Selling on Amazon vs eBay: Which Platform is Best for Your Business?

Choosing where to sell your book is critical. E-commerce giants Amazon and eBay sell books, but which is best for your publishing business? Amazon is the clear leader for self-publishers, but there are still opportunities on other platforms, including eBay. 

Why Amazon is the Better Option for Publishers and Sellers

Amazon dominates the book Market globally, selling more books than any other retailer. Selling on Amazon gets your book in front of more potential readers, which means more sales opportunities. That doesn’t mean you can’t sell books on eBay. It just means you’ll have a smaller pool of potential buyers and fewer opportunities for sales. 

Amazon’s massive customer base is not the only thing that makes It the perfect place to sell self-published books. The platform's sophisticated search engine and algorithm make it easier for interested readers to find your book. Next, we will share some of our success stories from sttudents who sold on Amazon.

Publishing.com Success Stories

We recommend our students focus their publishing efforts on Amazon. Our repeatable process has helped thousands of students launch an Amazon publishing business.

Brenda was pleasantly surprised by the results of publishing her first book. She found our professional coaching and expert-led workshops invaluable in launching her self-publishing business; you can feel her excitement.

Brenda’s publishing business continued to grow. Community support can make all the difference for a budding business. By leveraging our team's knowledge, expertise, and hard work, Brenda has built a publishing business to be proud of. 

Amazon vs eBay: Which Platform Has the Bigger Audience?

When comparing Amazon and eBay as platforms for selling books and digital content, one factor to consider is the size and nature of their respective audiences. Amazon’s customer base is massive compared to eBay's.

Amazon's Dominance

Over 300 million active users shop on Amazon, making it the largest online marketplace in the world. For self-publishers, this translates to unparalleled reach and visibility. The platform’s focus on books and digital content makes it an obvious fit for self-publishers. Amazon is one of the best opportunities to make an extra $500 a month or even more.

eBay's Customer Base

While sizable, eBay’s customer base pales compared to Amazon’s. eBay boasts about 135 million active users, many focusing on collectibles, used items, and niche products. While it’s possible to sell books on eBay, the platform’s audience is less likely to include avid readers or those searching for digital content, making it less ideal for self-publishers.

Amazon’s Better For Scaling

For professional sellers looking to scale their businesses, Amazon offers various tools and services, including products such as Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon). By leveraging Amazon’s warehouses, sellers can store inventory and fulfill orders seamlessly. eBay sellers, on the other hand, must manage their stock and shipping, which can become a bottleneck as their business grows.

Is it cheaper to sell on eBay than on Amazon?

While eBay generally has a reputation for lower fees, the actual cost-effectiveness depends on several factors, including product type, selling volume, and fulfillment method. Both platforms have complex fee structures that can impact a seller's bottom line differently depending on their circumstances.

eBay Fees

One of the main reasons sellers consider eBay is its lower cost structure. eBay charges an insertion fee for listing each product and a final value fee—a percentage of the sale price—once the item is sold. The final value fee depends on the product category but is a higher price generally lower than Amazon’s referral fees.

Final Value Fee

The final value fee for eBay sellers typically ranges from 10% to 15%, making it a more affordable option for those selling high-priced items. However, these costs can add up quickly, especially for professional sellers listing multiple products.

Amazon Fees

Amazon’s fee structure includes customer referral fees, ranging from 6% to 45% depending on the seller category, and a monthly fee for professional sellers. Amazon also charges additional fees for optional services, such as FBA. While these fees may seem high, Amazon’s fee structure is justified by the platform’s comprehensive services, global reach, and advanced marketing tools.

Amazon's Fee Structure Is Justified

Amazon provides sellers with tools that simplify inventory management, shipping, and customer service. By using FBA, sellers can offer competitive prices and faster shipping, which attract more buyers. These advantages often outweigh the higher costs associated with selling on Amazon.

Is It Good Money to Sell on Amazon?

The opportunities to make money on Amazon are there for the taking. Amazon's success depends on several factors: product selection, pricing strategy, competition, and marketing efforts. The choice is evident compared to eBay: you’re more likely to make good money on Amazon.

Profitability on Amazon

Selling on Amazon can be highly profitable for self-publishers. Authors can generate significant revenue with access to a global audience and robust marketing and fulfillment tools. Amazon’s KDP Select program even allows publishers to earn royalties more sales through Kindle Unlimited, providing an additional income stream.

Profitability For eBay Sellers

While selling on eBay can also be profitable, the platform’s smaller buyer and seller audience and manual fulfillment process limit its scalability. eBay is better suited for one-off sales or niche markets rather than building a long-term publishing business.

Amazon Offers Better Opportunities For Long-Term Profitability

Amazon’s focus on scalability and branding makes it the better choice for self-publishers seeking long-term profitability. By leveraging Amazon’s advertising tools and global reach, sellers can increase their visibility, attract loyal readers and customers, and grow their business sustainably.

Do More People Shop on Amazon or eBay?

Most shoppers prefer Amazon for its convenience, competitive prices, and fast shipping. With more than 60% of online shoppers starting their product searches on Amazon, the platform has become the go-to marketplace for buyers. eBay, for example, while popular, attracts a more niche audience, often looking for specific or second-hand items.

What is the Downside of Selling on eBay?

The primary downside is eBay's smaller, less book-focused audience, which can result in lower visibility and sales. Unlike Amazon, eBay requires sellers to handle their inventory and shipping, which can become time-consuming and challenging as a business grows. The platform offers fewer tools for brand building and author promotion than Amazon's dedicated author pages and marketing features.

eBay's fee structure, while potentially lower, may not offset the reduced exposure and sales potential for books and digital content. These limitations can make it more difficult for self-publishers to establish a strong presence and scale their businesses effectively on eBay.

In short, eBay has several limitations for self-publishers, including: 

• Smaller audience: eBay’s user base is less suited for books and digital content.
• Manual fulfillment: Sellers must handle shipping and returns themselves.
• High competition in niche categories: eBay’s audience is drawn to unique or hard-to-find items, which may not align with a self-publisher’s goals.
• Limited scalability: With tools like FBA, scaling a business on eBay is easier.

Selling on Amazon vs eBay: Which is Better for Your Brand?

Amazon provides dedicated author pages, customer reviews, and powerful marketing tools that make establishing a strong brand identity easy. While eBay can be suitable for niche markets or collectible books, it lacks the specialized tools and book-centric audience that Amazon offers. 

Building a Brand on Amazon

KDP Select, Amazon Ads, author pages, reviews, and Amazon’s marketing tools are perfect for building a publishing brand. The platform is geared toward author and publisher brands. 

Our free webinar touches on the marketing power of the Amazon review system. We explain how to let reviews market your book for you, where to get them, and the best way to leverage Amazon’s built-in marketing tools. We’ll even show you how to maximize your income from every book you publish. 

Sign up today and learn how we’ve helped thousands sell their books on Amazon!

Building a Brand on eBay

While you can sell books on eBay, the platform could be optimized for authors, and there are fewer tools to help you create a strong brand. eBay is better suited for niche products, so if you’re a self-publisher looking to grow a sustainable brand, Amazon offers a much better opportunity.

Amazon Was Made for Publishers

For most self-publishers, Amazon is the clear winner. The platform provides unparalleled reach, powerful tools for building and growing your brand, and the infrastructure to support your business. With Amazon’s print-on-demand services, advertising options, and global customer base, turning your passion for writing into a sustainable business is more effortless.

While eBay may have its place for niche markets or collectible books, it doesn’t offer the same support and scalability for self-publishers. If you want to reach a global audience, build your brand, and scale your business, Amazon is the platform you should use.