Table of Contents
1. 15 best places to sell shoes online
2. Preparing to sell shoes online
3. Choosing the right platform
4. Best practices for listing shoes
5. Marketing and sales strategies
6. Managing sales and fulfillment
7. Legal and financial considerations
8. Conclusion
9. FAQ
Are you thinking about selling shoes online, either as a side hustle or full-time business? You may think, “There are tons of shoe sellers on every online marketplace, including social media platforms. How can I possibly compete?”
The good news is that the global online shoe market is booming. At a healthy clip of 6.8%*, it’s projected to reach a staggering $179.51 billion by 2031. That’s a massive opportunity waiting to be tapped, and there’s room for everyone if you use the right strategies.
To make sure you’re not left out, we curated this guide to equip you with the knowledge of how to sell shoes online — from determining which platforms to sell shoes to building a brand that resonates with your target audience.
If you’re set, let’s get your online business up and running!
Useful resources:
15 amazing WooCommerce store examples for 2024
How to set up a WooCommerce store: Complete tutorial for beginners
Top 13 WooCommerce dropshipping plugins for 2024
15 best places to sell shoes online
We’ve compared 15 top places where you can sell shoes online and make money.
| Platform | Known for | Good for | Fees | Focus |
| StockX | Bid and buy marketplace | Reselling unworn sneakers, including popular and limited-edition releases | 3% payment processing fee + transaction fee (7%-9%) | Sneakers, collectibles, streetwear, and electronics |
| GOAT | Curated selection and rigorous authentication process | Sellers of popular and high-demand sneakers | Seller fees (up to $35) + 9.5% commission fee | A wide selection of sneaker brands |
| eBay | The most diverse online marketplace | New, gently used, rare, and unique pieces | 250 free listings per month + 10%-15% final value fee | A wider variety of shoe brands and types |
| Amazon | Massive online retailer with a vast fulfillment network | Any type of shoes | Selling plan fees start at $0.99 per item + $0.30 referral fee | A wide range of shoe options |
| Stadium Goods | High-end online marketplace with physical stores | Genuine and unworn sneakers, limited editions, popular brands, and exclusives | 20% commission + 1% payment processing fee | Sneakers, streetwear, and a limited selection of accessories |
| Flight Club | Pioneer sneaker resale aftermarket brand | Rare and exclusive sneakers | 9.5% commission fee + $5 seller fee + 2.9% cashout fee | High-end sneakers and apparel |
| Poshmark | Community-driven marketplace for fashion items | Gently used or new shoes | $2.5 commission fees for sales below $15 or 20% for sales of $15 and above | Wide variety of fashion items, including shoes, makeup, and dresses |
| Depop | Fashion marketplace for trendy and vintage clothing | Unique, vintage, or hard-to-find shoes, appealing to Gen Z shoppers | 10% seller fees | Sneakers, streetwear, preloved, and vintage stock |
| Facebook Marketplace | Convenient shopping and local reach | Used or gently worn shoes | No listing fees, varying shipping costs (delivery/ local pickup) | A broad category for various items, including used shoes |
| Highly visual social media platform with a massive user base | Unique shoe collections | No listing fees, but similar to Facebook Marketplace, consider paid advertising to reach a wider audience | Building brand awareness and potentially driving sales to your ecommerce website | |
| ThredUp | Online consignment and thrift store | Gently used shoes | Commission-based on product value | Preloved clothes, shoes, and accessories |
| The RealReal | Luxury resale and consignment | Designer shoes | 20%-85% commission | Luxury sneakers, collectibles, and clothing |
| Grailed | Online marketplace for a wide range of fashion pieces | Men’s sneakers | 9% commission | Designer, vintage, and streetwear |
| Etsy | Marketplace for handmade, vintage, and craft supplies | Handmade or custom shoes | $0.20 per listing + 6.5% transaction fee | Vintage or custom items |
| Shopify | Scalable ecommerce platform | A wide variety of shoes | Subscription plan fee + transaction fee | A wide range of items |
Preparing to sell shoes online
To start selling shoes online, you must have a proper plan and strategy laid out. Here are a few things you need to get started:
- Inventory: You should have a collection of shoes that meet the needs of your target audience
- Business registration: Even though you’re selling online, you may have to register the business
Here are the steps you can follow:
- Your niche: Conduct market research to determine which footwear niche is most profitable, for which this guide on the best small business ideas will come in handy if you’re still exploring your options
- Target market: This provides valuable insights into your ideal customer’s demographics, buying habits, and pain points, helping you customize your product selection and marketing message
- Source shoes: You can sell shoes from your own closet, thrift stores, or clearance sales, but you have to ensure their authenticity so that you can build a good seller reputation and gain customer trust
- Storage solution: Invest in storage units, a warehouse, or a dedicated space in your home to keep your inventory safe and organized
- Create an online presence: Build a website, leverage social media platforms, or use an ecommerce platform like Shopify or eBay to build brand awareness
Choosing the right platform
Select the platform that suits your needs based on this detailed comparison of major platforms considered as few of the best places to sell shoes:
eBay
eBay is a giant in the world of online selling, offering a vast selection of products across almost every category imaginable.
Features
- Auction and fixed-price listing
- An established platform with a high user base
Fees
10%-15% final value fee
How to sell shoes on eBay
- Create an account
- Create your listings
- Set your pricing
- Choose a reliable shipping service with clear shipping costs and delivery times
- Respond promptly to questions from potential buyers
Pros
- Access to a large audience
- Flexible listings
Cons
- High competition
- Sellers handle shipping, returns, and customer service
GOAT
GOAT is a sneaker-focused platform that emphasizes the sale of authentic shoes through its moderated process.
Features
- User-friendly interface for buying and selling
- Limited to sneakers and some apparel
Fees
- Seller fees depend on your location
- 9.5% commission
How to sell shoes on GOAT
- Apply for a seller account
- Upon approval, list the shoes, showing clear photos of any defects
- Set the price while considering GOAT’s seller fee
- Pack the shoes securely and send them to the verification center
Pros
- Sneaker-focused authentication
- High listing standards to boost buyer confidence
Cons
- Higher fees
- Focuses on high-end, trendy, designer sneakers
StockX
StockX is a platform for reselling sneakers and streetwear. It also allows buyers and sellers to place bids and asks.
Features
- Auction and fixed-price listing
- A verified marketplace
Fees
- 7%-9% transaction fees
- Varying payment processing fees
How to sell shoes on StockX
- Create a seller account
- Monitor market trends, and list your shoes with competitive pricing or sell them to the highest bidder
- Upon sale, ship the shoes to StockX for authentication
Pros
- Transparent pricing
- Ensures authenticity
Cons
- High seller fees
- Slower transactions
Shopify
Shopify allows you to set up a fully functional online store with powerful features and integrations to showcase your products.
Features
- Customizable online store
- Wide variety of apps for store management
Fees
- Basic plan: $29/month
- Shopify plan: $79/month
- Advanced plan: $299/month
- Plus plan: $2,300/month
How to sell shoes on Shopify
- Create an account
- Create pages to display the shoes
- Integrate sales channels like social media or consider a Shopify Amazon integration to sell alongside other Amazon retailers and boost sales
- Select a payment gateway
- Market your shoes
Pros
- Highly scalable
- Extensive customization options
Cons
- Requires marketing effort
- Sellers handle logistics and customer service
Amazon
Amazon is a general marketplace with a broad audience, providing a robust fulfillment network for a seamless shopping experience.
Features
- Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) option for storage and shipping
- Advertising options, such as Sponsored Brands, to increase product visibility
Fees
- Individual plan: $0.99/item sold
- Professional plan: $39.99/month
How to sell shoes on Amazon
- Set up a seller account
- Select a selling plan
- Create listings
- Choose the fulfillment method
Pros
- Access to a large customer base
- FBA handles storage, shipping, and customer services
Cons
- High selling fees
- Highly competitive
Best practices for listing shoes
At this point, it’s time to answer — how to sell shoes online and make money?
Here are some best practices to follow:
- Images: Display multiple angles, including close-up shots of logos or imperfections, and utilize AI image tools to generate high-quality product images
- Product description: Create a detailed product description that highlights the brand, model, size, and condition of the shoe
Take this great product description from Amazon, for example:
- Keywords: Add relevant keywords in your title and description to optimize your product listing for search engines
- Pricing: Research similar shoes on your chosen platform to understand the current market price
Marketing and sales strategies
Here are some effective marketing and sales strategies to consider:
- SEO: Search for relevant keywords to add them to your product title, description, and tags
- Social media marketing: Leverage social media to create buzz and run targeted ads
- Cross-promotion: Combine your shoes with complementary items like shoe care products or offer bundled deals like back-to-school collection to boost sales
- Social proof: Encourage customers to leave reviews on your listings and social media pages
- Email marketing: Build an email list by offering incentives, such as discounts and access to early arrivals
Platforms like Omnisend can help you personalize emails based on factors, such as purchase history, interest, and browsing behavior. Its email segmentation feature enables you to streamline your marketing efforts for higher engagement.
In the example below, the email is being sent to contacts that spend an average of $100 per order:
Managing sales and fulfillment
Customers expect a seamless experience from the moment they add items to their cart until the products arrive at their doorstep.
A well-organized sales and fulfillment process can help you meet these expectations.
Below are some tips for managing sales and order fulfillment effectively:
Logistic considerations
- Secure packaging: Use appropriate boxes and cushioning materials to pack shoes securely
- Pricing transparency: Ensure all shipping options and costs are clear to optimize your ecommerce checkout process
- Order tracking: Provide accurate shipping timelines and tracking information
Customer service and returns
- Proactive notifications: Be prepared to communicate shipping delays
- Personalized outreach: An example is personalizing the order confirmation email to thank them for their purchase and build rapport
- Easy returns: Have a clear and customer-friendly return policy
- Omnichannel support: Offer multiple channels for customer service
Below are examples of some customer service channels:
Legal and financial considerations
A crucial step in learning how to sell shoes online is understanding the legal and financial aspects. Skipping these steps can lead to compliance issues, hefty fines, and even your online business being closed down.
- Licenses and permits: Check with your local authorities for any applicable licenses and permits
Below are some of the consequences of improper licenses or permits:
- Consumer laws: Familiarize yourself with consumer protection laws to ensure fair customer treatment
- Counterfeits and copyrights: Avoid selling fake items or using copyrighted logos without permission
- Taxes: Keep meticulous records of all sales and expenses
- Accepting payments: Use secure payment gateways
- Data security: Have a secure encryption protocol to protect customers’ financial information
Conclusion
From choosing an ecommerce platform to crafting compelling product listings and ensuring legal compliance, you can sail through the challenging task of selling shoes online with expert tips.
To thrive in this competitive online shoe industry, consider leveraging powerful marketing ecommerce automation tools or platforms or choose between the two popular ones — Shopify vs WordPress to connect with the right audience at the right time. Personalize their shopping experiences to convert them into loyal customers.
Don’t let your business ideas stay on the shelf. Take the first steps and incorporate our tips to start selling shoes online.
FAQ
What is the best website to sell shoes?
The best place to sell shoes online depends on the type of shoes and inventory size.
Some popular stores include: StockX, GOAT, eBay, Amazon, Stadium Goods, Flight Club, Poshmark, Depop, Facebook, Marketplaces, Instagram, ThredUp, The RealReal, Grailed, Etsy, Shopify.
How do I start selling shoes online?
Follow these steps:
- Research the market
- Source your shoes
- Select an ecommerce platform and sign up for a seller account
- List your products with competitive prices
- Arrange for shipping or local pickup
How can I maximize my profits when selling shoes online?
Here are some ways to maximize ROI:
- Optimize your product listings
- Price your shoes competitively and consider offering discounts and cross-promotional deals
- Use social media to showcase your shoes and create engaging content
- Use cost-effective shipping options
Is it better to sell shoes on a marketplace or my own website?
Beginners may prefer a marketplace for ease of use, while experienced sellers may create a website to have more control over branding and pricing.
What are the common pitfalls in selling shoes online and how can I avoid them?
Beware of these some common mistakes in selling shoes online:
- Poor quality photos and descriptions: Take high-resolution images and write detailed descriptions
- Ignoring shipping costs: Compare rates from different carriers
- Poor inventory management: Track inventory levels to avoid overstocking and understocking
- Not building trust: Encourage positive reviews and respond to feedback
Is StockX legit?
Yes, StockX is a well-known platform and has positive reviews from both buyers and sellers.
Sources:
* E-Commerce Footwear Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis
Source from Omnisend
Disclaimer: The information set forth above is provided by omnisend.com independently of Alibaba.com. Alibaba.com makes no representation and warranties as to the quality and reliability of the seller and products.
