What each one is good at
Marketplaces and directories already have buyers. Listing there can bring enquiries quickly, but you follow their rules, compete side by side with others and rarely own the customer relationship.
Your own website is slower to build traffic, but it is yours: your brand, your message, your data and no commission on every sale.
A simple rule of thumb
- Need sales this month and buyers already search marketplaces for your product? Start with a strong listing.
- Selling a service, a premium product or relying on trust and referrals? Start with a clear website.
- Most growing businesses end up needing both — with the website as the home base.
Make them work together
Use consistent names, photos and descriptions everywhere. Link listings back to your website where allowed, and send every enquiry — wherever it comes from — into one place so nothing is missed.