Tips to Maximise Your Profit By Selling Online

Experts from platforms like eBay, Depop, and Vinted share their top advice on maximizing profits from preloved items.

1. Find Your Demographic The competition is fierce, so choosing the right platform is key. “Depop tends to appeal more to Gen Z, so it doesn’t really suit the pieces I’m selling. Vinted, however, has a wide range of buyers of all ages,” says Becky Barnes, a sustainable stylist. "One of my most successful places for selling shoes and clothes is the local community Facebook page. It's easier because you don’t have to package and send items—people almost always want to collect."

2. Provide Clear Photos Clear photos are essential, whether the item is on a hanger or being worn. Include shots from different angles, close-ups of the fabric, and images of the label and care instructions. Use lighting that accurately shows the item’s true color. Natacha Blanchard from Vinted recommends a white background for clarity. Kirsty Keoghan, global general manager of fashion at eBay, suggests using eBay’s background removal tool and AI-powered listing tool to enhance photos and descriptions.

3. Be Descriptive and Honest Use more keywords than you think are necessary to help buyers find your items. Blanchard advises paying attention to color accuracy. “Sometimes the color does not appear in the photo as it does in real life, so I always note that.” If good lighting isn’t available, mention in the description if the shade is lighter or darker than it appears.