Is Opening an eBay Store Worth It? A Complete Guide for Sellers
Thinking about opening an eBay store? With over 135 million active buyers worldwide, eBay offers a huge marketplace for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and resellers. But is it the right choice for you?
In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of opening an eBay store, costs, seller benefits, and whether it’s a profitable investment in 2024.
What is an eBay Store?
- An eBay store is a subscription-based seller account that offers:
A customized storefront with branding options
Discounted selling fees
Increased listing limits
Marketing & promotional tools
Unlike a regular eBay seller account, an eBay store provides more control, better visibility, and cost-saving perks.
Is Opening an eBay Store Worth It?
- YES – If you sell items regularly
NO – If you only sell occasionally - An eBay store is worth it if you:
Sell at least 50-100 items per month
Want lower listing & final value fees
Need marketing tools to boost sales
Plan to scale your online business
For casual sellers, a store subscription may not be necessary, as eBay charges listing fees only after reaching free listing limits.
eBay Store Subscription Plans & Costs
eBay offers five store subscription levels, each with different pricing and benefits.
| Store Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost (Monthly Rate) | Free Listings | Final Value Fee Discount |
| Starter | $7.95 | $4.95/month | 250 | No discount |
| Basic | $27.95 | $21.95/month | 1,000 | Yes |
| Premium | $74.95 | $59.95/month | 10,000 | Yes |
| Anchor | $349.95 | $299.95/month | 25,000 | Yes |
| Enterprise | $2,999.95 | $2,999.95/month | 100,000+ | Yes |
Tip: If you sell more than 100 items per month, a Basic or Premium store can save you money on listing and final value fees.
Pros & Cons of Opening an eBay Store
- Advantages
- Lower Fees – Reduced listing fees & final value fees.
Better Branding – Custom storefront to showcase products.
More Free Listings – Higher limits than individual sellers.
Marketing Tools – Promoted listings, email campaigns & discounts.
Seller Support – eBay provides dedicated customer service for store owners. - Disadvantages
- Monthly Fees – Must pay a fixed fee regardless of sales.
Higher Competition – eBay has millions of sellers.
Strict Seller Policies – eBay enforces return & refund rules that favor buyers.
PayPal & eBay Fees – Fees can add up quickly, impacting profits.
Best for sellers who list frequently & want to scale their business!
How Much Do eBay Fees Cost?
eBay charges sellers different types of fees:
| Fee Type | Cost |
| Insertion Fee | $0.30 per listing (if exceeding free limit) |
| Final Value Fee | 12%-15% of the total sale price |
| Payment Processing Fee | 2.9% + $0.30 (via eBay Managed Payments) |
| Optional Promotion Fees | Varies (eBay ads & promoted listings) |
Example Calculation:
If you sell a $100 item, eBay may charge:
- $12 final value fee (12%)
- $2.90 payment processing fee (2.9%)
- $0.30 listing fee (if exceeding free limit)
Total Fees = $15.20, meaning you keep $84.80.
An eBay store helps reduce these costs by providing free listings & lower final value fees!
How to Open an eBay Store (Step-by-Step)
- Create an eBay Seller Account – Sign up at eBay.com.
Choose a Store Subscription Plan – Pick a plan that fits your sales volume.
Set Up Your Storefront – Customize your store name, logo & categories.
List Your Products – Optimize listings with SEO-friendly descriptions & images.
Promote & Sell – Use eBay’s marketing tools to boost traffic & conversions.
Tip: Optimize your titles & descriptions with keywords like “Best-Selling Sneakers – Brand New, Free Shipping” to rank higher in search results!
Alternatives to an eBay Store
If you’re unsure about committing to eBay, consider these alternatives:
| Platform | Best For | Fees |
| Amazon FBA | Large-scale sellers | 15% commission + fulfillment fees |
| Etsy | Handmade, vintage, & unique items | 6.5% transaction fee |
| Shopify | Branding & full eCommerce control | $29/month |
| Facebook Marketplace | Local sales, no shipping | 0%-5% per transaction |
If you want more control & branding, Shopify is a great choice. If you prefer a built-in customer base, eBay & Amazon are ideal!
Conclusion
- YES – If you sell frequently & want lower fees
NO – If you sell casually & don’t need extra tools - An eBay store is best for sellers looking to:
Build a brand & storefront
Lower listing & final value fees
Scale their eCommerce business
However, small or casual sellers may be better off using a regular eBay seller account without paying for a store.
Thinking about starting an eBay store? Choose the right plan & start selling today!
FAQs
1. How much does it cost to open an eBay store?
eBay store plans start at $4.95/month (annual Starter plan) and go up to $2,999.95/month (Enterprise plan).
2. How many items do I need to sell to make an eBay store worth it?
If you sell 50+ items per month, an eBay store saves you money on listing & final value fees.
3. Can I cancel my eBay store anytime?
Yes, but monthly plans can be canceled anytime, while annual plans may have early termination fees.
4. Is eBay better than Amazon for sellers?
eBay is better for unique items, collectibles & resellers, while Amazon is better for bulk & brand-new products.
5. What is the biggest downside of selling on eBay?
High seller fees and strict refund policies can cut into profits, especially for low-margin items.
Also read: Netflix Employee Benefits: A Complete Guide for 2024
