Social Commerce vs. Ecommerce Marketplaces: Which Is Better for New Sellers?

[Dominique]

Selling directly on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) is different from using established marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. Which option is better for new sellers?
Do you think social commerce is the future of online selling?
Have you had more success selling on marketplaces or through social platforms?

 

[Nomad]

If you want to do social commerce, there are criteria to follow, for instance, to create Instagram Shop, you need at least 10k followers. However, ecommerce does not have any such criteria, anyone can register and start selling

 

[Dominique]

I believe for new sellers, social commerce offers the advantage of directly reaching and engaging with a targeted audience on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. It’s cost-effective and builds brand presence. Ecommerce marketplaces, like Amazon, offer broader reach but come with higher competition and fees. What do you think?

 

[koyala]

For new sellers, social commerce can be better for building brand awareness and engaging directly with potential customers through platforms like Instagram or TikTok. However, eCommerce marketplaces like Amazon offer immediate visibility and established trust. It depends on whether you prioritize brand building or quick sales.

 

[freelancermaria]

I believe that social media commerce is a great option for new sellers. They can use platforms like Facebook Marketplace or TikTok to promote and sell their products. On TikTok, sellers just need to have at least 1,000 followers to get started. Selling on e-commerce websites can be difficult because there's a lot of competition, especially on sites like Etsy or Amazon.

 

[eLdavis]

Personally i think it would be easier to run a social media shop as a beginner, especially due to the aspect of traffic. It is a lot easier to generate traffic compared to having an e-commerce store.

 

[Fid Wears]

I think there is a more ready market if you are starting your online business on social media. You just need to target your contents properly. It is quite difficult to get people to e commerce marketplaces from other online platforms.

 

[Dominique]

For indie sellers and small businesses, social commerce allows direct engagement, lower entry costs, and viral potential, but lacks robust payment and logistics tools. E-commerce marketplaces offer large traffic, infrastructure, and buyer trust, yet have high fees, strong competition, and limited branding. Combining both approaches can help sellers build a brand while reaching wider audiences efficiently.