ONLINE SELLING: Meaning, Best Sites & Apps

With the rise of online marketplace sales, many entrepreneurs and small business owners are left wondering whether or not to participate. However, it takes more than just building a website and adding product photos to sell products online. You need drive, knowledge, and marketing prowess to succeed. Fortunately, there is a plethora of resources available to aid your online store’s operation. eCommerce sites and apps can facilitate the distribution of your wares, whether you’re looking to declutter your home, supplement your income with the sale of handmade goods, or grow your business via online sales. But, how do you get started? This piece focuses on the nitty-gritty of online selling while also highlighting the best-selling sites and apps for a car and books in 2023. Let’s roll…

What is Online Selling?

Online selling is basically the practice of offering goods or services for sale online. It is commonly used to describe the method of doing business using electronic marketplaces and shopping carts. There’s a vast range of companies that can fall within this category, from mom-and-pop operations to worldwide conglomerates. Consumers can shop for goods and services online from the convenience of their own homes using a computer or mobile device while having their purchases delivered straight to their front door.

Online sales can be made in a variety of methods, including via your own site or e-commerce platforms, on auction sites like Amazon or eBay, or on social networking sites like Facebook or Instagram.

However, you will need to have a product or maybe a service you’re willing to offer and a mechanism to receive payments from prospective customers, for instance using a payment gateway like PayPal or Stripe, in order to engage in online sales. In addition, you need a method for completing orders, such as shipping physical goods to customers or sending digital goods via email or perhaps a download link. Digital items and services, like software, music and video downloading, and subscription plans, are all examples of what you can sell online.

For the efficiency of your online selling, it is necessary to have a strong branding and marketing plan, an understanding of your target market, and top-notch customer service. Also, you must be mindful of any regulatory prerequisites for online sales, including adhering to privacy rules or paying sales tax.

Why Online Selling?

Buying and selling goods and services online has grown in popularity and convenience as a whole. It has also facilitated the expansion of micro- and small-scale enterprises, which may now compete on a global scale with a comparatively modest outlay of resources.

In addition to allowing customers to shop whenever they like, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, online stores facilitate simple inventory and order management. In addition, the overhead associated with a storefront and stock is reduced or removed altogether when conducting business online.

The ability to provide more goods and services is just another perk of selling online. The convenience of the Internet has allowed consumers to shop from a wider variety of vendors, including those whose wares aren’t always carried in their local stores.

Customers now have more options than ever to shop online thanks to the proliferation of mobile devices and social media. Customers can now shop from any location thanks to user-friendly e-commerce sites and online marketplaces, while companies can more easily reach out to consumers because of social media.

But, there are certain difficulties with selling online as well. It is important for internet retailers to follow all applicable laws and regulations in order to avoid any potential legal ramifications. Online merchants must also deal with intense levels of competition and develop unique selling points.

Online Selling Sites

When it comes to selling online, you have a lot of different options. You can set up an online storefront, employ an e-commerce platform, or join an existing online marketplace. How long you’ve been in business and what you hope to accomplish with your company could influence the path you should take.

While there are many advantages to selling on online marketplaces, you need to weigh the benefits against the platform’s costs and commissions to choose which is ideal for you.

Regardless, below is a list of some of the best online selling sites you can choose from;

#1. Amazon

Amazon’s inclusion on a list of the finest online selling sites is not surprising given the continued growth of worldwide e-commerce. According to Amazon’s financial reports, which rank it as the leading e-commerce corporation in the world, the third quarter of 2022 saw $127.1 billion in revenue, a 15% rise over the same period the previous year. According to reports, Amazon sells more than 400 items per minute, giving sellers access to a vibrant, built-in customer base.

Depending on your package, product category, fulfillment method, and other factors, the cost to trade on Amazon will vary. A Professional seller plan for instance will cost you a minimum of $39.99 each month (in addition to the normal selling fees stated earlier). On the other hand, if you intend to sell over 40 units each month, promote your items, be eligible for premium placement on product detail pages, and require sophisticated selling tools like APIs and reporting, this package is a smart choice.

#2. eBay

Since it has been operating online since 1995, eBay is the pioneer and still the greatest location to sell goods. The most recent eBay statistics show that the site has 182 million users with over 1.3 billion listings globally.

On eBay, users can trade anything from commonplace products like shoes and watches to unusual items such as pillows that smelled like popcorn, air cans, as well as vintage ’70s hand chairs. You’ll be astounded to see what sort of items sell when you look through all the what’s sold told.

In addition, you will need to take the selling fees on eBay into account if you intend to sell anything there.

Similar to Amazon, eBay is among the finest sites when it comes to online selling because it is quick, has a sizable customer base you can sell to, and can serve as a useful supplementary sales channel for your website.

#3. Bonanza

A rapidly expanding internet marketplace, Bonanza is situated in Seattle, Washington. Arguably, it’s one of the more recent internet marketplaces, but it’s already gaining popularity as an eBay substitute. Almost anything may be sold on the platform, which, according to SimilarWeb, sees over 5.1 million monthly visitors to its website.

Consider Bonanza as a compromise between the two top online marketplaces, Amazon and eBay.

You don’t have to pay Bonanza to list your products on the website. After you sell, it merely takes a small portion of your sales price.

#4. Ruby Lane

Ruby Lane is a more recent online marketplace basically for vintage and antique items, yet it’s competing with established online marketplaces like Etsy. When you sell items in categories such as dolls, jewelry, vintage and art, antiques, and collectibles, you can reach a high niche market of customers.

The fees and payments are simple while establishing while listing your products is also free. But, there is a $54 maintenance fee per month if you’re posting up to 50 goods. The more things you list on the marketplace, the different this cost is. In addition, Ruby Lane levies a service fee of 6.7% of the entire purchase order, with a $250 maximum.

#5. Etsy

One of the top online retailers of handmade and vintage goods is Etsy. In 2015, it started to include manufacturer-developed products, although exclusively for specific accounts on the marketplace. With over 96 million customers as of Q2 2021, Etsy is a profitable platform to establish an online business.

For every product you sell on Esty, a $0.20 listing fee will be applied. And the listing fee generally expires every four months. Hence, you will be charged an extra $0.20 when you renew your listing after your item doesn’t sell out.

#6. Chairish

Chairish, an online consignment store is another site basically designed for high-quality home furnishings and decor. Chairish’s free listing process only takes a few minutes, and obviously, it depends on your seller plan, you receive somewhere around 70% and 80% of the sale price of any products you sell.

Except for its Elite plan, which costs $149 per month, Chairish is completely free, which is what makes it so cool.

This is without a doubt one of the best sites to trade furniture or home décor online if it is design-focused. It can quickly put your company in front of the right collectors and customers so you can increase your online sales.

#7. Swappa

Are you willing to get rid of that outdated iPhone X ? Or perhaps a Nintendo Switch you hardly use anymore? On Swappa, a reliable buy-and-sell platform for phones, computers, cameras, and other technology, you can turn your equipment into cash.

Swappa is trustworthy because it performs a great job of screening the goods that are offered for sale on the marketplace. Every sale must be in good functioning order, and PayPal protects every payment, thus garbage products are not permitted.

The creation of a listing is free, however for a $5 cost, you can opt to have your things featured (like an ad).

How to Be an Online Seller?

You need a strategy for successful internet selling before you can get started. Throwing random things onto a website or online marketplace and crossing your fingers is a surefire way to fail.

After settling on a product or things to sell, you can move forward with establishing your online store. You can basically get your online store up and running with these simple tips;

Name your business and get your domain name.
Pick a location
Choose the payments you’ll accept
Sort out the shipping
Promote your online store by spreading the word.

What Is the Simplest Way to Sell Online?

Those who are just starting to sell online frequently use online marketplaces. While a platform for e-commerce is best for companies who wish to go online rapidly. For established retailers with websites on the other hand, web stores work best.

Online Selling Apps

There are a great number of apps for selling things online that allow you to make money with them. However, which apps are the most effective at selling things for you;

#1. eBay

Unquestionably, one of the greatest-selling apps for making money online is eBay. Impressively, it has 182 million users and 85 million dealers globally.

#2. Facebook Marketplace

Due to the fact that practically everyone you know, actively or not has a Facebook account, Facebook Marketplace is undoubtedly one of the online selling apps with the highest accessibility. In actuality, the marketplace is used by around 800 million people each month.

#3. Nextdoor

Another top smartphone app for local mobile sales is Nextdoor. You must provide your zip code while installing Nextdoor in order for it to link you with your neighbors and personalize your daily feed.

#4. CPlus for Craigslist

CPlus for Craigslist is a third-party selling app that has received official authorization from Craigslist. It is regarded as basically one of the most well-known online marketplaces for local goods sales. It’s an excellent place to discover buyers in your neighborhood, just like the website.

#5. OfferUp and let go

Letgo and OfferUp are just two different apps that essentially achieved the same thing. Nevertheless, these two internet purchase and sell applications come to an agreement and merged in August 2020.

#6. Poshmark

One of the trendiest apps that you will ever find online that deals with selling used clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry, cosmetics, and other items is Poshmark.

Poshmark claims that there are 25 million products from 5,000+ companies published on the app every day, making it one of the finest for selling clothing.

#7. Tradesy

One of the greatest applications for selling designer clothing is Tradesy. Hence, think about using this selling app if you’ve got any expensive items in your wardrobe and you’re willing to earn money from them.

#8. thredUP

When we talk about online selling, thredUP is one of the most popular apps to earn money through eCommerce in 2023. The business on its own always regards itself as basically the largest online consignment and thrift marketplace globally. That, however, does come with good reasons. About 2 million items from over 35,000 brands may be found on the selling app, claims thredUP. Also, each day, nearly 40,000 new women’s and children’s goods are added.

#9. Decluttr

Decluttr, no doubt is one of the finest online selling apps for items that you’re unsure what you should do with. For instance, it’s the ideal location to sell used textbooks, smartphones, tablets, video games, as well as gaming consoles.

#10. Chairish

The app, Chairish was created exclusively to let people buy and sell new and secondhand furniture. On Charish, numerous markets exist for practically anything. For instance, you may market high-end pre-owned or hand-made objects from the past.

Which App Is Best to Sell Items?

In the list below are some of the finest apps to sell your items;

Facebook Marketplace
eBay
Craigslist
OfferUp
Decluttr
Nextdoor
VarageSale
Poshmark
Vinted

How Can I Sell Things Fast?

You can make use of the following channel to sell your stuff really fast and earn quick money;

Buyback programs
Craigslist
Consignment shops
Fulfillment by Amazon
Local colleges and flea markets
Pawn shops
Social media

What Are the 3 Types of Online Selling?

There are three main types of e-commerce or online selling are

Business-to-business (websites such as Shopify)
Business-to-consumer (websites such as Amazon)
Consumer-to-consumer (websites such as eBay)

Online Selling of Books

There is nothing better than relaxing with a good book, according to voracious readers. The feel of its pages, the aroma of the library, and the hope of entering another planet.

However, in the era of Amazon and enormous retail conglomerates, starting a bookstore may seem like an impossibility. Nonetheless, small booksellers still have a lot of space to grow in the book industry, despite the idea that they are vanishing into the shadow of these giants.

Even during a pandemic, entrepreneurs who identified a market niche, an original value proposition, or a means to tailor consumer experiences have achieved success. Because of the personalized service, buyers are even willing to spend extra for the same book at niche bookshops, which cannot be matched by large retailers.

By starting your own bookshop and selling books online, you may turn your pastime into a successful company. Alternatively, you can avoid publishers altogether and publish your book yourself to sell to your audience. And with books being such a diverse commodity, there are countless ways to stand out in your quest of selling books online.

Regardless, you can start selling your books online by following the four easy steps;

Find your niche
Develop your book brand
Source books to sell
Launch and market your online store

Is Online Books Selling Profitable?

Definitely. Selling books online might bring in a respectable income. Yet, it goes without saying that you shouldn’t depend on it to pay for your retirement. Good-condition paperback novels frequently sell for a few bucks. Hardbacks and uncommon editions, however, can fetch significantly higher prices.

Where Should I Sell My Secondhand Books?

BookDeal is the ideal location to sell old books. It takes only a few minutes to sell your books, and the procedure is simple. Simply input your ISBN, choose your favorite quote, finish the sale summary, and thus the books will be shipped free of charge.

Is Making Money Online by Selling Books a Wise Idea?

You can make some additional cash by selling your secondhand books online, however, don’t count on such earnings to support your retirement. Despite hardback and rare editions fetching you a little extra, most paperbacks in decent condition will sell for a few bucks. Moreover, you must account for any delivery fees.

Car Online Selling

While it might look complicated, selling your car online is actually one simple and straightforward task. All you need is to get started by entering the relevant data, such as your car’s VIN or license plate number, mileage, condition, and key characteristics. After that, give your contact details to get a quote for your car.

However, you must upload some simple documents to complete your sale after accepting your offer. Some online car lots demand that you drop off your vehicle at a real place. Some, on the other hand, will locate you and collect the car from your home and make payments to you right then and there. Here you go.

That being said, below are some of the best car selling apps you can make use of to sell your car online;

Autotrader
CarMax
Carvana
Cars.com
Craigslist
eBay Motors
Facebook Marketplace
Hemmings
Vroom
Bring a Trailer

Conclusion

Basically, all sizes of merchants must nowadays have an online presence in order to compete in the market. Selling items online can frequently be a lot simpler than selling them in person. For instance, you may make a sale quickly by listing all of your items from the convenience of your home and contacting potential customers with just a few clicks. You must, however, locate a platform (apps and sites) that meets your requirements for selling pieces of stuff online, even a car.