eCommerce
Become an Online Seller | Earn $40 to $60 per sale
Are you ready to start an online business from the comfort of your home?
Make money selling new and used products online as an online seller.
Becoming an online seller allows you to start your own business, sell products you’re passionate about, and reach customers worldwide—all while enjoying the flexibility of working from home. Discover how to start an online seller career, who this career is perfect for, and how much you can earn in the growing world of e-commerce.
What Is Online Selling?
Online selling is the practice of selling products or services on the internet. Using online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, or your own website, you can list items, manage transactions, and ship products directly to customers. Through the use of online sales, there is no longer a requirement for a physical store, allowing sellers to operate their business entirely from home and reach a global customer base.
Whether you’re selling handmade crafts, vintage items, or dropshipping products, online selling offers endless opportunities for those who want to build a flexible and profitable business.
What Is an Online Seller?
An online seller is an individual or company that sells products online through e-commerce platforms or websites. Online sellers manage every aspect of their business, including sourcing products, setting prices, marketing items, handling customer service, and processing orders.
Online sellers can focus on various types of sales models, such as:
- Retailing physical products: Sourcing and selling goods directly to customers.
- Dropshipping: Selling products without keeping stock, and the supplier or manufacturer delivers the products directly to the customer.
- Selling digital products: Offering downloadable items like eBooks, courses, or design templates.
Whether you’re selling handmade goods, retailing niche products, or offering digital downloads, becoming an online seller gives you the freedom to build a company based on your skills and interests.
Who Is an Online Seller Career For?
A career as an online seller is ideal for individuals who:
- Are entrepreneurial: If you’ve always wanted to run your own business and take control of your financial future, online selling offers a low-barrier entry to entrepreneurship.
- Seek flexibility: Online selling allows you to work from home and set your own schedule. Whether you’re looking to start a side hustle or a full-time business, this career offers the flexibility to work on your own terms.
- Enjoy marketing and sales: Online sellers must engage with customers, advertise their products, and build their brand. If you enjoy marketing and interacting with customers, you’ll thrive in this role.
- Are self-motivated: Online selling requires dedication and consistency. If you’re driven and able to manage multiple tasks like sourcing, shipping, and customer service, this career offers plenty of growth potential.
- Love creating or curating: If you enjoy making handmade products or sourcing unique goods, this career allows you to turn your passion into a profitable business.
How Much Can You Make?
Selling Online Pays: $40 to $60 on average per sold item
Earning potential as an online seller varies depending on your niche, product demand, marketing efforts, and the platform you use. Here’s an idea of potential earnings:
- Beginners: New online sellers may earn between $500 and $2,000 per month as they build their business and establish a customer base. During this stage, earnings come from learning the platform, growing inventory, and optimizing product listings.
- Intermediate Sellers: With more experience and a growing customer base, intermediate sellers can make $3,000 to $10,000+ per month. These sellers often expand their product range, develop strong marketing strategies, and improve customer retention.
- Advanced Sellers: Established online sellers, especially those running successful stores or niche products, can earn $10,000 to $50,000+ per month. Advanced sellers often scale their business by automating processes, expanding to multiple platforms, and investing in paid advertising to drive sales.
The more effort and time you invest in growing your online business, the higher your income potential becomes. E-commerce provides opportunities for both part-time sellers seeking supplemental income and full-time entrepreneurs aspiring to six-figure success.
Where to Sell Products Online
1. Amazon Marketplace
Amazon is considered one of the world’s largest online marketplaces, offering sellers access to a vast customer base. Whether you’re selling books, electronics, or handmade goods, Amazon provides tools to help you reach customers globally.
Payouts:
Sellers receive payments every two weeks, with fees varying based on product category and fulfillment method.
Requirements:
A valid bank account, tax information, and product listings that comply with Amazon’s guidelines.
Regions Available:
Global, with specific marketplaces for countries like the US, UK, Canada, and more.
How to Join:
- Visit Amazon Seller Central.
- Choose between an Individual or Professional selling plan.
- Register your account and list your products.
2. eBay
eBay is a global online platform that connects millions of buyers and sellers all over the world. It’s ideal for selling both new and used items across various categories.
Payouts:
Payments are processed through eBay’s managed payments system, with funds typically available within a few days of sale.
Requirements:
An eBay account, product listings with clear descriptions and images, and adherence to eBay’s selling policies.
Regions Available:
Worldwide.
How to Join:
- Go to eBay.
- Create a seller account.
- List your products and start selling.
3. Etsy
Etsy is a marketplace that focusses on handmade, vintage, and unique factory-manufactured items. It’s perfect for artisans, crafters, and vintage sellers looking to reach a niche audience.
Payouts:
Etsy deposits sellers earnings directly to the sellers bank account, with payment schedules varying based on your location and shop settings.
Requirements:
Create a shop, list products that meet Etsy’s guidelines, and set up payment and billing information.
Regions Available:
Global.
How to Join:
- Visit Etsy.
- Click on “Sell on Etsy” and follow the prompts to set up your shop.
- List your products and start selling.
4. Shopify
Shopify is an all-inclusive e-commerce platform that allows you to create your own online store. It caters for businesses of all sizes looking to establish a branded online presence.
Payouts:
Payments are processed through Shopify Payments or third-party payment gateways, with schedules depending on your chosen provider.
Requirements:
Subscription to a Shopify plan, product listings, and a domain name (optional).
Regions Available:
Available in many countries worldwide.
How to Join:
- Go to Shopify.
- Start a free trial and select your preferred subscription plan.
- Set up your store, add products, and configure payment and shipping settings.
5. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace allows individuals and businesses to sell products locally. It’s integrated with Facebook, making it easy to reach potential buyers in your area.
Payouts:
Transactions are typically handled directly between buyer and seller, with payment methods agreed upon by both parties.
Requirements:
A Facebook account and adherence to Marketplace’s commerce policies.
Regions Available:
Available in many countries, with features varying by region.
How to Join:
- Log in to your Facebook account.
- Navigate to Marketplace.
- Click on “Create New Listing” to start selling.
These platforms offer diverse opportunities for selling products online, catering to various product types and seller preferences. By choosing the one that aligns best with your products and business goals, you can effectively reach your customers and grow your online sales.
Want to Start a Business?
Step 1: Build a Website
If you would like to start this career as a business, it is essential to know that the success of your online store starts with you having an online presence, obviously. Your customers should be able to find you online, and an ecommerce website is exactly what you need…But what if you don’t know how to create one? Well, creating a website with no coding experience is easier than you think with Wix. Wix is our recommended easy-to-use web design platform for beginners, that gives you free domain names, email addresses, web design templates, and website hosting all in one place! Start building your Wix website in minutes!
