It is no secret that the Malaysian market is heavily saturated with local and international companies.
The growing economy, paired with quick internet access make it easy for modern startups to start up their own online businesses.
However, which is the best online marketplace Malaysia out there in the sea of so many options? What is the latest e-commerce trend in Malaysia as of today?
To answer these questions, we surveyed and compiled a list of the top 13 marketplace in Malaysia.
The list ranges from the well-established eBay to the emerging Shopee and Lazada.
Read on to find out which marketplace has proven its worth to our fellow Malaysian consumers!
Description of each site’s performance, why you should start an online business, and factors to consider choosing a platform – ALL included!
Why Selling Online is The More Viable Option?
To wrap it up, the main reasons to sell online are the popularity and convenience that online marketplaces provide for both sellers and buyers.
Let’s be real: most of us busy folks today prefer to have our goods delivered to our very doorstep instead of having to survive a major traffic jam before arriving at the store to actually shop, agreed?
Coincidentally, and I mean coincidentally, the best part about online marketplaces is that they’re open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week!
You can shop anytime from anywhere with your mobile phone!
Apart from the obvious, below are some of the other reasons why you should opt to offer your goods (or services) on an online marketplace Malaysia:
- Tech-savvy consumers – people (and consumers) are turning to the internet for information and shopping. [1]
- Cost-friendly option – marketplace online is more cost-effective compared to setting up a full e-commerce site.
- Accomodating help & support options – individual/ customised payment and delivery system are available.
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Our Pick: Top 13 Best Online Marketplaces in Malaysia
1. Shopee
Platform Highlights: User-friendliness and fast deliveries best for retailers, wholesalers, homegrown and small business online Malaysia.
Engagement by Visits: 51.24 million
Average Visit Duration: 00:09:18
Bounce Rate: 32.27%
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
First launched in Singapore in 2015, Shopee has mobile and social elements integrated into the e-commerce platform model.
As a reputable online shopping platform Malaysia, it offers social integration and e-commerce platform Malaysia rolled into one.
Shopee’s business model is simple: sellers list their goods for sale and buyers purchase these listed goods by simply searching for them through the app.
With over 80 million downloads in the past few years, [2] it provides sellers with the opportunity to sell goods to a large audience and at a price that they set themselves.
The focus of this emerging platform is on the Southeast Asian market, which is one of the most sensible investments in terms of e-commerce ventures and expansion.
| Pros | Cons |
Commision free for retailers | Limited control over your store’s appearances |
Reliable logistics partners | Highly competitive |
Best affiliate marketing program in Malaysia | |
Relatively easy to set up e-commerce store and helpful team support |
2. Lazada
Platform Highlights: Easy in-house shipping assistance & LazMall exclusive authorized distributors only
Engagement by Visits: 12.44 million
Average Visit Duration: 00:06:39
Bounce Rate: 40.92 percent
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
Lazada Malaysia online shopping is an online retailer launched in March 2012.
It is one of the largest e-commerce websites in Southeast Asia that rivals the likes of eBay and Amazon.
The marketplace platform specializes in selling inventory from its warehouses and has a business model similar to Alibaba, China’s second-largest company by market cap.
Lazmall is a relatively new online marketplace created by Lazada Southeast Asia. It was launched on September 9 2018, to encourage consumers to buy from authentic brands.
| Pros | Cons |
Open to managing store under few accounts | No control over the store website design and rankings |
Option to start selling and set the payment gateway later | Seller registration is a lengthy process |
Training is available for new sellers |
3. Mudah
Platform Highlights: Marketplace with huge niche markets of vast product categories
Engagement by Visits: 5.08 million
Average Visit Duration: 00:08:19
Bounce Rate: 27.96 percent
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
The well-liked website mudah.com.my is a Malaysian classifieds website that allows users to buy and sell Malaysia goods and services online in the most convenient way possible.
Users have the ability to post their preloved items for sale in different categories or browse through classifieds found in nearby areas. Said system makes it easy to find the product being sought after without driving around town looking for it.
The website also has community forums where users are free to interact with each other through posts and threads.
Launched in August 2012, mudah.my has since grown over 10 million users – and it is still constantly growing!
| Pros | Cons |
Easy to set up a store | Guidelines and rules are strict |
Chance to obtain featured ads for free | Frequent ground for scammers |
Receives Mudah credit discounts to pay for premium services |
4. Lelong
Platform Highlights: Online auction e-commerce for electronic products, lifestyle, and services best for small business owners, company and international sellers
Engagement by Visits: 96.13 thousand
Average Visit Duration: 00:01:07
Bounce Rate: 61.11 percent
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
Lelong.com is another Malaysia’s popular online shopping site, with approximately 96.13 thousand visits per month.
The website provides a complete and affordable e-commerce platform for buyers, offering various product and service categories to choose from. It’s a marketplace site that has been operating since 2010.
Lelong started by facilitating the sale of used cars, motorcycles, and other products before expanding its services to include new products in 2013 and becoming an online retailer of electronics and sneakers.
| Pros | Cons |
User-friendly interface | Hefty commission rate applies |
Connects your business to international buyers | Outdated platform appearance compared to competitors |
Free to set up a store |
5. ZALORA
Platform Highlights: Best for brand owners and authorized brand distributors. A Malaysians-go-to platform for fashion, clothing, and accessories
Engagement by Visits: 984.49 thousand
Average Visit Duration: 00:06:33
Bounce Rate: 35.17%
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
Online retailer Zalora was created in 2011 by Rocket Internet, a German-based company that operates e-commerce start-ups worldwide.
The company now operates in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Singapore, with plans for expansion to more Asian countries.
As a global fashion and lifestyle marketplace that aims to provide consumers with a unique and intuitive shopping experience, Zalora offers an affordable and convenient shopping experience at competitive prices.
With its in-house production and daily shipment, Zalora sells merchandise from major international brands as well as regional designers. As of today, it has over 300,000 products available on its website that cater to various demographics.
| Pros | Cons |
High rates of mobile engagement | Limited access to customer information and feedback |
Ideal for fashion enthusiasts | Requires a period of approval before verified as a seller |
Availability of Zalora seller center Malaysia for support | |
Modern and up-to-date platform |
6. Go Shop
Platform Highlights: All-inclusive online and offline shopping marketplace for authorized sellers and brands
Engagement by Visits: 325.87 thousand
Average Visit Duration: 00:02:31
Bounce Rate: 48.65 percent
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
GoShop is a marketplace specializing in providing customers with a one-stop shopping experience.
The GO SHOP marketplace is a television network that allows its customers to get information about its products such as electronics, home appliances, fitness, and lifestyle. Some best selling groups include electronic, kitchenware, and tech items.
The GO SHOP marketplace consists of 24 hours channels that allow customers to buy different items without leaving their homes.
| Pros | Cons |
24/7 support team | Requires approval as a verified seller |
Wide reach of audiences through television network | No control over the promotion |
Variety of channels including tv, website, and app |
7. PG Mall
Platform Highlights: Abundant opportunities to expand businesses for high Revenue in Returns
Engagement by Visits: 10.95 million
Average Visit Duration: 00:01:45
Bounce Rate: 65.10 percent
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
PG Mall is yet another successful milestone by Public Gold Marketing Sdn Bhd, the leading pioneer in ASEAN’s metal industry.
Bringing merchants and customers together has always been the company’s lifelong passion.
The group aims to give shoppers the benefits of shopping from Singapore’s top brands.
| Pros | Cons |
Zero registration fee | Competitive marketplace |
Free online and offline social media marketing campaign to help product promotion | The app often slows down and not working |
Offers marketing subsidy |
8. Carousell
Platform Highlights: Sell almost everything from electronic beauty to lifestyle. Sellers are given the opportunity to effortlessly set up a personal mobile and web e-commerce store here
Engagement by Visits: 3.69 million
Average Visit Duration: 00:03:08
Bounce Rate: 62.03 percent
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
Carousell Malaysia provides a safe and convenient way for people to sell items they no longer need.
As a mobile marketplace platform in Malaysia where people can buy and sell secondhand goods, it is the perfect place to find fashion, beauty, home items, and everything you need, at the most affordable prices.
| Pros | Cons |
Provided the option to share listings on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Whatsapp | Commission rate and delivery price are applied on the sold item |
Carousell for Business allows access to the platform premium suite of tools to support your business branding and operations | |
Acoount creation is completely free |
9. eBay Malaysia
Platform Highlights: Auction system & Consume to Consumer (C2C) sales
Engagement by Visits: 234.43 thousand
Average Visit Duration: 00:04:09
Bounce Rate: 40.63 percent
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
EBay Inc. is an American multinational e-commerce corporation founded in AuctionWeb, later renamed eBay, on September 3, 1995.
The company provides consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales through its website, which has led them to being primarily classified as a “marketplace” rather than a traditional auction site.
eBay Malaysia is one of the many online places where browsers can buy and sell new or used items.
The site has over 14 million products for sale by individuals, including electronic gadgets, fashion, beauty, and more.
| Pros | Cons |
Easy to use and navigate the site | Customer service may come across as being unresponsive |
Availability of seller forum | Infrequent/ ongoing glitches may hinder user experience |
Well-established platform |
10. PrestoMall
Platform Highlights: Diverse selection of product categories ranging from fashion, electronics, lifestyle, groceries, health, and household items
Engagement by Visits: 52.43 thousand
Average Visit Duration: 00:02:32
Bounce Rate: 66.23 percent
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
PrestoMall is regarded as one of the largest homegrown online marketplaces in Malaysia.
On top of offering a wide range of products on its website, some of which include fashion, health & beauty, jewelry, electronics, and more, it provides fast and reliable logistic services.
PrestoMall is committed to providing the best online shopping experience for both buyers and sellers.
| Pros | Cons |
Free to join as a seller | Commission rate varies according to item |
Free product listings | Process of application to be an international seller may be a long one |
Training is available for all Prestomall sellers |
11. Hermo
Platform Highlights: A one stop platform for beauty and lifestyle products
Engagement by Visits: 113.66 thousand
Average Visit Duration: 00:03:47
Bounce Rate: 49.44%
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
Hermo MY is an online shopping website dedicated to making the online shopping experience an easy and affordable one for fellow beauty lovers.
It offers a wide range of brands and products available at the most competitive prices.
Hermo MY stocks over 120,000 beauty items ranging from skincare, haircare, makeup, and accessories. Some popular international brands available on Hermo are Etude House, Skinfood, Tony Moly, and Laneige.
Apart from operating as an online marketplace, it is also a social network for beauty product owners or distributors to empower women with knowledge of beauty products.
Hermo provides access to quality curated content, discussion forums, and marketplaces where beauty lovers all over the world can learn about the latest beauty trends.
| Pros | Cons |
Great customer service | Niche specific marketplace |
Well known e-commerce platform for beauty niche | Specific requirements are needed to join Hermo’s partnership |
Large audience base |
12. Qoo10
Platform Highlights: Asian-catered e-commerce platform operating in 7 local marketplace across 5 countries, one of which being Malaysia
Engagement by Visits: 331.14 thousand
Average Visit Duration: 00:00:51
Bounce Rate: 49.34%
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
Qoo10 is an online marketplace for Southeast Asia. Founded in 2005, Qoo10 offers various products to local and international consumers across Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, China.
Despite the focus on Southeast Asia market, the platform provides local brands with the opportunity to sell products internationally with the help of its logistics and customer service team.
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The new QSM program provides a centralized dashboard for retailers to inspect order tracking, order management, quality assurance, and product optimization features [3] – all from a single location.
| Pros | Cons |
Sellers can manage the entire sales process online in one central location | Possibility of the occurrence of language barrier |
Helpful store assistance from Qoo10 Sales Manager | Site not as user-friendly to navigate |
Frequent coupons, group buy, and timed discounts |
13. Ezbuy
Platform Highlights: Vast categories of items and good opportunities for overseas sales
Engagement by Visits: 85.83 thousand
Average Visit Duration: 00:03:26
Bounce Rate: 41.59 percent
Availability of Mobile App: Yes
Ezbuy is a Singapore-based company specializing in overseas purchasing, logistics, and international shipping.
Ezbuy helps consumers find products on overseas websites, then purchases these items on their behalf, package them up and finally ship them to China for delivery.
| Pros | Cons |
Support is available on how to use their system | Registration to create a seller account is a lengthy process |
Simple and easy to navigate the site | Rumored unhelpful customer service |
No fee required to remove products from the listings |
What You Need to Know Before Choosing a Marketplace: 5 Factors You Should Consider For Seller
1. Dashboard for Sellers
A seller dashboard provides an overview of inventory and sales progress. The dashboard should give you a snapshot of all the data you need to run the business, making it an indispensable tool for managing your account.
2. Store Set Up Costs
Some of the most common fees associated with online marketplace transactions are commission fees, listing fees, admin fees, and shipping costs. Each marketplace will have its different fee.
3. Commission Rate
An online marketplace can be an excellent way to sell your used items, but you should understand the rules of the applied commission rate before listing anything. It might be wise to not sell an item for more than what it would cost because the difference in commission will lead to a lower profit margin. Below is the commission rate for each platform:
- Shopee –
- Preferred and Prefered Plus sellers: 2%,
- Non preferred sellers who managed to sell less than 100: 1%
- Sellers with more than 100 completed orders: 0%
- *Shopee Mall seller fee is between 3-5% and 5-6%for overseas sellers.
- Lazada – 1-4 %
- Mudah – 0-10%
- Lelong – 0-10%
- Zalora – 10- 30%
- Go Shop – N/A
- PGmall – 5%
- Carousell – 2.5%
- eBay Malaysia – 1.5% to 15%.
- PrestoMall – Rate varies based on product category
- Hermo – N/A
- Qoo10 – 9-12%
- Ezbuy – N/A
4. Payment Gateway Fee
You should also consider the payment gateway fee charged against the seller for each sale. This is typically a small percentage of the product cost, but it varies from one marketplace to another.
5. Settlement Day
A settlement day describes the days when funds are transferred from buyers to the seller and seller to the platform.
To Summarize
We hope this guide has helped you determine where to sell your goods in some of the best marketplaces in Malaysia.
Keep in mind to price your products competitively and have a consistent, engaging marketing strategy across all platforms for a better chance at success
In need of more valuable insight on how you can successfully start an e-commerce platform in Malaysia?
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