Many people ask me which platform they should use to sell products. The answer depends on your resources, operational skills, and long-term goals. Below, I’ve outlined three major sales channels to help you understand their pros and cons and choose the one that works best for you!
1. Social Media Platforms: Facebook Pages or Groups
(#Instagram is also part of Facebook!)
Advantages:
- Low cost: You can promote and market your products without significant upfront costs.
- Organic reach: By consistently creating and posting content, you can reach potential customers over time.
Disadvantages:
- Older audience demographic: The majority of users are middle-aged or older, with fewer young consumers.
- Prevalence of online scams: Users may lack trust in social media platforms, requiring more effort to establish brand credibility.
- Complex advertising process: Facebook ads can be tricky to navigate, and many people give up due to a lack of results.
Best for: Entrepreneurs looking to start with low costs and gradually build a fan base and customer network.
2. Third-Party Platforms, ex: Amazon, ebay
Advantages:
- Steady traffic: These platforms are among the most popular shopping channels in Taiwan and come with a large customer base.
- Diverse marketing options: Platforms offer various marketing packages, and sales representatives provide support (as their performance benefits from your success).
Disadvantages:
- High commission fees: Platforms take a significant portion of your sales revenue, which can burden smaller sellers.
- Logistics pressure: Platforms often have strict requirements for delivery speed and efficiency, putting pressure on sellers.
- Costly exposure: To gain visibility, you may need to invest heavily in advertising, such as purchasing ad slots or rankings.
Best for: Sellers who want to quickly enter the market and leverage the platform’s steady traffic but have the budget and capacity to handle the associated costs and pressures.
3. Building Your Own Website, ex:shopify
Advantages:
- Full control: You have complete autonomy over all aspects of operations, from payment systems to advertising.
- Fixed costs: Monthly or annual fees are predictable, with no high commission fees.
- Customizable designs: Numerous templates and tools are available to quickly create a professional website.
Disadvantages:
- Traffic challenges: Without marketing skills, your website may struggle to attract visitors.
- Operational complexity: You’ll need to manage everything yourself, including payment processing, logistics, and inventory.
Best for: Sellers who want to build a long-term brand, have full control, and are willing to invest time to learn and manage all aspects of the business.
Conclusion: Which Platform Is Right for You?
Choosing a sales platform depends entirely on your needs and resources:
- If you want low cost and flexibility, start with social media platforms.
- If you aim to enter the market quickly, third-party platforms are a solid choice, though you must prepare for higher costs.
- If you prioritize long-term branding and control, building your own website is the way to go.
Whichever channel you choose, continuous learning in marketing and business operations is the key to success!
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Bonnie C 
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