How to Begin if You Want to Start Selling Online (But Don’t Know How)

If you’re looking to start an online business but don’t know where to begin, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are many different platforms and online selling websites that you can use to get started. The key is finding the right one for you and your business.

“First, think. Second, believe. Third, dream. And finally, dare.”

— Walt Disney

One of the most important things to consider when starting an online business is which platform you will use to sell your products or services.

Each platform has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that best suits your needs.

As you begin your journey into selling online, keep in mind that success is not a destination, it’s a journey..

Many people dream of starting their own online business, but they don’t know where to begin. With so many different options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which platform to use. In this article, we will go over some of the most popular options for selling online, including Amazon, eBay, Etsy, OfferUp, eCommerce or Shopify stores, and selling information or courses on your own or via Udemy or Gumroad. By the end, you’ll have a better idea of where to start your online selling journey. 

Also be sure to read to the end to see the single most critical factor in bolstering your success at online selling. Keep reading til you see it!

1. Selling on Amazon and Amazon FBA

Amazon is one of the largest online marketplaces in the world. Using Amazon, you can either sell as a third-party seller or use the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service to have Amazon store, pack, and ship your products for you.

What’s the difference between Amazon and Amazon FBA?

Amazon allows you a few options when you’re selling on their platform:

1. You can sell products, they give you the orders, you ship the products from your location (often a home or garage or warehouse)
2. You can ship your products to Amazon, they store them, and they ship them for you when you get a sale. This is called Amazon FBA (Fullfilled By Amazon). Of course you pay fees for the warehousing, handling and shipping.
3. Dropshipping via Amazon. In this case you receive the order from Amazon and send it to your dropshipper – or in some cases the order goes directly to the dropshipper from Amazon. The dropshipper has the products and ships them for you.

I’ve heard dropshipping is way easier. What is dropshipping and why do people like it?

Dropshipping is a way of running an online store where you don’t actually keep any inventory yourself. Instead, when a customer buys something from your store, you pass the order on to a third-party supplier who then ships the product directly to the customer.

The biggest advantage of dropshipping is that you don’t have to invest a ton of money upfront to buy inventory. That means you can start a business with very little capital, and you don’t have to worry about things like storing and shipping products.

People also like dropshipping because it allows them to offer a wider range of products than they could if they were keeping inventory themselves. With dropshipping, you can add products to your store without actually having to buy them first. That makes it easy to test out new products and see what your customers are interested in.

Of course, dropshipping isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Because you’re not in control of the shipping process, there can be delays and other issues that are outside of your control. And because you’re relying on a third-party supplier to fulfill your orders, you don’t have as much control over the quality of the products you’re selling.

Overall, though, dropshipping can be a great way to start an online business if you’re willing to put in the work to find a good supplier and build a great store.

Can I do dropshipping on Amazon?

Yes, see above section here.

Here are some pros and cons of using Amazon:

Pros:

• Massive customer base with high traffic
• FBA handles shipping, customer service, and returns for you
• Ability to use Amazon advertising to promote your products

Cons:

• Amazon takes a percentage of your sales as a fee
• Competition can be fierce, making it hard to stand out
• You don’t have control over customer data and relationships

Here are some tips for successful selling on Amazon:

• Research the competition and ensure your products are priced competitively
• Write compelling product descriptions and use high-quality images
• Stay on top of customer reviews and respond to any negative ones

2. Selling on eBay

eBay is another popular online marketplace, with millions of users buying and selling on the platform. Here are some pros and cons of using eBay:

Pros:

• Large customer base with a wide range of product categories
• Ability to set your own prices and control your listings
• Good for selling used or unique items

Cons:

• High competition can lead to lower profit margins
• Listing fees and final value fees can add up
• Shipping and customer service are your responsibility

Here are some tips for successful selling on eBay:

• Take high-quality photos of your products from multiple angles
• Price your products competitively, but don’t underprice them
• Use keywords in your product titles and descriptions to improve searchability

3. Selling on Etsy

Etsy is a popular platform for selling handmade, vintage, and craft items. Here’s an overview of what you need to know:

Overview of selling on Etsy

• Etsy is a global marketplace with a community of buyers and sellers from around the world.
• Sellers can list handmade, vintage, and craft items.
• Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee per item, and takes a 5% commission on each sale.

Pros and cons of using Etsy

Pros

• Etsy is a well-established platform with a large and dedicated customer base.
• It’s easy to set up an Etsy shop and start selling right away.
• Etsy handles the payment processing for you.
• Etsy provides tools and resources to help sellers succeed, including analytics, marketing, and customer support.

Cons

• There is a lot of competition on Etsy, so it can be difficult to stand out.
• Etsy takes a commission on each sale, which can eat into profits.
• Etsy’s policies can be strict, and failure to follow them can result in account suspension or termination.
• Sellers have limited control over the look and feel of their shop, and are constrained by Etsy’s platform and templates.

Tips for successful selling on Etsy

• Invest time in creating high-quality product photos and descriptions.
• Offer excellent customer service to encourage positive reviews and repeat business.
• Use Etsy’s built-in tools and resources to optimize your listings and shop performance.
• Stay up-to-date on Etsy’s policies and make sure you comply with them.
• Consider offering free shipping or other promotions to attract customers.

4. Selling on OfferUp

If you have items to sell locally, OfferUp is a popular platform to consider. OfferUp is an app and website that allows you to buy and sell items within your local area. This means that you can find buyers who are interested in purchasing your items and are within a reasonable driving distance.

Here are some pros and cons of using OfferUp for selling online:

Pros

• OfferUp is easy to use and can be accessed via a mobile app or website
• You can find buyers in your local area, which can make for easy and convenient transactions
• There are no fees to use OfferUp, making it an attractive option for those who want to sell without additional costs

Cons

• As a local marketplace, OfferUp is not ideal for shipping products across the country or internationally
• OfferUp may attract low-ball offers from buyers who are looking for a good deal
• Because you are meeting with buyers in person, there is always a risk of fraud or personal safety concerns

If you decide to sell on OfferUp, here are some tips for success:

• Take clear, well-lit photos of your items so buyers can get a good look at them
• Write detailed descriptions of your items, including any flaws or damage they may have
• Price your items fairly and competitively, taking into account any similar items for sale in your local area
• Respond to buyer inquiries in a timely manner and be professional and courteous throughout the transaction process

5. Starting an eCommerce or Shopify store

If you’re looking for a more customizable and scalable option for selling online, starting your own eCommerce store or Shopify store might be a good option for you. With your own online store, you have complete control over the branding, design, and products you sell.

Starting an eCommerce store can be a bit more complex than selling on marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, but the control and potential rewards can be worth it.

Here are some pros and cons of starting your own eCommerce or Shopify store:

Pros

• You have complete control over the branding, design, and products you sell
• You can create a unique online store that stands out from other online marketplaces
• You have the potential for high profits, as you are not sharing your revenue with a third-party platform

Cons

• Starting your own eCommerce or Shopify store requires more time and effort upfront to set up and maintain
• You are responsible for driving traffic to your website and marketing your products
• You will need to handle payment processing, shipping, and customer service on your own

If you decide to start your own eCommerce or Shopify store, here are some tips for success:

• Choose a niche or product category that has high demand and is not oversaturated with competition
• Create a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate website design
• Offer competitive prices and promotions to attract customers
• Invest in online marketing, such as search engine optimization (SEO) and social media advertising

6. Overview of starting an eCommerce or Shopify store

If you want to create your own online store and have full control over your business, starting an eCommerce or Shopify store might be the way to go. With these options, you have the ability to create a unique brand, choose the products you want to sell, and customize the online shopping experience for your customers.

Pros and cons of starting an ecommerce store:

Pros:

• Full control over your business
• Ability to build a unique brand
• Choose the products you want to sell
• Customize the online shopping experience for your customers
• Potentially higher profit margins

Cons:

• Driving traffic to your store is the number one problem. It’s not easy. It can be done but it takes time and patience.
• Requires more initial investment
• Takes time to build and optimize your website
• Responsibility for managing inventory, shipping, and customer service
• Marketing and advertising expenses

Tips for successful eCommerce or Shopify store

• Choose a niche and target audience to help differentiate your store from competitors
• Make sure your website is easy to navigate and visually appealing
• Offer excellent customer service, including quick response times and easy returns
• Use digital marketing to drive traffic to your website
• Continuously optimize your website and offerings based on customer feedback and data

7. Overview of selling information or courses such as on Udemy or Gumroad

If you have expertise in a particular area, selling information or courses can be a great way to monetize your knowledge. There are several platforms available for selling digital products, including your own website, Udemy, and Gumroad.

Pros and cons of selling courses

Pros:

• Ability to monetize your expertise
• Flexibility in creating and promoting your courses
• Minimal startup costs
• Passive income potential

Cons:

• Requires time and effort to create and promote courses
• May face competition from other course creators
• May need to continually update and improve courses to stay relevant

Tips for successful selling of information or courses

• Choose a specific niche and target audience for your courses
• Use a mix of written, audio, and video content to appeal to different learning styles
• Promote your courses on social media and other relevant platforms
• Provide excellent customer service, including answering questions and providing feedback
• Continuously update and improve your courses based on feedback from students

Learning from others online is the most critical element to success!

Starting an online business is an exciting journey, but it can also be overwhelming if you’re new to the game. One of the most critical elements of succeeding in online selling is to learn from others who have done it before. Learning from those who have already made their way in the industry can save you from making costly mistakes and help you get to where you want to go much faster.

Explanation of the importance of learning from others online

Learning from others online is critical to success in any industry, but it’s especially true in the online selling world. With so many platforms and different strategies to choose from, it can be challenging to know where to start or what will work for your unique business. That’s where learning from others online comes in – by gaining insights from those who have already navigated the industry’s ins and outs, you’ll have a much better idea of what you need to do to succeed.

Ways to learn from others online

There are many ways to learn from others online, and with the rise of social media and eLearning platforms, it’s easier than ever to find information and resources to help you grow your online business. Here are some of the best ways to learn from others online:

• Join online communities – many online selling platforms, such as Etsy and eBay, have dedicated communities where sellers can share information and ask for advice.
• Follow successful sellers on social media – many successful sellers share their insights and strategies on social media, and following them can be a great way to learn from their experiences.
• Take online courses – there are many eLearning platforms, such as Udemy and Skillshare, that offer courses on online selling and eCommerce. These courses can provide valuable insights and knowledge from industry experts.
• Read helpful blogs and forums – there are many blogs and forums dedicated to online selling and eCommerce, and they can be an excellent source of information and advice.

Benefits of learning from others online

There are many benefits to learning from others online, including:

• Access to valuable insights and knowledge
• Avoiding costly mistakes
• Networking opportunities with other online sellers
• Building a community of like-minded individuals
• Staying up-to-date on the latest industry trends and changes

Where to go from here – what’s next:

Online selling can be a lucrative and rewarding way to start your own business. By choosing the right platform and learning from others online, you can create a successful online business that provides you with the financial freedom and flexibility you’re looking for. Whether you choose to sell on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, OfferUp, or start your own eCommerce or Shopify store, the most important thing is to take action and get started. So, start learning, start selling, and see where this exciting journey takes you!

Remember, the most critical element to success in online selling is to learn from others online. By following successful sellers, taking courses, and participating in online communities, you’ll have the knowledge and support you need to succeed in the world of online selling. So, what are you waiting for?