Selling on e-commerce marketplaces is no longer an unfamiliar advertising tool—it has become a mandatory requirement for any business that wants to survive and grow. However, the ease of joining these e-commerce platforms often masks a harsh reality: many businesses still fail despite their best efforts. So how do you find the best e-commerce marketplace and avoid common mistakes in e-commerce business? This article will help you understand the typical mistakes when selling on e-commerce marketplaces and how to avoid them to build a truly successful business.
E-commerce business strategy
What Is an E-commerce Marketplace? Why Choose the Best E-commerce Marketplace?
An e-commerce marketplace is an online platform that allows multiple sellers (individuals or organizations) to join and sell goods or provide services. Instead of building your own sales website from scratch, small businesses can leverage existing e-commerce marketplaces to sell on the platform and reach a large customer base.
Popular types of e-commerce marketplaces include:
- B2C marketplaces (Business to Consumer) such as Shopee, Lazada, Tiki — where businesses sell directly to end consumers.
- B2B marketplaces (Business to Business) such as Alibaba, GMAJOR — platforms connecting businesses with other businesses, ideal for export and international cooperation.
- C2C marketplaces allow individuals to sell to each other.
Choosing the best e-commerce marketplace is a critical decision because it directly affects costs, customer interaction, and sales performance.
Golden Benefits of E-commerce for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Global Market Access Without Large Investments
This is the biggest benefit when selling on e-commerce marketplaces. Previously, small businesses had to spend significant time and money to reach international customers. Now, simply joining a reputable e-commerce marketplace allows businesses to connect with millions of customers worldwide without building a separate website or physical store.
Optimized Operating Costs
When selling on the best e-commerce marketplace, businesses do not need to rent expensive premises, hire store staff, or manage complex warehouses. These savings (up to 40-50%) can be reinvested into product advertising, development, or improving customer service.
Mistakes to avoid when doing business on e-commerce platforms
Serious Mistakes That Cause E-commerce Marketplace Businesses to Fail
Mistake 1: Choosing the Wrong E-commerce Marketplace Not Suitable for Your Products
Many businesses rush into selling on e-commerce marketplaces without carefully selecting the right type. If you sell B2B products but list them on B2C marketplaces like Shopee or Lazada, you will waste time because you won’t reach the right customer segment.
Lesson: Clearly identify the best e-commerce marketplace type for your products B2B, B2C, or C2C before deciding to sell on the platform.
Mistake 2: Poor Product Ranking and Descriptions on E-commerce Marketplaces
When selling on e-commerce marketplaces, product images and detailed descriptions are decisive factors in whether customers buy or not. Many sellers use blurry images or overly brief descriptions and then wonder why sales are low.
Lesson: Invest in high-quality product images (multiple angles, with models, clear backgrounds) and write detailed product descriptions, including technical specifications, usage instructions, and comparisons with similar products to gain a competitive edge.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Security and Data Protection
Customer data security is not only a legal requirement but also a decisive factor in building trust. When data is leaked or fraud occurs, customers immediately leave and look for other platforms.
Lesson: Invest in modern security technology, use data encryption, two-factor authentication, and comply with international security standards.
Mistake 4: Not Optimizing Pricing and Promotional Strategies on E-commerce Marketplaces
Many sellers do not understand the platform’s algorithm mechanisms and fail to set competitive prices. They price too high or do not apply promotions suitable for seasonal trends, causing products to get low views and hard-to-sell status.
Lesson: Research competitor pricing on the marketplace, participate in platform promotional programs, and balance profit margins with sales volume.
Mistake 5: Choosing an Unreliable E-commerce Marketplace or Weak Support
A mistake many businesses overlook is selecting the best e-commerce marketplace. If you sell on an unreliable platform without professional support, you will lose time, money, and business opportunities. A good e-commerce marketplace must have a support team, analytics tools, and marketing strategies to help sellers.
Lesson: Choose reputable e-commerce marketplaces with a proven track record, professional support teams, and genuine interest in seller development.
Challenges and opportunities on the e-commerce platform
Common Challenges When Selling on E-commerce Marketplaces
In addition to the mistakes above, businesses also face objective challenges when selling on e-commerce marketplaces:
Fierce competition on the platform means many sellers offer similar products, forcing constant price adjustments and service upgrades. Payment issues still exist due to incomplete synchronization between banks and e-wallets. Logistics management is a major challenge, especially for deliveries to remote areas, with risks of delays or damaged goods. Building customer trust when they cannot physically touch products is also a difficult task.
Effective Strategies for Selling on E-commerce Marketplaces
To succeed in selling on e-commerce marketplaces, businesses need to:
Find the best e-commerce marketplace suitable for their products B2C marketplaces like Shopee, Lazada for retail, or B2B marketplaces like GMAJOR for export and international cooperation.
Build a comprehensive marketing plan including product title optimization, paid advertising, and attractive promotional programs.
Most importantly, collaborate with reputable partners to minimize mistakes and accelerate growth.
GMAJOR – The Best E-commerce Marketplace for Businesses
GMAJOR is a B2B e-commerce marketplace specially designed for small and medium-sized businesses in Vietnam that want to conquer global markets. Unlike traditional e-commerce marketplaces that only allow selling, GMAJOR offers comprehensive accompanying service packages.
Instead of just allowing you to sell on the e-commerce marketplace, GMAJOR also:
Provides expert consulting to help you avoid common mistakes when selling on e-commerce marketplaces.
Connects businesses with 3-6 potential partners each month through professional negotiations.
Trains your staff from partner sourcing to executing international transactions.
Supports advertising on the GMAJOR e-commerce marketplace to increase global product visibility.
GMAJOR – Connecting global businesses
Finding the best e-commerce marketplace and succeeding in selling on e-commerce marketplaces is not an unsolvable complex problem. The key is understanding common mistakes when selling on e-commerce marketplaces, choosing the right platform for your products, and partnering with reputable support providers.
GMAJOR is currently offering a special 20% discount for new businesses. This is a golden opportunity to experience premium services from the best e-commerce marketplace at a reasonable cost.
📞 Contact GMAJOR now: Hotline 036 300 3831 | Email support@gmajor.biz
