Selling online can be highly rewarding, but it can also be unexpectedly chaotic. If your business is selling through platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Wayfair, you’ve probably already noticed: these spaces don’t always operate as smoothly as you might hope. One day, your product is performing well, the next it’s buried under numerous listings with better keywords – or, even more frustrating, it’s suspended due to an unclear and poorly defined issue.
This is where marketplace agencies can be especially helpful. They don’t just address challenges (although they can certainly do that too) – they’re there to assist brands in navigating the complex rules, shifting algorithms, and occasional confusion of online marketplaces.
So, What Do They Actually Do?
Marketplace agencies like Fluid Marketplaces generally offer a combination of technical, creative, and operational support designed to help sellers improve their performance across third-party platforms.
This could involve refining product listings to improve rankings or managing ads that help you control your budget more effectively. Depending on the agency, services might include:
- Product listing optimisation
- SEO tailored for marketplace algorithms
- Marketplace PPC (e.g. Amazon Ads or eBay Promoted Listings)
- Ongoing performance reviews
- Assistance with listing compliance, policy issues, or appeal processes
- Support for international rollouts (localised listings, regional compliance)
Some agencies focus on one platform, while others manage several. A few might even be equipped to handle your entire marketplace operation.
Why Are Marketplaces So Difficult to Manage?
On the surface, listing a product may seem simple. After all, anyone can upload a few photos and set a price. But managing a consistent, compliant, and profitable presence across multiple marketplaces? That’s a different challenge altogether.
Even if that’s your full-time focus, it’s easy to fall behind. Small issues – delays, keyword missteps, missing attributes – can quickly push your listings out of view, and once they’re down, regaining visibility can take time.
This is where marketplace specialists can be particularly useful. They’re familiar with the nuances of each platform and understand how to optimise listings without cutting corners.
Is Hiring One Worth It?
If your marketplace turnover is relatively low, it might be possible to manage things in-house for a while. However, as your business scales, particularly if you’re managing thousands of SKUs or selling across multiple regions, the internal workload can quickly become overwhelming.
Agencies can bring structure to your operations. More importantly, they offer proven strategies that can help you avoid costly trial and error. Rather than wasting time figuring out why a listing is no longer visible in search results, you can focus on planning your next product launch.
A Competitive Advantage
It’s easy to overlook how competitive marketplaces have become. In today’s market, achieving visibility requires significant effort, and so does staying on top of updates, policies, and platform expectations.
A marketplace agency might not resolve every issue instantly. However, the right agency can help streamline your operations, protect your brand, and ensure your products are seen by the right people, more often, with fewer unexpected hurdles along the way.
If your brand relies on third-party sales channels to grow, seeking this kind of assistance is not just a helpful option – it’s an essential part of staying competitive, and delaying it for too long can hinder your progress.
