Retain control of your e-commerce. Why not use 3rd party e-commerce platforms in 2023

Rich Keller
Rich Keller • June 26, 2023

Protect your brand at all costs.

As a business owner, it is crucial to protect your brand at all costs. Your brand is your identity, your reputation, and your promise to your customers. It takes years of hard work, dedication, and investment to establish a successful brand. So, it is only natural to want to safeguard it from any potential threats.


One of the most significant threats to your brand is sharing confidential information with your competitors. This can include anything from your trade secrets to your marketing strategies. By sharing this information, you are essentially giving your rivals a roadmap to success that they can use against you.


Therefore, it is imperative to keep your cards close to your chest and never share any sensitive information with your rivals. In doing so, you will ensure that your brand remains strong, secure, and successful for years to come.

Why not use Amazon or other big name e-commerce platforms to sell your products?

There are a number of reasons why it may not be advisable to use Amazon or other big name e-commerce providers as your ecommerce solution. Firstly, when you opt for any 3rd party provider as your platform, you are essentially putting all your eggs in one basket. This means that you are heavily reliant on that 3rd party for all aspects of your ecommerce business, including marketing, advertising, and customer acquisition.


We will use Amazon as the example for now, but this applies to any e-commerce platform you don't control fully.


While Amazon has a vast customer base, this also means that you are competing with millions of other sellers trying to sell their products on the same platform.


Another major downside of using Amazon as your ecommerce solution is that you have limited control over your brand and customer experience. Amazon has strict guidelines and policies that sellers must adhere to, which can limit your ability to customize your store and ensure that your customers have a unique and memorable shopping experience. Additionally, Amazon's fulfillment and shipping services may not align with your specific business needs and may end up costing more than other options available in the market.


Furthermore, using Amazon as your ecommerce solution can also result in higher fees and charges. Amazon takes a percentage of your sales as a commission fee, which can add up quickly and eat into your profits. Additionally, if you rely solely on Amazon for your sales, you may miss out on the benefits of other channels such as social media, email marketing, and other online marketplaces.


While Amazon may be a popular choice for many ecommerce businesses, it is important to carefully consider the potential downsides before making a decision. By doing so, you can ensure that you choose the ecommerce solution that is best suited for your unique business needs and goals.

Amazon steals hot product to create their own products

It has recently come to light that Amazon, the e-commerce giant, has been accused of stealing hot products from third-party sellers to create their own products under the Amazon Basics brand.


Here is one example of blatant ripoff of the best selling camera bag on amazon suddenly getting an exact replica as a competitor, even with the same name.


Imagine if this was your product that amazon claims "never saw your sales data for".

This discovery has caused an uproar among the seller community, as they feel their intellectual property has been taken and used without their permission. Amazon, on the other hand, has denied these allegations and stated that they have robust policies in place to protect the rights of sellers.


However, despite these claims, numerous sellers have reported instances where Amazon has taken their successful products and replicated them, often at a lower price point, effectively putting them out of business. This has led to concerns about fair competition and the power of Amazon in the market. Some have even called for regulatory action to be taken against the company to ensure a level playing field for all sellers.


The issue raises important questions about the ethics of copying and the need for stronger protections for intellectual property. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen what steps will be taken to address this growing concern and protect the interests of all parties involved in the e-commerce industry.


Amazon Basics Scandal

The Amazon Basics scandal refers to a series of controversies surrounding Amazon's in-house brand, Amazon Basics. The brand is known for selling a wide range of products, from electronics to household items. However, in recent years, there have been several reports of Amazon Basics products catching fire or exploding, causing property damage and injury to consumers.


These incidents have led to concerns about the safety of Amazon Basics products and the company's quality control practices. Some critics have accused Amazon of prioritizing profits over consumer safety by cutting corners on quality control and sourcing cheap, low-quality materials.


In response, Amazon has issued recalls for some of its products and has pledged to improve its quality control processes. However, the company has also faced criticism for being slow to respond to safety concerns and for not being transparent about the risks associated with its products.


The Amazon Basics scandal has raised important questions about the responsibilities of companies like Amazon when it comes to ensuring the safety of their products. It has also sparked debates about the regulation of e-commerce and the need for stronger consumer protections in the digital age.

Don't give anyone your sales data!!!


It's no secret that Amazon is one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world, and as a seller on the platform, you are likely aware that the company has access to your sales data. This information includes everything from your product listings to your sales performance metrics, and it's all used to help Amazon better understand your business and improve its overall marketplace.


While some sellers may feel uneasy about Amazon having access to their data, it's important to remember that this information is used to benefit both parties. By analyzing your sales data, Amazon can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations to help you optimize your listings, improve your sales performance, and ultimately grow your business.


Of course, it's understandable that you may have concerns about the privacy and security of your sales data. Amazon takes these issues seriously and has implemented a number of measures to protect your information, including strict data security protocols and encryption technology.


If you are serious about e-commerce, you should be in control of your entire sales pipeline, with no 3rd party capturing your sales data.


You wouldn't give your sales data to your competitor across the street, so why would you give it to a multimillion dollar conglomerate that can crush your business into oblivion the second you get some success?


Talk to me about your e-commerce needs!

Let's Talk
Rich Keller
Rich Keller • June 26, 2023
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