SellerActive | E-Commerce Blog

Should You Be Selling on eBay?

Written by SellerActive Team | Jan 30, 2017 2:00:00 PM

Today’s eBay isn’t what it used to be. Many people think of eBay only as an auction site or a place for someone to sell one-off items but that perception hasn’t kept up with reality. 

eBay’s mission is to be the world’s favorite destination for discovering great value and unique selection, not just to be seen as the place to find a cheap deal or auction off the gems you had in your storage space. eBay finished 2021 by generating  $10.2 billion in revenue, which led to a 5.1% year-over-year increase.

Simply put, eBay offers e-commerce businesses a new way to reach buyers beyond Amazon and Walmart, with our customers seeing an average sales increase of 30% after adopting the platform. So, should you start an eBay store? Let’s find out.

What Sets eBay apart?


eBay prides itself on building stronger connections between buyers and sellers while providing a fast, mobile, and secure shopping/selling experience. They focus on empowering the seller instead of competing with others. Here are a few key eBay Statistics from 2022:

  • eBay has 159 million active users 
  • 80% of eBay items sold are new items
  • About 40% of products listed on eBay sell 
  • 1.5 billion listings make it one of the world's largest marketplace
  • About 70% of products sold on eBay ship free
  • 61% of eBay’s sales are via mobile devices
  • eBay has access to over 190 global markets
  • 57% of sales are international

Tools that Empower Sellers 

eBay offers various monthly subscriptions ranging from entry-level $4.95 options to $2,999.95 enterprise accounts. By becoming a paid member, you get access to a wealth of perks and tools that improve rankings, make selling more affordable, and increase sales. 

You also get access to the Seller Hub that gives you everything you need to grow your business, including seller insights, promotions manager, international and domestic shipping, payment management, and more.  

All of these data-driven tools and resources are there to help the sellers stay competitive across all 190 markets.

Resources for Opening Your First eBay Store 

We know the challenges of starting a new online marketplace. That’s why we created a series of resources to help experienced sellers looking to improve sales and new folks launching their first store. 

Is It Profitable to Sell on eBay?: Check out this article to learn more about profitability and how to start your first eBay store. 

How Are eBay Fees and Selling Costs Set?: Read this resource to learn about which eBay fees are essential to know about and how to reduce them. 

5 eBay Metrics You Should Track: Use this article to understand which metrics you need to know to stay competitive and improve sales. 

10 Best Selling Practices for eBay Sellers: Follow these steps to improve listing quality to reach the right customers. 

The Pros and Cons of eBay 

Like most marketplaces, eBay has its own set of positives and negatives. Experienced e-commerce sellers are likely aware of the pros and cons that come with launching a new online storefront. Let’s take a look at both. 

The Pros of Selling on eBay 

  • Simple account setup and easy to use
  • Access to millions of active sellers 
  • Seller protection 
  • Integration with PayPal 
  • Global shipping options 

The Cons of Selling on eBay 

  • Seller fees 
  • Can be difficult to manage inventory without cross-channel software
  • More competition 
  • Fluctuating competitor pricing

Learn how to Simplify Selling on eBay 

Selling on eBay certainly has its own learning curve. However, we offer powerful listing and pricing management software that automates repricing and streamlines inventory management to help you become a trusted seller. 

To learn more about expanding your e-commerce business to eBay, talk to one of our dedicated team members or enroll in a free 14-day trial of our platform today!