17 Best Places to Sell Online [Platforms & Websites to Sell Items]

17 Best Places to Sell Online [Platforms & Websites to Sell Items]

Updated : Dec 17, 2024
13 Mins Read
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Looking for the best places to sell online? Whether you want to sell products online, from handmade goods to vintage items, finding the right online marketplace or ecommerce platform can help you reach more buyers and make more money.

From building your own online store to listing on popular online selling sites like Facebook Marketplace or eBay, there are plenty of options to sell pretty much anything. But which selling websites will give you the best profit and user-friendly tools?

This guide covers 17 of the best platforms and websites for selling items. We’ll highlight their features, pricing (like insertion fees and listing fees), and the types of products you can sell.

Let’s dive in and find the best platform to sell your stuff!

17 Best Places to Sell Online

1. Shopify – Best for Building Your Own Online Store

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Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms for businesses that want to create their own online store. It’s perfect for retailers, brands, or anyone looking to sell products online without depending on a third-party marketplace.

Key Features:

  • Fully customizable online store.
  • Supports multiple product categories, from handmade goods to everyday items.
  • Integration with payment systems and shipping tools.
  • User-friendly interface, even for beginners.

Pricing:

  • Shopify offers a professional plan starting at $39 per month.
  • Add-ons and apps may come with extra fees.

Pros:

  • You have full control of your store.
  • No insertion fees or commissions on sales.
  • Scalable for businesses of all sizes.

Cons:

  • Requires effort to drive traffic.
  • Less control over additional costs like shipping fees.

Ideal For: Small businesses, SMEs, and retailers who want to sell their products online and build their brand.

2. eBay – Sell Pretty Much Anything

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If you want to sell things online, eBay is the go-to online marketplace. Sellers can list products online, including vintage items, electronics, and handmade goods.

Key Features:

  • Auction and fixed-price listing options.
  • Access to a massive buyer community worldwide.
  • Sellers can list items for free (limited listings), with a small insertion fee afterward.

Pricing:

  • eBay charges a listing fee after 250 free listings.
  • Final value fees apply after sales.

Pros:

  • Sell pretty much anything.
  • Great for individual plans and small sellers.
  • Flexible selling options (auction or fixed price).

Cons:

  • High competition from other sellers.
  • Limited control over branding and store appearance.

Ideal For: Sellers who want to sell products like electronics, handmade items, and collectibles.

3. Facebook Marketplace – Meet Buyers Locally

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Facebook Marketplace is one of the best online sites to sell stuff locally. It’s free to list products, and you can meet buyers in your area.

Key Features:

  • Free to list items.
  • Perfect for selling everyday items like furniture, clothes, and electronics.
  • Direct communication with buyers via Facebook Messenger.

Pricing:

  • Free for most listings.
  • Selling shipped items may incur a small fee.

Pros:

  • No listing fees for local sales.
  • Easy to use for sellers and buyers.
  • Connect with buyers in your area.

Cons:

  • No protection for sellers or buyers.
  • Limited tools for businesses.

Ideal For: SMBs and individuals looking to sell products online locally without any extra fees.

4. Amazon Marketplace – Reach a Global Audience

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Amazon Marketplace is the largest online marketplace for sellers to reach millions of buyers. It’s perfect for SMEs and businesses that want to sell on a trusted platform.

Key Features:

  • Access to Amazon’s massive customer base.
  • Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) handles shipping costs and logistics.
  • Sell items in various product categories, including tech, books, and handmade goods.

Pricing:

  • Individual plan: $0.99 per item sold.
  • Professional plan: $39.99/month + referral fees (category-based).

Pros:

  • Sell to millions of buyers.
  • Amazon handles shipping and customer service (FBA).
  • Perfect for scaling your business.

Cons:

Ideal For: Businesses looking to sell products online to a global audience with robust logistics support.

5. Etsy – Sell Handmade and Vintage Items

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Etsy is one of the best online selling sites for handmade goods and vintage items. If you’re an artisan, craft seller, or vintage store owner, Etsy’s community can help you grow your online store.

Key Features:

  • Focus on handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies.
  • Built-in audience for niche sellers.
  • User-friendly tools to manage your shop and products.

Pricing:

  • Listing fee: $0.20 per item.
  • Transaction and payment processing fees apply.

Pros:

  • Access to buyers looking for unique handmade goods.
  • Easy to set up and manage.
  • Ideal for niche product categories.

Cons:

  • High extra fees for sales and promotions.
  • Competitive marketplace with similar products.

Ideal For: Small businesses and sellers specializing in unique, handmade items or vintage products.

6. BigCommerce – A Powerful Ecommerce Platform

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BigCommerce is a strong alternative to Shopify, offering robust tools to build and scale your own online store. It’s ideal for SMBs and businesses looking for a scalable ecommerce platform.

Key Features:

  • Multi-channel selling across online sites and marketplaces.
  • No transaction fees on any plans.
  • Built-in tools for SEO and marketing.

Pricing:

  • Starts at $29.95/month.

Pros:

  • Advanced tools for growing businesses.
  • No additional transaction or extra fees.
  • Supports multiple product categories.

Cons:

  • Slightly steeper learning curve for beginners.

Ideal For: Growing ecommerce businesses and retailers that need an advanced, user-friendly platform.

7. Wix eCommerce – Build a User-Friendly Online Store

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Wix eCommerce is a great option for small businesses and individuals who want to build a simple, user-friendly online store. It’s ideal for businesses that need a quick and visually appealing website to sell their products.

Key Features:

  • Drag-and-drop website builder for easy customization.
  • Supports selling products online across various categories.
  • Multiple payment options with secure checkout.

Pricing:

  • Starts at $23 per month.

Pros:

  • Easy setup with no technical expertise required.
  • Attractive templates to match your brand.
  • No insertion fees.

Cons:

  • Limited scalability for larger businesses.
  • Some advanced features require add-ons.

Ideal For: SMBs, artisans, and businesses looking for a good website to sell their items.

8. Walmart Marketplace – A Trusted Platform for Retailers

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Walmart Marketplace is a popular platform for retailers and brands that want to reach a massive audience in the US. It’s perfect for established businesses ready to sell products online alongside big retailers.

Key Features:

  • Access to Walmart’s loyal customer base.
  • Options to list products in various product categories.
  • Reliable shipping options, including Walmart Fulfillment Services.

Pricing:

  • No monthly fees, but extra fees include category-based referral fees.

Pros:

  • High visibility for your products online.
  • Strong reputation as a trusted marketplace.
  • No upfront listing costs.

Cons:

  • Approval process can be strict for new sellers.
  • Competitive for small sellers.

Ideal For: Established businesses and brands looking for a scalable online selling platform.

9. Bonanza – Great for Unique and Everyday Items

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Bonanza is a smaller but growing online marketplace where sellers can list pretty much anything. It’s ideal for small businesses looking to sell handmade items, vintage goods, and unique products.

Key Features:

  • Easy to import listings from other selling websites like eBay and Amazon.
  • Free to list products, with low extra fees after a sale.
  • Supports various product categories, including crafts and everyday items.

Pricing:

  • Free to list; small final sale fee applies.

Pros:

  • Simple setup with no listing fees.
  • Easy to cross-sell across platforms.
  • Ideal for niche products.

Cons:

  • Lower traffic compared to larger marketplaces.

Ideal For: Businesses selling niche or handmade goods that want an affordable marketplace.

10. Ruby Lane – Sell Vintage and Handmade Goods

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Ruby Lane is a premium online marketplace for handmade items, antiques, and vintage products. It’s perfect for businesses specializing in collectible and luxury goods.

Key Features:

  • Targeted audience for antiques, art, and collectibles.
  • User-friendly platform with high-quality listings.
  • Connect with buyers looking for unique products.

Pricing:

  • Listing fees apply: $0.19 per product.
  • Additional extra fees include a small maintenance fee.

Pros:

  • Great for niche sellers.
  • High buyer trust and quality control.
  • Ideal for vintage and collectible categories.

Cons:

  • Higher competition for specific niches.

Ideal For: Sellers focused on luxury, vintage, and specialty products online.

11. Depop – Perfect for Fashion and Vintage Items

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Depop is a social shopping app popular with younger audiences, perfect for sellers of fashion, accessories, and vintage items. It combines social media features with online selling.

Key Features:

  • Mobile-first platform for selling fashion products.
  • Social media-like interface to promote your listings.
  • Reach a younger audience looking for trendy items.

Pricing:

  • Depop charges a 10% commission on every sale.

Pros:

  • Simple to list and sell stuff.
  • Great for selling to a niche audience.
  • Mobile and user-friendly.

Cons:

  • High competition for fashion sellers.

Ideal For: Businesses and individuals selling fashion, accessories, and vintage products.

12. Poshmark – Fashion Marketplace for Everyday Items

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Poshmark is one of the best online selling sites for selling clothing, shoes, and accessories. It has a strong community of buyers looking for stylish, everyday items.

Key Features:

  • Social platform for fashion lovers.
  • Simple interface to list and sell products quickly.
  • Free shipping labels for buyers.

Pricing:

  • $2.95 fee on items under $15; 20% commission on sales over $15.

Pros:

  • Great platform for fashion sellers.
  • Strong social selling features.
  • Easy to set up and sell.

Cons:

  • High commission rates.

Ideal For: Sellers and businesses specializing in clothing and accessories.

13. Gumtree – Best for UK and Australia Markets

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Gumtree is a well-known online selling site in the UK and Australia, offering free or low-cost listings for sellers of all types.

Key Features:

  • Supports local and regional selling.
  • Free basic listings with options for promotions.
  • User-friendly for quick product categories like cars, furniture, and electronics.

Pricing:

  • Free for most listings; paid promotions come with extra fees.

Pros:

  • Great for local sellers in the UK and Australia.
  • Free to use for basic listings.
  • Easy to post and sell items quickly.

Cons:

  • Limited buyer protection.
  • Competitive marketplace for common products.

Ideal For: SMBs and individuals selling everyday items locally.

14. Chairish – Premium Marketplace for Furniture and Décor

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Chairish is a high-end marketplace for selling furniture, handmade goods, vintage décor, and artwork.

Key Features:

  • Premium audience looking for unique and high-value items.
  • Easy-to-use platform for sellers.
  • Free listings; commission applies only after a sale.

Pricing:

  • 20% – 30% commission, depending on the selling price.

Pros:

  • Perfect for selling high-value products online.
  • Strong buyer trust for premium goods.
  • Support for luxury product categories.

Cons:

  • High commission rates.

Ideal For: Businesses selling premium furniture, vintage goods, and artwork.

15. Rakuten – International Online Marketplace

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Rakuten is Japan’s largest ecommerce platform, offering businesses access to international buyers, particularly in Asia.

Key Features:

  • Sell items across various product categories.
  • Supports bulk orders and B2C sales.
  • Strong marketing tools for sellers.

Pricing:

  • Monthly membership fees and category-based commissions.

Pros:

  • Access to global buyers.
  • Great for businesses looking to scale internationally.
  • Strong marketing tools for sellers.

Cons:

  • Monthly fees may deter small sellers.

Ideal For: Businesses looking to expand internationally, especially in Asian markets.

16. Reverb – Sell Musical Instruments and Gear

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Reverb is a niche online marketplace dedicated to musical instruments and gear, making it ideal for businesses in the music industry.

Key Features:

  • Targeted audience of music lovers and professionals.
  • Simple, user-friendly platform for listing products.
  • Robust tools for sellers to promote items.

Pricing:

  • 5% fee on completed sales.

Pros:

  • Large buyer base for music gear.
  • Easy to sell instruments, audio gear, and accessories.
  • Low selling fees compared to competitors.

Cons:

  • Limited to a specific niche.

Ideal For: Businesses selling musical instruments and audio gear.

17. Mercado Libre – Leading Marketplace in Latin America

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Mercado Libre is the largest ecommerce site in Latin America, connecting sellers with millions of regional buyers.

Key Features:

  • Sell products across a variety of categories.
  • Options for shipping and logistics integration.
  • Supports small businesses and large retailers.

Pricing:

  • Listing fees and final sales fees vary based on the region and category.

Pros:

  • Huge presence in Latin America.
  • Great for scaling a business in emerging markets.
  • Variety of selling tools for businesses.

Cons:

  • Fees can add up for high-volume sellers.

Ideal For: Businesses expanding into Latin American markets.

How to Choose the Best Platform to Sell Online

With so many online marketplaces and ecommerce platforms available, it can be tricky to pick the best platform to sell your products online. Here are key factors to consider when deciding where to sell:

Product Type

Decide if you’re selling handmade items, vintage products, electronics, or everyday items. Platforms like Etsy are ideal for handmade goods, while eBay and Amazon Marketplace suit sellers who want to sell pretty much anything.

Fees and Costs

Understand each platform’s pricing, including listing fees, insertion fees, transaction charges, and extra fees for tools or shipping costs. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist have no listing fees, while Ruby Lane and Chairish charge commissions.

Audience Reach

Choose a platform that connects you with your target buyers. For instance:

  • Amazon Marketplace: Global audience for retailers and brands.
  • Etsy: Niche audience for artisans and vintage sellers.
  • Facebook Marketplace: Local buyers for quick sales.

User-Friendliness

Look for platforms that are easy to set up and manage. Options like Shopify, Wix eCommerce, and BigCommerce are perfect for creating your own online store with a user-friendly experience.

Control Over Branding

If you want to build a unique brand, platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce offer complete control over your website and branding. Marketplaces like Amazon and eBay provide less control but offer massive audiences.

Shipping Costs and Logistics

Consider platforms that handle shipping or offer tools to simplify delivery. Amazon FBA, for example, handles logistics for sellers.

Additional Features

Look for tools like analytics, integrations, and marketing options to grow your sales. Platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce offer add-ons to optimize performance.

Tips to Maximize Sales on Online Selling Platforms

To get the most out of your chosen online selling site, follow these tips:

  1. Optimize Your Listings
    Use clear descriptions, high-quality photos, and keywords like “handmade goods” or “vintage items” to improve search visibility.
  2. Offer Competitive Pricing
    Analyze your competition and adjust your prices to attract buyers while maintaining a healthy profit.
  3. Minimize Shipping Costs
    Offer free or discounted shipping to appeal to buyers. Platforms like Amazon FBA and Walmart can help streamline shipping costs.
  4. Provide Excellent Customer Service
    Build trust by answering queries quickly, resolving issues, and maintaining a positive buyer experience.
  5. Bundle Products
    Increase sales by bundling similar products online and offering discounts.
  6. Leverage Platform Features
    Use add-ons, analytics tools, and marketing options provided by platforms like Shopify or Etsy.

FAQs About Selling Online

1. What is the best platform to sell products online?

The best platform depends on your needs. For global reach, Amazon Marketplace is ideal. For unique products like handmade goods, Etsy works best. If you want control over your store, go with Shopify or BigCommerce.

2. Which online selling site has the lowest fees?

Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist allow sellers to list items for free. However, platforms like eBay or Etsy have listing fees and insertion fees.

3. Is it better to have my own online store or sell on a marketplace?

It depends on your goals. Your own online store gives you more control and branding opportunities but requires driving traffic. Marketplaces like Amazon or eBay provide built-in audiences but come with fees and less control.

4. How do I minimize shipping costs when selling online?

Use fulfillment services like Amazon FBA or negotiate discounted rates with courier partners. Offering free shipping can also attract more buyers.

5. Can I sell pretty much anything online?

Yes, you can sell everyday items, electronics, handmade goods, and vintage products. Platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace allow you to sell a wide variety of items.

Conclusion

Choosing the right platform to sell your products online can make a big difference in reaching buyers and increasing your profit. Whether you’re creating your own online store with Shopify or listing on popular online marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, or eBay, each option comes with its unique benefits.

Consider your product type, audience, fees, and shipping needs to find the best places to sell online. By optimizing your listings, using platform tools, and providing excellent customer support, you’ll be set to grow your sales and build a strong presence in the online market.

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Gaurav Nagani
Gaurav Nagani is the Founder and CEO of Desku, an AI-powered customer service software platform.
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