How to sell online without paying commission on every sale

Marketplaces like Etsy, eBay and Amazon are a great way to start selling, but they take a percentage of every sale. With an online shop of your own you can keep that money. Here's how the costs compare.

What marketplaces charge

Each marketplace has its own fees, usually a percentage of the sale (often somewhere between 6% and 15%), sometimes plus listing fees, payment fees and advertising. On £1,000 of sales a month, a 10% cut is £100 a month, every month.

What your own shop costs

• A monthly plan for the shop itself.
• Card processing fees from your payment provider. Stripe's standard rate for UK cards is 1.5% + 20p per payment.
• Commission: depends on the platform. Some shop builders add their own fee per sale on cheaper plans, so check before you sign up.

When your own shop makes sense

• You have repeat customers or a following on Instagram or Facebook.
• Your products are distinctive, so people search for you by name.
• Your monthly sales are high enough that marketplace fees hurt.

The best of both

Many sellers keep a marketplace listing to be discovered, and send repeat customers to their own shop, with a note in every parcel and a discount code for ordering direct.

What your shop needs

• Clear photos and honest descriptions
• Simple delivery prices, and free delivery over a set amount
• A returns policy
• Order confirmation emails
• Reviews on every product page