Selling online: It’s a popular side hustle for creatives, upcyclers, and people with extra clothing or furniture piling up at home. Whether you make hand-painted ceramics or just have one too many lava lamps sitting around, you can turn these items into cash.

We love the internet for gracing us with encyclopedic knowledge and funny cat videos. But the best thing about the internet is that it makes the world a more connected place. If you were making crafts before online selling really took off, you’d have to travel or stick to local markets to sell your goods Now, the whole world is your marketplace. If no one in your hometown wants to buy those vintage items you’ve so carefully curated, the internet makes it possible for someone across the country to check them out.

Selling online often starts as a side hustle, a pet project for weekend warriors to knock out in their off-hours. But e-commerce can even become your career. Whether you’re spending a few hours a week making listings for dark-wash jeans or you’ve developed a whole new product you’re eager to launch online, you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s explore the benefits of getting your items online – no matter who you are or what you sell.

Why you should sell online

The number one benefit of selling online is pretty obvious – you can earn money. But here’s why the internet is particularly good at helping you rake in some cash

• You can find new people in your market: Thanks to the internet’s wide reach, you can expand your market, giving customers both near and far the chance to buy your product.
• Your business is open 24/7: No need to pull an all-nighter. Customers can make purchases from your e-commerce site or the third-party platform where you host your goods while you’re catching up on precious sleep.
• It’s cheaper than starting a brick-and-mortar store: Even if you’re paying to host an e-commerce site, the overhead costs associated with online selling pale in comparison to the cost of operating a physical store Whatever fees you rack up will come nowhere close to the rent, utilities, insurance, and other charges your brick-and-mortar counterparts are dealing with
• You can accept more forms of payment: Online selling opens up a range of digital payment options beyond credit cards, including user-friendly virtual apps like ShopPay, PayPal, ApplePay, and even crypto.
• You can track transactions easily: Check your earnings or analytics from the comfort of your couch or a poolside lounge – as long as there’s an internet connection, you can manage your seller account from anywhere.

How to start selling your items online

No matter what kinds of items you’re selling or how small your operation is, here are some tips to put you on the path to selling success.

• Decide what products to sell: Whether you opt to set up shop on Etsy or your own ecommerce page, you’ll want to maintain a cohesive look and feel. Decide which of your crafts or artworks you want to sell, and try to choose items that make sense together as a group. If you’re launching your own selling website, start with quality products that are ready to ship (even if you’re using a distributor). And if you’re offering second-hand wares, take some time to go through your closet and garage and determine all the items that can go. This will make your life easier when it comes time to photograph and price the items.

• Determine your audience: Your target audience is the kind of consumer your products would appeal to who are based in a geographical area you can ship to. Shipping ceramics halfway around the world, for example, could be a hassle.

• Choosing your preferred platform(s): Figure out whether you want to be at the helm or if you prefer to have a third-party site manage your transactions. If you have secondhand goods or crafts to sell, try sites that will host your products and facilitate payment, communication, and even shipping. If you’re starting an e-commerce business, find the right platform (like Shopify) to facilitate sales. No matter where you list your items, remember to leverage your social networks to drive traffic to these pages. Put a link in your social media bios that directs viewers right to your e-commerce store or item listings. If you have multiple links to share, a Linktree URL will make it easy for shoppers to branch out to up to five destinations.

The best platforms to buy and sell items online

The internet is all about creating niche spaces for different audiences, so no matter what kind of entrepreneur you are, there’s a sales platform that’s right for you. Here are a few of the best websites to sell stuff:

• Redbubble: If you’re asking, “Where can I sell my stuff online for free?” look no further. This global online selling site handles print-on-demand products, catering to creators who want to sell their art and graphic designs to anyone in the world – without paying to list their creations.
• Shopify and similar e-commerce platforms: If you plan to start your own online store, get help from online selling platforms like Shopify that manage transactions, ensure secure payments and make it easy to list items in an aesthetically-pleasing way.
• Etsy: Etsy, one of the most well-known marketplace websites, is for all the knitters and etchers, and whittlers out there. This online shopping platform connects crafters with buyers who treasure unique objects. All you have to do is pay a small transaction fee on sales.
• OfferUp: Wondering where to sell stuff online within your own community? OfferUp is kind of like a virtual garage sale. The platform’s mobile app makes it easy to choose from a variety of product categories and communicates with potential buyers in your area. Offer your old laptop or velour armchair to a local audience and arrange for pickup – all online.
• Craigslist: Craigslist is a one-size-fits-most shopping platform that lets you list everything from quirky collectibles to Spanish classes to your apartment. The platform has no listing fees for the majority of posts, so you don’t have to lose anything on a sale. This site also features job and gig listings, just in case you’re trying to make a bit of extra cash while your online sales take off.
• Poshmark: Give your clothing and home decor a second life. This platform lets you quickly and easily post your goods and ship them widely for a portion of the sale. They’ve even automated the shipping label process, creating a prepaid, pre-addressed label when an item sells. Once you start earning, you can choose to cash out or spend your money on other items on the app.
• Facebook Marketplace: This online marketplace from one of the world’s favorite social media platforms offers a lot of flexibility, allowing you to sell new or used items to friends, local shoppers, or long-distance buyers. If there are no local buyers for that lava lamp collection of yours, you can ship your funky vintage lights to a new home several states away.