I've been selling online since before I technically could by using my father's eBay account. Fast forward 15 years and no matter what I'm doing in my life, I'm also always selling online. I just can't stop. I'm in it for the long haul, and if you are, too, here are some tips that I wish I had gotten early on in my online selling career.
1. Pick a Product You Love
You're going to be spending a lot of time with your wares, so pick something you enjoy working with. I spent a few years selling preowned clothing on eBay before I burned out and just couldn't do it anymore. I like clothes. Just not enough to photograph and write about them for hours on end!
Having something you like, or something that has inherent value to you, will be a great motivator when the initial excitement of doing something new wears off. That's why I flip things that I buy gently used. It's why I make things by hand to sell. Dropshipping can work GREAT for some people, but it bores me. But giving things a new lease on life? I can always get behind that.
2. This Isn't a Get Rich Quick Scheme
No, seriously. Selling online takes a lot of doggedness, time, and effort. I'm sure you've heard a lot of success stories of people making thousands of dollars online in a few months, but those people are the exception. Maybe you're an exception, too - that'd be great! But don't count on it or you're going to be severely disappointed.
What you pick to sell, and what platform you choose, will also help determine how long it takes to get good traction. If you're selling handmade jewelry on your own website, it will likely take years. That's because the jewelry market is saturated, but also it takes a long time to get a website built and traffic flowing.
I suggest starting on platforms with built-in traffic. Etsy, eBay, and Amazon are the power players. You can sell on them and get your own site going at the same time!
3. You're Going to Flex Those Soft Skill Muscles
I was excited to sell online in part because I thought it meant I'd be dealing with people less. I've got social anxiety, so I can easily get overwhelmed with interactions.
Yeah, no. It doesn't work like that. If you're selling online by yourself, guess what? You also get to be your own customer service department. And you're going up against big players like PayPal who often reflexively side with the customer if there's a dispute.
Being friendly and compassionate, as well as responding promptly to any messages you get, will make your job a lot smoother. Remember: be professional. You can then have a beer and rant about difficult people with a friend later.
(Pro tip: Selling on eBay at a low price point got me a lot of difficult people. Selling on Etsy at a moderate price point has been like working with angels. If customer service isn't your thing, experiment with different products, platforms, and prices).
4. Keep Up with the Times
Technology changes FAST. 15 years ago, it was a lot easier for me to sell things online because the competition was so much lower. These days, everyone and their dog are trying to sell online. The good news? Everyone and their dog are also buying online!
Selling platforms change constantly. So do things like Google search algorithms. And don't get me started on social media platforms. If you want to stay in the game, you're going to have to keep up with this. It's going to be hella frustrating, but you'll get the hang of it.
Just remember: the longer you put off learning the new changes of a platform, the more overwhelming it's going to be to play catch up. That's why when I finish this article, I'm going to go watch Youtube videos on eBay changes!
5. Research. Research EVERYTHING.
My last tip is probably the one I tell people the most. You gotta put in the research. Different selling platforms charge different fees. Shipping prices are often higher than you'd expect, especially international. If you don't look into that, you're going to wind up losing money.
Research your platform. Learn how your listings will show up in a search result and use that to your advantage when writing them. Have your own website? Look into Google SEO.
And of course, research your product! You want to make sure you're giving yourself enough room for profit. There are going to be contingencies - lost packages you didn't insure, products that got damaged in storage, etc. Keep that in mind and price your stuff to help cover that loss.
Did you make it to the end of this article? If so, thank you for sticking with me! If there's enough interest, I might make this topic into a series. So if you have any questions or would like some advice, or even to tell your own selling stories, please leave a comment!