Looking for websites to sell items online for free? You're in luck because these days, you don't need a big budget to start selling online. Most platforms have moved to a "free to list" model, which means you can list your items for free and not pay any fees until the item sells. But don't worry, some platforms that are 100% free, too!
Whether you're decluttering your home and trying to make some extra cash or want to dive into reselling as a business, there are plenty of platforms to choose from. Some are best for local sales, while others are better for online sales, but there are plenty of them. So how do you know which platform is best when starting or sticking to a budget?
|
Website |
Best for Selling |
Local/Online |
Fees |
|
Facebook Marketplace |
Everyday items, large local items |
Both |
|
|
Craigslist |
Large, bulky, local-only items |
Local |
|
|
OfferUp |
Furniture, electronics |
Both |
|
|
Mercari |
Electronics, clothing, home goods |
Online is most popular, but local is an option |
|
|
eBay |
Almost anything |
Online is most popular, but local pickup is an option |
|
|
Nextdoor |
Household items, furniture |
Local only |
|
|
Poshmark |
Fashion, household items |
Online only |
|
|
Depop |
Fashion (streetwear, vintage) |
Online only |
|
As one of the most accessible and widely used platforms for selling locally and online, this is an obvious option for websites to sell items online for free. You can list as many items as you want and pay no upfront fees, just a 5% fee once an item sells if it's shipped to a buyer. For local sales, there are no fees at all.
And in case you're wondering how to sell on facebook marketplace, we have a guide for you.
Pros:
Cons:
Fees: Free for local, in-person sales. No listing fee, but 5% selling fee for shipped items (or $0.40 for sales under $8)
Though it's not as popular these days, Craigslist is a classic online classifieds platform for selling items locally. It's perfect for items like furniture, tools, appliances, home and garden supplies, and other bulky items that aren't practical to ship.
Pros:
Cons:
Fees: Free for most categories. Some types of listings, like vehicles, do have a fee.
As a mobile-first selling app, OfferUp is more popular in some areas than others. It's a good idea to see how active it is in your area before deciding to sell here. It's popular for selling everyday items like furniture, electronics, and home goods. It's simple to use, and there is an option to ship.
Pros:
Cons:
Fees: Free for local sales, 12.9% service fee for shipped items after sale (minimum $1.99 per sale)
Mercari is an easy-to-use online platform for selling items nationwide. Electronics, gaming gear, collectibles, clothing, and toys all do particularly well on Mercari. While it is app-based, it is also available on desktop and has a built-in shipping system and prepaid labels to make things easier for sellers. Sellers can also enable local pickup through Mercari Local, though this option isn't as popular.
Pros:
Cons:
Fees: Free to list, but there is a 10% selling fee and 2.9% + $0.50 payment processing fee on each sale
As one of the largest global marketplaces, eBay is perfect for selling many different types of items to its millions of customers. You can be successful selling almost anything on eBay, from electronics to home goods to clothing to even things like building supplies. It's a robust platform with built-in tools for shipping, payment, and more. Most users are provided with 250 free listings each month.
Pros:
Cons:
Fees: List up to 250 items free per month, final value fee typically ranges from 13%-15% and there are additional fees for promoted listings, upgrades, or store subscriptions.
In the beginning, Poshmark was focused on women's fashion, but has added many categories such as home goods, men's and kids' fashion, electronics, and more. As a fashion-first platform, women's clothing and accessories tend to sell the best, but sellers find they make sales in most categories. Poshmark's flat rate shipping fee and easy-to-use listing form make it super beginner-friendly!
Pros:
Cons:
Fees: Free to list. $2.95 fee for sales under $15 and 20% for sales of $15 or more.
If you're looking for a hyperlocal option, the NextDoor app is a neighborhood-based social platform that includes a "For Sale" section that is only available to local buyers. While this does limit potential buyers, it does feel much safer and easier since it verifies all users live in the area before allowing them to interact with the community.
Pros:
Cons:
Fees: 100% free to list and sell items
As a more popular platform with a younger audience, Depop is popular for buying and selling vintage fashion, streetwear, trendy, and unique items. It has one of the lowest fees among online selling platforms.
Pros:
Cons:
Fees: Free to list. Once an item sells, there's a 3.3% + $0.45 payment processing fee in the US.
Selling online without any upfront fees is totally possible! If you're just getting started and working with a tight budget, here's a quick walkthrough on how to get started:
1. Pick the Right Platform
Choose based on what you’re selling and factors like whether you want to sell locally or online. For example, with Facebook Marketplace, you can sell items locally and online, while on eBay, it’s most popular to sell items online.
2. Take Clear Photos
Use good lighting and a simple, clean background to take multiple good photos of your items. Make sure to include photos of tags, details, and any flaws.
3. Write a Clear Title and Description
Include information like brand, size, condition, and any flaws (yes, you want to mention them!) so that your buyer knows exactly what they’re getting from you. Good keywords in your title will help buyers find your items.
4. Pick a Price
To decide on a price, it can be helpful to search up similar listings to get an idea of what your item is worth. Price competitively, or a little below, for faster sales.
5. List it
Upload your item to the platform of your choice, and you’re done!
Now you just wait for the item to sell! If it sits for a while, you can think about lowering your price a bit to catch the attention of potential buyers.
Selling online without a big budget is easier than ever. That's because most platforms have adopted a "free to list" structure and only charge you a fee after something has sold, so there isn't much risk involved in selling your items online. You can test the waters by listing your items for free and learn as you go, without worrying about coming up with money upfront.
No matter what you're selling, there are plenty of online selling platforms, where you can list sell for free! Start where you feel most comfortable, get some items listed, and once you get that first sale, you'll be hooked!
Which platform is best totally depends on your needs. Facebook Marketplace can be the best of both worlds: free to list your items, with just a small 5% fee once your item sells if you decide to ship it. Local sales are 100% fee-free!
Find a platform that allows you to list for free, such as eBay or Poshmark, which only charge you after you have already made a sale, so you don't have to put up any money upfront. Then take some good photos and get your item listed!
Pretty much anything sells these days, but some of the best items to sell on free platforms include furniture, home goods, clothing, electronics, collectibles, and vintage items. It's always smart to start with any items you no longer need to test the waters before buying inventory.
Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, and Nextdoor are some of the top websites to sell items online for free locally. Find out which one is most popular in your area and start listing there. You can always list on multiple platforms to increase your chances of selling your items, too!
Want to list your items on multiple platforms without the extra work? Vendoo makes it easy to cross list in just a few clicks. Try it free today!