Marketplace vs. Your Own E-Commerce Website: The Control Your Business Deserves | eFusion Technology
Email Us Call Now at 6292 3086

Marketplace vs. Your Own E-Commerce Website: The Control Your Business Deserves

4 Dec 2024

When it comes to running an e-commerce business, merchants often find themselves caught between the convenience of marketplaces like Shopee and the independence of owning their own branded website. While marketplaces provide an easy entry point, the operational pains and lack of control can significantly impact your profitability and growth. Let’s break down the differences and why it might be time to take control of your business with a custom-built e-commerce website.

The Pain Points of Selling on Shopee

Operating on Shopee comes with challenges that many merchants face daily:

  1. Unreasonable Chat Reply Requirements – Shopee requires merchants to respond to 85% of chat messages within a short time frame—even to irrelevant or frivolous inquiries. This can be a major drain on resources and focus
  2. Rigid Shipping Deadlines – You must ship or mark orders as SHIPPED within a day, leaving little room for flexibility and increasing the chances of mistakes.
  3. Skyrocketing Commissions – Marketplace commissions are constantly increasing, cutting deeper into your margins with every sale.
  4. Costly Advertising – Competing for banner space or visibility on Shopee can cost up to $15,000 per month, making it an expensive way to stand out.
  5. Forced Participation in Sales – Shopee’s constant sales promotions often require merchants to bear part of the cost, leaving you with razor-thin margins—or even losses.
  6. Lost Customer Ownership – Building funnels to capture customer contacts is painstakingly difficult on Shopee, leaving you vulnerable if you ever decide to leave the platform.
  7. Poor Backend Experience – Shopee’s backend system is far from user-friendly. Once you mark an item as SHIPPED, it moves to a different section, making it easy to forget to send the order.
  8. Limited Customization – You’re restricted to Shopee’s preset categories and shipping options, preventing you from tailoring your store to your brand or customers’ needs.
  9. Strict Shipping Rules – Shipping options are tied to specific categories, which may not align with your business processes.

These challenges aren’t unique to Shopee—other marketplaces like TikTok and Lazada present similar issues.

Take Back Control with Your Own Website

As a merchant, you must ask yourself: Do you want full control of your business, or do you want to remain at the mercy of a marketplace?

Here’s why building your own branded website is the better choice:

  1. Complete Control – With your own website, you decide how your store looks, functions, and engages with customers. Create custom categories, set your own shipping options, and maintain direct relationships with your customers.
  2. Higher Profit Margins – Say goodbye to skyrocketing commissions and sales deductions. With your own platform, you keep more of what you earn.
  3. Enhanced Brand Identity – A custom-designed website reflects your brand’s uniqueness, helping you stand out in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
  4. Better Customer Retention – Capture customer data directly and build a loyal customer base that you can engage with through email, social media, or SMS campaigns.
  5. Scalable and Flexible – Unlike rigid marketplaces, your website grows with your business, allowing you to integrate advanced features like AI recommendations, loyalty programs, and more.

Funding Opportunities for Your E-Commerce Transformation

Worried about the cost of building your e-commerce website? Here’s how you can make it affordable:

  1. Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) – Leverage up to 50%-70% funding to offset the cost of building your e-commerce store.
  2. SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) – Additional subsidies under SFEC are available, but the program ends on 31 March 2025—don’t miss out!
  3. Other Grants – If you’re no longer eligible for PSG, consider grants like the CTC (Company Training Committee) or EDG (Enterprise Development Grant).
  4. Staffing Grants – Unlock cash for your e-commerce revamp through staffing grants that can supplement your budget.
  5. Tailored Solutions – At eFusion Technology, we’ll help you navigate the grant landscape and even explore training grants to cover costs. There’s always a way to make it work.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Marketplace platforms may offer a quick start, but the long-term benefits of owning your own e-commerce website far outweigh the limitations. Take control of your business, build a unique customer experience, and secure your growth.

Reach out to us to create your custom e-commerce store and leveraging available grants to make it happen. Together, we can find the best solution to help your business thrive.

Let’s get started today! https://www.efusiontech.com/portfolio-ecommerce-design/

Let's chat