15 Best Online Selling Platforms & Apps for Beginners [2024]

Discover the top 15 best online selling platforms & apps for beginners to kickstart your e-commerce journey in 2024 with ease and confidence.

If you’re a beginner looking to sell products or services online, choosing the right platform is crucial for your success. With the vast array of options available, it can be overwhelming to determine which platform is the best fit for your needs. Whether you’re a novice seller or an influencer looking to expand your reach, finding a user-friendly platform that offers valuable features and support is essential.

So, which platforms should you consider? In this article, I will introduce you to the 15 best online selling platforms and apps for beginners. These platforms have proven to be reliable, easy-to-use, and offer a range of features that make them perfect for novice sellers. Whether you’re selling handmade crafts, digital products, or even expensive items, there’s a platform that suits your unique needs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Choosing the right online selling platform is crucial for the success of your online business.
  • The best platforms for beginners are user-friendly, offer valuable features, and provide support.
  • Consider your specific needs, such as the type of products you’re selling, when choosing a platform.
  • Shopify, Amazon, and eBay are some of the top online selling platforms to consider.
  • Specialized platforms like Flippa, Sellfy, and Poshmark cater to specific categories.

Shopify – The Best Platform for Influencers and Small Businesses

When it comes to online selling platforms, Shopify is a standout choice for influencers and small businesses alike. With its user-friendly design, valuable integrations, and appealing website templates, Shopify allows entrepreneurs to create an online store with ease.

Shopify is particularly well-suited for influencers looking to sell their merchandise. Whether you’re a social media star, a YouTube content creator, or a fashion blogger, Shopify provides the perfect platform to showcase and sell your products. With its customizable themes and robust marketing tools, you can create a brand that resonates with your followers and generates sales.

For small businesses, Shopify offers a range of features that make it an ideal choice. Whether you’re selling handcrafted items, clothing, or even running a restaurant and need an online ordering solution, Shopify has you covered. The platform offers a user-friendly interface, allowing you to easily manage your inventory, process orders, and track shipments.

One of the key advantages of choosing Shopify is its wide range of valuable integrations. From email marketing tools to social media management platforms, Shopify seamlessly integrates with the tools you already use to run your business. This integration allows you to streamline your operations and maximize efficiency.

Another crucial aspect of any online selling platform is the availability of payment gateways. Shopify offers over 100 payment gateways, ensuring that your customers can pay using their preferred method. Whether it’s credit cards, PayPal, or even cryptocurrency, Shopify has you covered.

Shopify offers three subscription plans to suit your specific needs and budget. The Basic plan, priced at $29 per month, provides essential features for getting started. The Shopify plan, priced at $79 per month, offers more advanced functionality for growing businesses. And for those looking for a fully-featured solution, the Advanced plan, priced at $299 per month, provides additional tools and resources.

With its user-friendly design, valuable integrations, and comprehensive range of features, Shopify continues to be the best platform for influencers and small businesses. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your online presence, Shopify has everything you need to succeed.

Amazon – The Best Platform for International Trade

When it comes to online selling platforms, Amazon stands out as the go-to choice for both buyers and sellers. With its vast reach and powerful features, it offers a wide range of opportunities for individuals and businesses looking to make money online.

As a seller on Amazon, you can tap into the global market and engage in international trade. This means that you have access to a massive customer base beyond just your local area. Whether you’re selling products or services, Amazon provides a platform that can help you expand your reach and increase your sales.

One of the key advantages of selling on Amazon is its robust logistics services. With Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you can leverage the company’s extensive network of warehouses to store, pack, and ship your products to customers around the world. This takes the hassle out of order fulfillment and allows you to focus on growing your business.

Amazon also offers valuable back-end support to help you manage your eCommerce business effectively. From inventory management tools to business reports and analytics, you’ll have access to the data and insights you need to make informed decisions and optimize your operations.

Furthermore, Amazon provides additional services like Amazon Marketing Services (AMS), which enables you to promote your products and drive traffic to your listings. This can help you increase your visibility and attract more potential customers.

logistics services

Whether you’re an individual seller or a professional business, Amazon offers two seller tiers: Individual and Professional. The Individual account is suitable for those who sell in small volumes, while the Professional account caters to sellers with larger inventories and more advanced selling needs. Each seller tier has its associated fees, but the benefits and tools provided by Amazon make it worth the investment.

eBay – The Best Platform for Expensive Items

When it comes to selling expensive items online, eBay remains one of the most trusted and established platforms in the industry. With its wide reach and large customer base, eBay offers sellers the opportunity to showcase their high-value products to a global audience. Whether you have a rare collectible, a luxury item, or a high-end gadget to sell, eBay provides the perfect selling platform.

eBay allows sellers to list items for sale in two ways: fixed price listing and auction listing. Fixed price listing enables sellers to set a specific price for their item, making it ideal for expensive items with a determined value. On the other hand, auction listing allows sellers to start bidding at a lower price and let buyers bid against each other until the auction ends, creating a sense of excitement and driving up the final price. This auction format can be advantageous for rare or highly sought-after items, as it can result in higher selling prices.

eBay also offers multiple payment methods, ensuring convenience for both buyers and sellers. Buyers can choose to pay via credit card, PayPal, or other accepted payment options. This flexibility makes it easier for sellers to attract a wide range of potential buyers and complete transactions smoothly.

Additionally, eBay provides useful features to enhance the selling experience. One notable feature is the eBay escrow service, which adds an extra layer of security and builds trust between the buyer and seller. The escrow service holds the buyer’s payment until the item has been received and accepted, ensuring a fair and secure transaction for both parties.

Moreover, eBay offers various shipping options, including local pickup and shipping services, to accommodate different seller preferences and buyer needs. Sellers can also take advantage of eBay’s global shipping program, which facilitates international shipping and expands the potential customer base.

Listing items on eBay is also cost-effective, as the platform provides free listings for sellers. However, sellers should be aware of the fees associated with certain aspects of selling on eBay, such as insertion fees for listing items and final value fees based on the selling price. Furthermore, sellers have the option to open an eBay store, which offers different pricing plans and additional benefits to enhance their selling experience.

Pros Cons
Wide reach and large customer base Fees for listing and additional services
Flexible selling options: fixed price or auction listing Competition from other sellers
Multiple payment methods Managing shipping logistics
eBay escrow service for secure transactions
Different shipping options, including international shipping
Free listings
Option to open an eBay store

Overall, eBay offers sellers a reliable and feature-rich platform to sell their expensive items. With its global reach, flexible selling options, multiple payment methods, and added security measures, eBay remains a top choice for sellers looking to maximize their profits and reach a vast audience of potential buyers.

eBay - The Best Platform for Expensive Items

The Best Online Selling Platforms for Specific Categories

When it comes to selling specialized goods and luxury clothing online, there are specific platforms that cater to these categories, providing sellers with a targeted audience and unique selling features.

For those looking to buy or sell online businesses, Flippa is the go-to platform. With a focus on buying and selling online businesses, Flippa offers a marketplace where entrepreneurs can find profitable ventures or sell their own digital assets.

If you have digital products to sell, Sellfy is the perfect platform for you. Whether you’re an artist, musician, writer, or content creator, Sellfy offers an easy-to-use interface for selling digital goods directly to your audience.

For local selling and trading, platforms like FB Marketplace, Craigslist, and Nextdoor are popular choices. These platforms allow you to list items for sale within your local community, making it easier to connect with potential buyers in your area.

If you’re into arts and crafts, Etsy is the ideal platform to showcase and sell your handmade creations. With a dedicated community of buyers looking for unique and personalized items, Etsy provides a marketplace that caters specifically to artists and crafters.

When it comes to selling clothing, Poshmark takes the spotlight. With a focus on fashion, Poshmark offers a platform where individuals can sell their new or pre-loved clothing and accessories, creating a virtual closet for fashion enthusiasts.

If you’re in the market for electronics, Swappa is the platform to visit. Specializing in the buying and selling of electronics, Swappa provides a safe and secure marketplace for individuals to find the best deals on smartphones, laptops, tablets, and more.

Bonanza is another platform worth mentioning, as it offers a similar experience to eBay and Amazon. With a wide range of categories, Bonanza provides sellers with an opportunity to showcase and sell their products to a global audience.

When it comes to selling electronics in general, Decluttr is the top choice. With a focus on buying and selling used electronics, Decluttr offers a seamless selling experience and provides sellers with a quick and easy way to declutter their old gadgets.

Chairish is the platform for those looking to sell home decor and furniture. With a focus on luxury and high-quality pieces, Chairish provides a marketplace where sellers can showcase their unique items and connect with buyers who appreciate fine furnishings.

FAQ

What are the best online selling platforms and apps for beginners?

The best online selling platforms and apps for beginners include Shopify, Amazon, eBay, Flippa, Sellfy, FB Marketplace, Craigslist, Etsy, Poshmark, Swappa, Nextdoor, Bonanza, Decluttr, and Chairish.

Why is Shopify considered one of the easiest online selling platforms for beginners?

Shopify is considered one of the easiest online selling platforms for beginners because it offers a 14-day free trial, has valuable integrations, features a user-friendly design, and provides options for custom domains, unlimited bandwidth, flexible selling options, marketing tools, and over 100 payment gateways.

What features does Shopify offer?

Shopify offers features like a custom domain, unlimited bandwidth, flexible selling options, marketing tools, and over 100 payment gateways.

Who is Shopify suitable for?

Shopify is suitable for influencers selling their merchandise, small businesses selling handcrafted items, and even restaurants in need of an online ordering solution.

What subscription plans does Shopify offer?

Shopify offers three subscription plans: Basic ( per month), Shopify ( per month), and Advanced (9 per month).

What opportunities does Amazon offer for making money online?

Amazon offers opportunities for making money online through becoming an Amazon affiliate or starting an eCommerce business and listing products/services on the platform.

What features does Amazon provide for sellers?

Amazon provides features like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), inventory management, Amazon Marketing Services (AMS), business reports, and back-end support.

What are the seller tiers on Amazon?

Amazon has two seller tiers: Individual and Professional, each with associated fees.

What are the features of eBay as an online selling platform?

eBay allows sellers to list items for fixed prices or through auctions, offers multiple payment methods, and provides features like an eBay escrow service, local pickup and shipping options, global shipping program, and free listings.

What fees does eBay have for sellers?

eBay has fees for insertion, final value, and listing upgrades. Sellers can also open an eBay store with different pricing plans.

Which online selling platforms are best for specific categories?

Flippa specializes in buying and selling online businesses, while Sellfy is best for selling digital products. FB Marketplace, Craigslist, and Nextdoor are popular for local use, and Etsy is ideal for selling handmade arts and crafts. Poshmark is the top platform for clothing, Swappa specializes in selling electronics, and Bonanza is similar to eBay and Amazon. Decluttr is best for selling electronics overall, and Chairish is a platform for selling home decor and furniture.

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