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Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce → Agentic commerce via PayPal is a shopping experience where AI agents discover, evaluate and complete purchases on behalf of customers, without the customer manually browsing a store. For Wix store owners, this means your products can appear in AI-powered shopping results inside PayPal's app, reaching buyers at the moment they're ready to act. If you're looking to open a new sales channel, setting up an eCommerce website is the first step. Agentic commerce is one of the fastest-growing shifts in online retail. In this guide, you'll learn what PayPal agentic commerce is, how it works with a Wix online store, who's eligible and how to control it from your dashboard. If you want more context on where this fits into the wider eCommerce landscape, it's worth reading up on how to grow your eCommerce business before diving in. TL;DR: agentic commerce via PayPal Topic Key point What it is An AI-powered channel where PayPal's app and AI shopping tools discover and buy products on behalf of customers. How it works on Wix Connect Wix Stores and set up PayPal Payments, your products may automatically become eligible. Who can use it US-based Wix stores using PayPal Payments and selling in USD. Feature is in beta. What's excluded Digital products and subscription products cannot be sold through this channel. How to manage it Go to Sales Channels in your Wix dashboard, select PayPal Agentic Commerce Services and update the status. Orders tracking Orders from this channel appear labeled 'PayPal AI' in Wix analytics and reporting tools. Ready to launch your eCommerce store? With Wix, you can build a professional online shop that’s designed to convert, complete with full customization, built-in SEO and powerful marketing tools to help you attract and retain customers. Start building today and turn your idea into a store that’s ready to sell from day one. What is agentic commerce? Agentic commerce is a form of online shopping where AI agents act as proxies for consumers. Instead of a shopper visiting your store, searching, comparing and checking out manually, an AI agent does all of it on their behalf. The customer describes what they want in natural language, the agent evaluates options across multiple sources and, when authorized, completes the purchase without any further input. Think of it as a personal shopping assistant that works across the entire internet, 24 hours a day. The agent understands preferences, checks availability, compares prices and finalizes transactions, all based on the buyer’s instructions and stored payment credentials. According to McKinsey research, AI agents could mediate between $3 trillion and $5 trillion in global consumer commerce by 2030. That scale is comparable to previous platform shifts like the move to mobile commerce, but potentially unfolding faster, since AI agents operate on top of the same digital infrastructure humans already use. Major financial infrastructure providers including PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, Stripe and OpenAI are actively building the standards and protocols that make this possible. For merchants, this shift is already becoming actionable. Platforms like Wix are enabling agentic commerce on Wix, making it possible for products in Wix stores to be discovered and purchased through AI assistants. Through integrations with payment providers like PayPal and Stripe, merchants can also enable agentic commerce via Stripe, ensuring transactions can be completed seamlessly through agent-driven flows. With Wix Harmony, merchants can also leverage AI-driven setup and optimization tools, part of Wix’s broader AI ecosystem for eCommerce. These capabilities, often referred to as Wix’s AI agents for eCommerce, help streamline store creation, product setup and optimization so businesses are ready for this new commerce layer without rebuilding their stack. For merchants, the key takeaway is simple: your store doesn’t need to be reinvented for agentic commerce, it just needs to be connected and discoverable. Learn more about agentic commerce: AI in eCommerce How to use AI to create an eCommerce website What is Wix eCommerce? What is PayPal agentic commerce specifically? PayPal agentic commerce refers to PayPal's suite of AI-powered shopping services that connect consumers using AI tools to merchant product listings. Shoppers using PayPal's mobile app or compatible AI shopping assistants can search for products in natural language, and relevant items from participating stores appear in their results. The AI agent then guides them through checkout using their stored PayPal wallet, no new eCommerce payment processing setup required. Merchants can still accept payments through PayPal across their existing sales channels, while gaining access to this additional AI-driven discovery channel. For Wix merchants specifically, this is delivered through PayPal Agentic Commerce Services. This is a beta feature that enables your Wix store's product catalog to surface inside these AI-driven shopping flows. Orders placed through this channel are automatically labeled 'PayPal AI' inside your Wix analytics and reporting tools, so you can track the performance of this channel separately. It's worth noting this feature is still in beta and being rolled out gradually. Not all eligible stores have access yet, but eligible merchants can contact Wix support to opt in. How does PayPal agentic commerce work on Wix? Wix agentic commerce is a new generation of online shopping where AI agents help discover, recommend and complete purchases on behalf of customers. Here's how the PayPal integration works in practice: Set up Wix Stores and PayPal Payments: If you already have a Wix store and PayPal configured as your payment provider, the groundwork is already in place. No separate technical integration is required. Products become eligible automatically: When PayPal Agentic Commerce Services are activated for your store, your product listings may automatically become available within PayPal's AI shopping ecosystem. Shoppers search using AI: Customers use PayPal's mobile app or compatible AI shopping assistants to describe what they're looking for. The AI agent searches across participating stores and surfaces relevant products, including yours. The agent completes the purchase: Once the customer selects a product, the AI agent guides them through checkout using their PayPal wallet. No new account creation, no separate checkout to navigate. Orders land in your dashboard: Completed orders appear in your Wix dashboard like any other order and are labeled 'PayPal AI' in your analytics and reporting tools, making it easy to track revenue from this channel. Understanding your eCommerce KPIs will help you measure how this channel performs relative to your other traffic sources once you're set up. Learn more about eCommerce payments: How to accept payments online Online payment solutions Wix payment processing Checkout customization with Wix Who is eligible for PayPal Agentic Commerce Services on Wix? PayPal Agentic Commerce Services on Wix is currently available to a specific group of merchants. To be eligible, your store must meet all of the following criteria: Based in the US: The feature is currently only available to merchants operating in the United States. Using PayPal as your payment provider: You need to have PayPal Payments configured as the payment method in your Wix store. Selling in US dollars.: Your store's transactional currency must be USD. There are also some product-type limitations to be aware of. Digital products and subscription products cannot be sold through this channel, only physical or standard products qualify. Since this feature is in beta, not every eligible store currently has access. If your store meets the requirements and you'd like to opt in, you can contact Wix support directly. "I built our website in less than a week. Prior to Strathcona Spirits, I worked in eCommerce and online communications, so I knew what I wanted. I didn't want an eCommerce site that was clunky and difficult to update… This was a lean startup so we wanted to have a website that we could easily update ourselves or delegate to an employee to update, in a really simple and time-efficient way. So that's how I decided on Wix." — Andrea Shubert, co-founder of Strathcona Spirits Benefits of PayPal agentic commerce for Wix merchants Wix merchants can get products discovered and purchased inside AI assistant conversations, right now. Here's why that matters for your store: A new customer discovery channel: AI agents are increasingly the first stop for product discovery. Getting your products visible in PayPal's AI shopping results means you're reaching buyers you wouldn't find through standard search. Faster path to purchase.: Because the AI handles search, comparison and checkout, the friction between discovery and sale is dramatically reduced. Customers don't need to visit your store, navigate pages or re-enter payment details. Simple setup for PayPal users: If your store already uses PayPal Payments, no additional technical work is needed. The integration is handled at the platform level by Wix and PayPal. Trackable performance: Orders from this channel are labeled 'PayPal AI' in your Wix analytics, so you can measure the channel's contribution to your revenue without any manual tagging. Early-mover advantage: Agentic commerce is still in its early stages. Merchants who set up now will have more time to learn what works and build presence in a channel that's expected to grow significantly. For context on the bigger picture, consider that improving your eCommerce checkout experience has always been central to reducing purchase friction. Agentic commerce takes that principle further by removing the browsing step entirely for eligible buyers. "By analyzing user behaviors, AI can offer products or services tailored to each customer, thereby increasing the chances of conversion." — Jean-Briac Coadou, founder of Horizons IA Challenges and limitations to know about agentic commerce via PayPal Like any emerging technology, PayPal agentic commerce comes with real constraints that are worth understanding before you build expectations around it. Limited availability: The feature is in beta and rolling out gradually. Even merchants who meet all eligibility criteria may not have access yet. US only for now: The service is currently restricted to US-based stores selling in USD. International merchants will need to wait for broader availability. No digital or subscription products: If your catalog is primarily digital, this channel isn't available to you yet. Only physical products qualify at this stage. Agent-mediated transactions are new territory: Because a customer's AI agent is making the purchase rather than the customer directly, things like return requests, product questions and post-purchase support may play out differently than with standard orders. Visibility depends on PayPal's ecosystem: Your products' discoverability within the PayPal AI environment depends on factors that PayPal controls, including how their agents rank and surface results. How to enable or disable PayPal Agentic Commerce Services on Wix You have full control over whether PayPal Agentic Commerce Services are active for your store. The setting takes just a few steps to find and update. Open your Wix dashboard: Log in and navigate to your site's main dashboard. Go to Sales Channels: In the left navigation, locate the Sales Channels section. Select PayPal Agentic Commerce Services: Click on the PayPal Agentic Commerce Services option from the list. Update the status: Toggle the feature on or off based on your preference. Changes take effect immediately. If you don't see the PayPal Agentic Commerce Services option in your Sales Channels, the feature hasn't been enabled for your store yet. Because it's rolling out gradually, some eligible stores have access while others are still waiting. You can contact Wix Support to request early access if your store meets the eligibility requirements. Build an AI-powered online store with Wix Harmony → Agentic commerce via PayPal FAQ What is agentic commerce? Agentic commerce is a form of online shopping where AI agents act on behalf of consumers, finding products, comparing options and completing purchases, often without the shopper manually visiting a store. Brands including PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, Stripe and OpenAI are all building infrastructure to support it. Is PayPal agentic commerce available on my Wix store? Currently, PayPal Agentic Commerce Services on Wix are available to US-based stores using PayPal as their payment provider and selling in USD. The feature is in beta and rolling out gradually, so not all eligible stores have access yet. If your store meets the requirements, you can contact Wix support to opt in. Do I need to do anything to set up PayPal agentic commerce? If you already have Wix Stores and use PayPal Payments, your products may automatically become eligible when the feature is activated for your store. No separate technical integration is needed. You can manage the setting from Sales Channels in your Wix dashboard. How is agentic commerce different from regular online shopping? In traditional eCommerce, shoppers browse your store manually, they find it via search, scroll through products, and check out themselves. With agentic commerce, a customer's AI agent does that work on their behalf. Your products need to be visible and accessible to those agents, which is what PayPal Agentic Commerce Services on Wix makes possible. This is a meaningful shift in how demand gets discovered and fulfilled. Staying on top of the right eCommerce tools can help you stay ahead as this channel matures.

If you're an artist, craftsperson or small business owner with a talent for creating handmade treasures, chances are you've contemplated how to sell on Etsy. Etsy has become a thriving marketplace for creative entrepreneurs with 5.4 million active sellers and a staggering 89.4 million active buyers. Whether you're already running an eCommerce website in conjunction with an Etsy shop or looking to create your own online store, we'll walk you step by step through the process of successfully selling on Etsy. Wix offers an all-in-one online store builder with fully customizable storefronts. How to sell on Etsy in 6 steps Set up your Etsy Shop Create high-quality listings Set the right price Optimize your listings Market your shop Fulfill orders 01. Set up your Etsy shop Signing up for a free, self-service Etsy shop takes only a few minutes. Create your account today and experience the freedom of starting your own business in three simple steps: Step 1: Sign up by visiting Etsy.com and clicking on the "Sell on Etsy" option in the footer menu. Step 2: Select "Open Your Etsy Shop" and sign up for an Etsy account. You can create a new account or sign in with your existing account if you already have one. Step 3: Once you're signed in, click on the "Open Your Etsy Shop" button again. You'll be prompted to provide essential details for your shop, including the shop name, language and currency. Choose a unique and memorable shop name that reflects your brand or products. 02. Create high-quality listings Regardless of the platform you use to sell your products, be it Etsy, another online marketplace or your own website, the significance of compelling product photographs cannot be overstated. According to Etsy's customer research, 90% of shoppers emphasized that quality of images was the most crucial factor in their purchasing decision—even above reviews (73%), shipping costs (76%) and the price of the item itself (83%). You can add up to 10 photos for each product, plus a video. For optimal results, Etsy advises using all 10 photo slots. You’ll also want to invest in professional-looking product photos that showcase your items in the best possible light. Use natural lighting, clear backgrounds and multiple angles to give customers a clear view of your creations. Don’t skip the video slot — listings with a short product video tend to convert better and can earn stronger search placement, since Etsy factors engagement signals like clicks and favorites into ranking. 03. Set the right price Finding the sweet spot in terms of pricing may take a bit of experimentation. However, here are some tips to help you get started: Research your market: Take a look at similar products for sale on Etsy and other platforms to get an idea of the price range. Consider factors such as materials, craftsmanship and uniqueness when comparing your products. Understand your target audience and their willingness to pay for your products. Consider their demographics, preferences and the value they perceive in your offerings. Calculate your costs: Determine all the costs involved in creating and selling your products, including materials, labor, overhead expenses, packaging, shipping and Etsy fees. Ensure that your prices cover your costs while still providing a reasonable profit margin. The average profit margin for Etsy sellers is around 40%. However, as you scale your business, you could grow that to as much as 65%. Determine your pricing strategy: You can choose to price your products competitively to attract more buyers, or you can position them at a higher price point to convey exclusivity and premium quality. Experiment with different pricing strategies to find what works best for your business. Continuously evaluate your pricing strategy based on customer feedback, market trends and your business goals. Be open to making adjustments to optimize your pricing for profitability and customer satisfaction. 04. Optimize your listings To enhance your visibility in Etsy search results, it's important to focus on key factors that impact your listings' performance. The following factors play a significant role in determining the placement and order of items in a shopper's search results: Listing quality: Etsy's search algorithm evaluates the performance of individual listings based on customer engagement and purchase likelihood, known as "listing quality." Factors such as the product thumbnail photo, clear titles and shopper interactions influence listing quality, as do clicks, favorites and purchases of an item. The higher your listing quality score, the greater the visibility. Relevance of tags and titles: Ensure that your tags and titles accurately reflect the content and nature of your products. A tag is a short phrase that describes your item. When shoppers search for specific items, Etsy matches their queries with listing tags to provide relevant search results. Each tag can contain concise, descriptive phrases, such as "wooden spoon."Pro tip: For the best results, use all 13 available tags per listing. When a buyer's search term is present in both the title and tags of a listing, it is considered more relevant by Etsy’s search algorithm. Additionally, words at the beginning of titles hold greater significance than words at the end. Relevance of item attributes: Provide accurate and detailed information about your items in the Listing Details section. Choose the type of item you're listing and its categories. Then include attributes shoppers may use to search for your item such as size, color, material and other relevant specifications. This helps Etsy understand your products better and match them with relevant searches. Customer experience: Prioritize excellent customer service, prompt shipping and positive feedback from buyers. Maintaining a good reputation and delivering a positive experience can improve your listing’s performance, as the more positive reviews you earn, the higher you’ll rank in search. Free shipping (for U.S. sellers): Consider offering free shipping on your items, as it can be an attractive incentive for shoppers and increase your visibility. Etsy gives preference to listings that offer free shipping or shops that offer free shipping on orders over $35, particularly for sellers based in the United States. “Free shipping is a powerful marketing tool. It builds trust and enhances customer satisfaction.” — Lisa Kammermayer, Chief Marketing Officer at SimpleSell 05. Market your shop You need to drive traffic to your product listings to break through the competition and get your products seen by the thousands of buyers visiting Etsy every month. Here are some ways to attract new shoppers to your store and keep them coming back for more. Etsy advertising Etsy offers a few advertising programs to help you promote your products and reach a larger audience. Etsy Ads: Promote your listings within Etsy search and relevant product listings using a pay-per-click (PPC) model. Set a budget, and Etsy will optimize ad placements for visibility and clicks. A daily budget of $3 to $5 is recommended, with 30-day testing for effective data collection. Offsite Ads: Extend your ad visibility to selling on Instagram, Google, Facebook, and Pinterest with Offsite Ads. You pay only for conversions (sales) with a cost-per-conversion (CPC) model. Orders attributed to ads within 30 days incur a 12% to 15% transaction fee based on past revenue, minimizing ad cost risk. Note that shops that earned over $10,000 in the past year must participate in Offsite Ads. Promoted Listings: Increase visibility in Etsy search by promoting selected listings. Set a cost-per-click bid to enhance placement in relevant search results. Social media promotion Utilize social media platforms to showcase your products, share behind-the-scenes content and engage with your audience to encourage social commerce. Build a brand presence and drive traffic to your Etsy shop. “Social media and eCommerce will become even more intertwined—users will flock to platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and others to shop, pushing social media to evolve into primary eCommerce hubs.” — Kobi Gamliel, Head of Agency Growth at Wix Regular shop updates Keep your shop fresh by regularly adding new products or variations. Regular updates keep customers engaged and encourage them to revisit your shop. Collaborate with influencers Partner with influencers or bloggers in your niche to promote your products. Their endorsements can introduce your shop to a wider audience and boost your sales. Offer discounts and special promotions Run occasional sales, offer discount codes or provide incentives like free shipping to attract new customers and encourage repeat purchases. Build a multichannel sales strategy Use Etsy to complement your multichannel retailing approach. You’ll reach a global audience and enhance brand visibility alongside your other platforms. On Wix, AI agents acting on behalf of shoppers can browse products, check availability, compare options and complete purchases without manual navigation. Learn about Wix’s multichannel features for managing all of your sales channel under one roof. Wix supports global and omnichannel eCommerce with multilingual storefronts, multi-currency payments, marketplace and social selling, mobile apps and integrated point-of-sale systems for online and offline sales. 06. Fulfill orders Streamline order fulfillment by maintaining efficient turnaround times. According to Etsy’s shipping guidelines: “Prompt shipping means that you ship each item within 30 days of purchase, unless you specify otherwise in your processing time or agree to a different shipping period with the buyer through Messages.“ Set realistic expectations that allow you to meet or exceed customer expectations consistently. Create a memorable unboxing experience with branded packaging and thoughtful touches like handwritten notes or surprise bonus items. Communicate effectively by providing shipping updates, tracking information and seeking customer feedback to foster trust. “For an online store, where the customer experience is paramount, optimizing order management not only improves customer satisfaction but can also reduce operational costs and increase sales.” — Alfredo García Herrera, VP of Partnerships LATAM at Skydropx Additional tips for successful selling on Etsy Encourage customer feedback and reviews: Encourage customers to leave feedback and reviews for your shop. Positive reviews build trust and credibility, attracting more customers to your products. Adapt and improve: Listen to customer feedback and adapt accordingly. Commit to continuously improving your products, customer service and shop experience to meet the evolving needs and preferences of your target audience. Continue learning: Stay informed about the latest trends, techniques and best practices for selling on Etsy. Join seller communities, forums and attend webinars to learn from experienced sellers. Is Etsy right for you? 3 considerations To determine if Etsy is worth your while when starting a business, consider factors such as your target audience, product type, profit margins and more. Here are a few things to consider before you learn how to start selling on Etsy. 01. Audience Roughly 59% of Etsy's traffic comes from U.S. shoppers—mostly individuals seeking unique, handmade and vintage products. Before you tackle how to sell on Etsy, consider how well your target audience aligns with the shoppers attracted to the platform. While Etsy does not typically disclose the specific demographics or values of its buyers, you can observe general trends that Etsy buyers gravitate toward through social interactions and shopper feedback: Sustainability: In 2020, Etsy did disclose that 46% of 2,500 buyers surveyed used the platform to shop in a more eco-friendly way. Unique products: Buyers come to Etsy to find unique or one-of-a-kind items they cannot find at major retailers. Supporting small businesses: Buyers turn to Etsy to support small, independent entrepreneurs and directly contribute to their success. Connecting with sellers: Etsy shoppers are looking for a more personal connection to the artists and shop owners they buy from. 02. Top product categories Etsy is a specialized marketplace dedicated to handmade goods, vintage products and arts and crafts supplies. Its online marketplace is great for artists, shop owners, woodworkers, jewelry makers and various creators to showcase their unique creations to a vast audience of potential buyers. While learning how to sell on eBay and Amazon offers a wide range of products, Etsy stands out as a destination where customers can discover one-of-a-kind treasures, customizable items, unique goods and niche products often unavailable elsewhere. In understanding how to sell things on Etsy, you should consider the platform’s 15 top-level product categories. Some of the top-selling categories on Etsy include: Craft supplies and tools: Paint, papers, crochet and knitting patterns, yarn, string, cord, wire, tool sets, beads, etc. Paper and party supplies: Handcrafted greeting cards and invitations, stickers, journals, printable planner pages, gift wrap, stationery, etc. Home and living: Home decor, bedding, pillows, blankets, throws, cleaning supplies, window treatments, rugs, furniture, candles, etc. Jewelry: Necklaces, rings, bracelets, personalized jewelry, body jewelry, pins, hair accessories, earrings, jewelry boxes, watches, etc. Weddings: Dresses, accessories, veils, suits, decorations, cake toppers, centerpieces, baskets and boxes, gifts, invitations, etc. Accessories: Baby accessories, costume accessories, belts, gloves, hats, mittens, hair accessories, keychains, scarves, wraps, sunglasses, etc. Creating and selling custom products has never been easier. With Wix’s on demand printing, powered by Printful, you can design and launch personalized apparel, accessories, home goods and more—made to suit any style, niche or need. No extra tools, no complex setup. Just pick a product, upload your design and start selling—all from your Wix dashboard. With seamless Printful integration, you get a streamlined way to build, brand and sell—without ever leaving Wix. 03. Seller requirements Etsy's seller requirements are more relaxed than some online marketplaces, making it reasonably easy to set up shop. However, reviewing Etsy's Seller Policy will help to ensure that you meet all the requirements and that there are no surprises. Here are the main provisions regarding how to become a seller on Etsy: Must sell one of three accepted product categories: Handmade items (physical or digital products that are created by the seller—no reselling of handcrafted items made by someone else); vintage items (products that are at least 20 years old); or craft supplies (tools, ingredients, or materials designed for use in crafts, DIY projects or a special occasion). Must provide accurate product representation: All items posted for sale must be accurately represented using your own descriptions, photos and videos. Stock photos and images taken from other websites are not allowed. All products must meet quality standards: Your items should be well-crafted, accurately described and represented by clear and appealing photographs. All interactions with customers must be kept professional: You must respond promptly to buyer inquiries and communicate professionally with your customers. Refer to Etsy's official website or contact the company’s support team for the most up-to-date information. 04. Cost of selling on Etsy Opening an Etsy shop is low-cost, though new sellers may now be charged a one-time shop set-up fee — Etsy shows the exact amount (reported to be around $15 USD or your local equivalent) before you finish opening your shop. However, there is a cost to selling on Etsy that includes various fees. Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee per item, which automatically renews every four months unless the item is sold or you opt out. The platform also deducts a 6.5% transaction fee from the total order amount, including shipping and gift wrap charges. Payment processing fees vary by country. In the U.S., this fee is 3% + $0.25 per transaction. Sellers offering international shipping should consider import taxes and customs duties imposed by the destination country, which are typically the buyer's responsibility. VAT-registered sellers may also be required to charge VAT on their items. If your shop’s listing currency differs from your payment account currency, Etsy also applies a 2.5% currency conversion fee, which is deducted from your earnings. Additional fees are applicable if sellers choose to use Etsy's advertising services . Pros and cons of selling on Etsy Every platform has its challenges and benefits. Below, we look at what makes Etsy a great choice and what challenges you may face as an Etsy seller. Pros of selling on Etsy Easy setup and maintenance: Learning how to sell on Etsy as a beginner is simple. You don't need technical skills to set up an account. Of course, adding product details with high-quality photos takes time, but the process is relatively straightforward. Once everything is set up, an Etsy shop is easy to maintain. Trusted reputation: Etsy has been around since 2005 and is a trusted marketplace for handcrafted, vintage and unique items. It offers instant exposure to a global customer base, providing reach you may not have otherwise. Seller support tools: Etsy provides a variety of tools and resources to help you manage your shop efficiently and effectively, such as a mobile app, listing and shop manager, ads, coupons, shipping labels and more. Relatively low-risk: Getting started on Etsy requires very little upfront investment, making it an excellent place to test new products. Large customer base: With over 90 million active shoppers a year, Etsy's platform enables sellers to access a diverse and dynamic global audience. Cons of selling on Etsy Limited customer loyalty and branding: Building brand loyalty on Etsy can be challenging, considering many customers aren’t searching for specific sellers on Etsy. Customization options for your storefront are also limited. High concentration of competitors: Etsy's online marketplace attracts many sellers offering similar products, intensifying competition based on pricing and shipping speed. Etsy has full control: As with any third-party marketplace, Etsy holds the keys to the kingdom and can implement changes to pricing, structure and seller requirements as needed. It’s best not to become over-reliant on the platform and to explore Etsy alternatives in case your sales or selling privileges are impacted at any point. Limited seller communication: Etsy holds restrictions for seller-customer communication to prevent unsolicited requests or promotions. You cannot encourage shopping outside of Etsy, and therefore are limited in how you’re able to promote your brand or engage customers.

Turn your ideas into income with Wix. Secure your domain name → If you're seeking a low-maintenance career or side hustle that can free up your time while earning a steady income, you've come to the right place. Picture this: you're lounging on a tropical beach, drinking something delicious out of a coconut, while your business churns out profits without a hitch. Sounds like a dream, right? Good news: it doesn’t have to be when you own a business that practically runs itself. In this article, we'll explore 15 of the best business and side business ideas that have the potential to run themselves, offering a brief overview of how to get started, the initial costs involved and the ongoing duties (if any) required to maintain them. We’ll also dish out essential pro tips along the way—like the importance of building a business website that can seamlessly integrate business automation. So put on your Speedos, because we’re diving into the clear, turquoise waters of passive income. Wix's proprietary AI agent, Aria, can generate full sites, rewrite content, restructure layouts, configure business tools and manage site settings through natural conversation. Wix in Copilot turns Microsoft's AI assistant into a Web Operations Manager, letting you manage your back-office through natural language commands like “Refund the last three orders” or “Change the hero banner to the spring promotion.” Secure your brand’s domain and start earning online. With Wix, you can grab it fast and set up email, hosting, SSL and privacy all in one place. It’s simple, beginner-friendly and backed by 24/7 support. A quick reality check: no business is truly 100% hands-off. Each of the ideas below takes real upfront work — setup, capital or content creation — before it can run with minimal day-to-day involvement. The payoff comes after you’ve built the systems. “Do your research. A lot of advice will say, ‘Hey, just do it. You can do it.’ But you have to do the calculations and research first and find out how to do it.” — Arkady Kovalev, founder and CEO of Heroes INN “Entrepreneurship has been overly idealized. If you work hard, put in effort, and follow a well-directed path, you can succeed.” — Romuald Fons, founder and CEO of BIGSEO Agency 15 businesses that run themselves Vending machines Car wash Amazon FBA (fulfillment by Amazon) Rental properties Dropshipping Automated social media marketing Affiliate marketing Content licensing Automated online courses Laundromat Membership websites YouTube channel Ebook publishing App development Stock photography 01. Vending machines Vending machines are the unsung heroes of convenience, delivering treats to the masses while their owners sit back and watch the profits roll in. With a well-placed machine, a variety of products and occasional restocking visits, you can keep the hunger pangs satisfied while taking advantage of an effective passive income idea. Setting up a vending machine business requires an initial investment in machines, product inventory and securing suitable locations. The cost of a single machine can range from $1,000 to $6,000 or more, depending on its size and features. You'll also need to budget for purchasing snacks or beverages to stock the machines initially. Once your vending machines are up and running, the beauty of this low-maintenance operation shines through. You don’t need a wealth of knowledge on how to start a business to make it work. Your primary responsibilities involve restocking the machines when necessary and addressing any maintenance or repair needs that may arise. With a well-designed system in place, you can streamline these tasks and ensure a smooth operation that continues to generate revenue with minimal effort on your part. Closely related — and often even lower-maintenance — is an ATM business: once a machine is placed in a high-traffic spot, your main job is keeping it stocked with cash, making it one of the most hands-off options on this list. Learn more: How to start a vending machine business 02. Car wash A car wash can be an excellent option for entrepreneurs interested in a business that practically runs itself. Automate the payment and wash process—or hire attendants—and you'll enjoy a consistent revenue stream. That being said, starting a car wash business requires upfront investment in equipment, location and supplies. Costs can vary depending on whether you opt for a self-service car wash or an automated system. A self-service car wash may require a lower initial investment, while automated car wash equipment can cost upwards of $50,000. In terms of sweat equity, you'll want to spend time setting up the car wash infrastructure and securing permits. You’ll also need to hire your staff if you plan to have any and promote your services to establish a strong customer base. Learn more: How to start a car wash business 03. Amazon FBA (fulfillment by Amazon) You've probably ordered something from Amazon, but did you know that you can tap into its massive customer base and infrastructure to sell your own products? Amazon FBA simplifies the whole process by allowing you to ship your inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers and let the company handle the storage, packaging and shipping on your behalf. Starting an Amazon FBA side hustle involves sourcing products, creating listings, marketing your products and sending inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers. You’ll have to budget for product sourcing expenses, shipping fees and storage fees charged by Amazon for housing your products. You’ll also have to invest time into researching profitable products, creating compelling product listings and remaining competitive on Amazon’s massive marketplace. 04. Rental properties By investing in residential or commercial properties, you can generate passive income through rental payments. Hiring a property manager or using online platforms can help handle tenant inquiries, repairs and collecting rent, leaving you with the freedom to explore new investment opportunities or enjoy the fruits of your real estate empire. It’s important to note that investing in rental properties requires upfront capital for property acquisition, down payments and renovation costs, if necessary. Additionally, you’ll need to consider ongoing expenses such as property taxes, insurance, maintenance and property management fees. In addition to monetary investment, rental properties require initial effort in terms of property acquisition, tenant screening and property management. That being said, the return on investment can be substantial. If you’re interested in starting your real estate empire, creating a website is a great place to start. With a website, you can showcase your properties, provide rental information and even enable online applications all from one centralized dashboard. Learn more: How to start a rental property business 05. Dropshipping When it comes to online businesses that run themselves, dropshipping is a top contender. Dropshipping is a business model that allows you to sell products without having to stock inventory or handle shipping logistics. When a customer places an order, you forward it to a supplier who then fulfills and ships the product directly to the customer. Dropshipping minimizes upfront costs as you don't need to purchase inventory before making sales. However, you'll need to invest time and effort into product research, finding reliable suppliers and setting up an online store. Wix's eCommerce platform, for example, simplifies the process by providing ready-to-use templates, inventory management tools and seamless integration with popular dropshipping platforms like Modalyst. “The businesses that grow fastest are the ones where the owner spends time on strategy and customers rather than operations… The platform works so the business owner doesn’t have to work on the platform.” — Inbal Kochmeister, Product Marketing Manager at Wix This unique business model provides tremendous flexibility, making dropshipping an ideal side hustle for individuals who are juggling other responsibilities like a full-time job or family commitments. You have the freedom to work from anywhere, whether it's your home office, a coffee shop or even while traveling. This means you can build and grow your dropshipping business at your own pace, fitting it seamlessly into your lifestyle. Learn more: How to start a dropshipping business 06. Automated social media marketing Social media has become an indispensable marketing tool for businesses, and the demand for automated social media marketing services continues to rise. As a savvy entrepreneur, you can tap into this demand by offering comprehensive solutions that streamline content creation for your clients. By harnessing the power of scheduling and automation tools, you can help businesses maintain a consistent online presence while freeing up their valuable time to focus on other aspects of their operations. (See also: other ideas on how to make money using AI.) To establish your automated social media marketing business, you'll need a keen understanding of social media strategy and some serious creativity. It's your role to develop effective social media strategies tailored to each client's unique needs, curate engaging content that resonates with their target audience and monitor the performance of their social media campaigns. While there may be costs associated with running an automated social media marketing business, they are relatively minimal compared to traditional brick-and-mortar ventures. Your primary expenses may include social media management tools, advertising budgets to boost client campaigns and potential training or certification to enhance your skills and stay ahead of industry trends and trending products. “AI solutions can automate marketing campaigns, optimize advertising budgets and target the most relevant audiences to maximize ROI.” — Jean-Briac Coadou, founder of Horizons IA 07. Affiliate marketing Are you that friend who everyone goes to for advice and recommendations? Well, with affiliate marketing, you can turn that skillset into cold, hard cash. By partnering with companies and promoting their products through unique affiliate links, you’ll earn a commission on each sale that originates from your referral. With the right marketing strategies and a dash of charm, you can monetize your influence and watch the affiliate income pour in. Affiliate marketing requires minimal upfront investment as you don't need to create your own products. Instead, you earn commissions on sales generated through your unique affiliate links. Keep in mind, you’ll need to be strategic and invest time into selecting profitable affiliate programs, setting up a marketing strategy and then making the actual content. You’ll want to ensure you’re creating engaging, high-quality content that drives traffic and allows you to excel in this competitive market. Learn more: How to start a marketing business 08. Content licensing Are you a talented musician or writer? Then content licensing might be your golden ticket to a business idea that needs minimal maintenance. By licensing your creative works, such as captivating music or engaging prose, you allow others to use your content in exchange for licensing fees. Platforms and agencies can help you manage the licensing process, ensuring that your creations continue to generate income while you focus on your next stroke of genius. Content licensing can be a profitable business for creators who have existing content, such as music or written works. While there may be minimal upfront costs, sweat equity is likely to be the biggest initial step, as it's crucial to your success. You’ll want to invest time in creating high-quality content, negotiating licensing agreements and marketing your work to potential buyers. 09. Automated online courses Are you an expert in a particular field or do you have a valuable skill to share? Create an online course that practically teaches itself! With the help of online course platforms and tools, you can design and automate your course delivery, allowing students to enroll, learn at their own pace and receive access to valuable content without your direct involvement. As your class roster grows, so will your bank account. Creating and selling online courses requires expertise in a particular field and investment in content creation, course platforms and marketing efforts. Costs may include course production expenses (such as video equipment or course materials) and subscription fees for an online course platform. High-level knowledge and expertise are needed to create high-quality course content in your given discipline. You’ll also need to put in some hours upfront to design engaging lessons and promote your courses to find your target audience. If you integrate Wix's Online Programs app into your website, you can offer your courses on a paid subscription basis. You’ll be able to track participants’ progress with real-time feedback, engage with your online community and provide a seamless learning experience for your students. 10. Laundromat Running a laundromat can be a lucrative venture that generates passive income with minimal effort. By setting up a well-equipped facility and creating a convenient experience for customers, you can enjoy steady revenue while freeing up your time for other pursuits. To start your own laundromat, you'll need to cough up the cash for space and commercial-grade washers and dryers—at least $200,000 to start. While this initial investment can seem a bit daunting, by providing a clean and user-friendly space, you'll attract a loyal customer base. The great thing about being in the laundromat business is that it's pretty recession-proof. People need to wash their clothes on a consistent basis and you can give them a beautiful place to do it in. Once you've found and set up your space, all you have to worry about is routine maintenance, any overhead like utilities and rent, and employee salaries if you choose to have someone there as an attendant. So if becoming a laundrepreneur sounds like your jam, give it a whirl and watch the quarters drop into your bank account. Learn more: How to start a laundromat business 11. Membership websites Welcome to the world of exclusivity. With a membership website, you can offer premium content, services or perks to members who pay a subscription fee. Whether it's access to in-depth tutorials, exclusive community forums or special discounts, membership websites provide ongoing value to subscribers while generating a steady stream of passive income. With the right content management system and marketing strategies, your membership website can be a virtual goldmine that practically manages itself. When you sell memberships it involves planning, content creation and platform setup. Costs can include website hosting, membership software or plugins, and potentially offering exclusive content or perks to members. Some expertise is necessary to curate in-demand content, create a membership structure and foster your community. With a Wix website, you can easily build and manage your membership platform as well as engage with your audience through online forums, live stream events, weekly digests and more. 12. YouTube channel Lights, camera, action. If you have a charismatic personality, a passion for a particular topic or a talent to showcase, starting a YouTube channel could be your ticket to passive income and fame. By creating engaging video content, building a loyal subscriber base and monetizing your videos, your YouTube channel can become a self-sustaining platform that earns money while you pursue your creative endeavors. Starting a YouTube channel requires creating engaging video content, building a subscriber base and monetizing through ads and sponsorships. While there are no direct costs to start a channel, you may want to invest in quality video equipment, editing software and self-promotional efforts. There will also be some sweat equity necessary to consistently create compelling videos, optimize video titles and descriptions for searchability, and engage your audience. 13. Ebook publishing Do you have a way with words and a story to tell? Self-publishing eBooks has revolutionized the world of literature and opened doors for authors. Whether you’re an organizational wizard or have a heartwarming children’s story brewing in your imagination, all it takes is some grit and determination to gather your thoughts and write them down. With platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, you can write, format and publish your own eBooks, making them available to millions of readers worldwide. Costs may include professional editing, cover design and book formatting services. It's important to acknowledge that self-publishing an eBook requires considerable upfront effort on your part. You'll need to dedicate time and energy to the writing process, meticulously revise and edit your work, and navigate the intricacies of publishing and marketing. But once your masterpiece is unleashed into the world, it has the potential to generate passive income through book sales. This means that while you focus on crafting your next literary gem, your published work continues to earn for you. 14. App development In a world dominated by smartphones, app development has become a thriving industry. If you have coding skills or can collaborate with a developer, creating a mobile app that solves a problem or entertains users can be a lucrative venture. Once your app is available on app stores, you can generate income through in-app purchases, subscriptions or advertising. As the downloads and user engagement increase, you'll see the rewards of your app development continue to grow. Developing a mobile app involves coding or collaborating with developers, designing user interfaces and launching on app stores. Costs can include development tools, hiring developers and potential marketing expenses. Investment of time and energy is necessary to conceptualize the app idea, oversee development and market the app to gain users. 15. Stock photography Sometimes the easiest step in planning how to come up with a business idea is to start with something you love. If photography is your passion, why not turn it into a business that practically runs itself? Stock photography platforms allow you to showcase and sell your captivating images to businesses, publications and individuals worldwide. By uploading your photos to these platforms, you can earn royalties each time someone purchases a license to use your work. As your portfolio grows and your images gain popularity, you'll see a steady stream of income flowing in. Selling stock photography involves capturing high-quality images, organizing your photo library and submitting your work to stock photography platforms. Costs may include photography equipment, editing software and potential marketing expenses. Keep in mind that you’ll have to invest some serious time into capturing compelling images and curating your portfolio. Since this is a competitive industry, you’ll also want to learn about how to maximize SEO for better discoverability. If you have a Wix site, you can take advantage of its robust integrated SEO solutions and built-in marketing tools. Looking for more business ideas? Part-time business ideas Craft business ideas Beauty business ideas Reselling business ideas DIY business ideas Clothing business ideas Small-town business ideas Dropshipping business ideas Business ideas for couples Rental business ideas Family business ideas B2B business ideas Scalable business ideas Business ideas for teachers Recession-proof business ideas Kidswear business ideas eCommerce business ideas Best businesses to start with little money

Get started by: Creating a website → | Getting a domain → If you’re looking to start an online business, the best idea is one that matches your skills and strengths. This helps you stand out, connect with customers and make money online in a way that works for you. Whether you’re looking to establish a full-blown operation or start a side hustle to your day job, launching an online business has never been easier. As you create a website, you’ll help your online business get more exposure, stand out from the pack and engage your audience. Wix Harmony is Wix's AI website builder that lets you go from a single prompt to a fully designed, business-ready website. Wix's native ChatGPT integration lets you type “@Wix” in a conversation, describe a business idea, and have the agent generate a full, live Wix website. Researching the right online business idea for yourself may seem like a big time commitment, but don’t worry. There are some great examples already underway to help you get started selling online. To ensure you're in the know, we’ve compiled the top 26 online business ideas that you can start right away, with in-depth explanations of what each one entails. “The best advice that I give to people is always ‘Start now, perfect later.’ Just start it. You can fix it along the way. If you build your tribe and your community, they will go along the journey with you.” — Angel Gregorio, founder of The Spice Suite Top 26 online business ideas in 2026 Blogger Web designer Affiliate marketer eCommerce retailer Dropshipping business owner App developer Facebook ad specialist SEO consultant YouTuber Social media consultant Podcaster Online course instructor Webinar guru Copywriter Technical writer Remote tech support Virtual assistant Subscription box curator Resume and cover letter writer e-book author Sell NFTs Transcription services Flip thrifted goods Print on demand Sell digital products Content clipping 01. Blogger For writers and anyone with a passion or expertise to share, creating a blog might be the right fit. While the definition of what is a blog includes everything from travel journals to specialized industry ones, all blogs share some commonalities. Blogs are regularly updated websites that cover information, opinions or insights around a certain topic. A successful blogger is someone who knows their niche, and is thus able to build a good blog with a clear focus. Blogs are low-investment spaces where you can foster a solid readership in a specific area, by providing critical content that keeps visitors coming back. As a creator of high-quality content, you can begin thinking about how to monetize a blog, turning yours into a potential moneymaker. One way to make money as a blogger is through your ability to attract relevant advertisers with the help of your loyal fanbase. You can host an ad space, sponsored posts, offer products for sale and more - all of which would require minimal effort on your end. This makes blogging a very scalable business idea. Another option might be to offer paid services in the forms of personal consultation or coaching. One-on-one sessions can complement your blog and reaffirm your expert voice in the field. Additionally, you could consider repurposing your content into paid online courses, e-books or webinars (more on those below). After all, a successful blog should continually drive community engagement. Looking to start a blog? Wix has got you covered with thousands of design features, built-in SEO and marketing tools, that will allow you to scale your content, your brand and your business with a blog maker. “With AI-generated content taking the internet by storm, readers and search engines alike crave genuine narratives and unique firsthand experiences… your blog becomes a one-of-a-kind source of knowledge amidst an ocean of reshared content.” — Judit Ruiz Ricart, strategic project manager at Wix 02. Web designer Business owners are often looking to improve their online presence. If you’re a creative and technical person who enjoys building web pages and taking website design to the next level, then consider teaming up with clients whose sites need that professional touch. Armed with a passion for fonts, color palettes and a seamless user experience, you can begin promoting yourself as a freelance web designer for small and local businesses. Whether you’re building a website from scratch or giving an existing one the ultimate makeover, every experience you gain will help raise your credibility and enrich your portfolio. 03. Affiliate marketer If you’ve built a substantial online audience or following, you may want to look into affiliate marketing and how you can use it to monetize your content. As an affiliate marketer, you’d team up with a business to market their products or services by recommending or sharing them to your fans. Affiliate marketers earn a commission each time they convert any of their followers into purchasing the brand’s products through a unique referral link, known as an affiliate link. When considering which affiliate program is right for you, look for one that suits both your interests and that of your target audience. Try to find a brand that you believe in or would be happy to endorse. In addition, double check that the product or service that they offer has a good enough demand. There are many affiliate programs out there, including Amazon Associates, ShareASale and the Wix Affiliate Program, so you might want to take a moment to research them before you reach out. Once you’re signed up, you can begin promoting the affiliate content alongside your day-to-day materials which your followers have come to expect. There are different ways to promote your affiliate products to your readers without coming off as too spammy. One method is to try incorporating the product recommendations into a blog post, tutorial or video using relevant and engaging content. What's even better is that there are tons of free creative tools like HubSpot that offer a range of tools from AI writers to clip creators to help you develop this content. Be creative and think of new ways to adapt your marketing strategy to yield the most profit. You can also choose to start this as a part-time business idea before committing full time once it becomes successful. According to Guy Josipovich ,Online Partnerships Manager at Wix.com, "Companies entrust their product and reputation to their partner's hands. Therefore, it’s not surprising that trust is critical for a successful long-term partnership, together with proven professional skills such as analytical abilities, understanding of marketing principles, and good time management." Learn more: Automated business ideas 04. eCommerce retailer Running an eCommerce website allows you control over every aspect of your business, from accepting secure online payment, to managing order fulfillment, to advanced marketing tools and an optimized shopping experience. With many business capabilities, all that’s left is to ask yourself what things to make and sell, since picking the right products for your online store will be the core of this eCommerce business idea. When choosing which products to sell, let your skills and experience guide you. You can confirm your choice by conducting a thorough market research. Knowing how to start an online business in your niche market means listening to your customers. On your site, it’s important to maintain clear communication with your customers in the form of live chat, a forum, email marketing and more. Learn more about how to make an eCommerce website. 05. Dropshipping business owner Some business owners may like the idea of running an online store, but don’t want or have the capacity to store inventory. For these cases, there’s an alternative way when considering how to start a business on a budget - dropshipping. With dropshipping, you can sell products on your business website without managing your own inventory. Instead, you can send customers’ orders to a third-party retailer. This eliminates the risk of stocking up on pricey products, or finding out that the products in your inventory are no longer marketable. Without needing to attend to a warehouse or a different physical location of your inventory, you can run your dropshipping business from wherever you have WiFi. This also allows you to expand your product offering and sell niche products, since you won’t be limited to what’s in an inventory. Additionally, operating a dropshipping business frees you to adjust your merchandise by experimenting and testing with it, keeping your offering up with the latest eCommerce trends. If something isn’t selling, you’ll be able to change your offerings on the spot. Learn more: Dropshipping business ideas Coffee dropshipping Beauty dropshipping Reverse dropshipping Automated dropshipping Jewelry dropshipping Digital dropshipping Clothing dropshipping Sticker dropshipping Pet dropshipping Branded dropshipping White label dropshipping T-shirt dropshipping Candle dropshipping B2B dropshipping 06. App developer Seeing that the number of apps downloaded in the last year hit an almost 200 billion, the app business is officially a tour de force. Perhaps it’s time to get your cool idea for an app set into motion. If you haven’t any prior experience in app development, you'll need to pick up a couple of common programming languages, like Python, JavaScript or iOS, and know some basic software design. On the other hand, even without a coding background, you can always collaborate with an experienced app developer on your idea. It helps if your app idea is backed with thorough market research. Would your app offer something new to the competitive market, or are there others like it? This step is best taken before investing any money. Learn more: AI business ideas 07. Facebook ad specialist What individual hasn’t used Facebook already? In the small business sector, however, there are many veteran business owners who aren’t successfully tapping into the plethora of resources that the social media giant has to offer. The solution for many is to hire an expert on Facebook advertising. Known as Facebook ad specialists, their goal is to collaborate with clients to help them plan, measure and execute paid marketing campaigns on Facebook. As a hired expert, you’ll be able to help your clients optimize their digital marketing and advertising, allowing them to reach their core audiences. Facebook ads are targeted to users based on location, demographics, and interests, making it easier to find the right niche. You might want to start contacting businesses that already have a Facebook presence and offer your services to help create masterful Facebook ads. 08. SEO consultant SEO stands for search engine optimization. SEO is the process of optimizing websites so that they rank better on search engine results, such as Google and Bing, which could ultimately drive more traffic to the site. Becoming an SEO consultant includes learning highly profitable skills in online advertising platforms like Google Ads and Google Analytics, as well as the need to be at the cutting edge of Google’s algorithms. As someone who is familiar with the number of ways to boost a site’s SEO, you will be an asset to any business looking to improve their online presence. 09. YouTuber For some of us, starring in or directing our own videos is a dream come true. You may feel your best in front of the camera, have stories to tell or simply want to educate others about a specific topic using visual content. Whether you’re looking to start your own YouTube channel or simply like to vlog, there could be a great money making opportunity coming your way as your viewership grows. There are several effective ways you can begin to make money on YouTube. They include becoming a YouTube Partner, selling merchandise, or venturing into affiliate marketing. You can experiment with any of these options to find the best fit for you and your audience. 10. Social media consultant While corporations operate with full-time social media experts on their payroll, most small businesses not only lack this luxury, but may not even have a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account. As many shoppers turn to these popular platforms for their consumer needs, business owners might want to seek the assistance of a social media consultant to help them determine the best social media marketing strategies. These experts will help create and schedule posts to target potential customers, and more. As a social media consultant, you can help online businesses choose the right platform for their target audience. From Facebook, the world’s number one social media network, to Instagram, known for its visual storytelling features and LinkedIn, where professionals go to network, each channel comes with different audiences and needs. “Define what makes your company unique and why customers should choose you. This will be the foundation of your marketing message.” — Tristán Elósegui, marketing and business advisor for SMEs 11. Podcaster Podcasting is for those who can articulate a passion or certain topic they know well. In case you weren’t already familiar with this business idea, a podcast is an episodic series of audio recordings around a certain topic or topics. Though starting a podcast can be one of the best businesses to start with little money using free recording and editing software, you might want to invest in a good-quality microphone. Your listenership will depend on the quality of your audio content and your ability to establish an expert voice in your area. Bringing special guests to your podcast is one low-cost way to help promote your show. Once your show reaches more people and your subscribership grows, your podcast could have the potential to attract advertisers and ultimately become profitable. 12. Online course instructor Is teaching a passion you’ve always wanted to pursue but never had the time to? Creating an online course is one way to share your knowledge while generating passive income, with little investment up front. In order to become an online course instructor, you’ll first need a website or platform from where you can host and stream your classes. To get your online course started, you’ll want to focus on a specific topic that you know well. It can be anything, from women authors of the 19th-century to logo design. You’ll also need to give yourself a reasonable amount of time to build your course and plan each lesson. If you already have a blog, website or video channel, then offering online courses as an added service may complement your published work and help you reaffirm your authority in your field. 13. Webinar guru People often come to you for advice or tips, as you’ve become known by many as that person who has all the right answers. Although teaching an online course seems like a natural step to take, you may not have time to do it for an entire semester. Hence, one possible online low-cost business idea would be to create a webinar. Webinars are online presentations often held in real-time, or simply put, an online event. The most direct way to make profit from your webinar is to charge a fee for attendance. You could also make money from a free webinar by offering a paid product at the end. The shorter, the better: A webinar tends to run between 30-45 minutes, capitalizing on full engagement. In most cases, you can organize your webinar to best suit your schedule, as attendees are able to access your event from home. Subscribe to the Wix blog for a weekly dose of fresh business and web design tips and trends. 14. Copywriter A copywriter is someone who writes engaging text or “copy” for the purpose of marketing or advertisement to increase a client’s message or brand. A good copy is meant to motivate readers to spur into action. Those who share a passion for creating good and clear content know that to master copywriting takes a lot of practice and skills. Start by searching the web for copywriting listings. There are many new opportunities arising each day. A freelance copywriter can determine their either rate per hour or per word count. The pay rate may also increase as your experience does too. Small businesses looking to expand their web audience need quality online content, and would benefit greatly from employing the services of a skilled copywriter. A diverse writing portfolio, covering different types of content, would help you attract a wider range of clientele. 15. Technical writer There are situations when content needs to sound technical rather than creative. Think about the importance of manuals at certain points in our lives, like when we need to assemble an Ikea bookshelf or when we start a new medication. A technical writer deals with this line of work clearly and eloquently. Once you’ve decided what industry you’d like to pursue - health, engineering or technology - it will be easier for you to focus on building your specialization. Potential clients of technical writers may be corporate and pharmaceutical companies. Although it might feel you have bigger fish to fry as a technical writer, there are fewer of your kind in the general writing sphere. The odds are in your favor. 16. Remote tech support Sometimes a small business has to outsource technical assistance because of budgetary issues or space constraints. If you have a solid background in IT and enjoy working from home, you can set up a paid tech support service for your local businesses. Aside from bringing in a nice stream of revenue, a remote tech support operation is a great home-based business idea. In fact, it can even be run using little more than a mobile device. For more on how to make money from home, check out our guide. 17. Virtual assistant Businesses and individuals alike often require extra support in managing their emails, drafting templated responses for diverse inquiries, social media channels and daily schedules. A virtual assistant is someone who can fulfill these tasks and support them remotely, making it one of the most accessible online unique business ideas to start now. Unlike an office assistant who performs administrative and clerical duties only, a virtual assistant will cover these traditional tasks while offering a multitude of other services, including everything from content creation to website or project management. In the role of virtual assistant, there is plenty of room for creativity and personal growth, allowing you to add or change your services depending on your availability, client demand or interests. You can also choose your clients and area of industry. Take advantage of the number of online tools, from file sharing to virtual calendars, that are available to help you perform most assistant tasks without investing a lot upfront. Tip: How to start a virtual assistant business 18. Subscription box curator Have you ever been told that you give the best presents in your family? Creating that perfect gift-giving moment may be something important to you. Selling subscriptions requires that same attention to detail and love for delivering smiles. When curating a subscription box, you won’t necessarily have to create your own merchandise if you don’t choose to. There are so many unique and creative products you can find online and curate into your boxes. Most successful subscription boxes work around a certain theme, making them compatible with their target market. For example, adults may prefer wine and children can’t resist colorful candy. Remember that subscription boxes are often purchased as gifts to others, so it’s worth changing or adding your offerings to reflect the times or trends. This can also be a great family business idea or a fun business idea for couples. Tip: How to start a subscription box business 19. Resume and cover letter writer Writing resumes and cover letters is in-demand. Even though the typical word count for a professional resume or cover letter does not reach more than 400 words, the work of a resume and cover letter writer is essential and everlasting. Your target audience is any individual looking for a job, leaving you free to work with any number of clients. Be sure to provide successful writing samples you’ve worked on in the past to potential customers, or share links to online resume websites that you’ve created. This allows you to show off your skills and rich industry jargon for any market or niche. 20. e-book author While few writers manage to get published in their lifetime, many new authors are already making their e-book debut amid the digital products, specifically book market boom. Self-publishing your book has never been more affordable or effective, using a number of options including Apple Books, Smashwords and Amazon, which will help you with the post-production aspects of distribution and sales. Consider investing in an editor or proofreader and an illustrator to make your book more marketable. As a writer, breaking into the category of e-book author is one online business idea that could help you succeed in your industry. 21. Sell NFTs Selling Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) has emerged as a groundbreaking avenue for creators to monetize their unique content. NFTs are blockchain-based tokens that authenticate the ownership and rarity of digital files, including artworks, music, videos and more. By tokenizing their creations, artists can offer a sense of exclusivity and ownership to their audience, fostering a new era of digital collectibles. One key advantage of selling NFTs lies in the ability to directly connect with a global audience of collectors and enthusiasts. The blockchain ensures transparency and authenticity in ownership, allowing creators to establish a direct relationship with their supporters. Additionally, the smart contract functionality embedded in NFTs can enable creators to receive royalties automatically each time their token is resold, providing a sustainable revenue stream over time. This decentralized and borderless nature of NFT transactions has democratized the art and content creation industry, empowering creators to reach a broader market without traditional intermediaries. While NFTs present exciting opportunities, navigating the space requires careful consideration of market trends, pricing strategies and community engagement. Building a strong online presence, leveraging social media and participating in relevant online communities can help creators showcase and sell their NFTs successfully. As the market continues to evolve, staying informed about emerging platforms and technological developments will be crucial for creators looking to thrive in the dynamic world of NFTs. 22. Transcription services Transcription services helps provide accurate and timely conversion of audio and video content into written form. Transcription services cater to a broad range of industries, from media and legal to academic and corporate. As businesses increasingly rely on digital communication, there is a growing demand for skilled transcriptionists who can efficiently transcribe interviews, meetings, podcasts and various other audio materials. Online platforms and freelance marketplaces offer opportunities for transcriptionists to connect with clients globally, making it a flexible and accessible business option. One specialized area within transcription services that tends to get paid the most is medical transcription, a critical component of healthcare documentation. Medical transcriptionists transcribe dictated recordings made by healthcare professionals into written documents. Individuals with a background in healthcare or specialized knowledge of medical terminology can carve a niche in this field, ensuring that healthcare providers have clear and precise documentation of patient interactions. If you want to offer transcription services, building a reputation for reliability and confidentiality is crucial. Make sure you effectively communicate with your clients, stick to deadlines and use transcription software and tools to boost your chances of success. 23. Flip thrifted goods Got an eye for a bargain? Love flea markets and vintage stores? If yes, why not consider selling what you find online. You an easily start a business online selling vintage and thrifted goods. From clothing, to furniture and even toys, there are plenty of ideas to lead with. Make sure to tap into demand — what exactly are people looking to buy second hand. And consider some of the issues with selling thrifted foods, including safety (especially with toys and baby items), quality and value. You'll need to research pricing because while one man's trash, might be another's treasure but a lot depends on price and value. To sell thrifted goods online, you'll need an online store or eCommerce website. Print on demand For entrepreneurs aiming to start a business with minimal upfront costs, print on demand is an excellent option. This business model allows you to create and sell custom products like clothing, mugs and notebooks without the hassle of managing inventory. By partnering with print-on-demand companies, business owners can easily upload their designs, set prices and manage orders while the platform handles production and shipping. Print on demand is particularly appealing for creative individuals looking to monetize their designs and tap into niche markets. Since products are only created after a sale is made, the risk of overproduction or unsold inventory is significantly reduced. This combination of low financial risk and creative freedom makes print on demand a smart, scalable opportunity for those eager to start a business. 25. Sell digital products Digital products are one of the most scalable online businesses you can start: you create the asset once and sell it an unlimited number of times, with no inventory and very high margins. Popular options include Notion and Canva templates, Lightroom presets, printables and planners, icon or font packs, and spreadsheets. Pick a niche you understand, design a small collection and sell it directly from your own website. Because there’s nothing to ship, your main ongoing work is marketing and refreshing your catalog as trends shift. 26. Content clipping As long-form video and podcasts keep growing, so does demand for short, scroll-stopping clips. Content clippers take a creator’s or brand’s existing footage and edit it into vertical short-form videos for TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. It’s a low-startup-cost service business — you mainly need editing software and an eye for a strong hook — and it pairs naturally with creators, podcasters and coaches who don’t have time to repurpose their own content. Tips for starting an online business Choose your online business niche When coming up with an online business idea, you should figure out what you're passionate about and what you're good at, as well as what problems you can you solve for others (for example, if you're crafty, you can sell crafts online). Once you know your niche, you can start to focus your marketing efforts and build a community around your products or services. Do your research Before you launch your online business ideas, it's important to do your research and understand the market you're entering. Make sure you know who your target audience is, what their needs and wants are and what your competitors are doing in the same space. Create a business website Your website is your online storefront, so it's important to make sure it's well-designed, easy to navigate and mobile-friendly. You can sell directly from your site, or use it to market your brand. You should also create social media profiles for your business and actively engage with your audience. Provide excellent customer service This is one of the most important factors in building a successful online business. Make sure you're responsive to customer inquiries, resolve issues quickly and provide friendly and helpful support. Start small and scale up There'd no need to start your online business with a huge investment. You can start small and scale up as your business grows. Remember that it takes time and effort to build a successful online business, so don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Most popular online business ideas In 2025, the most common online business ideas are expected to include: Ecommerce stores With the continued growth of online shopping, e-commerce businesses selling a wide range of products are likely to remain popular. Niche e-commerce stores focusing on specific product categories or offering personalized shopping experiences may also thrive. In 2025 it's expected that around 20-25% of all retail sales will happen online, making online shopping and eCommerce stores a continuing trend. Online education and training The demand for remote learning and upskilling is expected to drive the growth of online education businesses. To date it's believed that US higher education facilities enroll over 1.1. million students, a number that is growing. Platforms offering courses, tutorials and certification programs in various fields are likely to be in high demand. Digital marketing agencies As businesses increasingly rely on digital marketing to reach their target audience, digital marketing agencies offering services such as social media management, SEO, content marketing and online advertising are expected to be prevalent. Subscription-based services Subscription-based businesses offering products or services on a recurring basis, such as streaming platforms, meal kit deliveries, and subscription boxes, are anticipated to be more common due to their convenience and recurring revenue model. These types of businesses are expected to generate income of $904.2 billion by 2026, making them a huge growth potential online business idea. Online business idea trends for 2025 eCommerce and online selling Personalized shopping experiences: Using AI and machine learning to tailor product recommendations and provide personalized shopping journeys. Virtual try-on technology: Allowing customers to experience products virtually before purchasing, reducing returns and improving customer satisfaction. Social commerce: Leveraging social media platforms for product discovery, purchase and customer engagement. Digital subscription services Streaming services: Expanding beyond entertainment to include fitness, education and other lifestyle content. Membership programs: Providing exclusive access to perks, discounts and personalized experiences for loyal customers. AI-powered businesses Chatbots and virtual assistants: Providing 24/7 customer support, automating tasks, and enhancing website functionality. Predictive analytics: Using AI to analyze data and make informed decisions about product development, marketing campaigns and inventory management. Automated decision-making: Empowering systems to make decisions without human intervention, improving efficiency and reducing bias. Remote work and collaboration Virtual workspaces: Creating online platforms that facilitate remote work, team collaboration and communication. Online meeting tools: Enabling seamless video conferencing, screen sharing and collaborative document editing. Freelance marketplaces: Connecting businesses with independent contractors for a wide range of services, increasing flexibility and talent access. Sustainable and ethical businesses E-commerce for sustainable products: Catering to consumers seeking eco-friendly, ethical and socially responsible products. Zero-waste initiatives: Implementing practices to minimize waste in packaging, shipping and operations. Transparency and traceability: Providing customers with information about product sourcing, manufacturing and environmental impact. Niche market targeting Micro-influencer marketing: Collaborating with niche influencers who have highly engaged and targeted audiences. Subscription boxes for specific hobbies: Catering to niche interests, such as crafting, cooking or fitness. Personalized products and experiences: Offering customizable products and curated experiences tailored to specific demographics or preferences. Online business ideas FAQ What are the most profitable online business ideas to start? Turning an online business idea into a profitable business is not without its challenges, and profitability will depend on many other factors than just the specific business idea you choose. However in general online business ideas with a high potential for profitability include creating and selling online courses, affiliate marketing and dropshipping. What are the best online business ideas for beginners? If you're a beginner when it comes to starting a business, the best online business ideas are those with low startup costs. It's probably also best to lead with a business that you can manage as a solopreneur for as long as possible, so that you don't have to deal with the added complication of hiring and managing employees. Great online business ideas for beginners include content creation, virtual assistant positions and data entry. What are the quickest online business ideas to start? Again, if your aim is to get a business idea off the ground quickly, the best choice would be one that requires limited resources to set it up. Sometime that can be done from home would be a good choice. Examples include dropshipping, consulting services or affiliate marketing. How do you brainstorm online business ideas? To generate online business ideas, start by identifying your passions, skills and areas of expertise (for example, if you're good at animation, learn how to make money as an animator). Research current market trends, explore niche markets and consider solving problems for a target audience. Engage in discussions, attend industry events and use online tools like Google Trends and keyword research to uncover potential opportunities. Collaborate with others, seek inspiration from successful online businesses and be open to adapting and evolving your ideas. What is the best online business to start from home? The best online business to start from home depends on your interests, skills and market demand. Options include eCommerce (selling products), affiliate marketing, freelancing, consulting and online tutoring. Conduct thorough research to understand the profitability and feasibility of each option, considering your resources and goals. Do you need an LLC to sell online? While it's not mandatory, forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can offer legal and financial protection for your online business. An LLC separates personal and business assets, limiting personal liability. It also provides flexibility in taxation. However, the necessity depends on factors like your business size, risk tolerance and legal requirements in your jurisdiction. Consulting with a legal professional can help you make an informed decision based on your specific circumstances. How do I choose between passive vs active business ideas? Choose between passive and active business models based on your: Time availability: passive needs more upfront time, less ongoing Income goals: active typically generates faster initial income Skill set: active requires constant expertise Capital: passive often needs more upfront investment Work style preference: hands-on vs automated Scalability needs: passive scales easier How do I validate my online business idea before launching it? Here's a 70-word guide to validating your online business idea: 1. Research your competition Analyze similar businesses and how successful or not they are Identify market gaps you could fill with your idea Study their pricing models 2. Test market interest Create a social media presence — setup an account, start posting around your idea and see how your community reacts Launch a simple landing page which can be run with small ad campaigns to gauge interest Join relevant online communities to run surveys and understand demand 3. Get real feedback Conduct customer interviews Create surveys Build a small email list Share your concept in business forums 4. Create MVP (Minimum Viable Product) Offer a beta version of your product or a test service Get early adopter feedback Test pricing strategies Explore more business ideas Craft business ideas Beauty business ideas Reselling business ideas DIY business ideas Clothing business ideas Small-town business ideas Rental business ideas B2B business ideas Business ideas for teachers Recession-proof business ideas Kidswear business ideas Business ideas for teens Hobbies that make money Black Friday business ideas

The perfect domain is just a click away: claim your domain→ Domain name registration is one of those early decisions that can create problems down the line if you rush it. The best domain name providers make domain name registration clear, affordable and easy to manage. They help you search availability fast, understand what you’re paying for and keep your domain secure long after checkout. And if you’re still searching for the right name, Wix has an AI-powered domain name generator to help you brainstorm available options. “Your domain name is your online home address, and just like in real life, location matters. Pick something short, easy to say out loud and easy to remember. If someone can recall it after hearing it once, you’re on the right track.” — Ofir Gvili, domains product marketing manager at Wix TL;DR: best domain registrars This guide covers the top registrars, highlighting their features, pricing and who they’re ideal for. Whether you want a bundled website builder, affordable pricing or advanced management tools, this overview will help you pick the best domain provider for your business. Secure your perfect domain in just a few clicks with Wix. Get everything you need in one place—business email, reliable hosting, SSL protection and full privacy. With 24/7 support and no hidden fees, getting your site live is simple and worry-free. You’ll learn: What domain name registration includes and why the registrar matters How the best domain registrars compare on price, features and support Which domain providers fit different needs like bundling, low cost or long-term use What to watch for with renewals, fees and privacy protection How to choose and secure a domain that supports your business growth Compare top domain registrars Domain registrar Best for Key features Wix Bundling with free web hosting and SSL certificate Integrated WHOIS lookup and protection, 24/7 support, free domain with premium plan, supports over 400 domain extensions Name.com Small businesses and solopreneurs On-trend memorable domains, Google Workspace and Wix integrations, trusted customer support Domain.com Straightforward use, long-term registration Fast beginner-friendly registration, multi-year purchase, complete DNS control Namecheap Cheap domain name registration Low-cost domains, free WHOIS privacy, live chat support Bluehost Pairing with web hosting Domain locking, hosting bundle deals, intuitive management platform NameSilo Affordable pricing and free extras Free WHOIS privacy, transparent pricing, bulk discounts HostGator Old-school domain extensions Domain locking, hosting bundles, 24/7 live chat and phone support 7 best domain registrars Wix Name.com Domain.com Namecheap Bluehost NameSilo HostGator 01. Wix Best for: Bundling with free web hosting and SSL certificate If you need a free web hosting platform in addition to a domain name, then choosing Wix is a no-brainer. On top of a long list of templates and Wix features for building a professional online presence, you’ll get access to powerful domain management tools, such as privacy protection (WHOIS protection), easy transfer, subdomains and a business email address. Furthermore, Wix will also provide you with 24/7 security monitoring, HTTPS and SSL protection, which are essential when you're learning how to make a website. The platform’s robust domain search tool helps you learn how to choose a domain name based on the availability of your name idea within hundreds of domain types. Any of these options can be registered as a free domain name for the first year with the purchase of a premium plan for your website. The pricing for each domain without a free voucher appears next to each option and depends on the type of domain extension, local currency and local tax laws. Afterward, you can extend your domain subscription for up to five years (for .com, .net and .org; most other extensions can be renewed for up to three years), with significant discounts applied for each additional year. Key features: Integrated WHOIS lookup and protection 24/7 customer support Free domain name for a year with premium plan Wix supports over 400 domain name extensions, some of the most popular include: .com domain, .de domain, .xyz domain, .co domain , .ch domain, .be domain, .store domain, .info domain, .tv domain, .tech domain, .company domain, .digital domain, .ca domain, .fr domain, .nl domain, .email domain, .gifts domain, .group domain, .live domain, .me domain, .media domain, .net domain, .today domain, .top domain, .org domain, .icu domain Learn more: What is a domain name registrar? How to choose a domain name registrar Is Wix a domain registrar? Can you buy a domain name forever? 02. Name.com Best for: Small businesses and solopreneurs Name.com helps you find domains that get you found. Launch your business online, all with tools that make every step simple. You can build a cohesive and memorable brand, drive qualified traffic to your site, and create a secure, stable foundation for your business. Name.com’s platform is designed with solopreneurs and small teams in mind. You can find a short, memorable name that catches eyes and wins customers, develop your brand with trusted products like Wix and Google Workspace, and enjoy peace of mind as your business grows. Key Features: On-trend, memorable domains Best-in-class add-on products and services like Google Workspace and Wix Great customer support–Trust Pilot 4.3 rating Learn more: Web host vs domain registrar Domain name management How much does a domain name cost How to choose a domain registrar 03. Domain.com Best for: Straightforward use, long-term registration Domain.com is the best domain registrar choice for those looking to register a domain name for several years and who don’t require web hosting. The beginner-friendly platform offers the most popular top-level domain extensions as well as numerous country code top-level domains, all of which can be purchased for up to five years. This registrar provides a wide array of domain management tools, including bulk registration, transfers, live chat support and DNS management, among other additional services. Pricing for a .com extension starts at $9.99/year, but you’ll need to pay an additional $8.99/year if you want to add WHOIS protection. The registration process is noticeably fast, taking just a couple of minutes overall. Key features: Fast, beginner-friendly registration process Multi-year domain name purchase Complete DNS control 04. Namecheap Best for: Cheap domain registration As you might have guessed by its name, Namecheap stands out as one of the best domain registrar choices in terms of domain name cost. The platform provides a streamlined process that allows searching for individual domains or batches of up to 50. Furthermore, you’ll be able to see the WHOIS record of unavailable domains and make a bid for them through the site via DomainAgents. In spite of this lower pricing, with .com domains starting at just $8.88/year, Namecheap’s service holds strong against other domain name providers. All registrations include WHOIS protection, a user-friendly management system and an account panel. Additionally, the platform offers a handful of upsells such as G Suite integration, customizable email and web hosting. Key features: Low-cost domain name registration Free WHOIS privacy Live chat support Learn more: How to secure a domain name What is domain privacy? What is domain protection? 05. Bluehost Best for: Pairing with web hosting As one of the leading web hosting platforms, Bluehost offers domain registrar services in order to allow website owners to manage all of their site’s elements within a single platform. This makes it an especially attractive choice for new site managers, as well as those who are not planning to buy additional domains over time. This domain name provider offers hundreds of domain extensions, with pricing for .com domains starting at $12.99/year, and WHOIS privacy protection costing an additional $11.88/year. All domains can be registered for free in the first year when registering for one of Bluehosts’ web hosting plans. The platform includes access to a complete DNS control panel, domain locking, auto-renewal options and 24/7 customer support. Key features: Domain locking High-value hosting pairing deal Intuitive domain management platform It's common to ask can I buy a domain name permanently? We explain why that isn't an option and how to use a domain long term. 06. NameSilo Best for: Affordable pricing and free extras NameSilo offers a simple and straightforward platform, making it a great choice for those looking for affordable domain registration without hidden fees. This is a top option for anyone seeking budget-friendly pricing with valuable free perks. Every domain purchased through NameSilo includes free WHOIS privacy, domain management tools and email forwarding. NameSilo’s pricing is competitive, with .com domains starting at $17.29/year. You can also register multiple domains at once and take advantage of bulk discounts. Another benefit is that NameSilo supports customers worldwide, with no restrictions based on billing address. Key features: Free WHOIS privacy protection Transparent pricing Bulk discounts for multiple domains 07. HostGator Best for: Old-school domain extensions Primarily known for its web hosting services, HostGator also offers a substantial selection of domain extensions and management tools as part of its one-stop shop for website owners. This includes a powerful DNS management dashboard, web hosting bundles and optional WHOIS privacy protection for an additional fee. Unlike other domain registrars on this list, HostGator focuses on 15 of the most traditional TLDs, such as .org .com and .net. With this in mind, you’ll need to search elsewhere if you’re looking for more out-of-the-box domain extensions. In terms of pricing, the registrar offers significant discounts when pairing a new domain with a web hosting plan: a .com domain starts at $12.95/year without hosting and costs as little as $2.99/year with a web hosting plan. Key features: Domain locking One-stop shop for website owners 24/7 live chat and phone support What is a domain registrar? A domain registrar helps you register and manage your website’s unique address like www.wix.com. They connect you to the organizations that manage domain extensions like .com or .org and handle reserving your name. Registrars also make it easy to renew your domain, update contact information and connect it to your website or email. Choosing a reliable registrar keeps your domain secure and in your control. How to choose a domain name registrar When it comes to choosing the best domain registrar, you need to understand the main differences that set them apart. Now that we looked at the best domain registrar options of 2026 and their offerings, let's take a look at the main features you should keep an eye on: “Investing $250 a year in ShipTheDeal.com was worth every penny since it perfectly matches our brand and instantly tells visitors what we do. After trying cheaper alternatives with hyphens and longer names that confused customers, I realized a clean, memorable domain actually saves money in marketing and builds more trust with shoppers.” — Cyrus Partow, CEO of ShipTheDeal Price: Each domain name registrar offers different prices depending on several factors, such as type of extension and registration duration. Hidden fees: Many domain registrars offer aggressive pricing for first-time registrations that result in a much more expensive option upon renewal. Domain privacy (Whois protection): Some platforms include privacy protection for free while others charge extra. Protect your personal information with a registrar that offers domain privacy, like Wix. Ease of use: Look for a user-friendly interface that makes managing your domains, DNS and settings simple especially if you’re a beginner. Add-ons and features: Check what additional products and services the domain registrar offers and pay attention to whether they’re trying to upsell you without your knowledge. Bundling options: Purchasing a web hosting plan and a domain name from the same vendor will allow you to manage everything within a single platform, and likely result in a significantly lower cost. Security: Ensure the registrar has robust domain security measures including domain locking, SSL/HTTPS support and protection against attacks like domain hijacking, DNS spoofing, DDoS attacks, typosquatting, domain squatting and malware distribution. Customer support: For your peace of mind, aim for a platform that offers live customer support 24/7. Expiration grace periods: Renewing your domain within the grace period after expiration ensures you don’t lose it, protecting your traffic and brand authority while keeping your online presence secure. ICANN accreditation: Domain registrars are accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), which is the nonprofit organization that oversees the global Domain Name System (DNS). Choose an ICANN-accredited registrar to ensure they meet industry standards and operate reliably. Management tools: You need simple, reliable tools for DNS and settings to keep your site running smoothly. Transfer policies: Check how easy it is to transfer your domain to another registrar if needed. Some registrars have restrictive or costly transfer policies. Domain locking: Look for registrars that offer domain locking to prevent unauthorized transfers or changes to your domain. Reputation and reviews: Research the registrar's reputation and read user reviews to ensure they have a history of reliability and good customer service. “Certain domain registrars offer packages with added security (like WHOIS privacy protection), premium DNS services, SSL certificates or website-building tools. While these extras can increase the annual cost, they offer value in terms of convenience, security and performance.” — Kumar Abhinav, senior link building analyst at Mavlers Choose a domain registrar that's clear on pricing, easy to manage and secure by default. Check renewal costs, domain privacy and ownership controls before you buy. If you need hosting or business email too, using one provider can simplify domain name registration and ongoing management. Or ask yourself these questions: What is your budget? Think beyond the first year. Renewal costs can add up, so make sure you understand the long-term pricing to avoid unexpected surprises. Do you need other services? If you’re also looking for web hosting or a website builder, consider whether it’s easier to manage everything in one place. Bundling services can streamline setup and ongoing management. How important is privacy? Protecting your personal information is key. Look for registrars that include WHOIS privacy protection at no extra cost so your contact details stay safe. How much support will you need? Beginners often benefit from around-the-clock support. If you want guidance at any hour, check that the registrar offers 24/7 assistance through channels you’re comfortable with. What is the registrar’s reputation? Reliability, security and customer service matter. Before making a decision, review feedback from other users to ensure the registrar has a strong track record. Learn more: What is a domain name Website infrastructure Key features to compare to choose the best place to buy a domain name Factor What to consider Price Look at the first-year price and renewal costs, as these can vary depending on the domain and registrar. Domain privacy (Whois guard) Make sure the registrar offers privacy protection to keep your personal information safe. Ease of use Choose a user-friendly interface, especially if you’re new to managing domains. Features Consider whether you need a website builder, hosting, email or developer tools alongside your domain. Customer support Reliable support is key if you run into any issues or need guidance. How much does a domain name cost? Domain prices depend on the extension, popularity and registrar. Most new domains with common extensions like .com or .net cost $10–$20 per year, while premium names can sell for millions. For example, cars.com sold for $872 million and insurance.com sold for $38.5 million. Renewal fees are usually higher than the first registration. You can save on domain pricing by choosing a less popular extension, registering for multiple years or taking advantage of promotions. Some web hosts and registrars also offer free domains for hosting plans, students or non-profits. For premium domains, a domain broker can help, though most businesses can register what they need directly. Learn more: How to get a free domain name How to choose a domain name Choosing a domain name is a crucial step in establishing your online presence. A well-chosen domain name can enhance brand recognition, improve search engine rankings and attract visitors to your website. Expert tip from Einat Shafir, Product Manager: "While shorter domains can be easier to remember and type, it's not essential for your domain to be super short. What matters most is that your domain accurately represents your brand and is memorable." Here are some guidelines for selecting an effective domain name: Keep it memorable: Short, easy-to-spell names stick in people’s minds and reduce typos. Reflect your brand: Your domain should match your brand identity and appeal to your audience. Use relevant keywords: Include keywords naturally to help with search visibility, but avoid stuffing. Pick the right TLD: .com is the most recognized, but other extensions like .co can work if they fit your brand. Check availability: Use a domain name search tool to check if your desired domain name is available. If not, consider alternatives or explore other options with a domain name generator. Once you’ve picked a name, register it with a reputable registrar and set it up for your website. Your domain is your digital identity, so make it memorable and true to your brand. Learn more: What is a parked domain? I have a domain name, now what? What is a .com domain? What is a .net domain? Best domain name registrars FAQ What is the Domain Name System (DNS)? The Domain Name System (DNS) is a system that translates domain names into IP addresses. IP addresses are the unique addresses that computers use to communicate with each other on the internet. When you type a domain name into your web browser, the DNS system looks up the IP address for that domain name and then directs your browser to the correct website. How long does domain registration take? Domain registration usually takes a few minutes to complete. However, it can take up to 24 hours for the domain name to be fully propagated and available to the public. Do I need a domain for a website? Yes, you need a domain for a website. A domain name is the address of your website on the internet. Without a domain name, your website will not be accessible to the public. Does it matter which domain registrar I use? In most cases, it doesn't matter which domain registrar you use. However, there are some factors that you may want to consider, such as the price, the features offered and the customer service. What is WHOIS privacy and do I need it? WHOIS privacy hides your personal info from public WHOIS database and prevents spam and identity theft. It's highly recommended and helps maintain domain ownership rights. Wix offers free WHOIS privacy. Do all registrars offer the same TLDs (Top-Level Domains)? No, TLD offerings vary although most offer the common TLDs (.com, .net, .org). Some specialize in country-specific TLDs or new ones. Wix supports 80+ TLDs. Do registrars offer additional services like SSL certificates? Yes, many registrars offer additional services such as : SSL certificates Website builders Email hosting Domain privacy DNS management How secure are domain registrars? Domain registrar security varies by provider. And might include two-factor authentication, domain locking and secure payments. Wix uses industry-standard security measures to protect its users domains.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce→ Learning how to sell vintage clothing online starts with choosing your niche, sourcing quality stock and building an online store that reflects your brand's aesthetic. The secondhand fashion market is growing faster than traditional retail, making it one of the more accessible and low-cost ways to start an eCommerce business. Wix is an all-in-one eCommerce platform that supports physical products and specialized business models, all from a single backend. In this guide, we cover 11 steps to sell vintage clothing online, from researching your niche and sourcing inventory to building your store and marketing your products. TL;DR: how to sell vintage clothing online To sell vintage clothing online, you'll need to choose a niche, source and manage inventory, price competitively and build a store that reflects your brand. Wix supports high-performance eCommerce operations with AI product recommendations, automated discount logic, abandoned cart recovery and customizable checkout workflows. Stage Steps Focus Plan Research, niche, brand, funding What to sell, who to sell to and how to fund it Source Sourcing, storage, pricing Where to find stock, how to store and price it Sell Photography, store, shipping How to present and deliver your products Grow Marketing SEO, social media and customer retention Ready to launch your eCommerce business? With Wix eCommerce, you can build a professional online store that attracts customers, drives sales and grows your brand. Enjoy full customization, built-in SEO and powerful marketing tools, all in one platform. Start today and turn your vision into success. How to sell vintage clothing online Research vintage clothing business ideas Choose your business niche Build your brand Fund your vintage clothing business Source your vintage clothing Store and manage your inventory Set your pricing Photograph your vintage stock Build your vintage online store Set up your shipping and packaging Market your vintage store 01. Research vintage clothing business ideas Before beginning your eCommerce journey and exploring how to start a clothing business, take some time to research vintage clothing, brainstorm clothing business ideas and clarify your vision for your ideal online vintage store. Decide what you’re going to sell, why you want to sell it, and create a plan for your vintage business. What is vintage? The words “vintage,” “antique” and “retro” are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference. Let’s get some definitions out of the way: What is “vintage” clothing? Vintage” clothing is any garment between 20 and 100 years old. What is “antique” clothing? “Antique” clothing is any garment over 100 years old. These pieces are usually quite rare, delicate and may need specialist care and attention. What is “retro” clothing? Retro clothing is clothing produced today, or in the past 20 years, that consciously imitates vintage style. Why do people buy vintage? In this world of fast fashion, ubiquitous clothing trends and social media channels saturated with identikit shopping hauls, an increasing number of people are searching for ways to stand out from the crowd. Clothing is the ultimate way to express your personality without saying a word and, while it’s fun to experiment with fashion and embrace trends, many strive to be different. Vintage clothing is just that. It’s original, unique, and more often than not, it’s high quality and was made to last. Some pieces are in high demand because they represent a pivotal time in history: the mod miniskirts of the swinging ‘60s, the suede fringed jackets and psychedelic maxi dresses of the free-loving ‘70s, the flannel shirts and band tees of the ‘90s grunge era. There’s also an element of romance and intrigue in buying a vintage piece of clothing. It has a past and a story. Who was the person who originally wore the garment, and what was their life like? Aside from looking good, vintage appeals to shoppers who are looking to make more sustainable choices. We’ve come to understand the environmental impact of the fashion industry and are beginning to embrace sustainable alternatives, just as we’ve done with renewable energy, electric cars, and reusable coffee cups. Wearing vintage saves old clothing from the landfill, where many garments—particularly man-made fabrics—don’t break down. Learn more: eCommerce website examples eCommerce business ideas Business ideas 02. Choose your business niche You don’t need to choose a highly defined niche to be successful at selling vintage. You can sell a mix of styles from a range of decades and find a wide audience However, if you’re particularly passionate about a specific clothing style or era, consider taking a more focused approach with the following niches: A specific decade: If you have a passion and interest for a particular decade—the over-the-top glamour of the 1980s or the relaxed boho styles of the 1970s, for example—why not refine your focus. Use your knowledge to source great pieces and position yourself as a go-to online store for decade-specific clothing. Party dresses and occasion wear: If you’re drawn toward sequins, velvet or great tailoring, and you have little interest in casual clothing, consider specializing in the more glamorous side of vintage wear. You could even offer personalized online styling services for shoppers looking for style guidance ahead of a big event. Designer vintage with clothing rental options: Designer vintage clothing can often rise in value as it ages, making it a particularly lucrative business, providing you can source a regular supply of pieces. Your target audience will have a bigger budget, but you’ll also need to invest a lot of money to build up your inventory. Get more return on your investment by offering a clothing rental service, making designer vintage more accessible to all. Trend-led vintage: Fashion designs on today’s catwalks are frequently based on designs from decades gone by. Pay attention to the trends popping up at fashion shows, in the streets, and on social media, and source to meet that demand. Reworked and up cycled vintage clothing: Sellers in this niche frequently save vintage clothing and scraps from landfill. If you’re handy with a sewing machine and have creative ideas that’ll give tired vintage clothing a new lease on life, then this niche is for you. Casual and sportswear: The demand for casual clothing and sportswear is a trend that will endure, with many millennials now choosing vintage options over contemporary brands. Meet that need by sourcing fleeces, branded sweaters, t-shirts and jeans from vintage wholesalers around the world. Vintage by the kilo: Appeal to budget conscious shoppers by selling vintage clothing by weight rather than individual pricing. This way you’ll turn over low-cost stock quickly and your shoppers will get a bargain. Vintage bridal wear: Brides looking for a unique alternative to traditional wedding dresses will often seek out vintage styles. If you can handle the pressure of working in the wedding industry, then this might be the avenue for you. Being an excellent seamstress—or working with one—will give you an edge in this niche. Vintage jewelry and accessories: Selling accessories alongside clothing can be a great additional income stream for any vintage seller. Some sellers decide to focus solely on accessories, sourcing anything from handbags and shoes to Rolex watches and fine jewelry. Whichever accessories niche you choose, having in-depth knowledge within the field can give you a competitive edge. Dead stock vintage: On your sourcing journey, you might come across vintage garments—sometimes in bulk—that have never been worn and still have their original tags. Commonly known as dead stock, this is an appealing option for shoppers who want sustainable fashion options that haven’t been pre-worn. By the Moon Vintage, a Wix merchant, found its niche selling “premium romantic vintage.” Shoppers instantly get a feel for the store’s aesthetic from the font, the soft color palette of the home page, and of course the images—there are lots of natural fabrics, frills, lace and broderie anglaise shot in a beautiful warm light. In the blink of an eye, small details like these communicate exactly what we can expect from this store. 03. Build your clothing brand Once you’ve figured out the type of vintage you’re going to sell, you’ll need to find your target audience. Are they on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok? Start building your social presence and dedicate time to engage with a local and international community of vintage sellers and buyers. You could position yourself as a vintage expert, you could share insights into your personal collection, or share old-fashioned images that fit your vintage aesthetic. Once you’ve built up a following, use polls or Q&As to do some market research, offering a store gift voucher or discount for those who participate. Take some time to develop a brand ethos, clothing brand name and mission statement while starting your business. This can help guide your business in so many ways, from how you source stock to how you communicate with your customers. Why are you selling vintage clothing or accessories? Do you simply love the styles of a particular period? Do you hope to inspire others to embrace secondhand clothing? Or maybe you’re doing it purely for sustainability reasons. Why should shoppers choose your store? Think about your position in the market and what you want shoppers to gain from visiting your site and shopping with you. 04. Fund your vintage clothing business It’s entirely possible to start selling vintage on a very small budget. You can start by selling vintage clothing from your own wardrobe or someone else’s, reselling thrifted garments, or selling goods from a wholesale supplier with a low minimum order quantity. Having ready access to cash is preferable, so you’ll be able to source stock in bulk or buy a vintage bargain if one suddenly crosses your path. You’ll also need to set aside money for eCommerce business basics, like your online store, domain name, packaging, and any business licenses needed in your region. You can always bootstrap your business as it grows, reinvesting your money where it's needed as you make more sales, like buying more stock or renting a bigger studio space. If your savings aren’t enough for your business ambitions, look into getting a small business loan or acquiring an investor as a way to raise money for your business. Looking for a low cost investment clothing business option? Consider clothing dropshipping. 05. Source vintage clothing Sourcing vintage clothing is often shrouded in secrecy and something that successful vintage sellers keep firmly to themselves. Many sellers build relationships with suppliers in the hopes of getting first dibs when it comes to choosing stock. This tight-lipped tactic is understandable given the rapid growth in eCommerce, online marketplaces and resale shopping apps, and the fact we’re all so interconnected. Vintage sellers from around the world are also potentially your competition. While we can’t tell you exactly where to find the best vintage clothing in the world, we can give you a few pointers for sourcing it. Experiment with different sourcing methods and find out what’s best for your business. Here are some of the paths you can take: Thrift stores Thrifting is a practice that requires tons of patience. It also helps to have a good eye for vintage materials, styles, and labels, especially when searching through large volumes of clothing. While sourcing this way can be time-consuming, thrifting has plenty of benefits too: Low cost sourcing method Fast and easy way to build your inventory Hands-on approach (you can touch materials and check for damage) Finding items with high resale value Top tip: Do your research. Study vintage fashion trends and familiarize yourself with vintage brands and styles, so you’ll be able to distinguish vintage brands from contemporary or retro ones. Use online marketplaces like eBay, Wix eCommerce happens to have a native integration, or Etsy to familiarize yourself with vintage brand names. In the absence of a clearly identifiable vintage label, the material and cut can tell you so much. There are plenty of vintage fashion resources and forums online, too, if you need to delve a little deeper. Vintage wholesalers Many vintage sellers turn to wholesalers as a reliable way to source inventory, especially in large quantities. Vintage wholesalers have warehouses of vintage stock that have been processed, sorted and quality checked, so they’re ready for picking, packing and shipping. Here are some of the benefits of using a wholesale supplier: Access to wholesale pricing Access to a wide range of high quality vintage Source a large amount of stock quickly Great for businesses with a high stock turnover Opportunity to build beneficial business relationships A quick Google search for “vintage wholesalers” brings up almost 8 million search results. While it’s tempting to click on the first result on the first page and consider it a job well done, it’s best to dedicate some time to researching exactly what’s out there. What to look for in a vintage wholesaler: Positive reviews. What are other sellers saying about them? The option to buy in-person or via video handpick. Some wholesalers only sell bulk bales or choose garments on your behalf. A-grade stock. Do they sell other grades that may show signs of wear and damage? Premium branded clothing. Do they sell labels? Low minimum order quantity (MOQ). What’s the minimum threshold you’re required to spend? Product categories. Are you required to purchase from multiple categories? Location. How long will the shipment take, and will you have to incur customs charges importing stock? To retain full control over the quality and standard of your inventory, you’ll want to choose a vintage wholesaler with quality, A-grade stock that allows you to handpick garments—in person or over video call— to fit your store’s aesthetic. Buying bulk bales is more suited to stores selling by the pound or if you’re upcycling vintage garments in need of repair. Before booking a buying appointment, ask for their MOQ and see if it’s in line with your budget. Wholesalers have to ensure that their time spent with you isn’t time wasted, but many are happy to offer low MOQs to help startups get up and running. Be sure to check out their Ts and C’s too. Some wholesalers require you to commit to purchasing from multiple product categories, which might not suit your business model, for example, if you only specialize in party wear. Finally, it’s easy to overspend, especially if you visit a warehouse or buy through a video call and you keep finding garments you love, so set a budget and don’t get carried away. These are just some key considerations you’ll need to take into account, but ultimately your business model or niche will guide your choice of wholesaler. Top tip: Be aware of additional costs if your chosen wholesaler is overseas. Shipments crossing international borders can incur customs charges and taxes, which can vastly increase the cost of your shipment and impact your bottom line. eBay Sourcing via eBay is similar to thrifting—only virtually and potentially much more expensive. It requires time and patience, but once you understand how to use eBay well, you can make some amazing finds. Here are some reasons why eBay is a great place to find vintage. You can: Search and source very specific items Create alerts for specific items or brands Find vintage bargains Find rare or designer pieces Make offers or choose to bid via auction Reach out to the seller for more information or background story Once you’ve created an eBay account you can save items, make bids and create email alerts for product searches. eBay is a great resource for vintage sellers with a niche offering as you can use filters and keywords to narrow down your search by clothing style, decade or designer. Be prepared to scroll—a lot. Some people are unaware of the demand for the items they’re selling and might not include a brand name or era, so you’ll often need to scroll through product listings with a (metaphorical) fine toothed comb. But, you’ll be rewarded with vintage bargains. Top tip: If an auction is due to end late at night when you’re tucked up in bed, you have two options: 1. Set an alarm and get up to outbid the competition or 2. If you’re currently the winning bidder, add another bid entering the maximum you’re prepared to bid. That way, if bidding continues as you sleep, other bidders will be automatically outbid until it reaches your maximum bid. Additional ways to source vintage clothing: Estate sales In the U.S., estate sales are a popular way to source vintage clothing, jewelry or accessories. Some estates can be a veritable goldmine of vintage and draw visitors from far and wide. Be prepared to haggle if there’s something you really love. To learn about forthcoming estate sales in your areas, find estate sale auction houses that allow you to subscribe to their website for notifications. Auctions Auctions can be a great place to source rare or designer vintage items. Search online for auction houses running vintage clothing auctions and sign up for alerts. It’s worth noting that on top of your winning bid price you‘ll also have to pay a buyer’s fee and VAT so be sure to factor that into your budget. Flea markets Flea markets are an exciting place for vintage and antique fans and a prime place to source a vintage bargain. Some markets are famously large, with thousands of vendors. Vintage sellers with bigger budgets will often travel cross county and even overseas to visit these famous fleas. If this treasure hunt-like approach appeals to you, do the math to see if you can still make a profit once you factor in the cost of your buying trip. Collectors or family members Once you’ve built up a reputation as a vintage seller, you’ll find that people will approach you if they have vintage items to sell. They could be private collectors, someone in charge of handling an estate, or friends and family clearing out their wardrobes. Some sellers advertise that they buy or consign vintage items from the public. You could buy an item upfront and resell at a higher price point or consign an item, so that you only pay the item’s owner if the product sells. 06. Store and manage your inventory Vintage clothing needs to be handled with care. While some vintage items are delicate by their very nature, others become more delicate with age. To sell vintage clothes at their best, you should endeavor to clean and repair each item, so it’s free from smells, stains, visible damage and ready to wear. Here are some tips for cleaning vintage clothing: Check the care label. This should give you guidance on the best way to launder your clothes. If in doubt, take the fabric type into consideration and make an educated guess. Obey the rules. If something says dry-clean only or hand wash only, it’s best to do just that. Many vintage sellers have rendered something unsellable by trying to cut corners. Handwashing is your friend. Use soap flakes or a gentle detergent to wash the garment and rinse well. Research fabrics and cleaning methods. YouTube and Google are great resources if you’re prepared to tackle stains or age-related discoloration yourself. Use your bath. Baths are a great way to soak a large stained garment and give it the space it needs. Don’t be alarmed if the bathwater turns gray or black with dirt. It happens. Invest in a steamer. Steamers are a quick and easy wash to freshen up a delicate garment and remove wrinkles. Inspect each item thoroughly. Hold it up to the light and look for rips or moth holes—anything that might diminish its value. Check seams, zips, hemlines and buttons to find anything in need of repair. Use a specialist service. If the garment is particularly delicate or antique, consider getting it specially dry-cleaned. If it requires repairs, find a good tailor who you can work with regularly. Remember to incorporate these costs into the item’s retail price. Practice your sewing skills. Ideally, you don’t want to outsource every small repair. Buy a sewing kit or sewing machine and learn to master the basics. Tips for inventory management and clothing storage As you build your inventory, your house, garage, or studio space can quickly start to feel chaotic. Managing inventory is vital to staying organized as your vintage business grows. Use a spreadsheet to keep track of your stock and unit costs Record and label the size, material, brand name and measurements for each garment Manage inventory using your website’s dashboard tool Sort products on your website by categories and collections Make space for your stock and invest in storage if needed Store garments in a temperature controlled environment, away from direct sunlight, to protect clothes from damage Separate clothing by category and arrange by size or color for easy identification Hang garments using padded hangers to avoid damage, rusting or tears Use well labelled shelving or clear damp-proof containers for foldable items Use acid free tissue paper to protect delicate garments like beaded or sequined clothing 07. Set your pricing In a traditional retail model you would carry out a break even analysis taking all of your costs into account and use it to price your products. But when it comes to vintage many factors can influence the final cost. Before you set your prices, think of your target audience, their demographics, and what they’re willing to pay. Other factors to take into account include the garment’s rarity, age, brand name and current market value. Some vintage items are incredibly sought after, so it pays to use Google and other online marketplaces to research the going rate for pieces like yours. Whether your online store appeals to budget-conscious millennials or affluent forty somethings, you’ll build up a loyal following of regular shoppers if you can keep your garments within a consistent price range. 08. Photograph your vintage stock Regular online shoppers know that product photography can make or break their purchase decision. We need closeups, we want to know how something moves, and when it comes to clothing, ideally we want to see what it looks like on a real human being. Even if you only shoot flatlays or on a mannequin, you’ll win a browser’s trust by sharing detailed images so they know exactly what to expect from that old and preworn garment. Great photography can set you apart as a vintage seller, especially on social media where it’s all about aesthetics. You can take a creative approach, experimenting with colorful backgrounds and interesting locations or keep it clean and simple. Do what fits your store’s ethos. Photography can often be one of the most time-consuming parts of being a vintage seller—you need to style clothing, take garments on and off, find good lighting, nail the right poses, get multiple shots of different angles, edit and resize—so you have to embrace the process or hire someone who’ll do it for you. What you need to get started: Smartphone with high-resolution camera Or a DSLR camera Tripod Bluetooth remote control camera shutter Simple lighting kit Seamless photo studio backdrop Photo-editing app Top tips for photographing vintage clothing Decide on your photography’s look and feel: Are you going to shoot on a model, a mannequin or on a hanger? Will you use a plain backdrop, your back garden or a special location like a busy street or vibrant mural. Do you want serious fashion imagery that emulates brands like Zara or H&M, or do you want to use fun and quirky photography? Great photography doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s all about the product. Plan your photoshoots: Pick the items you want to shoot and set aside the clothes and accessories you’ll need to complete each look. If shooting on location, you’ll have to be more prepared than if shooting at home or in your studio. It’s always best to shoot in batches—that way you can get a large amount of inventory done at once. Ahead of shoot day, ensure your items are clean, steamed and ready to go. If using a model or outsourcing photography, you’ll need to be comfortable creating briefs and giving directions, so everyone else has a clear picture of what you want. No budget, no problem: You can still take great photos—and film quality videos—as long as you have a smartphone that shoots in high resolution. If you’re shooting alone, selfie mode and a self-timer will be your best friend. If you can’t afford a tripod, get creative and find things to balance your phone on. (Masking tape it to the wall if you must.) And if you don’t have a lighting kit, shoot outside in daylight and use nature as your backdrop. Set up your studio: Whether you’re shooting in a large studio or a small corner of your bedroom, set up a space for your photoshoot. Position your tripod, use studio lighting if natural lighting isn’t available, get your background on point and line up the items to be photographed. Use apps and gadgets: If shooting on a DSLR camera, you can probably install an app that connects your phone to your camera. This is a great way to control the camera shutter if shooting alone. You can also use these apps to view images without having to look at the camera and instantly sync the ones you like to your phone memory. Use editing apps to crop and filter images, but, go easy. As tempting as it can be to turn up that warmth or highlight filter, you still want to accurately represent the product for sale. If you plan to shoot solo, use a remote-controlled camera shutter to make the process easier. This handy gadget syncs to your phone or camera shutter via Bluetooth and fits nicely in the palm of your hand, so it won’t ruin your shots. Use video to show movement: Is that leather jacket shiny or matte? Does that skirt swish or stay rigid? Your photography might grab a browser’s attention, but showing how a garment moves on a real person, can help seal the deal. Get those angles: What does the front, back, arm and collar of that jacket look like? Shoppers want to see every angle, so they can envision how it’ll be on them. Show the flaws: The majority of people buying vintage expect to see signs of wear. In order to become a trusted seller, be open about these imperfections. If there’s a stain that just won’t come out, a broken button, or a small pull in a wool jumper, take a photo so buyers know what to expect. Shoot the label: Vintage shoppers love a good label with the brand's logo and place of manufacture on it. It might even seal the deal on that sale. Sharing labels can also help when it comes to knowledge sharing in the vintage community. 09. Build your vintage online store Here comes the fun part: building an online store that represents the vintage vibe you want to portray. To make life easier, choose an all-in-one platform like Wix eCommerce that comes equipped with all the tools and features you need to start, run and grow a successful business. Design your storefront Just as you’d choose a style to set the tone when decorating a brick-and-mortar store, you should do the same with your online store. Consider your target audience and what they’ll want to see and experience as they shop. Will they enjoy colorful pages and quirky fonts, or calming neutral tones and clean lines? What will best showcase your store’s personality and products, and give users the best browsing experience? Choose a designer-made fashion and clothing template to suit your style, customize it to make it your own and optimize for mobile shoppers. Feeling creative? Build your own store from scratch without a template. Or if you’d rather leave things to a professional, hire a designer to build one for you. Use a resource like Wix Marketplace to connect you with a Partner. You can even use a logo maker to build a logo in minutes. Even better, use an industry-specific one—in this case, a clothing logo maker—to give you inspiration and create the logo that represents your brand. Choose a business name Naming your business is a big deal. This is the name you’ll see everywhere—on your logo, packaging, website domain, social. It’s the name you’ll say and hear people say time and time again, so ideally you’ll want to choose a name you’re proud of. Some people have a name for their business before they've even formed a solid idea, but if that's not you there are plenty of ways to find a great name. Research people, song lyrics and pop culture from decades gone by to inspire you, have a brainstorming session with friends and family, or use the Wix business name generator. Before making the final decision, check if the domain name is available—Wix allows you to register a domain name with a Premium plan—and search on Google and social media to assess the uniqueness of your chosen name. Build your inventory Use your site editor to create product pages for each clothing category and add filter options, so shoppers can easily narrow down their search. Add products to your online store via your dashboard. You can do this one by one or use a Wix CSV template to import multiple products at once. Use detailed descriptions and at least 3-5 clear images, organize products by collection, and track your inventory as it’s likely you’ll only have one of each product. You can use the Wix app to quickly upload product images from your phone or import photos via Google, Facebook, Instagram, and many more options. Tell your story Build a connection with your followers with an “About Me” or “About Us” page that tells the story of your business and how it came to be. Share information on the styles you sell and why you’re so passionate about vintage. Write product descriptions You don’t need to channel Shakespeare to write a great product description. While a bit of personality is good, the main thing is to provide as much detail as possible to reduce the chance of returns or unnecessary customer queries: Describe the garment in terms of color, style, decade, and material Include measurements and sizing details (vintage sizing is smaller than modern sizing, so adding bust, waist and hip measurements in centimeters or inches will give online buyers a more accurate size guide) Research the brand or label and mention why it’s desirable Consider rating the quality and condition of your garment Add care details and instructions Mention any damage or age related flaws Consider SEO keywords that will boost organic traffic Create an FAQ page Preempt customer queries by adding an FAQ page to your online store. Provide answers to common questions people have when buying vintage and secondhand clothing. Due to the sizing differences between vintage and modern clothing, you might also want to provide a sizing guide to help shoppers take their measurements. Create your shipping and return policy Will you accept returns and if so, what are the criteria? How will you deal with unhappy customers? Will you ship overseas? Look at other similar vintage sellers to see how they operate and weigh up what’s best for your business. Shoppers can be put off by stores who don't accept returns. However, if you decide to have one, you need to ensure it won’t have a negative impact on your profits, especially when starting out. Learn how to write your eCommerce return policy for your online store. Create a member’s area Build up your customer base and reward loyalty using an app like Wix Members Area. Make it enticing to become a store member by offering exclusive access to new collections and special discounts. Connect to a payment provider Start getting paid for all your hard work. Accept multiple payment methods from leading debit/credit card brands and online payment providers. If you’re selling high value items, add buy now pay later options to help shoppers spread the cost and make affordable payments over time. Go global The world is your oyster. If you plan to ship internationally, translate your store into other languages using an app like Wix Multilingual and add and set up a currency converter so that your customers around the world can view prices in their local currencies. Research international shipping costs and provide various options for overseas shoppers. Wix supports global and omnichannel eCommerce with multilingual storefronts, multi-currency payments, marketplace and social selling, mobile apps and integrated point-of-sale systems for online and offline sales. Add an additional sales channel Boost your sales by up to 21 percent by adding another marketplace that’s popular among vintage shoppers, like Etsy or eBay. Additional marketplace sales helps you reach a wider audience of shoppers who might not have found you organically. Learn more: How to sell on eBay Go live Is it time for the big reveal? Create excitement with a “Coming Soon” landing page and tease followers on social with glimpses of your stock and new online store. Once you go live and start selling, be consistent with adding new stock—be it daily, weekly or monthly, so loyal shoppers will always have a reason to come back to your store. Learn more: How to make money online How to create a website from scratch 10. Set up your shipping and packaging Once you sell a garment, you’ll need to package and ship it to your customer. Vintage shoppers, especially those who’ve chosen vintage for sustainable reasons, will be conscious of packaging waste, so keep packaging minimal and look for compostable or recyclable options. Why not go the extra mile and offer carbon offsets on each purchase? Shipping costs can often be a barrier to closing a sale. Offering free shipping is a great way to encourage sales. It can also increase your average order value (AOV) as shoppers are likely to spend more to reach a free shipping quota. In fact, Wix stores that offer free shipping have an 18% higher AOV. Understandably, free shipping isn't always an option for startup businesses on tight budgets. You can get around this by incorporating your shipping costs into your final product price, offering local pick up, or finding the best shipping provider to keep costs as low as possible. 11. Market your vintage store Once your online store is live, you just need shoppers to find it. Use the following tools to tell the world about your vintage business: SEO: Boost your store’s organic traffic and improve your search engine ranking by optimizing your website for SEO. Think of the keywords and search terms potential shoppers will be looking for and build your content around that. Social media: Connect your online store to your social media channels and post regularly. Devote your time and effort to the channels used by your audience. Try out each channel's various features, like Reels, IGTV and don’t be afraid to jump on a TikTok video trend. If you create something that’s a hit, you could reach hundreds of thousands of potential shoppers in a matter of minutes. Seek out potential influencers or vintage wearers you could collaborate with. If you have a Facebook Business Page you can add your store catalog and, once you get approved for shopping, sell products directly through your Facebook and Instagram. Email marketing: Use your online store’s integrated email marketing tools to boost traffic and increase sales. With the right email marketing tools, you'll be able to send out regular marketing campaigns and set up automations to thank customers or give them a nudge if they abandon their cart. Follow up with customers post purchase to see if they have any feedback. Live chat: Convert more sales by installing a live chat feature that helps you instantly respond to customer queries. Wix stores that offer live chat have 8-12 times higher revenue. Reward customer loyalty: Reward loyal shoppers and keep them coming back by sending discount codes to subscribers, running limited time flash sales and integrating with third party customer loyalty apps like Smile that allow members to accrue points. Learn more: How to sell furniture online Now that you know how to start an online store that sells vintage garments, build an online store with a fashion-focused template. How to sell vintage clothing online FAQ How do I start selling vintage clothing online? Start by choosing a niche, sourcing inventory through thrift stores, wholesalers or eBay, and building an online store that reflects your brand's aesthetic. Set competitive prices based on the garment's age, brand and condition, then market through social media and SEO to drive traffic. How much does it cost to start an online vintage clothing business? You can start with minimal investment by selling from your own wardrobe or sourcing from thrift stores. Core costs include your online store, domain name and packaging. As your business grows, you can reinvest profits into larger inventory orders or studio space. What vintage clothing sells best online? Categories with the strongest demand include casualwear and sportswear, designer vintage, party and occasion wear and accessories like handbags and jewelry. Items from recognizable decades or brands tend to command higher prices and sell faster.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce→ The best Amazon alternatives give sellers more control over branding, lower fees and access to niche audiences that Amazon doesn't always serve well. Diversifying beyond Amazon reduces over-reliance on a single channel and gives your business more flexibility as marketplace costs and competition continue to rise. Wix eCommerce supports omnichannel selling across marketplaces, social platforms and in-person sales from one platform. In this guide, we cover seven Amazon alternatives worth considering, from established marketplaces to owning your own online store. Wix supports merchants in managing complex product catalogs, optimizing conversion and scaling across multichannel sales. Learn more: How much does it cost to sell on Amazon 7 Amazon alternatives to consider Wix for eCommerce eBay Walmart Marketplace Target Plus Etsy Bonanza Newegg 01. Wix for eCommerce It’s not uncommon for merchants to look outside of Amazon seeking a channel that gives them more control and ownership over the customer experience. An online store gives you just that. By launching your own online store, you can freely list as many products as you want, set the terms and conditions for running your business, and design your store exactly as you envision it to be. Moreover, you can regain ownership over your customer data—a crucial ingredient for personalizing ads or other marketing efforts that build customer loyalty. Of course, when it comes to building your online store, we’re partial to Wix for eCommerce. Wix makes it simple for you to launch your storefront, letting you choose the look, feel, and branding of your business and your products—no coding knowledge required. Wix integrates eCommerce stores with Amazon, eBay and Google marketplaces, making it easy to manage all your sales channels from one place. Read Also: How to start a business, How to sell products on Wix? Wix also offers baked-in tools for multichannel inventory management, dropshipping, marketing automation, and more. Wix is compatible with hundreds of other third-party apps, letting you create an experience that’s entirely your own. Explore all of Wix’s eCommerce features. Price: Business and eCommerce plans beginning at $27/month, plus processing fees when you use Wix Payments Best for: Owners of any size eCommerce company who want more control over the user experience, branding, and customer data Pros: 100% control over your branding, marketing, and customer analytics 500+ mobile-responsive and ready-made store templates Streamlined inventory management, catalog management, and payments Marketing and automation tools to help you reach your customers Multichannel and global expansion features (including direct integrations with Amazon, eBay, and others) Free 14-day trial Cons: You will need a paid subscription to unlock certain eCommerce features 02. eBay With 159 million active users, eBay is the second most popular online marketplace in the U.S. behind Amazon. Over the years, it has shed its skin as a virtual auction house (88% of items on eBay are now fixed “buy it now” prices) and has attracted brands like Bose, KitchenAid, and Dyson that sell new or refurbished items directly on the platform. Today, eBay offers products in dozens of categories, including car parts, electronics, and apparel. Because it has roughly half the number of active users as Amazon, eBay offers greater visibility for merchants on its marketplace. Read more: How to sell on eBay Relative to Amazon, eBay arguably offers much more flexibility in how you showcase your products. You can customize your listings for each product, and tailor your shipping and return policies as needed. (By contrast, on Amazon, you’re forced to compete for the buy box on any product that’s sold by other resellers, and must often conform to Amazon’s FBA policies to remain competitive.) Price: Final value fees range from 12.9% to 15% on average, $0.35 insertion fees, and optional store subscriptions starting at $4.95/month Best for: Business owners seeking reach the ‘value seeker’ of ‘enthusiast buyer’—consumers who care more about the value and uniqueness of the product that they’re getting than convenience Pros: Millions of unique visitors each month Cheaper fees compared to Amazon, which may increase your profit margins Greater flexibility in how you price your products and manage your store More control over product listings, shipping, and return policies Ready-made integration with Wix for eCommerce Cons: Monthly subscription is required to open an eBay store Fees can increase after you exceed monthly insertion and final value fee thresholds Shoppers on eBay may be looking for a bargain 03. Walmart Marketplace While Amazon may have taken the internet by storm, Walmart remains the largest retailer in the world. But these days, the retailer is gunning hard for Amazon’s title by investing heavily in its online marketplace. Walmart Marketplace is growing in popularity among sellers for many valid reasons. For one, it links your brand with the biggest name in retail. For another, it features a very simple fee approach; you only get charged when you make a sale. (That said, recent reports have noted a drastic uptick in the number of products sold or fulfilled by Walmart, similar to FBA’s influence over product rankings.) And perhaps the most enticing perk: the marketplace is far less crowded, giving merchants a greater chance at getting seen by Walmart’s loyal shoppers. Price: Referral fees range from 8% to 15% on average, and optional Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) Best for: eCommerce business owners who already have an online store or sell on another channel and want to expand their brand’s profile Pros: Millions of unique visitors each month Simple fee approach (no monthly subscription or listing fees required) Association with Walmart’s massive brand, which could have a halo effect on your products End-to-end fulfillment services via WFS Less competition, partially due to Walmart’s desire to enforce quality over quantity Cons: Walmart Marketplace customers may be price-sensitive Newer, less mature seller platform than Amazon’s 04. Target Plus One of Walmart’s biggest brick-and-mortar competitors is starting to make headway with an online marketplace all its own. Launched in 2019, Target Plus is currently invitation-only, though it plans to accept partner applications in the future. Right now, about 450 third-party sellers are active on Target Plus, and only about a dozen are asked to join every month. So, while there’s no easy way to throw your hat in the ring, it’s still worth noting that in general, the brand is looking to add companies with an established online presence, high-quality products, and exceptional customer service. If you do get approached, Target Plus offers the opportunity to sell across a wide range of product categories, including beauty, toys, home decor, and grocery. Similar to Walmart Marketplace, Target Plus only charges you when someone makes a purchase. The brand also favors merchants who ship their products to their customers promptly. Price: Referral fees range from 5% to 15% on average Best for: Experienced eCommerce brands with a proven track record of excellence Pros: Strong connection with a beloved brand that earns more than 224 million monthly visits to its website Simple fee approach (no monthly subscription or listing fees required) With fewer than 500 third-party merchants on board, your products have an excellent chance of standing out Cons: It’s exclusive—you must be invited to sell on the marketplace No fulfillment program—it’s up to you to store and ship your products to your customers 05. Etsy Niche marketplaces come with a built-in advantage. If you sell in a category that they specialize in, you can tap into an audience that’s already interested in your product. And when it comes to niche marketplaces, Etsy sits near the top. With spectacular growth over the past three years, Etsy now flaunts 96.3 million active buyers, making it a great Amazon alternative for makers who create printable arts, crafts, or other unique goods. Etsy has differentiated itself as a community that supports small businesses, commits itself to sustainability goals, and supports independent creators. They’ve also invested heavily in online and offline marketing, helping to expand the potential audience for its creators’ products. Learn more about how to sell on Etsy. Price: $0.20 listing fee, 6.5% transaction fee, and optional Etsy Plus subscription of $10/month Best for: Small-to-midsize eCommerce sellers who specialize in vintage, unique, handmade, or custom products and gifts Pros: Niche audience interested in finding unique or handcrafted items An easy starter channel for new entrants into the eCommerce space Shoppers and creators alike know the Etsy name and trust the platform Competitive pricing (although Etsy took some lumps for raising its seller fees recently, its 6.5% commission is less than those of larger marketplaces) Cons: Rising competition, with some makers reporting that it’s harder to stand out on Etsy now as the number of sellers continues to increase You will need to offer free shipping on U.S. orders for your products to rank high in search results 06. Bonanza Bonanza has emerged as a small but mighty marketplace, at least in the eyes of eCommerce sellers. Bonanza has about 40,000 active sellers, many of whom are drawn to its community-oriented format. The company boasts that it’s EcommerceBytes’ Sellers Choice for most recommended marketplace, thanks to its ease of use, support, and large affiliate network. Having built its reputation on offering bespoke products, Bonanza’s tagline is “everything but the ordinary.” But today, the marketplace features multiple categories, including home, beauty, collectibles, jewelry, and handbags. One of Bonanza’s strongest selling points among sellers is that it offers super-cheap fees. You only get charged when you sell a product, and that fee (called a “final value fee”) is just 3.5% for products sold under $1,000—far less of a cut than fees charged by Amazon and other third-party marketplaces. You can start by setting up a virtual “booth” on Bonanza for free. Alternatively, you can pay for a monthly membership fee to enjoy additional benefits, like advanced analytics, shipping labels, and a slight discount on transaction fees. Price: Final value fees of 3.5% + $0.25 for Bonanza Booth sales, and (optional) membership plans starting at $25/month Best for: Small-to-midsize eCommerce sellers looking to expand their multichannel selling strategies Pros: Low final value fees, allowing you to save roughly 50% in fees than on other marketplaces No required monthly subscription fee or listing fees Advertising options connected with Google Shopping and Bing Ads Free marketing and analytics tools to help you maximize your customer data Cons: Smaller audience, with a little more than 3 million people visiting Bonanza each month Less customization over your online “booth” compared to an online store Limited payment options (sellers must have a PayPal account) 07. Newegg Newegg made its name in the marketplace world as a leading destination for computer parts, laptops, and gaming systems. In recent years, Newegg has expanded its category assortment to include items like sporting goods, office supplies, and home security systems. Newegg currently has more than 13,000 active sellers. While Newegg’s audience is smaller than other marketplaces, averaging about 18 million website visits a month, its shoppers have a vested interest in all things tech. They trust Newegg as a place to find quality products at a competitive price. To sell on Newegg, you will have to complete an online questionnaire and receive approval. Price: Commission fees range from 8% to 12%, and optional monthly subscription starts at $29.95 Best for: Small-to-midsize eCommerce merchants that sell PC accessories and other tech products Pros: Niche audience with a strong interest in tech Curated, subscription-based marketing programs that let you purchase email, social media, online advertising, and video promotions Multichannel fulfillment service available with a subscription plan Cons: Limited features with free plan (to achieve maximum benefit on Newegg, you’ll need a Professional or Elite membership) Similar commission fees as larger marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart Marketplace There’s no denying that Amazon is a powerful sales channel, but if you’re looking to build a long-term, defensible brand, it’s wise to explore Amazon alternatives, too. You can also explore how to sell on Facebook Marketplace if you're still looking. Be selective in the channels you choose. Find ones that resonate with your target buyers, and start experimenting with ways to make your brand stand out. Alternatives to selling on Amazon FAQ What’s better than selling on Amazon? Running your own online store gives you full control—no high fees or sudden rule changes, just your brand your way. If you prefer marketplaces, niche platforms for handmade goods, vintage finds or specialty items usually have less competition and more loyal buyers. Is it still a good idea to sell on Amazon? Selling on Amazon is still a great option if you want access to millions of shoppers and a smooth fulfillment system. But high fees, intense competition and shifting policies can make it tricky. It works best when paired with other sales channels to avoid relying too much on one platform.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce→ Online marketplaces are platforms that connect sellers with large, established audiences across categories, regions and buying behaviors. For businesses that create an online store, adding a marketplace can increase revenue and reduce customer acquisition costs compared to running paid ads alone. Wix eCommerce supports omnichannel selling across marketplaces, social platforms and in-person sales from one platform. In this guide, we cover what online marketplaces are, why they matter and how to build a strategy that works for your business. Wix supports merchants in managing complex product catalogs, optimizing conversion and scaling across multichannel sales. Learn more: How to sell online Ready to launch your eCommerce business? With Wix eCommerce, you can build a professional online store that attracts customers, drives sales and grows your brand. Enjoy full customization, built-in SEO and powerful marketing tools, all in one platform. Start today and turn your vision into success. What are online marketplaces? Regardless of their format or revenue model, online marketplaces typically offer: A single platform used by multiple sellers. Web hosting, transaction processing, and maintenance of the overall website interface. Depending on the platform, fulfillment services may also be on offer for additional fees. While this definition covers the basics, these days the lines are blurring. Search engine shopping destinations, like Google Shopping, display products from multiple sellers like a marketplace—but traditionally shoppers linked back to retailer sites to learn more and buy. For a more in-depth look at multichannel retailing, check out our guide. Now Google is offering its own payment functionality, edging closer to a true marketplace. Similarly, social networks have long featured product listings linked to eCommerce websites in paid advertising—but Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube and even TikTok now support transactions within their environments, blending with marketplaces to create new social commerce platforms and experiences (see our guides on how to sell on Facebook Marketplace and how to sell on Youtube). Did you know? Wix makes it simple for growing businesses to sell anywhere: online, on social channels, marketplaces or in person. Stores can reach customers globally with automatic translations, multi-currency payments and automated tax calculations. Merchants can connect to major marketplaces like Amazon, eBay and Google, sell directly on TikTok and Instagram or even launch a branded mobile app for iOS and Android to engage shoppers on the go. For businesses with a physical presence, Wix integrates fully with point-of-sale systems, making it easy to manage both online and offline sales from one platform. Learn more: Amazon alternatives Why sell on an online marketplace? Marketplaces are potentially beneficial for your business because: People use online marketplaces. The convenience of conducting a single transaction for a wide selection of items from multiple sellers is appealing. The marketplace maintains the infrastructure. You get the use of an eCommerce site that has been developed and honed by someone else, enabling you to focus on your core business. Online marketplaces have international exposure. Many of the world’s most popular marketplaces serve audiences abroad, giving you a headache-free way to gain exposure across borders. While Amazon is strong in multiple regions, there are also regional players such as Mercado Libre in Latin America and Rakuten in Japan. Niche marketplaces attract targeted audiences. The explosion in online marketplaces means there are destinations for practically every type of niche interest, from high fashion to pet items to sustainable goods. If you find the right niche market, you can expose your products to many customers who are looking for what you have to sell. Leading online marketplaces While some of the best-known online selling sites are run by the biggest names in retail, others are unaffiliated with established brands. Among the top marketplace destinations. Amazon The majority of goods sold on Amazon are from marketplace sellers in a wide array of categories, from beauty to electronics. Amazon is both a seller and a platform—that is, items from third-party retailers are featured alongside products Amazon sells itself. Those who are interested in learning how to sell on Amazon can use Wix eCommerce’s native functionally to set up an Amazon shop. Walmart Marketplace Launched in 2009 (partially to compete with Amazon), Walmart’s marketplace now claims more than 100,000 sellers, helping fuel double-digit eCommerce growth for the retail giant since the pandemic. After their application is approved, marketplace sellers can offer goods alongside products that are sold in Walmart stores. eBay Originally known as an online auction site for individuals to sell their used goods, eBay is now a popular platform for brands, with the majority of items selling for a fixed price using the “Buy It Now” option. eBay boasts more than 152 million buyers, with roughly half based in the United States. Selling on eBay is included as a native sales channel within Wix eCommerce. Niche online marketplaces While the biggest online marketplaces offer robust platforms and mass audiences, it can be easy to get lost in the crowd—making more focused niche sites an attractive alternative. These destinations are popular with consumers, with 42% of them having bought from a niche marketplace in 2021. Among the top destinations: Etsy While Etsy sells a wide variety of merchandise—from 3D-printed knickknacks to colorful cloth face masks—the universal emphasis is on handcrafted items from small sellers. This gives it a niche appeal, despite having generated more than $330 million in quarterly sales at a scorching annual growth rate of 19%. Learn how to sell on Etsy. Wayfair Specializing in “home wares” from kitchen tools to bedding, Wayfair boasts more than 20 million customers and 12,000 suppliers. A careful seller selection process and thoughtful curation make Wayfair the top online destination for furniture in the United States. Newegg Since its launch in 2011, this tech-focused marketplace has grown to more than 40 million customers, who use the site to find electronics, entertainment media, games, and more. ASOS The British apparel retailer has expanded its offerings through a curated global marketplace featuring more than 800 independent designers and sellers of vintage items. It’s among the top fashion marketplaces in a crowded field. Online marketplace trends Marketplaces aren’t just beneficial because they introduce your brand to new audiences. They’re also important to retailers who want to stay agile in a constantly-shifting eCommerce environment. Here are some leading trends that dovetail with marketplace initiatives: More variety, more agility The top 100 marketplaces generated more than $2 trillion in sales in 2020—a number likely to get more marketplace operators to enter the fray. Sellers are already bullish, with 53% of brands saying that online marketplaces offer their best opportunity for growth. Marketplaces give merchants the ability to quickly realign with customers’ changing priorities, without significant overhead—a must-have heading into another year of uncertainty and changing conditions. Cryptocurrency and new payment methods soar In addition to credit cards and digital wallets, you should expect an increasing number of online marketplaces to allow payment in cryptocurrency, which is rising steeply in popularity. Paypal and other platforms already accept cryptocurrency, so if it’s a priority for your audience, partnering with a marketplace that enables payment in coins can help attract potential customers. Similarly, marketplaces may offer “buy now, pay later” and other payment options that might be cumbersome for you to offer individually. When it comes to resale, consumers want authentication Interest in buying resale goods is at an all-time high, with second-hand site thredUP estimating that purchases of second-hand goods will double by 2025. Marketplaces can help capitalize on this trend by providing an outlet for offering refurbished or returned merchandise at a discount, without eroding core brand pricing. At the same time, shoppers want their resale finds to be in good condition and authentic, requiring certification prior to resale. Online marketplaces have long grappled with issues surrounding counterfeiting, and newly minted standards can help bolster credibility. Selecting the right online marketplace strategy The options for selling on online marketplaces are nearly endless. But to maximize the benefits—both now and in the future—a sound marketplace strategy is a must. Here's a quick checklist to get you started. 01. Decide where you are going to sell Existing and potential customers can help focus your marketplace selections. You can also scout competitor marketplace listings to get an idea of popular destinations in your product category. 02. Understand the tradeoffs for each marketplace While marketplaces have much to offer, they bring their own challenges. Before formulating your product selection and pricing, be sure you understand: Popularity vs. competition. The biggest online marketplaces attract many shoppers, but they also have many sellers on the platform. This means you may not automatically achieve more visibility, and may even need to undertake added expenses like paid listings to win new business. Marketplace operator as ally vs. rival. Some online marketplaces not only stock items for sale, but they manufacture their own private-label goods, creating a potential conflict of interest with third-party sellers. Amazon has drawn criticism for copying marketplace best-sellers and offering the new products via private label. This makes owning and retaining your own eCommerce real estate, like a Wix online store, incredibly important. New revenue vs. new customers. Marketplace operators typically “own” the data of customers buying through their platforms—so while you may gain visibility and income, you may not have the opportunity to establish customer relationships. Base costs vs. add-ons. Marketplace fees vary for using the platform to list products: Amazon offers a monthly subscription option or a per-item fee charged up front, while Walmart charges a percentage of each sale. Other costs may accrue. Amazon’s algorithm prioritizes merchants using its fulfillment service, for example—meaning merchants must weigh those additional costs against the benefits of better visibility. 03. Pick products and set pricing With your true costs in hand, you can select which products you’ll sell and at what cost. Established best-sellers (products that align with popular categories) and unique gifts or sets are among the items to consider; the goal is to present offerings that are unique, without being so unusual as to be rarely searched and seen. 04. Create a rich product feed Each marketplace has its own parameters for how product images and text will be displayed. Carefully create your own product feed to take advantage of all the marketplace platform’s features. 05. Set and test your fulfillment process Larger marketplace platforms offer fulfillment services at an additional cost, which can be especially beneficial if your customers expect swifter delivery than you can manage independently. Fulfillment speed is often one of the criteria marketplace algorithms use to determine which listings earn more visibility, so be sure to test thoroughly whichever process you establish. 06. Ramp up customer service Most platforms monitor marketplace sellers’ response times to customer service questions and complaints, so give them prompt attention. 07. Execute, monitor and adjust Once you’ve launched your marketplace offerings, keep a close eye on sales, ad spending, and customer service, and use built-in reporting tools to track performance. Tweak product assortments, prices, or shipping options as needed—and always conduct a comprehensive review prior to big events, such as the peak holiday season. Read also: How to build a marketplace website

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce→ The best online selling sites give you access to buyers you wouldn't reach on your own, each with different audiences, fee structures and selling formats. Choosing the right platform can directly impact your margins, discoverability and long-term growth, so it's worth understanding what each one offers before committing. Wix Commerce supports omnichannel selling across marketplaces, social platforms and in-person sales, making it easy to sell online from one platform. In this guide, we break down 14 of the best online selling sites, covering costs, key features and which types of sellers each platform suits best. Wix supports merchants in managing complex product catalogs, optimizing conversion and scaling across multichannel sales. Build your online store with Wix and start selling today. Ready to launch your eCommerce business? With Wix eCommerce, you can build a professional online store that attracts customers, drives sales and grows your brand. Enjoy full customization, built-in SEO and powerful marketing tools, all in one platform. Start today and turn your vision into success. 14 best online selling websites While starting your own website offers the allure of personal touch and cutting out the middlemen, we get it: it might be a tad more effort than you're ready for right now. You might need time to learn how to make a website and which is the best eCommerce platform to sell your items on. Leaning towards using an established platform to sell products instead? We've curated a list of the best places to sell your stuff online, each with its unique strengths and audiences. Ruby lane Nextdoor Craigslist Facebook Marketplace Decluttr Poshmark Swappa Chairish Etsy Bonanza VarageSale eBay Amazon Wish 01. Ruby Lane: The go-to marketplace for vintage and antiques Ruby Lane is a go-to online marketplace for people passionate about antiques, vintage collectibles, fine art and jewelry. This platform has carved a niche by emphasizing high-end antiques and vintage treasures, connecting sellers to a community that values history and craftsmanship. Using Ruby Lane is simple thanks to its user-friendly interface, making listing items straightforward. It's more than just a place to make sales; it's a community where people share a love for the stories and value behind each piece. A big plus is that there are no initial listing fees, so sellers can dive right in without upfront costs. Key features of Ruby Lane A special spot on the web for antiques, vintage goods, collectibles and fine art No need to pay when you list, making it great for new sellers Set your own prices and even accept offers if you like Get your items noticed more with potential homepage features Fees Zero setup and listing fees $25 monthly maintenance fee (waived if you add 15 items or more each month) Service fee around 9.9% of sales (sales tax not included) Learn more: How to sell crafts online 02. Nextdoor: Connecting local communities for buying and selling Nextdoor connects you with neighbors—not strangers—turning local sales into quick and safe transactions. Just sign up, verify your address and you're ready to roll. But Nextdoor isn't just about sales. It's also your local bulletin for news, events and community discussions. In short, it turns your neighborhood into a tighter-knit community. Key features of Nextdoor Sell and chat with verified neighbors, ensuring a trustworthy community Keep up with local news, events and services Everyone's address is confirmed for a safer, more secure experience Fees Nextdoor is entirely free to use as long as you verify your address 03. Craigslist: The classic classifieds platform Craigslist has stood the test of time thanks to its simple design and local focus. It strips away any unnecessary bells and whistles, making it easy for users to list a variety of items without getting bogged down in complex features. But like Nextdoor, Craigslist isn't just a marketplace; it's a community hub. You're not lost in global listings, but rooted in local transactions. This makes it easier to sell items, especially the bulky ones where shipping is a hassle. Key features of Craigslist Straightforward and easy-to-use interface Wide-ranging categories for listings, accommodating everything from vintage goods to real estate Optional anonymous postings Facilitates direct buyer-seller interactions Fees Most listings are free, though certain categories or postings in specific cities may incur charges 04. Facebook Marketplace: Local buying and selling platform Outside of cat memes and your friends' latest updates, Facebook carved a new niche for itself for local sales. What makes Facebook Marketplace valuable is that it's a local community hub integrated directly into Facebook. This unique setup builds trust among buyers and sellers through mutual connections. It also lets Wix merchants connect to the platform through their online store via Wix's multichannel sales interface. You can read more in our guide on how to sell on Facebook Marketplace. Key features of Facebook Marketplace Smooth integration with Wix online stores, allowing you to expand your reach Diverse product listings with support for up to 10 photos plus a video, enhancing buyer engagement Direct buyer-seller communication via Facebook Messenger for swift negotiations and transactions Fees For those onboarded via Commerce Manager or other third-party platforms, Facebook charges a processing fee of 2.9% for card and Shop Pay transactions, and 3.49% for PayPal transactions 05. Decluttr: easy way to sell used tech and media Looking to turn your old tech gadgets, CDs, DVDs, games or books into cash without the fuss? Decluttr might be just what you need. Unlike other online selling sites, you don't have to deal with listings or haggling with buyers. Decluttr buys your items directly, making the process super simple and fast. It's a great fit for anyone who wants to sell things online quickly. Just scan the barcode and you're on your way to getting paid. Plus, if you're worried about wiping your personal data from your gadgets, Decluttr takes care of that for free, giving you one less thing to worry about. Key features of Decluttr No need to deal with buyers—Decluttr buys directly from you Quick price quotes with a simple barcode scan Specializes in tech and media items, so you know you're dealing with experts Free data deletion for your gadgets, keeping your private info safe Fees No fees to list or sell, since Decluttr is buying from you The price Decluttr offers includes their own profit, so you might get a bit less cash than selling directly to a buyer 06. Poshmark: a fashion and home goods marketplace Every second, a rubbish truck's worth of clothes is discarded. Poshmark offers a solution to this overwhelming waste by providing a platform for fashion enthusiasts to give their clothes a second life. For sellers who understand the value of each garment, Poshmark connects them with buyers eager to discover unique finds, be it everyday outfits or luxury brands. Key features of Poshmark User-friendly listing process, making it quick and easy to upload items right from your closet A focused marketplace for fashion, makeup and lifestyle products, connecting you with an audience that cares about style Social commerce at its finest, integrating features of social media to enhance buying and selling experiences (think selling on Instagram, etc.) Direct negotiations between buyers and sellers, adding a personal touch to transactions Fees $2.95 for sales under $15, and a 20% commission for sales $15 and up Zero cost to create a listing, so you can start selling without any upfront fees Optional fees may apply for certain payout methods or additional services 07. Swappa: trusted marketplace for used electronics In 2023, the average smartphone bids adieu in just 2.5 years, and many tech gadgets follow suit. If you bought your device a couple of years ago, studies suggest you're probably already on the hunt for its successor. Here's where Swappa steps in to extend the usability of aging gadgets. Catering specifically to tech enthusiasts, this platform ensures every device listed functions properly, no broken gadgets allowed. Key features of Swappa Dedicated to tech gadgets, ensuring a focused and knowledgeable buyer base Allows sellers to set their own prices, offering control over the sale process Strict policy against selling broken or non-functional devices, maintaining a high standard in the marketplace Fees No fees to create a listing Optional fee for a featured listing to get your items noticed faster A modest sale fee of 3%, plus standard PayPal transaction fees 08. Chairish: vintage and designer furniture marketplace Chairish is more of a select consignment store where buyers focus on top-notch furniture, home accessories and art, ensuring that every piece is carefully chosen. So, if you're an artist, have a penchant for vintage items, or have quality pieces to sell, Chairish is where you should be. It's frequented by interior designers and décor aficionados alike, all in search of that next unique find. Key features of Chairish A curated experience emphasizing high-quality, designer, and vintage home goods All listings are reviewed and approved to maintain a consistent standard of excellence Popular with professionals, providing high visibility for your items among a premium audience Fees Commission is on the following tier-based sliding scale: 20% for the first $2,500; 12% for sales between $2,501 and $25,000; and 3% for sales of $25,000 or more $99 monthly membership offers more perks and lower commissions 09. Etsy: handmade and vintage items marketplace In a world of mass production, finding a marketplace that champions the unique, the heartfelt and the handmade is a breath of fresh air. That's Etsy for you—it's a global community where artisans, craft lovers and vintage buffs find likeminded individuals. Now, you might wonder, "How much does it cost to sell on Etsy?" While there are fees involved, think of it as an investment for your labor of love. And for those who want to take their storefronts to the next level, Etsy offers select customization tools that reflect the personality behind the craft. Key features of Etsy A specialized platform for handmade items, vintage finds and craft supplies Shop customization tools, including social media integration and video listings Built-in analytics to track your shop's performance and customer engagement Fees A listing fee of $0.20 per item 6.5% of your listing price as a transaction fee on top of shipping and packaging Payment processing fees vary by country Etsy Plus subscription available at $10 per month for premium shop features 10. Bonanza: unique products eCommerce platform Looking for Etsy alternatives to sell unique or branded items? Bonanza is an online marketplace that offers "booth space" for you to sell your products online. To buyers, Bonanza is perhaps best known for its offering of unique, novelty items (true to its slogan, “Find everything but the ordinary”). Bonanza allows you to sync your listings with other marketplaces and ad platforms for a multichannel selling approach. The platform also offers marketing tools to help you build customer lists and send out targeted promotions. Bonanza is fairly user-friendly and has a helpful, dedicated customer service team. Key features of Bonanza Permanent listings ensuring your products are always available to customers A diverse range of product categories, accommodating various seller niches An intuitive, user-friendly platform for effortless shop setup and management Fees No listing fees A $0.25 transaction fee on all sales made from a Bonanza booth for sellers who do not have an active membership subscription A base fee of 3.5% on sold items, keeping costs down Final Offer Value fees include a percentage of the sale price plus a portion of shipping over $10 Optional fees for value-added services 11. VarageSale: safe local marketplace for used goods Users can sell and buy items on VarageSale from verified local individuals. The platform's stringent user verification and manual review processes significantly reduce the likelihood of scams, creating a safer marketplace for all. Plus, with user ratings available, you'll have a transparent view of the seller's history, helping you make more informed decisions. Key features of VarageSale A robust user identity verification process, enhancing the platform's trust and security Transparent user ratings, providing clear insights into sellers' history and reliability Secure in-app communication, facilitating direct interaction between buyers and sellers without compromising personal information Fees Absolutely no seller or transaction fees, making VarageSale a go-to platform for cost-conscious users 12. eBay: the ultimate online auction and shopping platform As one of the oldest e in the world, eBay is an eCommerce juggernaut with over 132 million buyers and 1.9 billion listings. Thinking about how to sell on eBay? It's simpler than you think. Whether you've got everyday items or those rare gems, eBay's unique auction and Buy It Now options give you flexibility. As a bonus, eBay also integrates seamlessly with your Wix online store, letting you set up and manage your listings from one convenient dashboard. And if you're wondering how much it costs to sell on eBay, their transparent fee structure lays it out for you. Key features of eBay A massive, diverse marketplace accommodating a wide range of products, from daily essentials to rare finds Multiple selling formats, including the signature auction-style and straightforward Buy It Now options Comprehensive seller tools such as integrated shipping, Seller Protection and Private Listing, all designed to enhance the selling experience A plethora of supported payment methods, facilitating convenient transactions for sellers and buyers alike eBay provides seller protection features to ensure a secure selling experience, something you might not find on all top marketplaces like Amazon Fees No insertion fees for up to 250 items per month Final value fees calculated as a percentage of the total amount of the sale, plus $0.30 per order under $10 or $0.40 per order over $10 A selection of optional store plans, ranging from $4.95 per month to $2,999.95 per month, tailored to meet the diverse needs of individual sellers and large enterprises 13. Amazon: the global eCommerce powerhouse Amazon is the undisputed giant of online retail (for now). The fact that 87% of all consumers are more likely to buy via this platform than other online marketplaces just shows how value goes into knowing how to sell on Amazon. When it comes to how much it costs to sell on Amazon, the biggest downside to selling on this platform are the relatively steep Amazon seller fees compared to other selling sites and marketplaces. If you're selling at a low volume, they'll charge $0.99 per item, but if you're planning to scale up your operations, you'll need to sign up to their professional selling plan at $39.99 per month. Sounds like a lot, but think of the audience, tools and the potential sales. It could very well be worth every penny. Key features of Amazon Integrates with Wix online stores to streamline multichannel sales management Broad spectrum of product categories, accommodating virtually any type of product Advanced selling tools, including Amazon Brand Registry and intelligent product recommendation systems Support for third-party selling tools and integrations, enhancing the seller experience Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, offering comprehensive logistical solutions including shipping, storage and customer service Fees Professional selling plan available at $39.99 per month, plus per-item selling fees, suitable for regular sellers Individual seller plan available that includes a fee of $0.99 per item sold, in addition to referral fees and variable closing fees Supplementary FBA fees applicable for sellers availing themselves of Amazon's fulfillment services. 14. Wish: affordable products straight from manufacturers Purchases made through mobile commerce, or "mCommerce," account for 60% of all eCommerce sales, and that's expected to grow in the coming years. If you want in on this growing industry, then you might want to consider adding Wish to your repertoire. Wish is a bustling online marketplace, pretty much up there as an alternative to Amazon. What sets it apart? Its clever use of data science, ensuring that shopping isn't just fun but also personalized for each user. When looking at how to sell on Wish, you'll see that it's currently invite-only for new merchants. This is something to keep in mind if you're brand new to the platform. Key features of Wish Integrates with Wix online stores for expedited access to the platform Utilizes data science to offer users a unique and tailored product feed for a personalized shopping experienceDiverse product ranges from electronics like smartwatches to home products such as sectional sofas Inclusion of hundreds of thousands of merchants from all over the world Renowned for offering products at highly competitive prices Fees Typically, 15% of the total order cost, inclusive of shipping Build your own online store Before we dive into our list of the best websites to sell stuff, ask yourself: Have you ever dreamt of having your own corner of the online market? It's more than just selling; it's about creating a unique space tailored just for you. Your rules, your design and no middlemen nibbling at your profits. Starting a business and creating an online store are not the complicated endeavors they once were. In fact, Wix’s robust eCommerce platform provides you with a full suite of tools to help you establish, create, manage and grow an online store. There are hundreds of customizable online store templates to choose from. You can also sell across multiple different sales channels, including mobile apps, physical point-of-sale (POS) systems, external eCommerce marketplaces and social media platforms. How to pick the best online selling site After diving deep into the vast world of online selling sites, you might be feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty. So many options, each with its unique offerings which can be a lot to digest. You may have shortlisted a few platforms that piqued your interest but making that final choice? That can be daunting so we've simplified how to choose the one that works best for you. Before you commit, consider the following key points to ensure your chosen platform aligns perfectly with your brand's vision and needs: Know your needs: Whether you're a solo artist or a growing enterprise, tailor your choice to your unique requirements. Reflect on the specific features and supports you desire. Be fee-savvy: Keep a close eye on the costs. Every platform has its fee structure; pick one that complements your financial strategy. Product compatibility: Your products deserve a platform that showcases them best. Ensure the platform you lean towards suits your range and style. For instance, if your focus is on eco-friendly products, you should make sure this is featured prominently as a selling point. Assess your involvement: How active do you wish to be in the day-to-day management? Opt for a platform that matches your desired level of involvement. Future-proof your choice: Think long-term. As your business evolves, so will your needs. Aim for a platform that is adaptive and growth-friendly. Consider independence: If total autonomy is what you seek, perhaps crafting your own online store is the route to take. This way, you define the rules and craft the narrative. Longevity matters: A good platform today should also be a trusted ally tomorrow. Consider its future potential and reliability before diving in. Best platforms for new sellers vs. experienced sellers Just starting out or already have some selling experience? New sellers often want simple tools and support to get going while experienced sellers might need more control and advanced features to scale. For beginners, platforms like Etsy and Poshmark are a great fit. Etsy makes it easy to set up shop with simple templates, quick product listings and a built-in audience looking for handmade or unique items. It’s creative and user-friendly—no tech skills needed. Poshmark is another great option for new sellers, especially in fashion. Its social media-style setup lets you connect with followers and share your products with a community of like-minded sellers. It’s fun, easy to use and perfect for building connections. For more experienced sellers, Amazon and eBay are solid options to grow your business. Amazon offers tools to manage large inventories and sell internationally. With features like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) handling shipping and detailed analytics to improve sales, it’s a reliable choice. eBay helps experienced sellers with bulk listing options, store customization and global shipping making it a great platform for scaling your business or reaching niche markets. Best platforms for local vs. global selling When deciding where to sell your products, think about if you want to target a local audience or reach buyers around the world. The right platform can connect you with the people who are most interested in what you offer. For local selling, platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are great for connecting with nearby buyers. Facebook Marketplace makes listing items simple and helps you tap into your local network since it’s built into Facebook. Selling locally also means you can skip shipping costs by meeting buyers in person. Craigslist is another solid option for selling items like furniture, electronics or vintage finds. It’s free to use and attracts a local audience looking for deals. If you’re ready to sell globally, platforms like eBay and Amazon can connect you with buyers worldwide. eBay offers international shipping options and Amazon's massive global customer base spans continents. Both provide tools to manage international orders and list your products in different currencies. For unique or handmade items, Etsy is another great option that supports international shipping so you can share your creations with customers around the world. How to sell online for free Looking for free selling sites? There are a few options to sell online without paying. Use free eCommerce platforms: Examples include Wix which has free plans to help you get started selling online. However some functionality may be limited without a paid plan. Social media platforms: Social media platforms are great for reaching potential customers without any initial investment. You can setup for free on Facebook Marketplace to sell, use Instagram Shopping and consider opening a Pinterest business account. Online marketplaces: Use established online marketplaces to access a large customer base to start selling for free. For example, on eBay you can list and sell a certain number of items each month while OfferUp allows you to list items for free in your local area. Blogging and content marketing: You can start a blog for free and from there drive traffic to your site, to sell courses or products.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce→ You can sell on YouTube by connecting your store to YouTube Shopping, running ads or creating organic content that drives viewers to your products. With two times higher purchase intent than other platforms, it's one of the most effective channels for turning viewers into buyers. Wix eCommerce lets merchants connect their online store to YouTube Shopping, tag products in videos and livestreams and add a store tab to their channel. In this guide, we walk through five steps to start selling on YouTube, from setting up your account to building a content strategy that converts. Wix supports merchants in managing complex product catalogs, optimizing conversion and scaling across multichannel sales. Learn more: Multichannel selling or best online selling sites Ready to launch your eCommerce business? With Wix eCommerce, you can build a professional online store that attracts customers, drives sales and grows your brand. Enjoy full customization, built-in SEO and powerful marketing tools, all in one platform. Start today and turn your vision into success. Why YouTube is integral to selling online When it comes to selling online, getting your product or service in front of a large audience is critical for success, especially if you're starting a business with little money. YouTube is a powerful marketing and sales tool thanks to people's love of video-based information and its hyper-personalized recommendations system, which helps your content reach the right buyers at the right time. Read also: How to start a business How to sell on YouTube in 5 steps Google is making it easier than ever for businesses to sell directly on YouTube, opening up new opportunities to reach customers. With features like shoppable ads and integrated product listings, businesses can showcase their products to millions of viewers. Here’s how you can get started and tap into this powerful platform: Set up your YouTube account Create a landing page or online store Study up on all the ways to sell on YouTube Plan your eCommerce content strategy Create high-quality videos 01. Set up your YouTube account Create a YouTube account. You'll need to create a Google account first, but if you already use Gmail or other Google app, then you're good to go. Your Google Account comes with a personal YouTube account. To open a Brand Account, click "Create a new channel" from your YouTube Account page and follow the setup prompts. Note: brand accounts can have multiple managers. 02. Create a landing page or online store You don’t necessarily need a website to start selling on YouTube because you can promote products that you offer on online marketplaces or are sold by another brand. However, a website can help you retain full visibility and control over your listings, as well as customer data. A website also serves as one place—free of distractions—where customers can explore everything your brand has to offer. Another perk: If you use a platform like Wix eCommerce, you can start an online store that's automatically integrated with YouTube. Wix is one of few website builders that support YouTube Shopping (more on this later) and gives you all the tools to create a professional-looking site. Learn more: How to make a website How to make a website to sell Can I sell products on Wix? Did you know? Wix combines ease of use with advanced eCommerce capabilities, including automated discount logic, AI-driven product recommendations, abandoned cart recovery, customizable checkout workflows and enterprise-grade infrastructure. 03. Study up on all the ways to sell on YouTube YouTube is a goldmine for promoting and selling your products, but the best approach really depends on what you’re selling and what you want to achieve. Let’s dive into several popular methods to get started. YouTube Shopping YouTube Shopping is a free, powerful tool intended to help brand owners and creators reach wider audiences. It lets you promote products directly within your content, whether as product tags (in videos, Shorts and live streams), product shelves, linked end screens, the "Store" tab of your channel—and more. That said, you need to meet certain criteria to quality for YouTube Shopping: You must be part of the YouTube Partner Program Have at least 1,000 subscribers on your channel Your channel is not set as Made for Kids and doesn't publish a large number of children-oriented content Your channel hasn't received any Hate Speech Community Guideline Strikes YouTube Shopping integrates with platforms like Wix, allowing you to easily connect your store and make your product listings visible to your audience. On Wix, simply add Google and YouTube as a sales channel. You can either connect an existing YouTube Shopping account to Wix or create one on the spot. Then, select the products you want to list on YouTube—and Wix will automatically send all of your product images and details to your channel. YouTube Ads Use YouTube Ads to promote your products directly to your target audience. These ads play before, during or after videos and can send viewers straight to your website or product page. YouTube offers a variety of ad formats, including: Skippable in-stream ads: These ads can be skipped after 5 seconds and play before, during, or after videos. They’re great for driving traffic or increasing brand awareness while giving viewers the option to continue watching their chosen content. Non-skippable in-stream ads: These ads must be watched in full (up to 15 seconds) and ensure your message reaches viewers completely. They’re ideal for making a strong, concise impact. Bumper ads: Short, six-second non-skippable ads designed for quick and memorable messages. Good for increasing brand recall. Masthead ads: Premium placement at the top of YouTube’s homepage for maximum visibility, often used for major campaigns. YouTube Shorts ads: Specifically designed for short-form content, these ads appear between YouTube Shorts, allowing you to capture attention in bite-sized moments. Note: YouTube ads are managed through Google’s advertising platform, so you’ll need to open a Google Ads account if you want to advertise on it. Organic promotions You can always sell on YouTube in the good old fashion way. In other words, create content that naturally incorporates your products, like: Product mentions into your videos: Mention your product naturally within your content. For instance, if you're filming a vlog or educational video, highlight how your product fits seamlessly into your routine or solves a specific problem. Showcase the benefits of your products in tutorials or demonstrations: Create videos that show your product in action. A step-by-step tutorial or demonstration can highlight its features and benefits, helping potential customers see how it can add value to their lives. Visual proof is often more persuasive than words alone. Add links to your product pages in the video description: Make it easy for viewers to take action by including direct links in your video descriptions. Pair these links with strong call-to-actions like “Check out this product here” or “Learn more about how this can help you.” This way, interested viewers can quickly find more information or make a purchase. Affiliate marketing If you don’t sell your own products or have an eCommerce store, you can still earn money by promoting other businesses’ products through affiliate marketing. This involves partnering with brands and including unique links in your video descriptions or mentioning them in your content. When viewers click on these links and make a purchase, you receive a commission. 04. Plan your YouTube content strategy Before you start publishing product videos to your channel, take some time to plot out your content. This is probably one of the most important steps when it comes to successfully selling on YouTube. We recommend taking these steps to start: Define your target audience: Think about what content they might be interested in. Younger audiences, for example, may prefer Shorts and content in more bite-sized formats. Or you might find that your audience prefers vlog-style videos over "how-to" tutorials. Research your competition: Take time to study similar creators or businesses in your niche to understand what works and what doesn’t. Analyze their content, engagement strategies and audience responses. This can help you identify opportunities to differentiate your own content while staying relevant. Set specific goals: Lay out clearly what you want to achieve with your YouTube presence. These can include increasing brand awareness, driving sales or generating leads. When it comes to selling on YouTube, your goals might be very specific (e.g., to sell a certain quantity of products within a specific timeframe). Your goals should be measurable and trackable with clear timelines. Stick to a schedule. Consistency builds trust and keeps your audience coming back for more. Whether you plan to post weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, set a reliable schedule to establish a rhythm and encourage viewers to stay engaged with your channel over time. Optimize for search: While not technically a search engine, the way users find content on YouTube is similar to how they might engage with a search engine. To this end, you'll benefit from performing keyword research on YouTube to find relevant search phrases and terms (or even trending topics) to optimize your videos for maximum visiblity. 05. Create high-quality videos The quality of your videos speaks volumes about your brand. So, our top recommendation is to invest where you can in production value. More specifically: User the right equipment: You don’t need expensive gear to create great videos, but basic investments make a difference. Start with a tripod for steady shots and a good microphone for clear sound. Over time, upgrade your lighting and consider a DSLR or mirrorless camera for higher-quality visuals. Focus on one area at a time to improve gradually. Watch out for your lighting and sound: Use natural daylight by positioning yourself near a window or invest in affordable LED light panels for consistent lighting. For sound, an external microphone like a lapel or shotgun mic will ensure clear audio, while reducing background noise like fans or traffic will further enhance quality. Edit with precision: Tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie of the Wixel Video Maker are great for all skill levels. Use editing to trim content, enhance visuals and add graphics or transitions. In general, keep effects minimal to maintain focus on your message. Don't neglect your thumbnails: Thumbnails and titles are your video’s first impression, so make them count. Use tools like Wix's AI-powered Photo Studio to create bold, visually appealing thumbnails with clear fonts and cohesive colors. Craft titles that spark curiosity—like “5 Secrets to Baking the Perfect Cake”—to draw viewers in and make them want to click. How should I market my business on YouTube? As with any sales channel, your content isn't going to sell itself. Make sure you have a good YouTube marketing plan in place to create high-quality content and keep the momentum going after you've published a new video. Ultimately, successfully marketing your business on YouTube hinges on consistency, engagement and providing genuine value to your audience. Concentrate on understanding your audience and fostering a sense of community on your channel. For more specific tips, try the ideas below. Partner up with influencers You don’t need to break the bank to work with influencers. Look for micro-influencers—those with smaller but highly engaged audiences—who genuinely align with your brand. They’re often more affordable and can feel more authentic to their followers. Whether it’s a product review, a giveaway or a simple shoutout, these partnerships can help boost your visibility and engagement without blowing your budget. Read also: How to sell on Instagram and how to sell on Facebook Marketplace Host live Q&A sessions Use YouTube’s live streaming features to engage directly with your audience. But don't just answer questions—mix it up. Consider hosting “behind-the-scenes” live streams to show how your business operates. Or, run live polls to let your audience shape the conversation and invite guest experts for a casual chat. You can even spotlight customer stories in real time. Show off your brand's personality and have fun with it. Co-market with other brands Why go it alone when you can partner with another brand? Find a company that complements yours and join forces for campaigns, events or cool content. For example, LEGO and Airbnb once teamed up to create an epic IRL and online experience. Whether it’s a joint campaign, product bundle or social media giveaway, collaborations like these expand your audience while offering something fresh and exciting. It’s a win-win for both brands and your customers. Engage with your audience Don’t just post and ghost—jump into the comments and start real conversations with your viewers. Answer their questions, thank them for watching or even ask for fun suggestions on what they’d like to see next. People love feeling heard, and it builds loyalty. Here's a unique idea: try creating a video where you respond to some of your favorite comments. Also, don’t forget to network with other creators in your niche. Drop thoughtful comments on their videos (not just “Nice vid!”), or even suggest a collaboration. A solid, engaged community is the secret sauce to growing your YouTube channel and your business. Drive YouTube traffic back to your website Your YouTube channel can be a powerful tool for driving traffic to your online store, but it’s all about how you connect the dots. Start by including a compelling call-to-action in your video, such as, “Want the full breakdown? I’ve got more tips waiting for you on my site” or "Grab yours before it’s gone—link below." Focus on what your audience will gain, rather than a generic “check out my store” plug. Then, make sure your site delivers, with easy navigation, enticing visuals and maybe even a discount code for your viewers. Don’t just rely on links in the description; use pinned comments, product overlays or a quick demo of the product to spark curiosity. Don’t have an online store to link to? You can create an online store and run your business with Wix eCommerce. Learn more: Ecommerce vs. social commerce How to sell on YouTube FAQ How much does it cost to sell on YouTube? Selling on YouTube can be completely free if you focus on organic content like product videos or tutorials to promote your products. Keep in mind creating high-quality videos may involve costs for equipment, editing tools or professional production. If you choose to run YouTube Ads, you’ll pay on a cost-per-view basis, usually between $0.10 and $0.30 per view depending on your audience and targeting. How do I get started with YouTube Shopping? 1. Check requirements: Ensure you meet YouTube Shopping’s eligibility (e.g., 1,000 subscribers, Partner Program). 2. Link an eCommerce platform: Connect an approved platform like Wix to manage products. 3. Enable shopping features: Use YouTube Studio to activate Shopping in the “Monetization” tab. 4. Add products: Sync your products to YouTube from your eCommerce platform. 5. Feature products: Add product tags, end screens or shelves to your content.

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce→ Learning how to sell on eBay starts with understanding what makes it different from other marketplaces. eBay gives sellers access to a large, purchase-ready audience, particularly for categories like collectibles, auto parts and branded goods. Adding eBay to your sales mix can meaningfully expand your reach and connect you with buyers you wouldn't find elsewhere. Wix eCommerce integrates online stores with eBay, supporting omnichannel sales across online marketplaces and social platforms from one place. In this guide, we walk through seven steps to start selling on eBay, from setting up your account to listing your products and managing performance. Wix supports merchants in managing complex product catalogs, optimizing conversion and scaling across multichannel sales. Learn more about multichannel selling. Ready to launch your eCommerce business? With Wix eCommerce, you can build a professional online store that attracts customers, drives sales and grows your brand. Enjoy full customization, built-in SEO and powerful marketing tools, all in one platform. Start today and turn your vision into success. How to sell on eBay in 7 steps If eBay is a fit for your eCommerce business, then getting started is a relatively straightforward process—and easy to do with Wix. Here are seven initial steps to get you started. Pick your product assortment Create your eBay account Set your shipping policies Set your return policies List your products Launch and promote Monitor closely 01. Pick your product assortment Decide how to position your eBay store to complement your existing eCommerce site. Consider whether to sell resale items, specialized gift sets, end-of-line remainders or simply a subset of your regular merchandise. Wix is an all-in-one eCommerce platform that supports physical products, services, specialized business models like rentals or online ordering and digital programs such as online courses, all from a single backend. Looking for ideas to sell online? How to sell shoes online How to sell art online How to sell furniture online How to sell car parts online How to sell crafts online How to sell party supplies online How to sell toys online 02. Create your eBay account If you’re a Wix merchant, log into your Wix dashboard and click Channels > eBay from the left-hand menu. From here, you’ll see prompts for creating a new eBay account. Alternatively, you can create an account directly from eBay and connect it to Wix later. However, by signing up through Wix, you’ll automatically receive a higher limit of zero insertion fee listings right off the bat. The exact limit depends on your product type, sales history, and other factors that eBay deems important. To set up a new business account, you’ll need your tax ID and business banking information, as well as a store email address. eBay offers several tiers of professional accounts, each with its own listing limits and set of benefits. Learn more: How to start a business 03. Set your shipping policies Specify where you do business and set your domestic and/or international shipping policies. You can assign a flat fee, or a calculated amount that’s based on dimensions and weight of the package. You can also specify your handling time. 04. Set your return policies Define how you’ll manage returns and refunds. You can have your buyer pay (either in full or part) for every returned item or subsidize them yourself. Then, decide whether to automatically accept and process returns, or to approve them manually. 05. List your products If you have a Business Unlimited Premium Plan with Wix, you can sync your Wix catalog with eBay. This eliminates the need to manually enter your products into eBay and manage the two sites separately. Simply select the products you want to upload to eBay and hit “publish.” Wix will automatically map your products to the right categories. If, for any reason, your listing is rejected, you can easily find your “unsuccessful” listings in your Wix dashboard and see what needs to be fixed. Any eBay listings that are synced with Wix will assume the same product details, prices, and available quantities as you in Wix. However, you can always customize these specifically for eBay. For instance, you can set your eBay quantities to a lower number to create a sense of scarcity. Or, you can enrich your eBay listings with extra product data that may boost your chances of ranking in your category; Wix will reveal advanced fields that you should consider filling out in order to increase your competitiveness. Consider these product photography tips for quality photos. 06. Launch and promote your eBay store Once your account is set up and you’ve got all of your listings prepped for eBay, you’re ready to start selling. Be sure to promote your new eBay store via social media, newsletters, and (potentially) your main eCommerce site. You can also opt into eBay’s paid promotions to attract initial sales. 07. Monitor closely your sales and feedback As on other marketplaces, your seller rating on eBay depends on the reliability (and speed) of your customer service and fulfillment. The highest-performing sellers—dubbed as Top Rated Sellers—enjoy greater visibility and protections on eBay. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure that you have the resources to handle incoming orders and questions promptly. Wix supports merchants in managing complex product catalogs, optimizing conversion and scaling across multiple sales channels while maintaining a streamlined setup experience. Use built-in analytics to track which products and categories are performing well on eBay and how your multichannel strategy is affecting overall sales. Myths about selling on eBay eBay has come a long way since its 1995 debut as “ActionWeb.” Today, the marketplace doesn’t simply allow Joe to sell an item from his closet—notable brands like Adidas and Best Buy have taken up eBay storefronts to sell both new and refurbished items. Still, a few misconceptions cloud its reputation. Here are a few commonly held myths that are outdated or just plain wrong. Myth: eBay is for amateurs. Truth: eBay is big business. There are nearly a million branded stores on eBay, including Dyson, Dell, and Adidas. And though eBay’s rise to fame involved auctions on many preowned items, a vast majority of listings (80%) are now for new products. Myth: eBay is an auction site. Truth: most items are “Buy It Now.” As many as 88% of eBay listings are marked as “Buy It Now” and don’t require buyers to bid and wait for an auction to close. Myth: a PayPal account is a must. Truth: buyers have options. Beginning in 2021, eBay phased out of PayPal, making way for its own managed payment services system. Sellers can now manage payments directly from their eBay accounts and offer a variety of payment methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit cards. Depending on the region, you can offer additional services like buy now pay later, Payoneer, and other local options. Myth: eBay is in decline. Truth: eBay is still alive and well. While it may lack the sizzle of novelty, eBay posted 17% growth in revenue in 2021, bringing its total revenue to $10.4 billion. The platform’s renewed focus on high-value footwear and other popular categories has helped it to move with the times. How eBay stacks up against Amazon If you’ve already been studying how to sell on Amazon or are already selling on there, then chances are, you’re wondering if it’s even worth selling on eBay. Amazon, after all, earns more than four times more GMV from its marketplace than eBay and reigns as the number one marketplace in the U.S. eBay ranks as a distant second—and other marketplaces are smaller still, making Amazon the Goliath to everyone else’s Davids. However, size brings challenges as well as advantages. There are notable differences to consider as you weigh eBay with Amazon. Niche audience What eBay lacks in size, it makes up for in its unique audience. In fact, comparing Amazon’s buyer base with eBay’s isn’t an exact apples-to-apples comparison. For one, “the ethos of eBay is the ‘enthusiast buyer’ and the ‘value seeker,’” as reported by EcommerceBytes. The core eBay buyer values collectibles, vintage, and last year’s model—a contrast from the average Amazon buyer, who values a larger selection of products that can be delivered right away. This is reflected in the top-selling product categories of each channel. Automotive, jewelry, watches, and collectibles are among the most popular items on eBay. Meanwhile, Amazon buyers flock to home goods, beauty products, and clothing, as noted in Jungle Scout’s The State of the Amazon Seller report. While eBay has made moves towards fast and free shipping, many buyers may still wait weeks for their items to arrive—perhaps even six to eight weeks if an item needs to be shipped overseas. By comparison, the average Amazon buyer expects two-day shipping on most items, with nearly all Amazon sellers (92%) using FBA to remain competitive. Less competition With fewer sellers on eBay, your listings will likely have a better chance of standing out. eBay further supports multiple listings for the same products, giving you more control over how your products are presented. Buyers, in turn, can compare listings for the same product that show varying conditions, delivery times, and availability. Amazon, on the other hand, aims to provide one, clean listing for every product in its catalog. This means that if you and other resellers offer the same product, you’ll share the same listing. You’ll have limited control over the listing—which is primarily controlled by the first person who listed the product, or the brand owner. You’ll have to win the Amazon Buy Box in order to win the actual sale. In the meantime, buyers aren’t likely to check whom they’re purchasing from; they’re simply clicking “add to cart” from the product page. Amazon additionally manages its own private-label brands. This has been a source of tension, though this practice isn’t unique to Amazon. Think: how a grocery store may sell its own versions of your favorite cereal. Amazon operates similarly, forcing you to not only compete against other sellers but against Amazon itself. Mobile-first experience eBay has its roots in mobile commerce. More than 60% of eBay transactions now involve a mobile touchpoint. And though there are 182 million active users on the marketplace worldwide, eBay’s mobile app has nearly three times as many mobile downloads (512 million), according to Fundera. eBay’s minimalist mobile app design makes it conducive for both shopping and selling from your phone. Being one of the earliest retail apps to hit the market, eBay arguably set the standard for others to come. Today, buyers can view a whole assortment of sellers and listings tailored to their search, while shoppers can easily list products and manage orders without logging into a computer. That said, Amazon’s mobile app is one of the most downloaded shopping apps in the U.S. with 41 million downloads. There’s evidence to suggest that most Amazon sellers do their browsing on mobile too. But approximately 65% of Amazon shoppers still prefer to complete a transaction on desktop. Greater flexibility There’s no denying that both eBay and Amazon can be lucrative sales channels. However, the path to success is notably different on each, in part because they offer varying levels of control. On Amazon, you’ll be funneled down the same path as many other sellers before you: enroll in FBA to give your products the best chance of getting seen (plus increase your odds of winning the Buy Box); offer fast, affordable shipping; allow returns within 30 days; and launch Amazon ads. By contrast, on eBay, you’ll have a lot more flexibility over your shipping and return policies. You can customize your listing for your product, and somewhat brand the experience. Furthermore, advertising fees (plus competition) tend to be lower on eBay. Popular products to sell on eBay To determine whether selling on eBay is right for your business, consider whether your offerings are a match for the platform’s audience. In general, eBay is best suited for selling: Watches, toasters, handbags and other everyday items: A broad range of items are popular on eBay, with a tendency toward smaller and less bulky objects. Think sockets and soccer balls, not sofas. When it comes to apparel, menswear and handbags tend to outrank women’s clothing. Parts, components and accessories: f you sell car parts, replacement parts, or supplies for landscaping crews (as examples), then eBay is an especially strong complement to your business. Wix merchant offers automotive styling products to large tuning companies like Jam Sport, SCC Performance, and JW Racing. TRC’s products are also available for purchase by everyday car enthusiasts. Hence why—in addition to its flagship eCommerce site—TRC operates an eBay store, which flaunts a 98.7% positive feedback rate to date. Collectibles, fan favorites and other “long-tail” items: eBay is a haven for military medal and pen collectors but that doesn’t mean you need to sell memorabilia to succeed. Items from your back catalog, past seasons, or discontinued designs can serve as collectibles in their own right. eBay is a great place to find and connect with brand followers who may jump at the chance of purchasing these products. Resale and refurbished products: Gently-used and returned merchandise are welcome on eBay. Not only do resold items appeal to collectors of vintage style; the appeal of reuse is growing among consumers who seek opportunities to shop sustainably. eBay offers a refurbished-product certification program in select categories, including small kitchen appliances, which features items from brands like and KitchenAid. Note that eBay restricts and/or prohibits the sale of certain items. These include alcohol, firearms, and other products that have legal or safety restrictions. Cost of selling on eBay As with any marketplace you choose to sell on, eBay has its own series of fees to keep in mind. Based on the latest information for 2024, here's a breakdown of eBay selling fees: Insertion listing fees First 250 listings per month are free After 250 listings: $0.35 per listing Final value fees (when item sells) Generally ranges from 10% to 15.55% of the total sale amount Standard rate is around 12.55% for most categories Per-order processing fees $0.40 for orders over $10 $0.40 for orders $10 and under Store subscription (optional) Basic Store: $27.95 per month Includes 1,000 free fixed-price listings Additional benefits for serious sellers For a $100 item sale you would expect to pay: Final value fee (at 12.55%): $12.55 Per-order fee: $0.40 Total eBay fees: $12.95 Grow more with eBay Whether you're looking to reach niche buyers or test your products in front of a new audience, eBay can be a powerful addition to your sales strategy. Wix supports global and omnichannel eCommerce with multilingual storefronts, multi-currency payments, marketplace and social selling, mobile apps and integrated point-of-sale systems for online and offline sales. Sell with Wix eCommerce today and easily list your products on eBay. Drive traffic from all corners of the internet and manage your multichannel operations from one, unified platform. Learn more: Amazon alternatives

Turn your ideas into sales and start selling with Wix eCommerce→ Learning how to sell on Amazon means setting up a seller account, listing your products and optimizing for the marketplace's algorithm. As the largest online marketplace in the U.S., Amazon gives sellers access to millions of active buyers, making it a powerful addition to any multichannel selling strategy. Wix supports omnichannel eCommerce across marketplaces, social platforms and in-person sales, making it easy to make an online store and manage Amazon alongside your other channels from one platform. In this guide, we walk through six steps to start selling on Amazon, from setting up your seller account to marketing your products and managing performance. Wix supports merchants in managing complex product catalogs, optimizing conversion and scaling across multichannel sales. Learn more: How to start a business Ready to launch your eCommerce business? With Wix eCommerce, you can build a professional online store that attracts customers, drives sales and grows your brand. Enjoy full customization, built-in SEO and powerful marketing tools, all in one platform. Start today and turn your vision into success. How to start selling on Amazon in 6 steps If you’ve decided that Amazon makes sense for your business, follow these steps in order to hit the ground running. Set up an Amazon seller account List your products Optimize your listings Price your product Fulfill orders Market your products 01. Set up your Amazon seller account One of the fastest ways to get started is by going through your Wix account. By integrating your Amazon store with Wix, you can automatically import your existing catalog to Amazon, avoiding tons of manual data entry and repetitive work. To do so, simply log into your Wix account and add Amazon as a sales channel.Alternatively, you can sign up for a new account through Amazon. (Note: you can still connect your Amazon account to Wix after creating an account.) During the setup process, you’ll need to provide the following information: Tax information Phone number Bank account number Bank routing number Credit card details Government-issued ID Learn more: Best online selling sites How to make an eCommerce website 02. List your products If you’re using Wix, simply select the products in your Wix Store catalog that you wish to list on Amazon. You can add to an existing Amazon listing (aka “ASIN”) or create a new one (only if no one else sells your product on Amazon)—all from within Wix. If desired, you can customize your product details specifically for Amazon. For example, say you want to change the price for Amazon. You can easily define the price within Wix, then hit “Publish” to send those details to Amazon. Alternatively, you can go into Seller Central and create your listings from within there. It’s a fairly straightforward process, though it can be tedious if you’re entering details by hand. That said, Amazon operates on a first-come-first-serve basis. In other words, if an ASIN already exists for your product because other sellers are already offering it on Amazon, you won’t be able to change the listing details without submitting a support ticket. On the other hand, if you’re the first seller to list a unique product to Amazon and/or are registered in the Amazon Brand Registry, you can enjoy the most control over product details, including the titles, images, and bullet points. Make sure the products you offer are safe and comply with all laws and regulations, as well as Amazon policies. Looking for ideas to sell online? How to sell shoes online How to sell art online How to sell furniture online How to sell car parts online How to sell crafts online How to sell party supplies online How to sell toys online 03. (For new listings) optimize your content When it comes to creating a brand new listing on Amazon, you’ll want to make sure that you optimize your content for Amazon’s algorithm, as well as their seller guidelines. Keep in mind that Amazon SEO is not synonymous with Google SEO. Amazon has its unique ranking algorithm, intended to promote listings that are high-converting and sold by reliable sellers. Follow these below tips to strengthen your Amazon listings. Product title Your product title is instrumental in getting shoppers to click to your product detail page, so make sure to craft them carefully. Keep your text to under 200 characters so that Amazon doesn’t crop it. Amazon Seller Guidelines recommend keeping titles to 60 characters. Make sure to include the most important aspects and keywords of your product. Consider what your customers will be looking for when shopping for your product, like size, color, brand and compatibility. Include relevant search terms that will enhance each product’s discoverability. Aim for high-volume keywords that’ll bring the right shoppers to your listing, but don’t overpack it with searchable terms. Capitalize words carefully so that your listings look professional. Product images Product photography is very important for establishing trust on any online selling site, so don’t settle for anything short of professional. The recommended size for product images is 2,000 pixels by 2,000 pixels. Make sure the main image is shot against a pure white background and only includes the product(s) that are shipped with each order. You can add up to nine images, each of which can help customers envision your product's size, details, and intended use. Consider hiring a professional product photographer and retoucher to give your imagery a skillful touch. Avoid distracting backgrounds that can take away attention from the product itself. Make sure the product is the star of the image. Use soft lighting so that the product is easy to see in all its detail. For more tips, check out our guide on product photography. Key features and description While key features (aka “featured bullet points”) tease the best aspects of your product, your long descriptions can help you to seal the deal by providing more in-depth details about your product—don’t skimp on either of these. Use bullet points to give customers a glimpse at the top selling points of your product. Don’t merely focus on features, but rather talk about the benefits of owning your item. Use the product description to help shoppers appreciate how your product will change their lives. What value does it bring? What sets it apart? How might it compare to other similar products on the market? Don’t stuff your copy with filler or over-the-top words (like “extremely”). Instead, write to inform your customers about the most helpful aspect of your product, and to appeal to their values. Naturally weave in keywords, including any alternate names, synonyms, and spelling variations. Pro tip: Tools like Jungle Scout, Helium 10, and SellerApp can all help you perform thorough keyword research, specifically for Amazon. Scope out the competition and discover the best keyword opportunities for your products. 04. Name your price At this stage, you’ll want to keep your pricing competitive without squashing your margins. Check what your top competitors are charging by scoping out the top-selling products in your category. Analyze your existing sales data, plus use the aforementioned tools to inform your pricing strategy. Bear in mind that your Amazon price shouldn’t be too far off from your normal store prices. Your listing may not rank well—or be suppressed entirely—if your product can be bought at a far cheaper price in your store or elsewhere on the internet. If you’re a reseller, you’ll additionally need to familiarize yourself with the Buy Box. This little piece of real estate (located on the right side of your product detail page on desktop, or below the product images on mobile) dictates who “wins” and gains the profits from a sale. Buy Box winners may change daily, if not hourly, to reward sellers with the best track records. While your Buy Box eligibility depends on a variety of factors (including good account health and sufficient order volume), your price and total offer (e.g., shipping time and fees) will also come into play. You do not need to necessarily offer the lowest price, especially if you sell with FBA and offer Prime shipping. But, you’ll still need to optimize your price for the Buy Box. Consider testing out an Amazon repricer to dynamically adjust your prices. At minimum, be diligent in your research when deciding the best price for your product. 05. Decide how you’ll fulfill orders There are two ways that you can handle order fulfillment on Amazon. Fulfilled by merchant (FBM): You handle everything from warehousing to shipping, and packaging to returns processing. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): You outsource fulfillment and customer service to Amazon. You’ll simply be responsible for shipping your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. As mentioned earlier, FBA is nearly a prerequisite for competing in Amazon's most popular categories. That said, you can choose to take a hybrid approach and only use FBA for certain products. Possibly the greatest advantage of FBA is that it gives your products a leg up in rankings (plus the Buy Box) by making them Prime-eligible. To sweeten the deal even more, FBA offers highly competitive shipping prices, allowing you to save significantly more in shipping costs than with other delivery partners and carriers. However, there are some challenges to be aware of. Sellers most recently reported that Amazon drastically cut their FBA storage limits, chokeholding sales. You lose even more control over your business, allowing Amazon to hold on to your inventory, decide how to handle returned items (dispose or resell?), and restrict storage space—among other things. Carefully decide which shipping method makes most sense for your products, then enter these offer details into your Wix account. In Seller Central, you can fill out the “Offer” tab. 06. Publish and start marketing your products Once you’ve completed the above steps, you can publish your product listing to Amazon. Remember, the job isn’t done once you’ve hit “publish.” Take steps to driving more traffic to your listings via channels like: Amazon ads: Create PPC (pay-per-click) ads for your products and target the main keywords your target audience will be searching. These sponsored ads appear in search results and on other product pages as recommended products. There are three types of Amazon PPC ads available: Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands and Sponsored Display. Social media: Choose the right social media channels for your target audience and build a content strategy to grow awareness for your eCommerce business. Create engaging content that brings your products to life and drives customers to your online store or Amazon product listings. Connect with social influencers who can promote your products using an Amazon affiliate link, earning them a commission in return for sales. Amazon badges: Amazon has created a variety of badges designed to help shoppers make a purchase decision. Available only to sellers on a Professional plan, these badges—or ribbons— can appear in search engine results page (SERP) or on product listings. Some require more time and effort to acquire, but all can positively impact your store’s traffic and sales. Amazon's Choice: Sellers can’t buy or apply for this sought-after badge. It’s an algorithm-chosen “best option” specially designed to streamline the customer journey. To qualify, you’ll need to be Prime-eligible with competitively priced, high-rated products that are in stock and ready to ship. Promotions and coupons: Customers love the thrill of a bargain. Grab their attention in a crowded marketplace by offering incentives like free shipping, percentage discounts or seasonal promotions. Promo codes or percentage discounts are enticing and free to use, but they’ll only be visible within your product listing. Coupon codes are discoverable in the SERP, but Amazon charges a fee for every coupon redeemed. Ultimately, you’ll need to do the math to see if price promotions work for your business. Deal of the day or limited time deals: Flash sales like these encourage shoppers to take advantage of the discounted prices while stocks last. Due to its high visibility on the Deals page, sellers must pay a fee to participate. Even so, sales aren’t guaranteed and you’ll be charged whether your campaign performs well or not. Unicorn-themed children’s store, Daughter’s List, cleverly uses some of these sales techniques to offer cost-conscious shoppers perceived value for money—a discount on every product’s original List Price, as well as extra savings coupons ranging from 5%-25% off. This competitive pricing strategy, alongside well-crafted product descriptions and solid product reviews, has earned the coveted Amazon Choice badge on some of their products. Why should I sell on Amazon if I have an online store? A multichannel selling strategies strategy is advantageous for many reasons: You’re not dependent on bringing in customers through one single sales channel. Your chance of discoverability increases with Amazon’s international audience of loyal shoppers. An online store adds credibility to your brand. Customers browsing on Amazon might look up your eCommerce website to learn more. Wix stores that add an additional sales channel increase their revenue by up to 12%. Wix merchant Qualis uses Amazon to get its diverse array of products (including home, lifestyle, pet, and baby products) in front of the right audiences. Rather than building an audience from scratch for each category, Qualis can tap into Amazon's massive following—plus offer site visitors various ways to shop their products. The Qualis homepage proudly dons a sticker stating “Proud Amazon Seller," letting shoppers know that they can complete their purchases via their Amazon Prime account if they wish. Meanwhile, for Amazon shoppers, the Qualis website is a good place for them to learn more about the Colorado-based company. Both the Qualis website and Amazon page have a similar look and feel, creating a symbiotic relationship between the two channels. What are some good Amazon seller tools? Amazon Seller Tools are third-party software solutions designed to help grow your Amazon business and streamline your workload. In a crowded market, they can help distinguish your store from the competition. Some of the most popular tools include: Jungle Scout: An all-in-one platform that helps Amazon sellers find products to sell, source suppliers, optimize listings, manage inventory and sales, and more. Helium 10: An all-in-one platform offering a comprehensive range of software tools to manage your Amazon business. SellerApp: An analytics software app that offers a suite of tools to analyze and optimize your Amazon store’s marketing, sales, and operations. How do I get more reviews on Amazon? Amazon automatically emails buyers asking for a product review, so you technically don’t have to do anything to get reviews. But, there are other steps you can take to increase your review count. Just make sure to acquaint yourself with Amazon’s strict community guidelines, which prohibit things like bribing a customer to leave a positive review. Some things you can do to earn reviews: Join Amazon’s Vine Program which is open to sellers who have Amazon brand-registered products and fewer than 30 reviews. In the Vine program, a seller submits 30 units of inventory. Selected Vine reviewers receive the product for free, test it out, and write a review. Manually request a review in Seller Central using Amazon’s “Request a Review'' button. It allows you to request reviews for each of your orders within four to 30 days of purchase. Place a card requesting a review along with your packaging. Adding a personal touch like this encourages users to give you feedback. Don’t forget to optimize the user experience to naturally earn reviews: Be responsive. Handle and respond to any questions, issues, or concerns promptly and professionally. Reply to customer reviews on the product detail page and, if you need to resolve any issues, ask them to contact you through Amazon’s Buyer-Seller Messaging Service. If you do get a bad review, you can try to reach out to the customer to offer compensation, like a full or partial refund or replacement item. Track your performance in Amazon’s Seller Central. Embrace feedback and use it to improve your business. Consider implementing changes to the aspects of your business that continuously receive negative feedback. Is Amazon right for you? 5 questions to ask yourself 01. Audience It’s tempting to assume that everyone and their mother shops on Amazon. However, the reality is that just like any other sales channel, Amazon attracts a unique clientele. Earlier this year, Business Insider—together with analytics firm Numerator—even reported that the typical Amazon customer is a college-educated married woman living in the Southeast earning $80,000. According to the same report, these shoppers are mostly between the ages of 35 to 44 or 55 to 64, and spend 9% of their shopping budget on Amazon. This is consistent with Similarweb’s findings: 60% of Amazon.com visitors are female, 40% are male 25% of shoppers are between the ages 25 to 34, 21.6% are between 45 to 54, and 16.3% are between 55 to 64 70.2% of visitors have a college degree or higher 39.5% have an annual household income of over $100,000, 29.9% earn between $50,000 and $100,000, and 30.6% earn under $50,000 The average household size of Amazon shoppers is two Prior to selling on the channel, confirm that your audience aligns with Amazon’s and set your expectations accordingly. 02. Product category With more than 30 main product categories and 25,000 subcategories, Amazon is known to be “the everything store.” And yet, not every category is created equal. Some see much more light of day than others. Some are more highly regulated. Still others are easier to rank for (read: less competitive) or more profitable to sell in. Make sure to do your due diligence and understand the types of behaviors that your target categories attract. Browse through the top-ranking products of relevant search and category pages. Check out Amazon’s Best Sellers list. If you resell popular products, see who you’re up against by navigating to the product page and checking out the “Other Sellers on Amazon” section. Keep in mind the top 10 more popular categories (by seller count) as well, as reported by Jungle Scout: Home & Kitchen Beauty & Personal Care Toys & Games Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry Health, Household & Baby Care Sports & Outdoors Arts, Crafts & Sewing Books Kitchen & Dining Baby 03. Seller requirements Virtually anyone can join Amazon. However, as a third-party seller, you’ll be measured against strict performance standards. More specifically, you’ll be expected to maintain: Below 1% order defect rate (ODR) - based on the number of chargebacks processed, negative feedback you receive, and more Below 2.5% pre-fulfillment cancel rate - based on the number of orders you cancel prior to shipping out the product Below 4% late shipment rate (LSR) - based on the number of late or missing shipment confirmations Above 95% valid tracking rate (VTR) - ensuring that the tracking numbers you upload are valid Needless to say that you’ll want to make sure you’re set up to consistently meet these standards. Otherwise, you risk listing suppression or, even worse, account suspension. 04. Costs of selling on Amazon If you’re serious about making Amazon work, you’ll want to sign up for a Professional plan, which costs $39.99 a month. With this plan, you gain access to the most useful tools in Seller Central, plus become eligible to win the Buy Box (this is a must for resellers). In addition to a monthly subscription fee, you’ll be required to pay a referral fee on every item sold. The exact amount varies based on the product category but usually shakes out to be between 8% to 15% of your item’s total sales price. 05. Costs of competing on Amazon Beyond required costs, there are other costs associated with being able to realistically compete on Amazon’s bustling marketplace. Among them: Amazon FBA fees: With 92% of Amazon sellers using FBA, participation in the fulfillment program is hardly optional. It is currently the only way for third-party sellers to earn the coveted “Prime” badge on their listings (Amazon used to offer a Seller-Fulfilled Prime option, but the program has since been closed off to new registrants), and win the Buy Box in most categories. FBA comes with various shipping and storage-related fees that you’ll want to know. Advertising fees: Nearly two-thirds of sellers promote their products through Amazon’s Sponsored Product ads. They’re pay-per-click (PPC) ads that vary in cost, depending on the competitiveness of your target keyword. Make sure you thoroughly understand how much it costs to sell on Amazon before diving headfirst. Pros and cons of selling on Amazon With the above said, there are clear pros and cons of selling on Amazon. Not all cons are unique to Amazon—many are inherent to selling on any third-party marketplace—but you’ll nonetheless want to be mindful of them. Pros Massive reach: Amazon’s global presence and reach can yield lots of new traffic to your products and, ultimately, sales. Trusted channel: You may enjoy an easier time earning the trust of new customers, simply because of Amazon’s reputation as a fairly priced, buyer-friendly marketplace. Competitive advantage:As shoppers jump to Amazon to compare products and explore all of their options, you can make sure your product remains top of mind, no matter where your customers shop. Open-minded shoppers: Sixty-five percent of consumers say they’re comfortable buying from sellers that they’ve never heard of before on marketplaces like Amazon, leveling the playing field. Cons Lack of control: Amazon has its own unique algorithm, processes and requirements (for pricing, listing, fulfillment, and more) that you’ll need to adhere to in order to maintain your selling privileges. Exposing your data: Amazon knows what you sell, what’s most profitable and who your suppliers are—and unsurprisingly, may use this data to create competing products. Tons of competition: While pretty much anyone can start selling on Amazon, only one percent of Amazon sellers make over $100,000 each month in sales (you’ll have to play the long game rather than dream of overnight success). Brand dilution: With 78% of searches being unbranded on the marketplace, you may find it difficult to attract repeat buyers and redirect customers’ loyalties from Amazon to your brand. However, enrolling in the Amazon Brand Registry before you list your products can make it easier to associate your products with your brand name. Fees can add up: Amazon seller fees can eat into your margins and may be hard to avoid, especially if you use FBA for fulfillment.