Where to Sell Online to Expand Your Business or Get Rid of Old Stuff
People usually want to sell online for two reasons: to expand their preexisting business or to make some extra money from decluttering. People sell for a million different reasons, but they usually fall somewhere under the umbrella of one of these two categories.
In my industry, a super common question that pops up is, “Where do I sell my stuff online?”
Seller sites and profiles take a lot of work to create and manage. For that reason, it’s a major headache to have to try 30 sites before finding the best ones for you.
In hopes of simplifying your search, utilize this list of where to sell online to expand your business or profit from decluttering/getting rid of old stuff. Since there’s so much crossover with the types of items that you can sell on these sites, I’ve alphabetized the platforms and noted what can be sold on each.
Let’s get started:
AbeBooks
*sell books
Pros:
Offers direct contact between buyers and sellers
Set your own shipping rates and policies
Strong customer base
Paid weekly
Cons:
Cost of selling and listing
Required use of AbeBooks’ card processing facility (high fees)
Predictable site glitches
AbeBooks is the ultimate online book marketplace. New, old, rare, and out-of-print books alike are sold here. They have a great reputation for handling extremely precious classics, too. Because of AbeBooks’ considerably large customer base, there is also a flood of sellers on the site. That doesn’t have to be a deterrent; it merely means that taking care of your seller profile with regular updates and valuable information about what you’re selling is probably a requirement to succeed on this site.
Amazon
*sell all categories including services
Pros:
Extremely high traffic
User-friendly
Global audience
Cons:
Potentially high competition
Must adhere to comprehensive Amazon policies and procedures
Seller fees
It’s hard to think of a single person who has not heard of buying from Amazon, but small business owners and declutterers rarely ever think of selling on Amazon. Comparatively, it’s exceptionally user-friendly, and while adhering to Amazon’s policies can be a headache in some areas, it totally automates your business in other areas.
Owning a small business is not required to sell on Amazon, though. It’s a great place for old TVs and designer heels alike! ...just make sure to always be honest when describing the condition of your item, though. Don’t forget: you’ll have to adhere to Amazon’s A thru Z guarantee, so representing your item honestly upfront will serve you best (plus, it’s always the right thing to do, but I won’t preach).
Bonanza
*sell everything, works well for selling handmade goods
Pros:
Can link multiple shops to one seller account
Popular
Great for handmade goods
Cons:
Importing from other platforms isn’t always accurate
3rd-party printing label integration issues
Sales require effort
Bonanza is the only thing that has come close to holding a candle to eBay since...well, eBay. It’s become wildly popular for the resale of used goods and the original sale of handmade goods. While Bonanza isn’t specifically geared towards handmade goods, it fits the niche very well.
One resounding conclusion that sellers on Bonanza report is that they have to be extra diligent about making their store and products stand out from the competition because of the high competition. Do this by having superb store profile content, magnetic product descriptions, and having regular and open communication with customers.
Want some help making your online store and item descriptions shine? That’s what I’m here for. I’ll either write it for you or give you advice on how to write it for yourself. Connect with me here!
Chairish
*sell home decor, vintage furniture
Pros:
Smaller, more curated
Large buyers market for vintage items
Good place for high-end & expensive items
Cons:
Customers make offers on your asking price
Minimum selling price $25
May receive low-ball offers
If eBay and Amazon can be compared to a warehouse selling everything, Chairish can be compared to more of a large, stylish boutique selling (super cute) home decor and vintage furniture. Shoppers on this site are usually looking for items of high quality or special value, which means they’re typically willing to pay what it’s worth. No low-balling here. Chairish takes a fee of 20% for each sale under $2,500, and the percentage drops a tad for any sale over that value.
The platform is highly recommended for sellers, but I majorly recommend it for buyers, too. Their stuff is adorable!
Craigslist
*sell everything, including services
Pros:
No listing or selling fees in multiple markets
User-friendly
You can remain anonymous
Cons:
Less reliable buyers
Usually has a small buyer base
Buyers aren’t forced to pay
When most people hear “Craigslist,” they turn the other way. That’s okay. I don’t blame you. But, Craigslist can be a hidden gem sometimes.
An important note about Craigslist is that it’s a little difficult to customize your ad, so make sure to make it stand out as best as you can with pictures and thorough descriptions. Most sellers don’t take the time to do this one simple thing, which usually costs them the sale. Would you buy a used desk with “minor scratches” for $500 with no pictures? Probably not.
Decluttr
*sell DVDs, CDs, video games, LEGO toys, books, other tech
Pros:
Items usually sell quickly
Make a little ROI on used media
Profit off of cleaning out clutter
Cons:
Occasional warehouse mixups
Lower offers
Lots of competition
Decluttr is arguably the best place to sell your old DVDs and video games. You can also unload CDs, Blu-rays, books, LEGOs, and other tech items. The great news about Decluttr is that, typically, when you post something, it sells. The downside is that the site isn’t exactly entirely fair to the seller in the sense that many things go for way under the actual resale value. If you’re looking to resell high-value classics or similar items, Decluttr may not be the site for you. But, if you’re just looking to get rid of old media and cleanse the energy in your home, it’s a fabulous option.
Depop
*sell clothes, shoes, accessories, makeup
Pros:
User-friendly, resembles Instagram
Customer base is largely trustworthy
Allows swaps
Cons:
Some scams
Swap requests of unequal value
DVDs and similar items don’t sell extremely well
Depop is becoming an increasingly popular way to resell used clothes, shoes, accessories, and (hopefully not used) makeup. Their homepage essentially looks like Forever21, which is the goal, I believe, because the entire platform resembles a buyer’s/seller’s fashion Instagram.
95% of Depop is wonderful, but there’s 5% of scammers to be aware of. Scammers utilize many tactics, but one recurring one is when someone orders cheap or fake clothes from China and sells it to you for full price. How will you know when that happens? Usually, when someone asks for more than 30 days to deliver the item. Other than that, this platform is excellent.
eBay
*sell nearly anything
Pros:
Sell almost anything
Potential to gain long-term customers
Large audience
Cons:
Lots of restrictions and rules
Vast competition in some areas
Seller fees
eBay is one of the major go-to’s for expanding your business reach, especially for retail shops. Of course, eBay is truly fabulous for just reselling old stuff, but it’s become known as a successful way to score long-term customers. As most know, buyers aren’t guaranteed to get a trustworthy seller, so when they find an exceptional one (that’s you), they tend to return over and over. Again, make your store, yourself, and your items stand out!
Let me help! I’ll make your items so irresistible that you can expect nothing less than sales. Message me here!
eBid
*sell nearly anything
Pros:
Free for buyers to participate in
Similar to eBay
Lower fees
Cons:
Moderate traffic
Low-ball offers
eBid is a great supplement or alternative to a platform like eBay. It’s another website where your item will likely sell, but it may sell considerably undervalue. That’s okay, though! It’s the sort of thing to expect on sites like this.
eBid has lower seller fees than most of its competitors and offers a package for $50 where you get a lifetime of zero listing fees.
eBluejay
*sell nearly anything
Pros:
Marketing tools integrated
Use CVS files to import products from other platforms
Automatically published to Google Shopping
Cons:
Can be tech-intensive
$5 sign up fee
No product variables
Sellers who use eBluejay absolutely rave about it. I’m not sure what exactly their special ingredient is, but if you can get your sales off the ground on eBluejay, statistically, you’ll be able to sell successfully long-term.
Etsy
*sell handmade goods, unique items, some services
Pros:
Listing products is super easy
Can download sales report plus more every month
Can see where your traffic comes in from (analytics)
Cons:
Requires tons of promotional work to be successful
Saturated markets
Limited store customization options
It’s fair to say that Etsy is the #1 place to sell handmade and artsy goods, at least right now. That doesn’t mean it’s the absolute best, but it is the most popular. Etsy really is an exceptional place to host your business or get rid of a few unique pieces lying around your home. The setup and management process is extremely easy, and you’ll have your reports generated for you every month—two main things to watch out for: market saturation and small fees. Most markets are over-saturated, so promoting your business is key. Also, the small fees can add up quickly and sneakily.
Facebook Marketplace
*sell almost anything
Pros:
Free to use; no fees
Reaches locals within 100 miles
Simple setup and management
Cons:
Reaches locals within 100 miles
App only works on iOS and Android
Your Facebook profile is exposed
Facebook Marketplace has risen to be a worthy competitor in the local classified-ish market. That’s exactly what it’s like, too: an online classifieds marketplace. So, great job on the name, Facebook.
With a little less structure and mainly individuals (not companies) selling used stuff, whether or not this platform is best for your business will depend on your local market. Your postings will only reach people within 100 miles of your location, so if you live in the middle of nowhere, try a broader-reaching site. Happy selling!
Gazelle
*sell used electronics
Pros:
User-friendly platform
Proven safe and trustworthy
Reasonable price points
Cons:
Address verification is tough
Lots of packaging complaints (?)
Set pricing
Gazelle has been around for a while now, and it’s a place to sell old tech gear, mainly cell phones. It’s a very trustworthy site, and you’re nearly guaranteed a sale. That said, there’s no bidding going on from any buyers; the price is set based on your tech’s age, model, and condition.
Glyde
*sell used electronics, used video games
Pros:
Simple interface
Answer only a few questions
Set your own price
Cons:
Up to 12% transaction fee
Stiff competition at times
Not for flip phone lovers
Glyde is great for buyers and sellers alike. You can sell used phones, iPads, iPods, video games, e-readers, tablets, and more. Items tend to sell for a higher price than some other sites. Glyde has been proven trustworthy over time, which is a concern for many used tech exchanges.
NextDoor
*sell old/used household items locally, promote your business
Pros:
Connect with neighbors in your neighborhood
Overall, super friendly users
Promote your business locally
Cons:
Local only
Not specifically for resale, but you can
Neighbor rants
NextDoor is the only neighborhood app that I actually like. In general and in my experience, users usually stick to recommendations for craftsmen, safety warnings, and some light networking. You can add your business to your neighborhood’s business section, which I highly recommend, and if you want to sell a used item, just post! NextDoor is considerably straightforward and has limited creeps. I’ve only seen one “Hey guys, I’m single” post in over a year. That’s a win if you’re familiar with other neighborhood apps! I’m sure it will depend on your location.
Your Website
Pros:
Total control
No fees from a platform
Completely customizable
Cons:
You’re responsible for design, content, and execution
Cost of website hosting
Drive your own traffic
Your website is the equivalent of a virtual brick and mortar store. Your homepage is your storefront, and your other pages are your shelves and aisles.
In my experience, small businesses do extremely well by utilizing their website as their headquarters, if you will, and branch out to other sites on this list to drive more traffic and overall visibility to their brand and business.
If you’re looking to simply resell used goods here and there, the cost of website hosting on top of the selling fees from other platforms that you choose to use might add up to be more than you even make from sales. Weigh your options!
The absolute best hosting site I’ve ever found is Bluehost. I’ve tried Wix, Squarespace, and a few others, but I’ve been able to achieve the most success in my work with Bluehost. It offers the most flexibility, customization, efficiency, and great customer service. Bluehost powers 30% of the internet, so they must be doing something right! You can get started here.
Get your website going with Bluehost, and then contact me to get started working on your website content and marketing strategy. Connect with me here!
Ideas for Resale
Here are a few things that you could scavenge up around the house to try and sell today:
VHS tapes
DVDs
Furniture
Gift cards
Books
Clothing
Jewelry
Childrens’ toys
Unopened cosmetics
Shoes / Handbags
Electronics (computers, phones)
Collectible dolls (...if that’s your thing)
Sporting goods / memorabilia
Musical instruments
Antiques
Savings bonds
Video games
Silver, China sets
We all get in a pinch sometimes, and these sites are a great way to get yourself quick cash without much effort. And, there’s a large market out there for resale as well. To top it all off, most of these sites are fabulous for small business expansion. Whatever your online selling needs are, these sites should help.
Don’t forget that in most cases, your store bio, item descriptions, and overall presentation will help you sell!
Ready to take your sales to the next level? HIre me to write your store content and item descriptions for you so that all you have to do is get the shipping label ready because your item will sell. So often, $5 thrift store shirts sell for $80 online (one of my clients does this!). How? Well, they’ve found a way to sell ice to an Eskimo. That’s what I do for you!
Let’s get started here.
Twitter: @writewhitney
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