How to Start Selling Online

1. Choose What to Sell

Start with what you already own. Look through your closet, garage, and storage for items you no longer use. Clothing, shoes, electronics, books, and collectibles are the easiest categories for beginners.

Once you're comfortable with the process, you can start sourcing — buying items at thrift stores, garage sales, clearance racks, or wholesale to resell at a profit. Start small. Learn what sells before investing heavily.

2. Pick Your First Platform

Don't try to list on every marketplace at once. Start with one platform that fits what you're selling:

• Clothing & fashion: Poshmark, Depop, or Mercari
• Electronics & general items: eBay or Mercari
• Sneakers: StockX or GOAT
• Handmade goods: Etsy
• Local sales: FB Marketplace or OfferUp

Not sure? Take our platform quiz to get a personalized recommendation.

3. Create Your First Listing

Good listings sell faster. Here's what matters:

• Photos: Use natural lighting. Shoot from multiple angles. Include close-ups of tags, flaws, and details. Most platforms recommend 4–8 photos.
• Title: Include the brand, item type, size, color, and condition. "Nike Air Force 1 Low White Men's Size 10 — Like New" beats "Cool shoes for sale."
• Description: Be honest about condition. Mention measurements for clothing. Include the original retail price if it helps justify your asking price.
• Category & tags: Use the correct category. Add relevant keywords so buyers can find your item in search.

4. Price for Profit

The most common beginner mistake is not accounting for fees and shipping when setting prices. A $30 sale on Poshmark nets you $24 after the 20% fee. On eBay, you'd keep about $25.50 after fees.

Before listing, run your numbers through the FeePilot calculator to see your actual take-home after fees, shipping, and item cost. Compare across platforms to find where you'll make the most.

Pro tip: Check what similar items have sold for (not just what they're listed at). On eBay, filter by "Sold Items." On Poshmark, check completed listings. Price competitively based on actual sale prices.

5. Shipping 101

Shipping doesn't have to be complicated. Most platforms offer prepaid shipping labels — you just print the label, pack the item, and drop it off at the carrier.

• Poshmark: Flat $7.97 USPS Priority label included
• Mercari: Prepaid labels from $4.50+ based on weight
• eBay: Discounted USPS/FedEx/UPS labels through the app

Want to learn more? Read our full shipping guide.

6. Getting Paid & Understanding Fees

Every marketplace takes a cut of your sale. This is how they make money. The fees vary wildly — from 0% (Depop, Vinted) to 20% (Poshmark) — and that's before payment processing.

Understanding how marketplace fees work is the single most important thing you can do to protect your profits. Check the FeePilot fee guides for a detailed breakdown of every platform.

Most platforms deposit your earnings to your bank account within 1–5 business days after the buyer confirms receipt.

7. Common Beginner Mistakes

• Not factoring in ALL costs: Item cost + fees + shipping + packaging supplies. If you don't calculate this before listing, you might sell at a loss.
• Bad photos: Dark, blurry, or cluttered photos kill sales. Take 60 seconds to find good lighting — it makes a huge difference.
• Ignoring fees: A 10% fee on a $20 item is $2. A 20% fee is $4. That difference adds up to hundreds over time.
• Not responding to buyers: Quick responses lead to faster sales. Answer questions within a few hours if possible.
• Overcomplicating it: Start simple. One platform, a few items. Learn the process, then scale.

Ready to Start?

Run your first item through the FeePilot calculator to see what you'll actually keep after fees — then pick the platform that gives you the best profit.

Calculate your fees →