If you’re looking for a relatively simple way to make some extra income, it may be worth looking around your home for items that you don’t use anymore or are looking to replace. These might be old electronics, clothes, accessories, and even furniture that are still in good condition. Selling these items online can net you some additional cash, and it’ll help you declutter your home to boot. It’s a win-win!
The Philippines has long had a social media- and internet-savvy culture, so it’s no surprise that the e-commerce industry has boomed in the country over the last few years. These days, there’s no shortage of online marketplaces and social media sites that can help you show off your pre-loved items to scores of interested buyers. Even if you don’t have any prior experience selling products online, these platforms are equipped with all sorts of helpful features that will make the work much easier.
Follow these 5 helpful tips and finding new homes for your secondhand stuff will be a walk in the park:
Take Lots of Quality Photos
Despite its matchless convenience, there’s one aspect of shopping at a brick-and-mortar store that online shopping can’t replicate: a buyer’s ability to physically inspect and try out the item before buying. Hence, buyers will want the next best thing, which is an abundance of clear, high-quality photos of the item. Most online shoppers will even scroll past product listings that feature poorly taken photos or no photos at all.
Providing lots of good photos is especially important for secondhand items, as you want to make the item’s condition as clear as you can to the buyer. Whether you’re selling a refurbished laptop, old clothes, or even a second hand sofa, make sure the items are clean before you shoot. Take time to set up your items against a clean, well-lit, non-distracting background so you can show them off effectively. Also make sure to shoot from a variety of angles so your buyers can get a full view of the item. Do take close-up shots of any visible flaws or damage for transparency purposes.
Sell on Social Media for Wider Reach
As previously mentioned, most Filipinos are guaranteed to spend a big chunk of their free time on social media. In fact, according to recent surveys, the average Filipino will spend about 10 hours browsing the internet daily. Most users devote around half that time to browsing social media sites. This data alone tells you that you’ll likely find a lucrative market for your pre-loved items on almost any major social media network you choose.
An additional advantage of selling your items on social media is that many of the biggest sites have taken notice of the global e-commerce boom and begun rolling out features to facilitate easier buying and selling on their platforms. Some of these include the ability to create product listings and streaming features that can be used to host live selling events. Direct communication between buyers and sellers is also easiest on social media.
Sell on an Online Marketplace
Whether you’re an amateur entrepreneur or a seasoned e-commerce veteran, there are plenty of advantages to opening a store in a dedicated online marketplace. The biggest online marketplaces in the Philippines offer a host of helpful tools and functions to improve the selling experience for merchants. These tools will help you put together detailed product pages, provide discount vouchers and other incentives for customers, and set up a range of payment and delivery options.
The best thing about selling on an online marketplace is that doing so gives you direct access to a large and active community of potential buyers. Thousands of people all over the country do their online shopping in these spaces, and many already have specific items in mind when they log on. Labeling your product listings clearly and writing out comprehensive descriptions are thus key to catching and holding prospective customers’ attention.
Be Honest
Some sellers deliberately exclude information about minor flaws and damage to the product from their listings in the hope that customers won’t notice, but doing so is asking for trouble. After all, an unhappy customer may come back with a bad review and even discourage their friends, family, and acquaintances from buying from your store. Instead, be fully transparent about the state of the item you’re selling. Mention even the most minor imperfections so your buyers know to manage their expectations. It’s also good practice to disclose whether the item has been repaired, whether it’s a replica of an original item, and other critical information.
Respond Promptly to Inquiries
Most buyers will be turned off by sellers who take days or even weeks to reply to messages sent to their online stores or social media pages. They prefer to complete transactions expeditiously and won’t hesitate to look for alternatives if they find themselves dealing with an uncommunicative seller. Be sure to check your messages on your chosen selling platform often and answer any inquiries made within a day at the very most.
Though it can be intimidating to put your pre-loved items up for sale online, rest assured that someone is surely out there who’d love to give them a new home. As long as you’re transparent and communicative about the items you’re selling, you should have no trouble at all selling off any secondhand items you’d like to part with.