This article reflects information as of 2021. For the latest details, please contact us.
Written by: Qian Yunwen, Director / PR, tentus inc.
Hello, everyone — good day and good evening!
Lately we've been getting a lot of inquiries about cross-border EC and building EC sites, and even for site builds we're seeing more requests for integration with online shops. So in today's post I want to explain which EC platform to choose when you set up shop online.
Marketplace vs. Own-Store EC
Marketplace EC refers to EC sites where multiple shops gather to form one large shop. It may be easiest to think of it as a department store or shopping mall on the internet.
Representative marketplace EC platforms in Japan include Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo!
Own-store EC, on the other hand, refers to an EC site where you acquire your own domain and run an individual online shop.
Some time ago, launching your own EC store meant building a system from scratch, which required high technical skill and deep pockets. Today, however, there are more customizable packages aimed at small-to-medium and large enterprises, as well as beginner-friendly EC platforms available for just a few thousand yen a month — so anyone can now easily build their own EC store.
Representative platforms for building your own EC store include Shopify, BASE, and STORES.
Comparing Marketplace EC
Representative marketplace EC platforms in Japan include Amazon, Rakuten, and Yahoo!
Based on the monthly reports of Nielsen Digital Content Ratings, EC service usage figures were released.
The April 2020 report surveyed the three major EC marketplaces — "Amazon," "Rakuten Ichiba," and "Yahoo! Shopping." On a total digital basis (excluding overlap between PC and mobile), Amazon had the largest number of users.
Comparing Own-Store EC
Representative platforms for building your own EC store include Shopify, BASE, and STORES.
Data through May 2021.
There's no blanket answer on which own-store EC platform is best. If you want to expand overseas, then of course we recommend Shopify — but if you're staying domestic, you should weigh sales and fees and choose between BASE and STORES.
Conclusion
Marketplace EC and own-store EC each have their own advantages and disadvantages, and it's impossible to say flatly that one is superior. Understand the differences between the two types of EC site, determine the direction your shop is aiming for, and strategically consider the way of running an EC site that best fits your business.
And rather than worrying about it all alone, why not leave it to us?
We've now launched our "End-to-End EC Business Launch Support" service for businesses considering starting an EC operation as a pivot. Please make use of it.
Reference Articles
https://netshop.impress.co.jp/node/7828
https://www.shopify.jp/blog/mall-vs-ecplatform
https://www.anvie.co.jp/blog/shopify-base-stores%25E6%25AF%2594%25E8%25BC%2583