Selling items online has become a popular and convenient way for individuals to make extra cash or even start a business. With the rise of eCommerce and the various selling websites and apps available, anyone can quickly sell their products without having to leave home. 63% of shopping journeys now start online, making it an increasingly lucrative option for aspiring entrepreneurs.
There are various options for selling your products online, including creating your online store or using existing platforms to sell your items. Each option has its benefits and drawbacks, and it's essential to consider the best fit for your needs. In this article, we'll provide an overview of the top 12 websites for selling stuff online and the benefits of creating your own store using Shopify.
12 Great Websites to Sell Online
- Bonanza
- eBay
- Amazon
- Etsy
- Poshmark
- Depop
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
- Letgo
- OfferUp
- eBay Classifieds (formerly Kijiji)
- Gumtree
Bonanza
Bonanza is a Seattle-based company that has quickly gained popularity as an online marketplace. With over 50,000 sellers and 35 million items, it's a large and growing community of online shops. The fees for selling on Bonanza are relatively minimal and are based on the Final Offer Value, which is the combined dollar value of what the buyer paid plus the portion of the shipping fee that exceeds $10. For example, if you sell an item for $20 and charge $12 for shipping, the Final Offer Value is $22, and the selling fee would be 2.5% of that, or 77¢. There is an additional 1.5% flat fee on any dollar over $500.
Bonanza is a good option for those who want to avoid paying listing fees and want to keep their costs low. It's also a good choice for those who sell unique or specialty items, as it has a variety of niche categories. However, it's worth noting that Bonanza's traffic is lower compared to other popular online selling sites, so it may be harder to get your items noticed.
eBay
eBay is one of the most well-known online selling platforms, with a global reach and various categories for selling just about anything. It's easy to set up a seller account and list your items, and there are several options for payment and shipping. The eBay selling fees depend on the item's price and the category it's listed in. For example, for most items under $50, the fee is 10% of the sale price plus a flat fee for the shipping cost. There are also fees for additional services, such as adding a reserve price or using a featured listing.
One of the benefits of eBay is its large user base and reputation as a trusted online marketplace. However, it can be competitive, as many sellers offer similar products. It's also worth noting that eBay tends to be more geared toward used or vintage items, so it may not be the best option for those selling brand-new products.
Amazon
Amazon is another well-known and highly-trafficked online selling platform with various categories and a global reach. It's easy to set up a seller account and list your items, and there are several options for payment and shipping. The fees for selling on Amazon depending on the item category and whether you use an individual or professional selling plan. For example, for most individual items under $50, the fee is 15% of the sale price plus a flat fee for the shipping cost. There are also fees for additional services, such as using Amazon's fulfillment service or adding enhanced content.
One of the benefits of Amazon is its large user base and reputation as a trusted online marketplace. It's also a good option for those who want to take advantage of Amazon's fulfillment services, which can save time and hassle.
Etsy
Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique items. It's easy to set up a seller account and list your items, and there are several options for payment and shipping. The fees for selling on Etsy include a listing fee of $0.20 per item and a transaction fee of 5% of the sale price. There are also fees for additional services, such as using Etsy's promoted listings feature or its offsite advertising.
One of the benefits of Etsy is its focus on handmade and unique items, which can differentiate your products from those on other online selling platforms. It's also a good option for those who want to tap into the large and dedicated craft and handmade community on the site. However, it's worth noting that Etsy can be competitive, as many sellers are offering similar products.
Poshmark
Poshmark is a social shopping platform geared explicitly towards fashion and home goods. It's easy to set up a seller account and list your items, and there are several options for payment and shipping. The fees for selling on Poshmark include a flat fee of $2.95 for items under $15 and a 20% fee on items over $15. There are no additional fees for using Poshmark's services.
One of the benefits of Poshmark is its focus on fashion and home goods, which can be a good fit for those selling these types of items. It's also a good option for those who want to tap into the social aspect of the site, as buyers can follow and interact with sellers. However, it's worth noting that Poshmark's fees can be higher than other online selling platforms, depending on the price of the items you're selling.
Depop
Depop is a social shopping platform geared explicitly towards fashion and accessories. It's easy to set up a seller account and list your items, and there are several options for payment and shipping. The fees for selling on Depop include a transaction fee of 10% of the sale price. There are no additional fees for using Depop's services.
One of the benefits of Depop is its focus on fashion and accessories, which can be a good fit for those selling these types of items. It's also a good option for those who want to tap into the social aspect of the site, as buyers can follow and interact with sellers. However, it's worth noting that Depop's traffic may be lower than other online selling platforms.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a platform for buying and selling items within your local area using your Facebook account. It's easy to set up a seller account and list your items, and there are several options for payment and shipping. The fees for selling on Facebook Marketplace are free, as it's a free service provided by Facebook.
One of the benefits of Facebook Marketplace is its large user base and its integration with the popular social media platform. It's also a good option for those who want to sell to buyers within their local area, as it allows for in-person transactions. However, it's worth noting that Facebook Marketplace may not be the best option for those selling items outside their local area or for those who want to sell to a broader audience.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a platform for buying and selling items within your local area, with various categories. It's easy to set up a seller account and list your items, and there are several options for payment and shipping. The fees for selling on Craigslist are free, as it's a free service.
One of the benefits of Craigslist is its large user base and its well-known platform for buying and selling locally. It's also a good option for those who want to sell items quickly and want to avoid paying any fees. However, it's worth noting that Craigslist can be competitive, as many sellers are offering similar products. It's also not as user-friendly as other online selling platforms and may not be the best option for those new to selling online.
Letgo
Letgo is a platform for buying and selling items within your local area, with various categories. It's easy to set up a seller account and list your items, and there are several options for payment and shipping. The fees for selling on Letgo are free, as it's a free service.
One of the benefits of Letgo is its large user base and its well-known platform for buying and selling locally. It's also a good option for those who want to sell items quickly and want to avoid paying any fees. However, it's worth noting that Letgo can be competitive, as many sellers are offering similar products. It's also not as user-friendly as other online selling platforms and may not be the best option for those new to selling online.
OfferUp
OfferUp is a platform for buying and selling items within your local area, with various categories. It's easy to set up a seller account and list your items, and there are several options for payment and shipping. The fees for selling on OfferUp are free, as it's a free service.
One of the benefits of OfferUp is its large user base and its well-known platform for buying and selling locally. It's also a good option for those who want to sell items quickly and want to avoid paying any fees. However, it's worth noting that OfferUp can be competitive, as many sellers are offering similar products. It's also not as user-friendly as other online selling platforms and may not be the best option for those new to selling online.
eBay Classifieds (formerly Kijiji)
eBay Classifieds, formerly known as Kijiji, is a platform for buying and selling items within your local area with various categories. It's easy to set up a seller account and list your items, and there are several options for payment and shipping. The fees for selling on eBay Classifieds are free, as it's a free service.
One of the benefits of eBay Classifieds is its large user base and its well-known platform for buying and selling locally. It's also a good option for those who want to sell items quickly and want to avoid paying any fees. However, it's worth noting that eBay Classifieds can be competitive, as many sellers are offering similar products. It's also not as user-friendly as other online selling platforms and may not be the best option for those new to selling online.
Gumtree
Gumtree is a platform for buying and selling items within your local area, with various categories. It's easy to set up a seller account and list your items, and there are several options for payment and shipping. The fees for selling on Gumtree are free, as it's a free service.
One of the benefits of Gumtree is its large user base and its well-known platform for buying and selling locally. It's also a good option for those who want to sell items quickly and avoid paying any fees. However, it's worth noting that Gumtree can be competitive, as many sellers are offering similar products. It's also not as user-friendly as other online selling platforms and may not be the best option for those new to selling online.
Creating your online store
In addition to using existing online selling platforms, you can create your online store to sell your products. This can be a fulfilling and profitable option, but it comes with its challenges, such as having to market yourself and drum up traffic to your site. However, it also has several benefits, including the fact that your profits are yours, there are no commissions, and you have complete control over your pricing strategy.
One of the best platforms for creating your online store is Shopify. As of November 2022, more than four million sites were using Shopify to run their operations. The basic Shopify fee is $29 per month, which includes your website, blog, SSL certificates, abandoned shopping cart recovery, and social media sales channels, among many other tools and perks. There is no initial setup fee or additional hidden fees unless you use a different payment gateway than what Shopify provides.
Shopify is beginner-friendly and has excellent customer service, and there are various Shopify apps you can use to customize your store, including wholesale marketplaces like Handshake. With its easy-to-use interface and comprehensive suite of tools, Shopify is an excellent platform for those looking to create their online store.
Conclusion
There are various options for selling your products online, including using existing platforms or creating your store. Some top websites for selling stuff online include Bonanza, eBay, Amazon, Etsy, Poshmark, Depop, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Letgo, OfferUp, eBay Classifieds, and Gumtree. Each platform has its benefits and drawbacks, and it's essential to consider the best fit for your needs. Shopify is a reliable and user-friendly platform to view if you want to create your online store. Whether you choose, online selling can be a convenient and lucrative way to sell your products and make extra cash.
