Best Sites and Apps for Selling Online
On February 16, 2025 By newsroom Topic: Online Business Success
Key Recommendations:
- Shopify: Ideal for influencers and small businesses. Offers customizable domains, flexible selling options, marketing tools, and over 100 payment gateways. Plans start at $29/month.
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Perfect for creating a scalable eCommerce store.
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eBay: Best for expensive items. Provides auction or fixed-price listings, escrow services, and global shipping options. Free to list 250 items/month; fees apply for upgrades and sales.
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Amazon: Best for international trade. Supports Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) for logistics and offers extensive marketing tools. Plans include $0.99/item for individuals or $39.99/month for professionals.
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Facebook Marketplace: Best free option for local and social media selling. Easy to use, integrates with Shopify, and charges a 5% transaction fee per shipment.
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Craigslist: Great for local sales. Operates in localized markets with free listings, making it a classic for decluttering.
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Etsy: Best for handmade goods and crafts. Charges $0.20 per listing and a 5% transaction fee. The "Plus" plan at $10/month adds advanced tools.
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Poshmark: Leading clothing platform. Sells new or secondhand clothing with flat fees: $2.95 under $15 or 20% for higher-priced items.
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Swappa: Perfect for selling electronics. Focuses on functionality verification and uses PayPal for secure transactions. Buyer covers fees.
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Nextdoor: Simplest platform for local use. Great for selling within your neighborhood for free, with in-app messaging and social networking.
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Bonanza: Similar to eBay and Amazon. Supports inventory syncing, batch editing, and ads. Final value fee applies only upon sale.
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Decluttr: Best for selling used electronics. Offers instant price evaluations, free shipping, and next-day payments.
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Chairish: Specializes in furniture and home decor. Offers curated listings and logistical support. Fees: 20%-30% commission based on membership tier.
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VarageSale: Online garage sale with a focus on safety. Free to use with member verification for secure transactions.
Choosing the Right Platform:
- Target Audience:
- Local: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Nextdoor.
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Global: Amazon, eBay, Shopify.
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Budget:
- Free: Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, VarageSale.
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Subscription Plans: Shopify, Etsy Plus.
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Product Niche:
- Handmade: Etsy.
- Digital Products: Sellfy.
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Electronics: Swappa, Decluttr.
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Business Scalability:
- Small-scale: Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor.
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Large-scale: Shopify, Amazon.
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Features:
- Marketing & SEO: Shopify, Bonanza.
- Local Communication: Nextdoor, Craigslist.
FAQs
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Do I need a website?
Not necessarily; platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and Facebook Marketplace provide a comprehensive solution. For branding and scalability, a website via Shopify is recommended. -
What are the fees?
Many platforms are free to list but charge transaction or success fees (e.g., Etsy: 5%, eBay: 12.55%). -
Which platform for services?
Craigslist and Nextdoor work well for service sales, or you can create a dedicated Shopify site.
To sum it up:
Selling online has never been easier! Choose the platform that aligns with your goals, product type, and audience to maximize success. Happy selling!
