Sell Online: Where To Sell

The WRITE Way

Why sell online? That's easy. It's a way to create another profit center. I've been exploring this subject so I thought I'd share each Friday what I'm learning.

Last week, I published Sell Online: Part 1, Need To Know Basics. This week, we're going to talk about. . .

Where To Sell

Basically, there are 3 ways to go about having an online store. These are self-explanatory. In a later article, I'll give you information about how to set up a shopping cart, receive payment, make delivery, and the other aspects involved in retail sales.

1. Set it up as part of your website.

2. Set it up as a website all its own.

3. Set it up as part of a larger retail site.

Know Your Product

First, know what you want to sell. Is it collectibles and clutter cleaned from your attic and picked up at garage sales? Is it handmade items like knitted scarves and caps or cut-lace tablecloths? Is it some form of books? Is it a graphic design you want to see on tote bags and tee shirts? Is it a report on some specialized area that people want to know about?

So, first, identify your product. That will help you identify where to sell it.

Know Your Options

For every product, there are several options for getting it to the buying public. There are many so do your homework. Do a search string, i.e., websites to sell books or websites to sell knitted tea cozies. You can also do a search for "websites like eBay" or "websites like CafePress."

Make a list of your search results. Investigate each thoroughly. Read the Terms of Service. Know not just how you get paid but also your obligations as an account user. On all these sites, turorials are offered to help you make the most of your retail account. Here are a few websites to consider.

eBay

Everyone has heard of eBay. There are similar websites.  This is where you can sell virtually anything from old encyclopedias to close-outs of cosmetics, handcrafts, clothes, shoes, etc.

CafePress

This website and others like it offer products that you can place your own designs on, add a markup, and sell to the public. All the payment collecting, product production, shipping, and accounting is done by CafePress. You can have a free shop or a Premium shop. Again, tutorials are offered and templates for design purposes.

Etsy

This website and others like it allow you to buy and sell handmade or vintage items, art and supplies. They bill themselves as the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace.

iStockPhoto

Micro photography websites are many and varied, but they all offer the chance to sell your photography.

Elance

This site caters to freelancers with a service to provide clients. There are many similar sites like Odesk, Guru, etc. Service providers set up a profile and bid on clients' jobs.

eBook Publishers

Most writers know they can sell their ebooks directly through All Romance eBooks, Amazon, Kobo, iTunes, Nook, Smashwords, and XinXii. Smaller outlets like Diesel Ebooks and Sony Ebooks can be accessed via an aggregator like Smashwords or something similar.

Print Publishers

If you want to publish in print, then there are also many choices: CreateSpace, Lightning Source, Lulu, and other POD publishers.

Takeaway Truth

So if you know what you want to sell and how you want to sell it, then the next thing you need to know is how to set that up and get rolling.

Stop by next Friday for Sell Online: Part 3, Accepting Payment.