If you’re considering to set up an online business to sell products on the Indian platform then, most likely Amazon and Meesho come to your mind first. They are indeed platforms where things are sold and where masses shop for things. The are also ideal for novice sellers to kickstart their online businesses. However, at the end of the day one has to answer the question, “Which one is really suitable for an online selling newcomer?”
Well, this really boils down to a few things: how much capital do you have to spend; what sort of product do you want to sell; how much profit do you anticipate; and what is it that you want your online business to be in the long run. To some, Meesho is an easy starting point. For others Amazon helps build a presence and thus a business in the Indian market. You must first understand what differentiating each platform provides before deciding where you wish to invest your money and your time.
Amazon vs Meesho: Basic Difference
- Amazon is an online store. Its strengths include the emphasis on trust, fast shipping and variety.
- Most people who buy through Amazon look for well known branded products that are good in quality and the store offers excellent service.
- Working of Meesho: This e-commerce model’s prime buyer is the Indian market that is price sensitive, especially consumers residing in smaller cities. This has become a favorite online shopping model, primarily due to sellers’ ability to sell products at rock-bottom prices and it is very simple to begin for small sellers.
- Here’s a brief difference: Amazon is suitable for growing business and recognition. Meesho is suitable for businesses that want to start selling with little capital.
Fees and Investment Comparison
A second reason for new sellers to try Meesho is that it is cheaper. Meesho is very well known for no commission in many of the categories which allows new sellers with low budget to opt for Meesho. Amazon had costs for the referred products, closing fee and advertisements However recently Amazon India has cancelled the referred products fee for category below 1,000 and hence makes it favorable for new sellers as well.
But for Amazon you should normally:
- Have the product listings.
- Invest in ads.
- Use good quality packaging for products.
- Have good management of the inventory.
Meesho allowed many of them to use with risk and low investment. Meesho and Amazon both are suitable but they are two different thing, Meesho suits sellers that want to go small, where Amazon is better that you would like to scale.
Competition Level
Amazon is a crowded space. There are thousands of established sellers/brands that are skilled in this arena, and they are already doing high volumes across many categories. As a result, a new seller may find it difficult to be noticed on Amazon without investing in advertising. Meesho is a little different in this way. Meesho has many sellers across various categories which make it easier to get orders as a new seller. So for people who are just starting out, and want to ‘try selling’ without lots of people also selling things, Meesho is typically a better option.
Product Categories That Perform Best
The nature of goods being sold is of high importance when selecting the right platform.
Amazon, would be a suitable platform for those people who sells:
- electronics
- home and kitchen items
- famous brand products
- beauty products
- costly items
- professional businesses
Meesho is a good option for those who sells:
- Women wear clothes
- Saree
- Fake jewelry
- cheap products
- home based item required
- cost accessories
While people buy things on Meesho on the basis of the cost, people who buy things on Amazon rely more on trustworthiness and quality. Goods sold on Amazon are generally well-made and the people trust the platform. However, products are more costly on Amazon.
Brand Building Opportunities
Here, Amazon is powerful, Sellers get access to:
- Brand Store
- Sponsored ads
- Increased customer trust
- Country-wide reach
- Tools for sellers
- Global sales opportunity
The right infrastructure for a seller that wants to create a strong, long-term ecommerce brand. Meesho is excellent for getting volume of sales. It’s not as good for building a brand. It has a lot of customers whose first priority is price and not brand loyalty.
Profit Margin Reality
A lot of newcomers may have an impression that selling on Meesho will easily make money, because there is no commission. This is not always the truth. On Meesho, products’ price is lower, so the business depends on who can afford to lower the price. In case of fashion/clothes product, you may have high percentage of returns. On the other hand, Amazon have more commissions on products. Advertising can cost more money.
However, customers are willing to pay more on Amazon for their items. So, the important factors that will decide your income are profit per product, shipping costs, return percentage and advertising costs. Many sellers actually make money on Amazon with those commissions, because their products price can be higher. Let’s talk about deliver the product to customer now.
Amazon has a good system for delivering the products to customers fast, via FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) and Easy Ship. For sellers, this would means:
- Speedier delivery
- More trusted to customers
- More professional shipment of products
- Can increase sales quantity.
For Meesho, it also relies on courier services to deliver goods to customers, but it’s less reliable compared with Amazon, especially when selling in large quantities. So if customer satisfaction and smooth operations are what are important to you, Amazon should be your decision.
Which Platform Is Easier for Beginners?
If you want to start with small, money; test products quickly; sell inexpensive products; learn the basics of ecommerce then Meesho is generally fine. But if you are looking to build an ecommerce business, lasting brand; expensive products; expand nationally then Amazon is generally fine in the long run.
Final Verdict
As someone that is trying to start selling things online in India Meesho will always be the first place people suggest.This is mainly due to the charges by Meesho as well as the ease in the system. One would not have to spend a lot of money when one begins to sell on the system. However if someone really wants to grow their business and to look more attractive to the people Amazon can be considered.
So what would be a logical way to go?
- Start with Meesho. Keep things very simple.
- Observe the response from the people.
- Keep trying out new products.
- Gradually enter Amazon when one wants to scale the business.
In the year 2026, one should see people using many websites at the same time. People selling things online should intelligently use the different websites in accordance to the product they are selling, their profit margins, as well as the aspirations they have for the business. When one wants to establish a long term business it would be a good choice to choose Amazon. But when you just wish to begin selling and don’t have much money, Meesho would be a good place to start.
