What sales commissions are
A sales commission is a percentage the platform keeps from every order you receive. It may be called a transaction fee, service fee, or cost per sale, but the effect is the same: for every sale, part of your money goes away.
It's different from the card processor's fee, which the bank or gateway charges to move the money. That exists almost anywhere if you accept cards; the platform commission is an additional cost you can avoid.
Do the math: what they cost in a year
Imagine you sell the equivalent of $1,000 a month. A 5% commission means $50 a month, $600 a year, just for using the platform. If your profit margin is 30%, that commission eats a sixth of what you actually earn.
And worse: the more you sell, the more you pay. Commissions penalize growth right when you need to reinvest in inventory, packaging, or advertising.
- Sales of 500 a month at 5%: 25 a month, 300 a year
- Sales of 1,000 a month at 5%: 50 a month, 600 a year
- Sales of 3,000 a month at 5%: 150 a month, 1,800 a year
Why a commission-free store works in your favor
With a commission-free store you know exactly what you pay each month, no matter how much you sell. That lets you price accurately and keep the full benefit of your growth.
It also simplifies your bookkeeping. You don't have to deduct percentages from each sale or review variable charges at the end of the month: what the customer pays is yours.
How Vallen works: zero commissions on every plan
Vallen charges no commission per sale on any plan. The Starter plan is free forever, with up to 20 products, 5 categories, and your shareable link. The Growth plan costs $9.99 a month with unlimited products, a custom domain, analytics, and more features, and it doesn't charge commissions either.
Since the customer builds their order in your catalog and sends it to you, you collect payment directly with whatever method you prefer: transfer, cash, card, mobile payment, or PayPal. The money goes from your customer to you, with no middleman taking a cut.
What else to check besides commissions
A platform with no commissions matters, but it's not everything. Also check that it's easy to use, works well on phones, lets you show variants and clear prices, and lets you use your own domain when you need it.
Ask about hidden costs too: paid apps for basic features, very low product limits, or fees to remove the platform's branding. Ideally, you want a clear, predictable price.
- A fixed, transparent monthly price
- A real free plan to get started
- Works well on phones
- No paid apps for the basics
- Custom domain option
Sales commissions seem small, but over a year they can add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars that should stay in your business. A commission-free online store gives you predictable costs and lets you enjoy all your growth.
If you sell on WhatsApp and social media, you can start today for free with no commissions, and keep one hundred percent of every sale.