Daraz gives you instant access to buyers but takes a commission and payment fee on every sale and keeps the customer relationship. Your own online store costs more effort to attract visitors but lets you keep more of each sale, own your customer list and build a brand. Most successful sellers use Daraz for reach and their own store for repeat customers.
Selling on Daraz: what it costs
Daraz charges a commission that depends on the product category, a payment handling fee of about 3% of the amount transferred, and shipping fees based on weight, size and service (Lankawebsites, January 2026). Check the current commission list for your exact category in Seller Center before you price.
Side by side
| Daraz | Your own store | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting buyers | Built-in traffic | You bring traffic (social, Google, ads) |
| Fees per sale | Commission plus payment fee | Payment gateway fee only (or none for bank transfer) |
| Customer data | Stays with the marketplace | Yours to build repeat sales |
| Brand | Your shop sits among competitors | Your brand, your design |
| Price competition | Buyers compare you instantly | Less direct comparison |
| Rules | Marketplace policies and penalties | Your own policies |
| Start-up effort | Low | Higher: website, payments, marketing |
When Daraz makes sense
- You are testing a new product and need sales quickly.
- Your products are things people already search for on Daraz.
- You do not yet have a marketing budget or audience.
When your own store makes sense
- You have repeat buyers or a product with a story and a brand.
- Your margins cannot carry marketplace commission.
- You want to sell bundles, subscriptions, custom orders or services.
- You sell to the diaspora or overseas buyers.
How to use both
- Sell on Daraz to get discovered and collect reviews.
- Put a small card in every parcel inviting customers to follow you or reorder directly, within the marketplace's rules.
- Run your own store with exclusive bundles and a loyalty offer.
- Keep stock synced so you do not oversell.
What your own store needs
- A fast mobile website with good photos and clear prices
- Payments customers trust: card, bank transfer and cash on delivery (see our payment gateway guide)
- Quick answers on WhatsApp
- A plan to bring visitors: social media, Google and ads
Example: profit per order on each channel
An illustration for an item selling at LKR 4,000 that costs LKR 2,000 to buy and pack, using example rates:
| Marketplace (example) | Own store (example) | |
|---|---|---|
| Selling price | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Product and packaging | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Commission (example 10%) | 400 | None |
| Payment fee (about 3%) | 120 | 132 (card gateway) |
| Marketing cost per order | Low, built-in traffic | 400 (ads, example) |
| Profit before delivery | About 1,480 | About 1,468 |
On the first order the two look similar. The difference comes with the second and third orders: a repeat customer on your own store costs almost nothing to bring back, while every marketplace order pays commission again. Use your real category rates and costs.
Moving customers to your own channels
- Build a reason to come back: a loyalty discount, new arrivals or bundles only on your site
- Collect WhatsApp opt-ins on your own channels, with permission
- Make reordering easy: a saved catalogue, quick replies and fast delivery
- Follow each marketplace's rules about contacting buyers
How Halcent can help
Halcent builds online stores and ordering websites for Sri Lankan sellers who are ready to own their customers: fast mobile pages, local card payments, bank slip upload, cash on delivery and an AI assistant that answers product questions and takes orders on WhatsApp. Ask for a free AI Snapshot and we will compare your Daraz costs with your own store.
Frequently asked questions
Is selling on Daraz profitable?
It can be, if your margin covers the category commission, payment fee and shipping. Calculate profit per product before listing.
Do I need a business registration to sell on Daraz?
Individuals can register with an NIC and bank details; companies provide business registration and tax details. Check Daraz’s current requirements.
Can I sell on Daraz and my own website at the same time?
Yes. Many sellers use Daraz for discovery and their own website for repeat customers, keeping stock in sync.