# The Most Efficient Sales Channels for an ecommerce Site

**Table of Contents**

1. [Benefits of adding new sales channels](https://blog.saleslayer.com/sales-channels-for-ecommerce#benefits)
2. [What to consider before opening new channels](https://blog.saleslayer.com/sales-channels-for-ecommerce#what)
3. [The 4 main sales channels in ecommerce](https://blog.saleslayer.com/sales-channels-for-ecommerce#channels)
   1. [Online shop](https://blog.saleslayer.com/sales-channels-for-ecommerce#shop)
   2. [Marketplaces](https://blog.saleslayer.com/sales-channels-for-ecommerce#marketplaces)
   3. [Social networks](https://blog.saleslayer.com/sales-channels-for-ecommerce#social)
   4. [Comparators](https://blog.saleslayer.com/sales-channels-for-ecommerce#comparison)

Here we explain the advantages of opening new ecommerce channels and how to choose the most suitable ones for your business.

## Benefits of adding new sales channels

- **The larger the audience the more people will buy:** The more channels you open, the more likely your products will be [discovered by new consumers](https://blog.saleslayer.com/the-new-digital-trend-discovery-commerce).
- **More flexibility when shopping:** [Omni-channel experiences](https://blog.saleslayer.com/how-to-create-omnichannel-customer-journey) allow users to find many ways to buy a product.
- **More revenue streams:** Opening new channels in ecommerce can translate into more opportunities to grow your business and diversify where your revenue comes from.
- **Lower costs than a network of shops:** Opening an ecommerce shop is cheaper than the investment needed to open a physical shop.
- **Higher quality traffic:** Opening related sales channels allows you to attract more traffic to your website that really fits the profile of the buyer you are looking for.

## What should you consider before opening new online sales channels?

- If you are a manufacturer of your own products, or a retailer of several brands.
- If you sell in a B2C or B2B environment.
- If you have your own warehouse or use [dropshipping](https://blog.saleslayer.com/dropshipping-ecommerce-benefits).
- Whether your strategy focuses on price or quality.
- The type of product you sell.

## The 4 main sales channels in ecommerce

### Online shop

Publishing your own website or mobile app with your product catalogue is the most popular, safe and useful option for brands.

A PIM (Product Information Management) platform is the best option for launching any type of online shop, especially if you manage many product references.

### Marketplaces

[Marketplaces are a popular option](https://blog.saleslayer.com/best-sports-online-marketplaces) among buyers. They allow sellers to publish their products and manage the logistics.

### Social media

Many social media companies are launching integrated ecommerce channels to make it easier for brands to sell directly to their audiences.

### Product comparison sites

Pages dedicated to comparing products work in a similar way to marketplaces but link directly to the pages where the products can be purchased.

The conclusion is that, wherever you sell, your best strategy is to use a PIM system to connect your product data to any channel in an automated way.