To what extent is eBay changing the start-up business world?

[ozzyd88]

Hi,

I am doing my extended essay for A levels on:

To what extent is eBay changing the start-up business world?

I haven't used this forum before but was recommended it, so if anyone has any ideas on this question then I would really appretiate it!

Thanks,

Oscar

[aernethril]

Hi @ozzyd88

I think this question may have been more pertinent from around 10 - 5 years ago but now there is a growing trend on other platforms which have raised a lot of interest.

There was a programme on BBC Radio 4 a few weeks back about new ways people are starting up businesses which don't involve the long-standing way of borrowing money from banks etc - sorry I cannot remember the programme but searching the web may well bring up some interesting info on this.

I don't know if the numbers are fairly consistent over time, but there seems to be a flow of new sellers starting up in business on eBay, but this should also be considered with the numbers of sellers who are permanently barred from selling when they fall below the very hard standards with no time to put things right.

Then again, there is enough evidence to show that a number of 'business' sellers on eBay are just one huge 'same outfit' as they spread their business over a number of IDs which is not against the rules but which does give them a competitive advantage, fair or otherwise.

So these would not be start-up businesses.

[ozzyd88]

Hi

Thanks for this repsonse. 

Yes I have been noticing during my research that eBay is no longer really making any significant changes to start up businesses, but that Amazon and similar companies are now beginning to take over this area. 

I think I have decided to adjust the question to:

What impact has eBay had on start-up businesses?

I can therefore say what impact they had and how it's now declined as other firms take more interest. 

Cheers,

Oscar

[aernethril]

I'd say it's more that as lifestyles and expectations change, people will look to developing new ideas that work for their future business plans.

If some want to start selling online on a relatively stable platform that gives a choice of how wide a customer base they could potentially reach, then eBay is still very attractive.

Amazon has it's good points but also pretty much similar restrictions and challenges.

Other websites exist that are more specialised, eg for specific categories or types of items which may be more appealing to collectors.

But for pure innovation and branching out with greater freedom (and also perhaps greater risk) eBay could be seen to be too restricting.

So social media sites then come into play for those who want to do things differently and have the freedom to 'play around' with various possibilities and change and adapt at their own pace which can be much faster than more settled sites such as eBay.