This post was originally published on March 26, 2020 and was updated on Sept. 24, 2020.
We’re all living in the midst of tremendous uncertainty and unease with the ongoing impact of COVID-19. As a small business owner, you’re affected in a profound way. But there are ways to help and contribute, and as an Online Store proprietor, you are in a unique position to make a significant impact.
The world has suddenly shifted into a near complete virtual landscape — with the continued uncertainty as a result of the pandemic, customers are looking to buy everything online. There’s a sense of great urgency around the way people are shopping right now — they don’t have time to waste. They want an efficient and effective way to get their products as soon as possible.
For this very reason, it’s crucial to start listing your products in major marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy and eBay.
Let trusted big brands do the marketing for you
By listing your own products with trusted bigger brands, you’ll not only get the benefit of their advertising muscle, but potentially drive new visitors to your own site.
You provide the variety and personalization of your goods, and Amazon, Walmart, eBay and Etsy provide the traffic. Plus, by adding Google Shopping Actions to your account to allow your users to buy directly through Google, you create a win-win for all involved.
Because these companies already have robust marketing strategies in place, it saves you the time and trouble it would take to strategize in a pinch.
Not every marketplace is a good fit for every type of product, however. Here’s a quick rundown of each marketplace and their suggested product categories:
Amazon
Amazon is the largest online marketplace in the United States, with over 112 million Prime members. With such a large userbase, the key categories include a wide range of options:
- Health and beauty
- Apparel
- Electronics
- Home goods
- Books and media
In order to connect your Online Store to Amazon, you must have a seller account a transaction fee is taken based on the level of seller account you have. Take a look at Amazon’s beginner’s guide to selling and how to start selling on Amazon to learn more.
Note: Websites + Marketing’s Marketplaces does not support Amazon Homemade.
eBay
Boasting a global marketplace of over 179 million buyers, eBay is a longstanding ecommerce powerhouse. Here are the key categories offered on eBay’s platform:
- Home goods
- Sporting goods
- Toys
- Collectibles and vintage
- Fashion
- Motors
Before you can connect your Online Store to eBay, you must have an eBay account created already. When you sell a listing, you are required to pay various fees. Read how to sell on eBay to learn more.
Etsy
Etsy is a fast-growing handmade goods and craft marketplace, with over 45 million buyers in 2019. These categories will be your best bet on Etsy:
- Handmade jewelry
- Home and living items
- Wedding and party goods
- Art and collectibles
- Craft supplies and tools
To connect to the Etsy marketplace, you’ll need to have an Etsy account and pay a listing and a payment processing fee for your products, in addition to a small commission. Check out how to sell on Etsy to learn more.
Google Shopping Actions
Google, the world’s largest search engine provider, offers Google Shopping Actions built into its robust search network. This service allows search users to purchase products directly from search engine results.
Given the vast range that the Google search results can display, the key product categories are wide-ranging as well:
- Animals and pets
- Apparel and accessories
- Automotive and power sports
- Baby and toddler
- Beauty
- Business and industrial
- Consumer electronics
- Collectibles
- Gift cards
- Grocery
- Health and personal care
- Home and hardware
- Hobbies and leisure
- Jewelry and watches
- Office supplies
If you’d like to list your products on Google Shopping Actions, a Merchant Center account is required. You can be a retailer of any size and do not have to pay commission fees. Read how to get started on Google to learn more.
Walmart
As the largest retailer in the United States with a fast-growing online marketplace, Walmart provides a large audience for your products. Walmart offers these key categories online:
- Home goods
- Apparel
- Electronics
- Health and beauty
To sell through Walmart’s online store, you must meet the minimum qualifications to sell on Walmart Marketplace. There is no setup or monthly fees required. Read how to sell your products on Walmart Marketplace and Walmart’s minimum qualifications for sellers to learn more.
Marketplace is a feature that comes with our Websites + Marketing ecommerce plan. If you sell your products regularly online, using this feature is a breeze. Marketplace also offers detailed templates that can help you build product lists that adhere to various listing requirements.
And it’s easy to track channel sales by units, dollar amount, best-selling products and other metrics.
We offer guidance to walk you through the process.
By listing your own products with a known brand name, you’ll not only get the benefit of their advertising muscle, but potentially drive new visitors to your own site.
Listing your products with these brands can also help you build trust and loyalty with your customers.
The partnership allows you to showcase the quality of your products to entice buyers. Piggybacking on their clearly established brand can help you rise above and stand out. You’ll be able to expand your reach in this rapidly changing market.
As consumers, it’s imperative that we feel reassured right now. This is a rare opportunity for you to create a sense of dependability. By harnessing these marketing platforms to show off your goods, you’re offering your potential customers the exact kind of reliability they’re seeking right now.
You can do this!
If you need a helping hand, we’re here for you.
- Check out our How-To videos for content aimed at helping you navigate through COVID-19.
- Looking for stories and inspiration? Visit the GoDaddy YouTube channel.
- Dig into resources on the GoDaddy blog.
- Connect with like-minded people in our #OpenWeStand community forum.
- Find answers to product questions in our Help Center.
- Call or chat with one of our GoDaddy Guides.
Above all, have faith in yourself. We have faith in you.
