Many small and medium-sized businesses are selling online these days. Even big companies now sell their goods through digital eCommerce or social platforms like Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, Facebook Shops, and more. One such platform that is taking the Thai eCommerce industry by storm is Shopee.
Shopee is an excellent tool for people to start an online business with little cost. The challenge is how to overcome price-sensitive demand. The industry has grown so fast in Southeast Asia that it will continue for at least a decade. The sales channel is a great place to start selling online. It offers sellers a wide range of benefits, including free shipping, discounts, cashback incentives, and much more.
So you might wonder, what's in it for selling on Shopee in 2023? Let's find out!
Let's Get To Know Shopee First
Launched in 2015, Shopee is the top eCommerce site in Thailand and has 51.24 million visitors monthly, with a strong presence in Southeast Asia. Its operations currently cover the whole region from Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, all the way to Singapore.
It first started as primarily a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) marketplace but has since moved into a C2C and business-to-consumer (B2C) hybrid model. It is similar to the Chinese Taobao model, in which buyers and sellers can communicate directly.
In 2016, they launched an initiative called Shopee University, a series of workshops and tutorials to aid local entrepreneurs and businesses set up their online businesses in the Philippines.
In 2017, Shopee Mall was launched in Taiwan. There are more than 11,000 sellers in 7 markets across the region. It provides an opportunity for cross-border sellers to sell their goods to customers in Southeast Asia and Thailand, connecting this vast and diverse region through technology.
In 2018, they launched the China Marketplace portal that offers shoppers easy access to Chinese merchants without shipping and agent fees in Singapore. This portal directly competes with Lazada's Taobao Collection option.
The platform offers an easy, secure, fast, and enjoyable online shopping experience enjoyed by tens of millions of consumers daily. It supports integrated payments and seamless fulfilment. It is tailored for each market in which it operates to help brands and sellers succeed in eCommerce.
Currently, it is the top shopping app in Southeast Asia regarding monthly active users, downloads, and total time spent. In 2020 the app was the third most downloaded shopping app in the world. Shopee was ranked #1 in YouGov'sYouGov's "Best APAC Buzz Rankings 2020" and #8 in YouGov'sYouGov's "Best Global Brands 2020".
How Big Is the Market for Online Shopping in Thailand?
Thailand's eCommerce industry continues to grow at a rapid pace. Thai consumers spent more than $2 billion online in 2017 alone, twice as much as they spent in the previous year. We believe that number will increase even more each year. There are 54.50 million internet users in Thailand in 2022 and we can expect that e-commerce will become the main channel to drive sales for businesses. This is an exciting time if you want to sell your products online.
In addition, many large companies have already started selling their goods through the Lazada app. These include household names such as Samsung, LG, Asus, Acer, HP, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, Fujifilm, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, Microsoft, Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, Garmin, Bose, Philips, Apple, Amazon, eBay, Rakuten, Alibaba Group, JD.com, Haier, TCL Communication, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus.
Read our Top Thailand eCommerce and Social Media Commerce Trends for the New Normal for more ideas.
Why Should You Sell On Shopee?
1. Strong user base
The sellers benefit from the scale of their online presence. The marketplace has created a name for itself and a solid active user base across the region. If you open your store, you'll never be able to get as many eyeballs as here on the platform. When you choose to sell on Shopee, you get access to a ready-made audience and potential customers.
Customers wouldn't specifically search for your store the first time around. Instead, they might be looking for something you have listed in your store. If you get a customer through search with the help of this giant online store, you can win them as a repeat buyer by providing excellent service and fulfilment.
2. Great shopping experience
The platform is mobile-only and highly social-centric. Sellers give extra attention towards Shop reputation and accumulating fans, that purveys excellent shopping experience for buyers.
3. No transaction fee
There is a certain fee that sellers must pay in every transaction. However, the selling system doesn't take commission fees from sellers. This allows Shopee sellers to earn more and pay less on the platform.
4. Shopee Ads capability
Sellers can opt for native advertising and purchase paid Shopee Ads at their own will. This will help them reach broader and higher potential customers across the platform.
5. Growing market
It has a significant hold on the Taiwanese and Indonesian markets. Thailand and Malaysia are both growing fast and have high potential.
With operations in 6 languages, it's a genuinely multilingual experience that paves the way for success on a global level.
6. High demand for certain categories
Fashion, Beauty, and Home & Living are top categories among consumers. Shops in these categories will see a higher advantage in selling here.
7. Extensive logistics network
Shopee partnered with over 70 courier service providers across its markets to provide logistical support for its users. In Thailand, it collaborated with Flash Express, BEST Express, J&T Express, DHL Domestic, and Kerry for item pickup and delivery. And the platform has already launched Shopee Express.
How Do I Get Started?
It is great to have you on board. If you want to sell the product, make sure it's not on the Shopee list of banned products. We will show you how it works in our next article. We will explain everything you need to know about setting up shop on Shopee Marketplace and Shopee Mall. You'll learn how to set up an online store and succeed in this eCommerce platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost to sell on Shopee?
Apart from the $315 fee for registering your business with ACRA (if you choose to be listed on Shopee Mall), selling on Shopee is free. There's no registration fee to become a Shopee seller, and more importantly, there's no commission.
What types of sellers are there?
There are three types of Shopee Seller options during the signup process.
Marketplace
Preferred
Shopee Mall
Each type of seller can either be a local or cross-border seller.
Should I sell on Shopee Marketplace or Shopee Mall?
Shopee Marketplace is an open e-marketplace where any online merchant can sign up and start selling. On the other hand, Shopee Mall is for brands with specific criteria. They will get access to Shopee's promotional tools and qualify for their extensive campaigns.
What is Shopee University?
Shopee University has free online training classes for all sellers. The courses cover a wide range of topics, including sales, Shopee Ads, and optimization. Shopee University has programmes and features designed to help you grow your business and boost sales.
What are items on the list of prohibited products on Shopee?
Shopee restricts and prohibits certain items from being listed on the platform with zero-tolerance; including:
Alcoholic beverages
Wildlife products
Ancient artefacts or parts of ruins
Used cosmetics
Thai and foreign currencies
Forfeited stamps
Credit or debit cards
Drugs, medicine, sexual stimulants
Spy cameras or telecommunication equipment
Products with medical claims
See the complete list in detail here.
What is E-Marketplace in general?
Like a physical flea market or department store, the E-marketplace is a website that caters to many products and shops. The service model of E-Marketplace is open to anyone who wants to open a shop. Facilitations include payment, purchase of goods, delivery service, marketing, promotion, business planning and a business centre.
Need a Helping Hand in Setting up Shop on Shopee?
If you're planning on becoming a digital seller but don't know where to start or what to do, our team at Sphere Agency is here to help. You no longer have to worry about setting up an account, marketing through social media and finally selling your first item. Check out our eCommerce Service and contact us today!
