Choosing between a self-hosted ecommerce platform and marketplace

What Is a Marketplace?

A marketplace is a platform where many creators sell products through one shared system.
You sign up, create a profile, upload your product, and start selling under their rules.

The marketplace handles the technical side like hosting, checkout, and delivery — but takes a cut of each sale.

• Built-in audience and search traffic.
• Fast to set up - no technical setup required.
• Handles payments and file delivery automatically.

• You pay fees on every sale.
• Limited control over your brand, layout, or pricing structure.
• You are bound by the platform’s terms, algorithms, and visibility rules.
• If the platform closes or changes policies, your income is affected immediately.

What Is a Mini eCommerce Site?

A self-hosted eCommerce platform is a self-owned, lightweight online store built on Django and hosted wherever you choose. It is designed for creators who want to sell digital products independently, without being tied to a platform.

Benefits of a self-hosted site

• Full ownership — you control your site, content, and customer data.
• No commissions or monthly fees.
• Unlimited creative freedom over your design, product layout, and messaging.
• SEO and AI search visibility tailored to your brand.
• Scales gradually — start with one product and grow from there.

• You need to attract your own traffic.
• You are responsible for backups and updates (or opt for managed hosting to get it done for you)
• Requires Stripe setup and hosting, though these are straightforward.

When a Marketplace Makes Sense

A marketplace may be better if:

• You are testing an idea and want to gauge demand before investing in a site.
• You prefer to focus on product creation and not on marketing or design.
• You sell many small items and benefit from shared visibility.

When a self-hosted site Is the Better Choice

A self-hosted site is ideal if:

• You are ready to create a professional online presence.
• You have one to twenty-five core digital products or bundles.
• You want your store to match your brand, not a generic marketplace template.
• You value ownership and control - your data, your domain, your audience.

Combining Both Approaches

You do not have to choose only one. Many creators use both:

• Use a marketplace for early visibility.
• Use your Mini Site as your long-term home, where you can bundle products, build an email list, and keep customers engaged.

The Long-Term Advantage of Ownership

A marketplace gives you convenience; a mini site gives you control and sustainability.

With your own site:

• You can grow search visibility over time.
• You can keep your entire customer list.
• You decide when and how to sell, promote, or retire a product.

Summary

Use a marketplace to test and gain exposure. Build your self-hosted ecommerce platform when you are ready to create a lasting, independent brand. In short:

• Marketplaces give you reach.
• Self-hosted sites give you control. Reach is still possible of course but must be built.