Online Marketplaces in South Africa
Over the last few years there has been a growth in online marketplaces and classifieds sites in South Africa, from the early days of Bobshop (bid or buy) and Takealot, now there are over a dozen and the number continues to grow.
This is a collection of all the marketplaces we know of that are operating, please do let us know if there is any we have missed.
Selling online through a marketplace or classifieds site is a great way to increase your sales, but it doesn’t create much for you in the way of a long term business.
You should use marketplaces as tools to increase your sales, while also building up your own business in ways such as creating your own website and online shopping platform.
When you are selling through a platform you are essentially “renting” a store, you don’t own it in any way.
Huge Design can assist with managing your marketplace listings and also build you your own online store or help you maintain yours. Get in touch if you could benefit from our services.
List of Marketplaces in South Africa
Amazon SA
Amazon has formally launched in South Africa at the beginning of 2024, offering a local marketplace as well as the opportunity to list on ther global marketplaces if you choose.
Avo
Avo is an online marketplace run by Nedbank, the offer a classifieds style website and integrate with some of their own features such as Greenbacks a Nedbank loyalty programme.
Bobshop
Formerly known as Bid or Buy, Bobshop is an easy to use classifieds style marketplace that integrates easily with multiple website platforms as well as functioning as a stand alone platform. You can get started for free, to become verified there is a minimal charge. Bobshop offers a “Store Front” which you would pay monthly for, or you can just list for free. There is a success fee charged on sales and you have to use their courier for delivery to customers which is an additional charge.
Cartwills
Cartwills is an online marketplace offering a diverse range of products. You ship directly to the customer and Cartwills facilitates the transaction and handles the advertising of your products.
Centurion Community Site (CCS)
Centurion Community Site (CCS) is a community based platform that also offers the opportunity for sellers to list their products on the site. Sellers are individually selected and each product is individually approved. The seller ships directly to the customer and CCS only charges a percentage fee per successful sale.
Daily Online
Daily Online provides an online marketplace platform where you can sell your products. They prioritise reliable vendors and vet sellers to ensure they are trustworthy.
It is free to register on the platform, thereafter there is a listing fee and commission fee, a transaction fee, a vender retainer fee and 15% vat is held back for non vat registered businesses. They also have an annual renewal fee, an optional subscription fee and require a balance in your vendor account to cover return handling, inspection and processing costs. Daily Online handles the shipping of your products to the customer.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a classified style section of Facebook where you can list your products for sale. You deal directly with the customer and Facebook does not get involved at all.
Featsy
Featsy is an online marketplace that focuses on the craft market in South Africa, helping creative individuals get their products out into the world. Working to increase exposure and the sales of products by talented artisans, crafters and entrepreneurs. Featsy charges a monthly subscription fee, a percentage success fee and a processing fee per sale. Sellers ship directly to the customer.
Gumtree
Gumtree is a long establish classifieds site that offers free listings of your products on its platform. You deal directly with the customer and Gumtree does not charge any fees. It does offer advertising and promotion options that you would be charged for if you would like to increase the exposure of your listings. Sellers ship directly to the customer.
Junk Mail
JunkMail is a classifieds site where you can list your products for free. You deal directly with your customers and ship directly, JunkMail does not get involved in the sale process. You list your products and your contact information is displayed for buyers to contact you directly.
Leroy Merlin
Leroy Merlin has added a marketplace to their website enabling sellers to list their products in the marketplace and sell to Leroy Merlin customers. You ship your products directly to the customer and Leroy Merlin charges fees based on the sale value.
Loot
Loot is an online marketplace where you can sell your products, they offer various packages and charge a monthly fee, fulfilment and success fees. They provide fulfilment services or you can ship directly to the customer. Loot also provides customers multiple payment options such as payflex, payjustnow and they can pay with Discovery Miles.
Makro
Makro has added a marketplace to their website were sellers can sign up to sell their products through the Makro website. You list your products one their site and when a customer makes a purchase they collect the order from you and deliver it to the customer. They charge a subscription fee, a success fee and a delivery fee.
Moksi
Moksi is an online marketplace for creators and artisans. The provide the platform to sell your handcrafted and homemade products. Moksi handles the sale of the products and you ship directly to the customer. There are multiple subscription packages available. In addition to the subscription you are charged a commission fee and a payment processing fee.
One Day Only
One Day Only is an online marketplace that focuses on daily deals. If you have products on promotion, this could be a great way to move the stock. Not all sellers are accepted on the platform, they review each application and choose who to allow to list their products.
RSA Made
RSA Made is an online marketplace for South African businesses and individuals to sell their products online. They focus on increasing exposure to locally manufactured products. The provide the platform, and manage the shipping to the customer. In addition to providing an online selling platform, customers can also request quotes for products.
SellSA
Sell-SA is an online marketplace where you can sign up to list your products on their platform. They have various packages available for you to sign up to. They charge a subscription fee, a commission on the sale of products, a payment processing fee and a pay-out fee. You ship directly to the customer.
Shopfox
Shopfox is an online marketplace that focuses on South African products, helping creators and artists get the products to consumers. The provide individual store pages for brands and help to increase brand value as well as helping to sell your products online.
Takealot
Takealot has grown to become the biggest online marketplace in South Africa. There is a monthly subscription fee for joining as well as success fees and fulfilment fees and possibly storage fees associated to operating your Takealot store. Fees vary depending on the categories you sell in. Takealot offer many options in terms of promoting your products, listing your products and delivering to customers.
Yaga
Yaga is an online marketplace where you can sell your products online, they have a focus on clothing and fashion products, but also offer other categories. It is free to list and your products on their platform, and they facilitate the sales. You ship directly to the customer. Yaga hold the payment until the customer has confirmed they have received their order and the sellers account is then credited with the payment.
