Selling Online: eBay, Etsy, or Amazon FBA – Which is Best
Introduction: Choosing the Best Platform for Selling Online
Selling online has never been easier—but with so many platforms available, how do you choose the right one? eBay, Etsy, and Amazon FBA each have unique advantages, fees, and audiences. As a new seller or a seasoned seller, choosing the wrong platform may cost you money.
In this detailed guide, we’ll break down:
✅ Pros & cons of eBay, Etsy, and Amazon FBA
✅ Real profit comparisons (fees, competition, sales volume)
✅ Best products to sell on each platform
✅ Success stories from sellers making 50K/month
By the end, you’ll know exactly where to start selling online for maximum profit. Let’s dive in!
Chapter 1: eBay – The Best for Auction-Style & Used Items
Why Sell on eBay?
eBay is ideal for:
✔ Used or vintage items (electronics, collectibles, clothing)
✔ Auction-style listings (great for rare items)
✔ Lower startup costs (no monthly fees for casual sellers)
eBay’s Fee Structure
- Insertion fees: Free for first 250 listings/month
- Final value fees: 10–15% of sale price
- PayPal/processing fees: ~3%
Best Products to Sell on eBay
- Electronics (Used iPhones, gaming consoles)
- Collectibles (Trading cards, antiques)
- Brand-name clothing (Designer jeans, sneakers)
Case Study: A part-time reseller makes $3,000/month flipping thrift store finds on eBay.
Chapter 2: Etsy – Perfect for Handmade & Digital Products
Why Sell on Etsy?
Etsy dominates in:
✔ Handmade goods (jewelry, art, crafts)
✔ Digital products (printables, SVG files, templates)
✔ Niche audiences (weddings, home decor, gifts)
Etsy’s Fee Breakdown
- Listing fee: $0.20 per item
- Transaction fee: 6.5% of sale price
- Payment processing: 3% + $0.25
Top-Selling Etsy Products
- Printable wall art (5–20 per download)
- Custom jewelry (15–100 per piece)
- Crochet patterns (5–15 per PDF)
Case Study: A stay-at-home mom earns $5,000/month selling digital planners.
Chapter 3: Amazon FBA – Best for Scaling with Automation
Why Choose Amazon FBA?
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is best for:
✔ Hands-off fulfillment (Amazon stores & ships products)
✔ Massive buyer traffic (300M+ customers)
✔ Prime eligibility (Higher conversion rates)
Amazon FBA Fees Explained
- Referral fees: 8–15% per sale
- Fulfillment fees: 3–10 per unit (based on size/weight)
- Monthly storage fees: 0.75–2.40 per cubic foot
Best Amazon FBA Products
- Private label supplements (High profit margins)
- Home organization tools (Bestseller category)
- Eco-friendly products (Growing niche)
Case Study: A seller scaled to $30K/month selling private-label kitchen gadgets.
Chapter 4: Profit Comparison – Which Makes the Most Money?
eBay vs Etsy vs Amazon FBA Earnings
| Platform | Avg. Fees | Best For | Avg. Monthly Profit (Small Seller) |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | 10–15% | Used/vintage items | 1K–5K |
| Etsy | ~10% | Handmade/digital | 2K–10K |
| Amazon FBA | 25–40% | Private label | 5K–50K+ |
Verdict:
- Lowest fees? eBay (for casual sellers)
- Best passive income? Etsy (digital products)
- Highest earning potential? Amazon FBA
Chapter 5: Startup Costs – Which is Cheapest to Begin?
eBay Startup Costs
✔ **0 upfront∗∗(No monthly fees for casual sellers)✔∗∗Ideal budget:∗∗0 upfront∗∗(No monthly fees for casual sellers)✔∗∗Ideal budget:∗∗100–$500 for initial inventory
Etsy Startup Costs
✔ **0.20 per listing∗∗+small product costs✔∗∗Ideal budget:∗∗0.20 per listing∗∗+small product costs✔∗∗Ideal budget:∗∗50–300(digital sellers can start at 300(digital sellers can start at 0)
Amazon FBA Startup Costs
✔ **39.99/month∗∗(Professional seller plan)✔∗∗Ideal budget:∗∗39.99/month∗∗(Professional seller plan)✔∗∗Ideal budget:∗∗1,000–$5,000 (for inventory & ads)
Best for beginners? Etsy (digital products) or eBay (reselling).
Chapter 6: Which Platform Has the Most Buyers?
eBay’s Audience
✔ 267M active buyers
✔ Best for deal hunters & collectors
Etsy’s Audience
✔ 96M active buyers
✔ Best for handmade & unique gifts
Amazon’s Audience
✔ 300M+ active customers
✔ Best for convenience shoppers
Winner: Amazon FBA (for sheer volume).
Chapter 7: Ease of Use – Which is Simplest for Beginners?
eBay’s Learning Curve
✔ Moderate (Auction vs. fixed price, seller metrics)
Etsy’s Learning Curve
✔ Easy (Simple listing process, great for beginners)
Amazon FBA’s Learning Curve
✔ Steep (Inventory management, PPC ads, restrictions)
Best for beginners? Etsy > eBay > Amazon FBA.
Chapter 8: Competition Analysis – Which is Most Saturated?
eBay Competition
✔ High for trending electronics
✔ Low for niche collectibles
Etsy Competition
✔ High for generic printables
✔ Low for unique handmade items
Amazon FBA Competition
✔ Extreme in popular categories
✔ Low in specialized niches
Best for low competition? Etsy (unique crafts) or eBay (rare finds).
Chapter 9: Long-Term Potential – Which Scales Best?
eBay’s Scalability
✔ Good for side income
✔ Hard to automate fully
Etsy’s Scalability
✔ Great for digital products (passive income)
✔ Limited for physical products
Amazon FBA’s Scalability
✔ Best for 6–7 figure businesses
✔ Requires investment & systems
Best for scaling? Amazon FBA > Etsy > eBay.
Learn how to sell AI-Generated art online!
Chapter 10: Final Verdict – Which Should You Choose?
Best for Beginners
✔ Etsy (digital products)
✔ eBay (used item reselling)
Best for Passive Income
✔ Etsy (printables, templates)
Best for Full-Time Income
✔ Amazon FBA (private label)
Best for Side Hustlers
✔ eBay (thrift flipping, collectibles)
Conclusion: Start Selling Online Today!
Quick Recap:
- eBay: Best for resellers & auctions
- Etsy: Best for creatives & digital sellers
- Amazon FBA: Best for scaling a branded business
Next Steps:
- Pick one platform based on your goals
- Research profitable products
- List your first items this week!
