As more and more consumers turn to online shopping to purchase basic commodities, electronic gadgets, furniture, cosmetic, clothing articles and others, competition among online sellers and retailers continue to tighten. The great thing about acquiring products online is the fact that it is possible to check out two or three shopping sites simultaneously, allowing consumers to have a wider range of shopping options. In addition to that, the growing number of online sellers, merchants and retailers has led to a fiercer e-commerce landscape, and as the battle in the e-commerce land heats up, consumers, on the other hand, take advantage of better product pricing and lower deals.

Today, we will compare three of the top shopping websites in the e-commerce market – Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.

EBay

EBay, which has been hailed as the biggest marketplace online, is a shopping platform that allows consumers to buy anything from baby products, vehicles, skin care products, décor, office furniture, home accents, beddings and a lot more.From its humble-beginnings when the auction website was founded by Pierre Morrad Omidyar, an American Iranian computer programmer, in 3^rd of September 1995, today eBay is recognized world-wide as a dynamic online market.

Compared to its closest competitor, Amazon, eBay offers interested buyers with three auction types – fixed price format, fixed price format with best offer, and the auction-style listings. When it comes to fees, eBay provides the lowest possible prices for the end consumer, hence why, it is very popular among frugal individual who are looking to stretch their dollars. For the payment methods, sellers in eBay accept more payment options which include credit cards, debit cards, money orders, check, cash, and PayPal.

Amazon

Often referred as the largest online retailer, Amazon has always been eBay’s closest competition. This world renowned auction website has caused eBay a lot of headaches since more consumers are drawn to shop in Amazon because it provides better online shopping experience to its buyers, although average selling prices may a bit higher compared to items found in eBay.

Amazon was originally an online bookstore but over the years items sold here diversified. Today, this auction store is now selling a wide variety of products from CDs, video games, computer software, clothing apparel, toys, electronics and a lot more.

Average fees in Amazon are higher than the fees charged by Ebay, so as their selling price. This is because the store gives more emphasis on the product’s overall condition than its price. With Amazon’s A-Z guarantee, buyers are assured to receive the acquired goods on time and in good condition. The store provides better buyer protection and more reasonable Return policy. Moreover, the shipping cost is set by Amazon not the sellers; therefore, buyers will know how much the shipping fee is right away. Implementing a fixed price format, the store only accepts Amazon payments or debit/credit cards.

Walmart

From being the largest retailer in the world, Walmart has now successfully joined the e-commerce market. This store has been one of the most admired companies in America as listed by Fortune Magazine. Walmart offers a user-friendly website that allows consumers to easily browse through the existing products and items on sale. What’s great about shopping in Walmart is that you get to find the best price deals. Special discounts on selected items are offered all year round.

Two types of free shipping services are offered by Walmart to its valued customers – pick up today and site to store. Pick up today shipping service offers the same day delivery. Customers will receive a text message confirming that their order is ready and they have to pick it up in the nearest Walmart store. The site to store service, meanwhile, allows consumers to purchase products that are not available in physical stores, which will be shipped for free to the nearest Walmart outlet. The order will be ready in 5 to 8 days, and like the pick up today service, the customer will be notified via text message to pick up their order.