Platform Hubs - Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, eBay, Walmart Seller Guides
Seller Bookkeeping

Platform Hubs

Complete accounting guides for every major marketplace

Marketplace-Specific Bookkeeping

Each marketplace has unique fee structures, payment systems, and tax requirements. Our platform-specific guides walk you through bookkeeping for your channel.

Select your platform below to access detailed guides, fee breakdowns, reconciliation steps, and tax compliance information.

Amazon Hub

Complete guide for Amazon FBA and seller-fulfilled sellers including fulfillment fees, referral charges, and profitability tracking.

  • FBA fulfillment fees
  • Referral fee percentages
  • Storage & long-term fees
  • Profit calculation
  • Tax compliance
View Amazon Guide

Shopify Hub

Master Shopify bookkeeping with subscription fees, payment processing, and comprehensive financial management strategies.

  • Shopify subscription fees
  • Payment processing charges
  • App store fees
  • Settlement reconciliation
  • Tax setup
View Shopify Guide

Etsy Hub

Etsy-specific bookkeeping covering listing fees, transaction fees, payment processing, and margin optimization.

  • Listing & renewal fees
  • Transaction fees
  • Payment processing
  • Shop improvements
  • Profitability tracking
View Etsy Guide

eBay Hub

eBay seller accounting with Managed Payments, final value fees, insertion charges, and reconciliation methods.

  • Final value fees
  • Insertion charges
  • Payment processing
  • Managed Payments
  • Return processing
View eBay Guide

Walmart Hub

Walmart Marketplace bookkeeping with referral fees, WFS fulfillment costs, and multi-state tax requirements.

  • Referral fee breakdown
  • WFS fulfillment fees
  • Advertising costs
  • Settlement reporting
  • Sales tax setup
View Walmart Guide

Multi-Channel Guide

Manage bookkeeping across multiple marketplaces with unified tracking, consolidated reporting, and channel optimization.

  • Multi-channel setup
  • Consolidated reporting
  • Channel comparison
  • Inventory sync
  • Profitability analysis
View Multi-Channel Guide

Platform Comparison

Quick overview of each marketplace

PlatformPrimary FeePayment MethodBest For
Amazon15% referral + FBADirect depositHigh volume
ShopifySubscription $29-$300Payment processorOwn brand
Etsy5% + listing feeDirect depositHandmade/vintage
eBay12.9% final valueManaged PaymentsAuctions/collectibles
Walmart6-15% referralWeekly settlementMainstream retail

Marketplace Facts

45%

Of online sellers use multiple marketplaces

8-15%

Average marketplace fees percentage

32%

Revenue increase with multi-channel strategy

$2T+

Total e-commerce sales in 2025

2.7B

Global online shoppers

63%

Mobile commerce percentage

Platform FAQ

Which platform should I start with?

Start with the platform matching your product type: Amazon for general retail, Etsy for handmade/vintage, eBay for collectibles/used items, Shopify for your own brand, Walmart for mainstream products. Choose based on your product category and customer base, not just fees.

Should I sell on multiple marketplaces?

Yes, multi-channel selling reduces dependence on one platform, increases revenue (32% average increase), and reaches different customer bases. However, this increases bookkeeping complexity. Start with one platform, scale, then add a second channel once you have solid systems.

How do I compare profitability across platforms?

Use our Profit Calculator for each platform to compare. Enter the same product with its actual fees on each marketplace. Factor in: item cost, platform fees, payment processing, shipping, packaging, and time investment. The true profit will show which channel is worth your effort.

Do I need separate accounting for each platform?

No, one accounting system tracks all platforms. Create separate income/expense categories for each channel: "Amazon Revenue", "Shopify Revenue", etc. This lets you compare profitability while maintaining unified bookkeeping. Use accounting software that can categorize by channel.

Which platform has the lowest fees?

Etsy has the lowest commission (5% + listing fee) but lower traffic for most products. Shopify has no commission but requires you to drive traffic yourself. Amazon has 15% but provides enormous traffic. "Lowest fees" doesn't equal highest profit—compare total earnings, not just percentages.

How often do I get paid from each platform?

Amazon: Every 2 weeks. Shopify: Varies by payment processor (1-5 days). Etsy: Weekly. eBay: 1-2 days. Walmart: Weekly. Set up a spreadsheet tracking payment dates for each platform. For cash flow planning, assume longer payment times than stated.

What if sales tax varies by platform?

Each platform handles sales tax differently. Some collect it for you, others don't. Check each platform's tax settings. Track sales tax separately by platform in your accounting. You're responsible for remittance regardless of what the platform collects. Consult a tax professional for your specific state.

Can I automate reconciliation across platforms?

Partially. Tools like Link My Books can auto-import Amazon, Shopify, and eBay data into QuickBooks. However, you still need to verify accuracy weekly. Manual reconciliation takes 2-3 hours/week for multi-channel sellers, but it's essential for catching errors and understanding profitability.