Online platform costs equal 21.7% of average monthly revenue for participating Korean small and midsize businesses, according to a survey by the Korea Federation of SMEs. The study covered 1,250 companies using online marketplaces, delivery apps and accommodation platforms. Delivery-app costs were highest at 26.2%.
The burden from commissions, advertising and related transaction costs increased year over year across every platform type. Among online-marketplace sellers, 53.7% said their primary platform accounted for all of their platform revenue. Rising costs therefore coincide with concentration in a single channel.
Lower commissions and advertising fees were the most common requests from participating businesses. Respondents also favored stronger penalties for violations if platform fairness legislation is to be effective, reflecting concern about weak bargaining power and limited transparency.
Platform sales can rise while profit falls after commissions, ads, discount sharing and delivery or fulfillment costs. Korea's FTC Opens a Review of Platform Commission and Ad Fee Structures covers the policy review, but businesses still need their own channel-level cost model.
Within platform rules, analyze order and booking behavior to connect repeat customers with owned channels or memberships, and adjust assortment and pricing by platform. Leaving a dominant platform abruptly is rarely practical. Track revenue, new customers, repeat purchases and contribution margin together while reducing concentration step by step.
The survey average was 21.7% of monthly revenue, rising to 26.2% for delivery-app participants.
Compare contribution margin after commissions, advertising, discount sharing, delivery and fulfillment costs for each platform.
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