Should you set up your Shopify store, or sell on Bol.com or Amazon? The online shopping in the Netherlands has a plethora of options, and choosing between a webshop and a marketplace can heavily impact your success. This article introduces you to the most popular marketplaces and webshops in the Netherlands so you can find the right fit for your business.
The best webshop builders in the Netherlands
With webshop builders, you can create an online store from custom-made templates. Doing so allows you to control branding, layout, and user experience as well as all your customer data for long-term engagement. These platforms allow for custom functionalities and integrations as well.
If you don’t want to sell on online marketplaces, building your own webshop is an amazing alternative. Let’s take a look at the most popular platforms that are defining ecommerce in the Netherlands.
Shopify
One of the most well-known platforms is Shopify. It is particularly beneficial for emerging entrepreneurs and growing businesses because it is easy to use and comes with a bunch of built-in tools such as numerous themes, payment options, marketing features, and shipping tools. With Shopify webshop development in the Netherlands, you can quickly set up and efficiently manage a professional online store without technical hassle.
WooCommerce
If you already have a WordPress website and want to add ecommerce functiolnality to it, then WooCommerce is a valid option. It offers an enormous collection of plugins, themes, and other tools. The platform provides you with a scalable, economical solution for excellent ecommerce experiences.
Magento
Magento offers high-level customization, scalability, and total control over brand presentation. This makes it a great choice for growing or large businesses. Magento is technically sound and provides a good foundation for building a custom online shop that can handle heavy traffic and rich product catalogs.
Wix
Wix is ideal for small companies that need an easy way to create a professional site. Wix has AI software, drag-and-drop capability, and editable templates that allow quick, simple website creation. If you have limited technical know-how but want an attractive and functioning website, Wix would suit perfectly.
PrestaShop
PrestaShop achieves simplicity and highly customized functionality. It has pre-designed templates and ensures instant setup. For entrepreneurs who want to have a trendy, simple-to-use store with low technical requirements, PrestShop is a suitable option.
Popular online marketplaces in the Netherlands
With Netherlands marketplaces, you sell on their platform, benefiting from an existing customer base, built-in traffic, and established trust. You might have heard about some of the most popular marketplaces in the Netherlands, and here they are for you:
Bol.com
As one of the biggest online marketplaces, Bol.com has millions of shoppers. The site incurs no initial costs and provides features like automation, advertisement, and logistics. All this makes it a go-to platform for sellers to grow.
Decathlon
Decathlon has a sports marketplace that gains around 800 million visitors every year in Europe. If you are selling sports swimwear or other sports equipment, then you have a chance to reach a very large audience by selling on this marketplace.
Beslist.nl
Launched in 2005, Beslist.nl has over 25 million products and 10,000 affiliated shops, placing it among the top ecommerce platforms in the Netherlands. With so many offerings, it serves a wide shopping audience by allowing clients to easily compare items and prices.
Kruidvat
Kruidvat marketplace is a health, beauty, and wellness ecommerce site that allows you to sell to existing loyal shoppers. Other than offering partial exclusivity, it is primed for the sale of supplementary items within an established brand ecosystem.
Amazon.nl
Although still new to the Dutch market, it receives millions of visits, making it one of the Amazon websites that grows the fastest. It supports sellers with a Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program, which gives easy, even international, shipping, increasing your market reach with one of the largest ecommerce sites in the world.
Conclusion
Choosing the right platform depends on your business size, goals, and technical skills. Marketplaces like Bol.com and Amazon give instant access to large audiences. At the same time, building your own webshop offers full control and branding. The best choice comes down to what fits your business needs and how much control you want over your online presence.
