There’s plenty of places to sell stuff online to make extra cash. If you want to sell stuff online, you have options. So many options actually, it can be tough to choose. So we did the legwork for you.
- Amazon
- eBay
- Esty
- Facebook Marketplace
- OfferUp
Welcome to the phroogal 5, a series of the five best apps. We learned how important it is to help you narrow down your choices. So we’ve done the work to share the best. Want more options? Check the marketplace.
How to Sell Stuff Online
Are you looking for potential buyers for your stuff or unwanted items? Then an online marketplace where people are already shopping is the best place to start.
Amazon
Let’s start with the big one. Amazon is the world’s largest marketplace. If you choose to sell on Amazon, you have access to active buyers all over the world.
It’s easy to list your items for sale. But that does not mean it’s the easiest place to sell your stuff.
Onboarding is doable, but there are a lot more hoops to jump through. Compared to other platforms, It’s cumbersome. And because Amazon is a global marketplace, there are far more products and sellers all vying for customers’ attention, reducing the chances of yours getting noticed.
However, there’s a great way around that little detail — you let Amazon sell your stuff for you. If you sign up for Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon), then offloading your items can be delightfully hands-free, once you get through the onboarding process. Learn more about the Fulfillment Services offered through Amazon FBA.
Listing Cost: Free
Best: Selling a big inventory of stuff and mass produced items.
eBay
eBay is much better known as the original sell your stuff online marketplace. It’s better for refurbished and used goods than Amazon is, but you can sell almost anything in any condition to almost anyone, anywhere in a variety of selling formats.
Like Amazon, eBay will charge you seller fees. But if you have items you really aren’t sure how to value, or items in questionable condition, eBay’s auction format is probably your best bet. You’d be amazed what people will buy when they can bid their own price.
eBay is great for finding customers anywhere and charge the customer a shipping fee.
Listing Fee: Free
Best: Selling used goods or one-of-a-kind items.
Etsy
Etsy has a reputation for handcrafted or unique products, especially vintage items, versus mass-produced goods. Compared to other online selling platforms, Etsy is a great option for your unique one of kind items.
Like Amazon and eBay, because you are entering a global market, signing up, making sales and getting paid is a little more involved than using local market apps like Facebook or OfferUp. However, if you have a lot of old (I mean, retro…) clothing, accessories, artwork, or anything else quirky, custom, and reasonably valuable, Etsy might be worth your while. Learn how to start an Esty business.
Listing Fee: Etsy charges listing fees and a small commission fee.
Best: Selling unique stuff and handmade items.
The following two online shopping places allow you to connect with the buyer directly. It has its benefits but be prepared for some haggling with buyers.
Facebook Marketplace
In its most basic form, Facebook’s Marketplace is one of the easiest platforms to use – you snap your pictures, write a description, and post your item. Conversations with buyers, who are almost always local to your area, are conducted over Facebook Messenger, and you seal the deal in person in most cases.
It’s totally free to use. Facebook Marketplace takes no transaction fee for sales completed the old fashioned way, and there are no listing fees. You can choose to pay to boost your item’s visibility in searches or place ads.
The social media platform continues to launch newer features including the ability to take payment online through Facebook (which they do charge a fee for) and the addition of shipping options, which expands the audience for your listings beyond the local market.
Listing Fee: Free
Best: Selling to local buyers and one-off items.
OfferUp
OfferUp is another popular stuff-selling platform, similar to Facebook Marketplace, with one major difference: you don’t need a personal Facebook account to use it.
You download the OfferUp app and list your item with photos and a brief description. Negotiation with local buyers is facilitated through the app, and there are no listing or service fees. You only pay a transaction fee if you choose to accept payment through the app, place an ad, or boost your product listing.
Listing Fee: Free
Best: Selling to local buyers
Additional online marketplaces to sell stuff
Now, that you know the best places to sell stuff, we’re adding a few honorable mentions depending on the types of stuff you’re looking to sell.
Craigslist
Despite a clunky search system and a graphic interface straight out of the stone age, the original digital classifieds platform is as relevant and lucrative as ever.
Craigslist is free to use; an old-school but effective email relay system protects your contact info from internet trolls, and the listing process is about as simple as it gets. You don’t even need an account to use it.
If you’re getting started selling stuff, or you don’t want to clutter your life with new apps, website passwords or social media accounts, Craigslist is the way to go. Learn how to sell on Craigslist.
Decluttr
The Decluttr platform is pretty rad. Decluttr is a reseller. They’ll buy old phones, CDs and DVDs, Kindles, gaming consoles, and a whole host of other tech toys straight from you, then they turn around and refurbish the items and resell them.
They also buy textbooks, and somebody in Decluttr high command must have a huge LEGO collection because they also buy those by the pound.
It’s simple to use through the mobile app. You get an instant quote on their website for your items, box them up and ship them out with the prepaid shipping label provided to you. If your items pass inspection, you get paid (if they don’t pass, Declutrr will send them back to you for free, too). You’ll get a bit less for your items, but you don’t have to deal with the hassle of selling them yourself.
Poshmark
Gently used clothing, particularly brand name, high-quality pieces, are easy to list on Poshmark. List your items for sale like in OfferUp: Download the app, upload photos, write a description, list the piece — and you’re off to the races.
This app is not a local-only platform – they get you set up with flat rate expedited shipping on most items. There is no listing fee, but you are charged commission fees for successfully sold items.
Poshmark also has a sort of social media network built-in, where you can follow brands or individuals (buyers and sellers) who are sharing posts specifically about clothing and style. If you wanna get really into it — you can even throw a digital Posh Party.
Tips to Sell Stuff Online
When choosing the right platform, think about the stuff you’re selling. Some marketplaces will outperform for tech items versus clothing and accessories. Additionally, if you’re looking to start a business, read up on the seller protections offered by each platform.
Now, whether you decide to sell on Amazon or through Craigslist, here are tips for selling your stuff online.
1. Take better photos
The visuals are important and shoppers are looking at the images before they read the description. Make sure you have great lighting, and the product is shown clearly and visibly. Multiple angles can help you sell stuff faster.
2. Give a specific title
Create the perfect listing. Your title should be descriptive and include the main aspect of the product. This is not the place to be creative. Focus on the type of item. Get technical because shoppers are looking for specific items.
3. Provide item description
Let the algorithms help you get your stuff found. Provide as many details as possible about the products that include measurements, sizes, dimensions, etc. Make sure you have a detailed product description.
4. Set a competitive price
Be methodical with your listing price. Sell your items quicker by pricing your stuff to sell. That doesn’t mean being the cheapest but the best price. Do pricing research online. Look at other online sites for selling price, sale price, or list price.
5. Determine how you’ll get the stuff to the buyer
Decide if you’re selling locally, and buyers will pick up the item. If you’re shipping items, choose the right platform that makes the process seamless. Take into consideration shipping costs and the service fee that can eat away at profits.
Can selling stuff online become a business?
It certainly can become a business. But that all depends on your goals and inventory. For example, if you’re selling to get rid of stuff in your house, you may want to use an app to sell locally or to a reseller. Now, if you’re buying an inventory of items to sell online, then your approach would be different.
There are benefits to using online marketplaces that handle financial transactions. As an online seller, you can accept different payment methods: gift card, debit card, and credit card. Typically, the online marketplace will direct deposit your earnings to you.
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