Shopping online is super easy, but sometimes you want to buy from stores close to you. This guide will help you find the best local e-commerce businesses. These top brands offer great products and services, both online and in-store.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon is a top choice for online shopping with fast delivery options.
- eBay offers unique items, including used and new products.
- Walmart combines online shopping with convenient local pickup.
- Shopify supports many small businesses with their online stores.
- Etsy is perfect for handmade and vintage items from local creators.
Amazon
Amazon is a giant in the e-commerce world, offering everything from clothes to electronics. It is one of the largest e-commerce companies globally. Besides selling its own products, Amazon also allows third-party vendors to sell on its platform. In fact, 60% of sales on Amazon come from these third-party vendors.
Amazon provides two main ways for vendors to fulfill orders: Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) and Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM). With FBA, Amazon stores and ships the products. With FBM, the vendor handles storage and shipping but must follow Amazon’s rules.
Amazon is not just an online marketplace; it also has physical stores like Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh. These stores offer a unique shopping experience where you can just walk in, pick up items, and walk out without waiting in line.
For those looking to sell on Amazon, the Amazon Seller University is a free resource that helps you learn how to list, price, fulfill, and advertise your products.
eBay
Founded in 1995 by Pierre Omidyar, eBay is a major player in the ecommerce world. Based in San Jose, California, it started as an online auction site and has grown into a multibillion-dollar business. eBay allows both consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales.
Key Features
- Auction and Buy It Now: Sellers can choose to auction their items or sell them at a fixed price.
- Global Reach: eBay operates in more than 190 markets worldwide.
- Seller Fees: While buyers can use the site for free, sellers are charged a fee for listing items.
Revenue
In 2022, eBay reported an annual net revenue of about $9.8 billion, a slight decrease from the $10.4 billion reported in 2021.
eBay’s platform is free for buyers, but sellers pay a fee to list their items. This model has helped eBay become a go-to marketplace for both new and used goods.
Why Choose eBay?
- Flexibility: Sellers can set their own prices and negotiate with buyers.
- Variety: From electronics to art, eBay offers a wide range of products.
- Trust: eBay has built a reputation for being a reliable platform for both buyers and sellers.
Walmart
Walmart is a giant in the retail world, known for its vast network of supercenters and its strong online presence. Walmart has cleverly used its physical stores as mini-warehouses for online orders. This means customers can buy items online and pick them up at a nearby store, making shopping super convenient.
In 2022, Walmart’s revenue was about $611 billion, and its website, Walmart.com, gets around 268 million visits each month. This shows how popular Walmart is both in stores and online.
Walmart’s online platform, Walmart Marketplace, allows sellers to create product catalogs and reach a huge audience. This is a great opportunity for businesses looking to expand their reach.
With its blend of physical and online shopping options, Walmart offers a seamless shopping experience for everyone.
To find the nearest Walmart, you can use the store finder on their website. Just enter your zip code or address, and you’ll get a list of nearby stores with their addresses, hours, and services like pharmacy or gas station.
Walmart’s strategy of using its stores as distribution points for online orders is a smart move that sets it apart from other retailers. This approach not only speeds up delivery times but also makes it easier for customers to get what they need quickly.
Shopify
Shopify is a leading ecommerce platform that helps businesses of all sizes create and manage their online stores. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and powerful features.
Key Features
- Online Store Builder: Easily create a professional website with customizable themes.
- Shopify App Store: Access a wide range of apps to enhance your store’s functionality.
- Shopify Capital: Secure funding to grow your business.
- Shopify Flow: Automate various aspects of your business operations.
- Shopify Plus: A robust solution for rapidly growing digital brands.
Selling Options
Shopify offers multiple ways to sell your products:
- Online: Reach millions of shoppers through your online store.
- In Person: Use Shopify’s Point of Sale (POS) system to sell in physical locations.
- Across Channels: Integrate with social media and other platforms to expand your reach.
- Globally: Tap into international markets with ease.
Managing Your Business
Shopify provides tools to help you manage your business efficiently:
- Inventory & Order Management: Keep track of your stock and orders seamlessly.
- Analytics & Reporting: Measure your store’s performance with detailed reports.
- Shopify Shipping: Streamline your shipping process.
- Shopify Fulfillment Network: Outsource your fulfillment and returns.
Shopify stands out for its ability to inspire and empower entrepreneurs to build successful online stores. With over 50 beautiful, inspirational ecommerce stores, it’s easy to see why so many choose Shopify.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, Shopify has the tools and resources to help you succeed.
Etsy
Etsy is a popular online marketplace based in New York, New York, that focuses on handmade and vintage items. Sellers can list products like jewelry, clothing, home décor, and craft supplies. Etsy gives small business owners a personal digital storefront for a small fee of 20¢ per item.
Key Features
- Handmade and vintage products
- Personal digital storefronts
- Low listing fees
Revenue and Users
Etsy reported a revenue of $2.6 billion in 2022 and has about 92 million active buyers. Small businesses earned nearly $4 billion in 2021 by selling on Etsy.
Etsy is like a digital craft fair, making it easy for small businesses to reach a large audience.
Target
Target is a well-known retail giant that offers a wide range of products, from groceries to electronics. Their online platform is user-friendly and provides a seamless shopping experience. Whether you’re looking for household essentials or the latest fashion trends, Target has you covered.
Key Features
- Same-day delivery: Target offers same-day delivery for many items, making it convenient for last-minute needs.
- Order pickup: You can order online and pick up your items at a nearby store, saving time and shipping costs.
- Drive Up: This service allows you to place an order online and have it brought out to your car when you arrive at the store.
Popular Categories
- Groceries: Fresh produce, pantry staples, and more.
- Electronics: From the latest gadgets to essential accessories.
- Home Goods: Furniture, decor, and cleaning supplies.
- Clothing: Fashion for the whole family.
Target’s commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience makes it a top choice for local shoppers. Their blend of online and in-store services ensures you get what you need, when you need it.
Best Buy
Best Buy, which began as an audio shop in the 1960s, has grown into a leading retailer for all things tech. In 1983, they shifted their focus to consumer electronics, and they’ve been thriving ever since. Best Buy is now the top consumer electronics retailer in the US.
Their partnership with GeekSquad, started in 2002, makes tech support easy and accessible. Whether you need help setting up a new TV or fixing a laptop, GeekSquad has you covered.
Best Buy’s online presence is just as impressive as their physical stores. Their website offers a wide range of products, from basic computer electronics and mobile devices to baby products and outdoor living essentials. They even have items related to health and wellness.
One unique feature of Best Buy’s ecommerce store is "Best Buy Drops." This innovative approach uses their mobile app to offer exclusive deals during the holiday season. These deals are available in limited quantities, creating a sense of urgency for shoppers. What sets Best Buy apart is their ability to tailor pricing and timing for these offers to entice buyers.
Best Buy’s store locator is a handy tool for finding the nearest store. It provides detailed information like address, phone number, operating hours, and store footfall traffic. You can also filter by services and categories to narrow down your search. This tool acts as a store’s landing page, showing available products, service offerings, frequently asked questions, customer reviews, top deals, and promotions.
For those looking to sell via Best Buy’s website, you must apply through Best Buy Marketplace. This platform connects all Best Buy physical stores and their inventory with the online platform, helping customers know if the item they want is available locally or if they need to visit another nearby store.
Alibaba
Alibaba is a major player in the ecommerce world, often used as a B2B or wholesale marketplace. Alibaba.com is one of the world’s leading wholesale online marketplaces. Founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, Alibaba Group Holding Limited offers a wide range of services in ecommerce, internet service, and technology development.
Key Features
- Wholesale Marketplace: Alibaba is known for its extensive range of wholesale products, making it a go-to platform for businesses looking to purchase items in bulk.
- Global Reach: The platform connects suppliers and buyers from all over the world, facilitating international trade.
- Diverse Services: From consumer-to-consumer to business-to-business sales, Alibaba covers a broad spectrum of ecommerce needs.
Revenue and Popularity
Alibaba’s revenue for 2022 was about $126.5 billion. Its consumer-facing site, AliExpress, enjoys an average of 431 million visits per month.
Alibaba is often considered China’s answer to Amazon, offering a one-stop ecommerce experience with a vast range of products.
Why Choose Alibaba?
- Variety of Products: From electronics to fashion, Alibaba offers a wide array of products to choose from.
- Competitive Pricing: The platform often provides competitive prices, especially for bulk purchases.
- Trustworthy Suppliers: Alibaba has a vetting process to ensure that suppliers are reliable and trustworthy.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a reliable B2B or wholesale marketplace, Alibaba is a strong contender. Its global reach, diverse services, and competitive pricing make it a top choice for businesses and individuals alike.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a popular classified ad website in the US, but it is also used in other countries. It started in 1995 as an email Listserv by Craig Newmark, focusing on events in the San Francisco Bay Area. By 1996, it had transformed into a website and expanded into various categories like jobs, housing, items for sale, gig services, and discussion forums.
Craigslist now covers metropolitan areas in more than 70 countries and attracts about 191.6 million visits each month. It’s a go-to platform for local buying and selling.
- Jobs
- Housing
- Items for sale
- Gig services
- Discussion forums
Whether you’re looking for a job, a place to live, or just want to sell something, Craigslist has you covered.
Meta
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has become a major player in the ecommerce world. Meta’s platforms like Facebook and Instagram offer businesses a way to reach millions of potential customers.
Meta’s advertising tools are powerful and user-friendly. They allow businesses to create targeted ads that can reach specific audiences based on their interests, behaviors, and demographics. This makes it easier for businesses to connect with the right customers and increase their sales.
Key Features
- Targeted Advertising: Meta’s ad tools let you target specific groups of people, making your ads more effective.
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform is easy to use, even for beginners.
- Analytics: Meta provides detailed analytics to help you track the performance of your ads.
Meta’s advertising tools can take you step-by-step from beginner to wildly skilled at advertising.
Benefits for Local Businesses
Local businesses can benefit greatly from using Meta’s platforms. By targeting ads to people in their local area, businesses can attract more customers and increase their sales. Meta also offers tools for creating engaging content, which can help businesses build a strong online presence.
Getting Started
- Create a Meta Business Account.
- Set up your ad campaign by choosing your target audience and budget.
- Design your ad using Meta’s creative tools.
- Launch your ad and monitor its performance using Meta’s analytics tools.
Meta’s platforms offer a powerful way for businesses to reach new customers and grow their sales. Whether you’re a small local shop or a large ecommerce business, Meta’s tools can help you succeed in the digital marketplace.
Conclusion
Exploring local e-commerce businesses can be a rewarding experience. Not only do you get to support your community, but you also enjoy the convenience of online shopping combined with the personal touch of in-store service. Whether you’re looking for same-day delivery, curbside pickup, or just want to see what’s available nearby, local e-commerce options have you covered. So next time you shop, consider checking out the top e-commerce businesses near you. You’ll be surprised at the variety and quality of products and services available right in your neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amazon known for?
Amazon is famous for its vast selection of products, fast shipping, and services like Prime Video and AWS.
How does eBay work?
eBay is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell new or used items through auctions or direct sales.
What makes Walmart popular?
Walmart is known for its low prices, wide range of products, and convenient store locations.
What is Shopify used for?
Shopify is a platform that helps businesses create and manage their own online stores easily.
Why do people shop on Etsy?
People shop on Etsy to find unique, handmade, or vintage items directly from individual sellers.
What services does Best Buy offer?
Best Buy offers electronics and appliances, along with services like Geek Squad for tech support and installations.