When you’re interested in starting your own supplement company using private label supplements it can be confusing to figure out where you should be selling supplements online. There are so many marketplaces and platforms out there that it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.
Keep reading to get a brief overview of some of the most popular platforms and marketplaces and find out which one is right for you.
Top 6 Places for Selling Supplements Online
There are basically two types of places for selling supplements (or any other product) online: your own website or a marketplace. Not every marketplace is created equal though. Some like Amazon and Walmart have higher standards than others like eBay or Facebook. For sellers just starting out this is really important to keep in mind. It’s also a good idea to keep an open mind and test out which you like better. You might find that one works better for you than another.
In general these are the top places you should consider selling supplements online.
- eBay
- Amazon
- Google Shopping
- Walmart
- Shopify
How to Know Where You Should be Selling Supplement
When deciding where you’ll be selling supplements, you don’t have to pick just one place, but it’s best to take them one at a time though as you figure things out. Each platform has its own process for getting set up and selling and things can fall through the cracks if you try to do too much all at once.
eBay
With eBay you have less control than your own website but more control than on Amazon. You also get more foot traffic on eBay than your own site but less than on Amazon. It’s kind of like the middle option, you don’t get total control but you benefit from being part of a marketplace.
Pros
- Some branding ability
- Lots of Foot traffic
- Easy to become a seller
- Very quick to set up
- Ability to auction or fix price
Cons
- One of many sellers
- Control is limited
- Subject to policy updates at any time
- Need to pay seller fees
Amazon
Amazon is closer to a retailer where you’re just another product on the shelf. You don’t get to interact with the person buying your product because that’s Amazon’s customer and not yours. And while there are tons of people shopping on Amazon there are also a ton of people selling on Amazon.
Pros
- Most popular e-commerce store in U.S.
- Amazon Prime – free 2-day shipping attracts customers
- Built in comparison shopping
- Great reputation
Cons
- Very little control
- Little interaction with customers
- Difficult to get approved
- Hefty commission to pay Amazon
While eBay and Amazon might be some of the first places you think of when selling supplements, Facebook is definitely a marketplace you should consider. Facebook Marketplace is much like eBay in that anyone can sell new or used items. It’s become a go-to for individuals wanting to sell their stuff to make a buck or two but it’s much more than that. Businesses small and large have also started to sell products directly to their customers on the social media platform.
Pros
- Sell directly on the largest social media platform
- Customers don’t need to leave Facebook to purchase
- Create your own customized digital storefront
Cons
- Not as many customers as other marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, etc.)
- Chargeback fees
- 5% selling fee with a minimum flat rate of $0.40
Google Shopping
Much like selling on Facebook Marketplace, Google Shopping gives you the advantage of selling to customers right where they are without having to redirect them somewhere else. Google is the largest search engine in the world and millions and millions of people use it everyday. It makes sense to sell to those people searching for a product that matches your description. And much like AdWords Google Shopping is very customizable to your budget.
Pros
- Lots of potential exposure
- Customers can purchase products directly
- Largest search engine in the world
- Customizable
Cons
- Costs are variable
- Time consuming to optimize
- Not everyone who sees your ad is ready to purchase
Walmart Marketplace Online
Despite the face that Walmart is the largest retailer in the world it’s only just now starting to take ecommerce seriously. In 2020 Walmart introduced Walmart Plus (essentially their version of Amazon prime). They’re determined to be successful in the ecommerce industry and they have all the money and resources needed to make that goal a reality. Walmart is aggressively trying to grow this side of their business making it a great time to get on board.
Pros
- Growing marketplace
- Dedicated customer base
- Walmart highly motivated to make it work
Cons
- Very picky about their sellers
- Lots of rules and requirements
- Sellers need to show they’re established
Shopify
The great thing about selling from your own website is that it’s all you, the bad thing is also that it’s all you. You get to make all the decisions but you’re also the only one responsible for getting customers to your site. Marketing and bringing customers in will likely require more effort.
Depending on what shopping cart you use like Shopify or WooCommerce will determine how much customization you get.
Click here to learn about the top e-commerce shopping carts.
Pros
- Complete control over look and feel of store
- Communicate freely with customers
- Ability to build your own brand
- Change up deals and offers
- You’re the only brand on your site
- Website and store in the same place
Cons
- You’re responsible for the store
- No “foot traffic”
- Have to build SEO and site traffic from scratch
- Cost of building website and store
The Takeaway
Whichever option you choose for selling supplements online it’s up to you. Make sure it’s a method that you feel will work well with your skills, talents, and vision for the company.