I’m often asked, “Should I be selling my products on marketplaces?”

For some, that’s a loaded topic that opens up deeper questions about diluting your brand, potentially losing margin, and opening yourself up to copycats.

I could go on for days, but I like a simpler answer: Yes, sell on marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay.

Here’s why:

Everyone should experiment with this sales model because there’s lots to learn from it. But it shouldn’t be your only strategy. Everyone knows it’s not wise to build a house on land owned by someone else. Also, it’s good to diversify.

So if you’re going to build an ecommerce business and a single marketplace drives all of your sales, don’t be surprised if, in a few years, the rules of the game change and you can no longer sell on that channel.

Or don’t be caught off guard when the terms change, or the fees go up. Be smart.

Absolutely, sell on a marketplace or multiple marketplaces, but learn from the experience and fierce competition.

From there, take the necessary steps to grow your business and grab a piece of ecommerce property by developing your own online store.