E-marketplaces, online auctions and exchanges

Benefits of e-marketplaces

Guide

The potential advantages of joining an e-marketplace will vary between industries and businesses, and between buyers and sellers. Some of the potential benefits are summarised below.

General business benefits

The general benefits to businesses using e-marketing include:

  • greater opportunities for suppliers and buyers to establish new trading partnerships, either within their supply chain or across supply chains
  • greater transparency in the purchasing process since availability, prices and stock levels are all accessible in an open environment
  • trading can operate on a round-the-clock basis removing international time constraints

Benefits for the buyer

Buyers using e-marketplaces can benefit from:

  • updated information on price and availability to secure the best deal
  • the convenience of comparing prices and products using a single source rather than spending time contacting individual suppliers
  • knowing that they can trust the suppliers they are dealing with as all users are members

Benefits for the seller

Sellers using e-marketplaces can benefit from: 
  • regular requests for quotations from both new and current customers
  • having an extra sales channel to market and sell products
  • the opportunity to sell overseas through international marketplaces
  • reduced marketing costs compared to other sales channels
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