How to sell online

Now, we’re ready to answer the question of how to sell online. Since we talk about all things ecommerce here on Oberlo, we’re going to discuss how to sell products online. Here are a few strategies that you can put into action with ease.

1. Use existing sales gateways.

You can sell online through marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Saatisa.com or Etsy, but this strategy has its pros and cons.

On the pro side, there’s an established, large community of returning customers that you can access. And for someone who’s just learning how to sell online, it’s a big deal to be able to tap into a vast pool of online shoppers that already trust the platform.

Another big plus for ecommerce beginners is the opportunity to test the demand for the products they offer. In fact, you can even test one-product store ideas in which you build a brand around a single product. Once you establish a good sense of what’s popular, it’s time to start building an online store.

So, why shift the strategy when it starts returning a profit? Many reasons. First, the big marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy will charge you a commission for every sale. Second, selling through a third-party will prevent you from building a personal relationship with your customers.

In essence, you won’t be able to capture their email addresses, provide useful content, or run your own campaigns to generate more sales. What’s more, marketplaces can shut your store at any time, which is a costly and damaging process to go through.

Along with marketplaces, social media channels like Facebook and Instagram allow you to get your products in front of prospective customers. For instance, you can set up a Facebook shop to showcase your inventory to Facebook users. Those interested can then add your items to their cart and check out on the platform directly. But if you’d rather create an independent eCommerce website, Facebook still offers several ways to sell online; you can use your Facebook Business Page, run ads, and sell products in Facebook groups.

Social media allows you to work with influencers. You can give samples of your items to influencers in return for shoutouts. Identify some influencers in your niche by searching for relevant hashtags, then partner with them to promote your products through stories, videos, posts, and more.
If you’re looking to work with influencers, make sure to check out this bonus read: The Complete Guide to Getting Started With Influencer Marketing

3. Create your own dropshipping website.

Thanks to platforms like Shopify, setting up your website is easier than ever. You can take advantage of free trials and endless online resources to get it off the ground in just a few days.

Also, you can install a dropshipping app to eliminate the hassle of buying and storing inventory. It’s a great way to sell online due to its many advantages, but the most profound are, of course, minimum setup costs – since you don’t need to buy the inventory or manage a warehouse.

There’s also the ability to offer an extensive selection of products, which helps to scale quickly, and the incredible flexibility that comes with the fact that you can run your business from anywhere in the world. It’s the perfect combo of potential and freedom that’s attracting the digital nomads and hustlers.

However, it’s not entirely hassle-free. With so many success stories fueling the interest in this market, the competition to sell online is high and growing, so it’s crucial you do your homework before jumping on board.

Some of the other most commonly cited problems, such as finding the right suppliers, can be solved by integrating with existing ecommerce tools. With 2,000-plus, five-star reviews and a free Explorer plan, Oberlo is one of the most popular choices when it comes to importing products to your online store and managing inventory.