TikTok vs. Amazon & eBay

GoSellIt

Why TikTok Shop Offers a New (and Better) Way to Sell Online

Traditional platforms like Amazon and eBay have dominated the e-commerce space for years — but a new era of video-first, creator-led commerce is here. TikTok Shop changes the game by combining entertainment with instant buying power, offering sellers a dynamic alternative with fewer barriers and more growth potential.

Let’s break it down:

1️⃣ Audience & Buyer Behavior

• TikTok Shop

  • Built for discovery: products go viral through video.

  • Gen Z & Millennials are highly engaged and purchase based on trends and creators’ influence.

  • Users buy impulsively after watching live streams or affiliate content.

• Amazon & eBay

  • Buyers come with intent, already searching for something.

  • Little brand loyalty — users choose based on price, shipping, and reviews.

  • Not driven by content or creator influence.

✅ TikTok = demand generation. Amazon/eBay = demand fulfilment.

2️⃣ Fees & Accessibility

• TikTok Shop

  • Lower seller fees and no listing costs.

  • Easier entry for new and small businesses.

  • Fast approval for UK-based individuals (including students, part-time workers, retirees).

• Amazon & eBay

  • High fees (Amazon takes up to 15–20% + monthly charges).

  • Strict approval processes and higher competition.

  • Heavily favors established sellers or brands.

✅ TikTok makes it easier and cheaper to start — even with zero experience.

3️⃣ Marketing & Visibility

• TikTok Shop

  • Built-in creator network for affiliate marketing.

  • Organic reach through trending content.

  • Viral potential for small and new sellers.

  • In-app video + shop integration drives impulse buying.

• Amazon & eBay

  • Heavy reliance on paid ads or SEO optimization.

  • Organic reach is limited.

  • Difficult for new products to stand out without high ad spend or reviews.

✅ On TikTok, content sells — not just keywords.

4️⃣ User Experience & Checkout

• TikTok Shop

  • Seamless checkout directly in-app.

  • Customers never leave the platform.

  • High engagement = high conversion.

• Amazon & eBay

  • Standard product listings with less emotional connection.

  • Users often compare multiple sellers before buying.

  • More transactional than engaging.

✅ TikTok sells through experience, not just convenience.

5️⃣ Community & Brand Building

• TikTok Shop

  • Ideal for building a brand personality.

  • Community-driven: followers, likes, and live engagement matter.

  • Two-way relationship between sellers and customers.

• Amazon & eBay

  • Focused on product, not brand.

  • Hard to build long-term customer loyalty or connection.

  • Limited room for storytelling or content-based branding.

✅ TikTok helps you become a brand, not just a seller.

🎯 Conclusion:

TikTok Shop isn’t just another marketplace — it’s a social commerce revolution. While Amazon and eBay still serve their purpose, TikTok unlocks a new dimension of selling through entertainment, community, and creator-driven marketing.

👉 For UK sellers — especially new ones — it’s the lowest-cost, highest-potential entry into e-commerce.