better aligns with users’ needs, resulting in higher conversion rates and establishing your brand as an expert in the field. Your own store allows full optimization of every element without restrictions.
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An independent online store also guarantees customer data security, crucial in today’s data protection environment. Customer data is one of the most valuable resources, and proper protection and management build trust and loyalty. Customers who know their data is secure and handled with care are more likely to return and recommend your store.
Additionally, owning your own customer database enables email marketing campaigns, personalized offers, and tailored communication to individual user preferences – all actions that strengthen a professional image and customer loyalty.
Starting to sell on a marketplace is an increasingly attractive solution for entrepreneurs looking to quickly enter the e-commerce industry. Selling on marketplace platforms provides an easy entry path and instant access to a broad customer base. However, as with any solution, using marketplaces has its pros and cons, which should be considered before making a decision.
One of the biggest advantages of selling on a marketplace is the quick and relatively simple process of starting online sales. Unlike building a standalone store, marketplaces offer ready-made infrastructure and tools to support online sales. This allows entrepreneurs to focus on selling products rather than dealing with technical aspects or managing the logistics of an independent online store.
A marketplace is an excellent venue to quickly gain visibility and reach a broad audience. Businesses can reduce the time to achieve initial sales results by leveraging existing platform traffic.
Marketplaces also provide a convenient way to test product popularity and adapt sales strategies based on demand. Many platforms offer additional promotional services to help vendors stand out, increasing the chance of attracting new customers.
Selling on marketplaces does come with costs that entrepreneurs should consider. Unlike an independent online store, where expenses are primarily related to software maintenance and marketing, marketplaces charge commissions on each transaction and fees for additional features like highlighting offers.
Commissions and lack of control over platform policies can limit flexibility in pricing and marketing strategies. Moreover, if the marketplace changes its policies, pricing, or sales terms, sellers must comply. Many entrepreneurs who initially start on a marketplace eventually decide to set up their own store to gain full control over margins and to enable their own promotional activities, such as loyalty programs or remarketing campaigns.
One of the main challenges of selling on a marketplace is intense competition. On marketplace platforms, products from different sellers are displayed side-by-side. This means that an entrepreneur must not only compete for customer attention but also adapt to the platform’s policies, which limit brand differentiation.
Lack of control over brand image and customer experience can hinder long-term loyalty building. A dedicated online store allows owners to tailor the appearance and functionality of the site to meet unique customer needs, while on a marketplace, sellers must adhere to a standardized interface and limitations that restrict full personalization.
The choice between running an online store or selling on a marketplace should be carefully considered and tailored to the specific needs of your business. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, which may be more or less relevant depending on the industry, business goals, and target audience.
An independent online store is the best choice for brands focused on building long-term recognition. Having a professional online store allows a business to fully control every aspect of online sales—from the store’s appearance and branding to advanced e-commerce marketing strategies. An independent platform offers greater flexibility in promotions, SEO, and customer data management, translating to stronger customer relationships and a higher return on investment.
Ideal for Unique Brands and Products: Stores offering unique products or exclusive brands benefit from having their own online store, where they can freely shape the shopping experience. Personalization, storytelling, and site aesthetics are key here, as they attract customers who value originality and attention to detail. A professional, responsive site with personalized shopping options is a significant advantage for such brands—something not fully achievable on a marketplace.
Total Control Over Marketing and Customer Data: An independent online store provides complete access to analytical tools, enabling more effective website SEO and optimized marketing campaigns. With the ability to create a customer database, a company can conduct email marketing, remarketing, and loyalty-building activities—efforts that are more challenging on a marketplace, where customers often identify more with the platform than the brand.
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A marketplace can be an excellent choice for businesses just beginning their e-commerce journey, testing the market, or still needing to be ready to invest in their own e-commerce platform. Such platforms provide access to a wide customer base without the need to invest in SEO or advertising, reducing the time to market and allowing for a quick start.
Ideal for QuickStart and Visibility Growth: A marketplace can be an effective solution for new companies needing a simple, quick way to sell products online. Platforms like Allegro or Amazon have an established presence and substantial traffic, allowing for immediate customer reach. This makes it easy to quickly test product popularity and assess an offer without the high initial costs associated with launching a standalone store.
Reduced Initial Costs and Technical Responsibilities: A marketplace is advantageous for companies that still need the resources for a professional online store. This solution eliminates expenses related to domain maintenance, online payments, or SEO optimization, as the platform provides all these elements. Marketplace costs, like commissions, are an alternative to the investment needed to build an independent store.
More and more businesses are choosing a hybrid approach, combining their own store with marketplace sales. This strategy leverages the benefits of both channels—a marketplace provides access to a broad audience, while an independent online store enables brand building and customer relationships on a more personal level. This way, a company can run e-commerce marketing and promotional activities targeted at different customer groups, maximizing its chances for success in e-commerce.
Choosing between an independent online store and a marketplace depends on your business’s specific needs and sales goals. Independent online sales are a more strategic option for companies aiming to build a unique image and customer loyalty, while a marketplace offers a quick start and wide visibility. Media4U supports entrepreneurs every step of the way, offering comprehensive e-commerce solutions—from designing a professional store site to fully optimizing online sales, ensuring success in the dynamic e-commerce world.
Contact us! We’ll help you choose the best solution tailored to your needs.
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