Selling online to make extra money? Five tips you need to know for a successful sale

Ever since the internet came into existence, people have used it to make money. One of the most popular ways today to make extra money online is to sell pre-loved or unwanted items. Items can include clothing, electronics, baby items, furniture, decor and more. There are also plenty of websites to sell on such as Gumtree, eBay and social media websites like Facebook.

Have you tried selling online only to have your items not sell? There may be a reason for this. If you’re selling online to make extra money, here are 5 tips everyone needs to know for a successful sale:

1. Take good and accurate photos of the items you are selling. It’s very hard to sell something online to strangers without having photos to show the condition of the item. Photos don’t have to be taken by a professional, but make sure there is good lighting and take multiple shots to show the item from all angles.

2. Type descriptions that are spelled correctly and that accurately describe the item. Be honest in your description so that you keep happy customers. If a buyer is happy with the sale, they may refer others to you for more purchases.

3. Communicate to potential buyers within a reasonable amount of time if they contact you to ask questions or need more info on what you’re selling. A good rule of thumb is to respond within 12 hours, but 24 hours at the most. If you don’t respond, the person may move on and purchase something from someone else.

4. If you need to ship the item, do so in a timely fashion. If you’re meeting locally, work with the buyer on a time and place that are convenient to both of you (but always remember to meet in a safe place).

5. Inspect the item one last time before shipping or meeting your buyer. Make sure everything works properly, the item is cleaned and no damage happened between the time you listed it and the time it sold.

By following these 5 tips to achieve a successful sale online, you can become a trusted member of the online buying and selling community. Photos and accurate descriptions prove that you’re taking the time to sell the item and that the sale is going to be legitimate.

Did you know that many people buy and sell items online as a full time business? If you’ve found that buying and selling online is something you enjoy and have made it your business, check out our business loan options to help get you started or keep your business going.