How to sell online in 2022: 6 easy steps

1. Choose what products to sell
Before you start selling online, you'll need to establish a business plan and decide what items you want to sell.
You may already have an established retail location for selling offline. But if you're just starting your business, you'll need to carefully consider what you're going to sell.
When deciding what to sell, consider demand, potential profit margins, and your own interests.
You can use various online tools to gauge demand and come up with ideas for products to sell. Here are a few useful tools to check out:
You'll also want to research your potential profit margins. Look into how much products similar to yours sell for and estimate how much it will cost you to produce and distribute your products.
Don't forget to consider your own interests as well! Selling products you're excited about can keep you motivated as you figure out how to sell online.
2. Create a business plan
Every business needs a plan, including those that use online selling platforms. Creating a detailed business plan will help you determine how to sell your products online and help you reach your goals.
When creating your business plan, consider factors such as:
3. Decide where to sell online
After establishing your inventory, you’ll need to determine where to sell online
Whether you sell on your own website or a top online marketplace, there are more options than ever for diversifying your selling channels in 2022.
Our guide outlines the pros and cons of selling on each platform, as well as your e-commerce site, so spend some time reviewing your options when deciding where to sell online.
If you need help determining which selling platform is best for your business, AtumX Media can help. Connect with our e-commerce experts to learn more!
4. Build your online store
Next, you can start building your online store and listing products for sale.
If you chose to use an online marketplace, you’ll need to create an account and set up your page.
If you decide to sell on your own website, you’ll want to pick a domain name that reflects your brand and is easy to remember. Platforms like Shopify make it easy to get your online shop up and running quickly. So, keep that in mind when setting up your online site, especially if you don’t have a lot of technical expertise.
For platform-specific instructions on how to build your online store, check out the below section on where to sell online.
Selling on your online store requires ongoing maintenance and optimization, and we recommend partnering with an e-commerce agency like AtumX Media to get the best results.
5. Set up e-commerce functionalities and processes
Many different elements go into how to sell online, and you’ll need to set up various processes and functionalities before you launch your e-commerce store. These elements include:
Payment processing
To start selling online, you’ll need to set up payment processing.
You have numerous options for accepting online payments, whether you open a merchant account or use a payment processor like PayPal, or Stripe.
Where you sell online will also impact the payment processing solution you choose.
Shipping
Next, you need to identify the shipping methods and rates you’ll offer.
Depending on your country, you may have access to carriers.
Free shipping entices customers to buy but remember that you'll need to absorb that cost.
Some online marketplaces — like Amazon — offer fulfillment and shipping options to help you sell more online.
So, be sure to consider all the options and rates available when determining where to sell online.
Security
No matter where you sell, you’ll want to enable secure online payments so people feel comfortable shopping on your site and purchasing from your business.
Use a payment processing system with proven security and ensure your site has a secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate.
Policies and documents
You’ll want to have several documents available on your e-commerce website. These documents include:
Licenses
You’ll also want to make sure you have all the necessary business licenses. Check your local, state, and federal laws to determine which licenses you’ll need.
Customer service
Ensure your customers have a way to contact you and determine how you’ll handle customer service issues.
6. Promote your online business
Finally, you’ll need to market your online business, so people can easily find your site and purchase it.
You can have the most beautifully designed site and world-class products, but without proper optimization and promotion, nobody will be able to find your e-commerce store or your profile on a top-selling site.
Marketing is a crucial part of how to sell goods online, so be sure to invest in digital marketing services — like search engine optimization (SEO) and website maintenance — that set your site up for long-term success.
Looking for a digital marketing partner to take your online sales to new heights? Contact us online to learn how our e-commerce solutions can grow your business.
7 best selling platforms for selling products online
When it comes to selling products online, the best selling platforms for businesses are:
1. Amazon
2. Shopify
3. eBay
4. Alibaba
6. Your Website
Keep reading for a breakdown of each online marketplace, which includes an overview of their:
In most cases, businesses will benefit from selling on multiple online selling sites. If you have a dedicated website, plus a presence on Amazon, for example, that allows your company to reach more shoppers through multiple channels.
Amazon Marketplace

Amazon Marketplace ranks number one on our list of the best online marketplaces in 2022.
It's fairly easy to start selling on the platform, and Amazon Marketplace allows sellers to get more eyes on their products fast.
How to sell on Amazon Marketplace
Wondering how to sell online with Amazon Marketplace? Here's how to get started:
1. Decide what you want to sell. Amazon offers more than 40 product categories, plus 10 additional categories to Professional Sellers.
2. Choose a selling plan. Amazon offers two options for sellers, which we’ll cover below.
3. Create an account.To register your account, visit Seller Central, Amazon’s online interface for managing seller accounts.
4. List your products. Individual sellers can add products to the Amazon Marketplace catalog one at a time. The Professional plan lets you add products in bulk.
5. Start selling. You’ll receive payment directly to your bank account and receive an email notification when payment sends.
6. Ship your products Amazon will notify you when a customer places an order. You can use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) to let Amazon handle shipping — or take care of shipping products yourself.
7. Get paid. Amazon deposits payment into your bank account at regular intervals and notifies you when it sends.
Cost of selling on Amazon Marketplace
Amazon offers two plan options for sellers:
With the Individual plan, sellers pay $0.99 per item sold, plus additional selling fees.
The Professional plan allows you to sell an unlimited number of products for $39.99/month with additional selling fees.
If you only sell a few products each month, the Individual plan may work for you. However, the Professional plan appeals to sellers with alrger product quantities.
Pros and cons of selling on Amazon vs. your website
First let's look at some advantages of using this online selling site.
Pros of selling on Amazon
Cons of selling on Amazon
Summary
Want to boost online revenue fast? Amazon is a good option for small and midsize businesses (SMBs) selling a range of products like apparel, home goods, electronics, and much more!
Shopify

Next, we'll look at Shopify, which is another one of 2022's top online marketplaces.
A complete ecommerce solution, Shopify allows you to start, grow, and manage your business, all from one platform.
How to sell on Shopify
Here's an overview of how to sell online using Shopify:
1. Set up your Shopify account. Visit Shopify's website to create your account and start your free 14-day trial.
2. Enter a domain address. By default, your domain will look "namestore.myshopify.com", but you can purchase a custom domain or connect a domain you already own so it looks like "namestore.com".
3. Select a Shopify theme. Choose from free or paid themes. Then, customize your theme to create a unique storefront.
4. Add products. If you're selling less than five products, you can manually add them by listing product names, descriptions, and types, as well as uploading images. To bulk upload more than five products, you can import a CSV file.
5. Install apps and integrations. Shopify offers a host of integrations to expand your business and help you sell more products.
6. Optimize your site. To boost conversions, consider using SEO, email list building, and social media services from a company like AtumX Media.
Cost of selling on Shopify
Shopify offers sellers a free 14-day trial, so you don't need to enter a credit card when signing up on the platform.
When your free trial ends, you'll need to select a pricing plan that matches your budget and business goals.
Choose from five plans:
Typically, small and medium-sized companies opt for the Shopify or Advanced Shopify plans, so you can expect to pay $79-$299/month to sell on Shopify.
Large businesses can sign up for Shopify Plus, but you'll need to contact the company for a custom quote.
You may also opt for the Shopify Lite plan that allows you to sell on Facebook and interact with customers on Facebook Messenger. With this $9/month plan, you'll add products to a website or blog and accept credit card payments.
Pros and cons of selling on Shopify vs. your website
First let's look at some advantages of using this online selling site.
Pros of selling on Shopify
Cons of selling on Shopify
Summary
Want an easy-to-use interface that lets you quickly boost online sales? Shopify is a good option for small and midsize businesses offering a variety of unique products!
eBay

Another top online marketplace in 2022, eBay allows customers to buy and sell everything, from cars to electronics, and more. This powerhouse platform rakes in $35 billion in domestic sales each year, and it's a household name across the globe.
How to sell on eBay
To start selling your products online with eBay:
1. Create your account. Sign up for an eBay account to start selling.
2. Navigate to "Sell". Click "Sell" at the top of any eBay page or go to Sell your item.
3. List products. Create and publish your product listings. .
4. Confirm your details and start selling. During this step, you can also add an automatic payment method for eBay fees.
Cost of selling on eBay
Individual eBay sellers can expect to pay several fees, including insertion and final value fees.
Insertion fee
Each month, eBay sellers get up to 50 zero insertion fee listings - or more if you have an eBay Store (more on that later).
After you've exceeded the allowance, you're charged inserion fees, which include:
Final value fee
Sellers are also charged a final value fee when an item sells.
This fee gets calculated as a percentage of the total sales amount, including any shipping and handling charges.
The amount eBay charges depends on the following factors:
eBay Stores
Sellers also have the option to open an eBay Store to receive discounted fees and more free listings each month. Store owners have access to additional tools to manage and promote their businesses too.
To get started, you'll need an eBay seller account with an automatic payment method on file.
If you want to open an eBay Store:
1. Go to Account in My eBay.
2. Select "Subscriptions".
3. Select "Choose a Store".
4. Find the Store type you'd like to subscribe to and choose "Select and review".
5. Select the subscription term (yearly and monthly) and enter a name for your Store.
6. Select Submit order to purchase the Store subscription.
Store subscription plans from eBay start at $4.95/month (with a 1-year plan) to $2999.95/month (with a 1-year plan).
When opening an eBay store, you can choose from the following plans:
Take a look at eBay's Store subscription fees to compare options and choose the one that's right for your business.
Pros and cons for selling on eBay vs. your website
First let's look at some advantages of using this online selling site.
Pros of selling on eBay
Cons of selling on eBay
Summary
Want quick access to a large audience of buyers? eBay is a good option for businesses selling a variety of products, from electronics to second-hand items!
Alibaba

A Chinese ecommerce company, Alibaba offers online marketplace, payment, and cloud computing services.
While Alibaba is a Chinese-based selling platform, we think it's worthy to note on our list of the best online selling sites. After all, it dominated 80% of China's online shopping market and boasts the equivalent $1 trillion in online site transactions.
How to sell on Alibaba
To determine if it's better to sell on Alibaba or your website, let's look at how to sell on the platform.
Start selling on Alibaba with these steps:
1. Create your account on Alibaba.com
2. Start listing products. Visit My Alibaba to get started.
3. Secure your trades. Place a Trade Assurance order with online buyers to better protet your trades.
Cost of selling on Alibaba
Alibaba offers a Free Membership plan that lets sellers:
1. List up to 50 products.
2. Subscribe to Trade Alert to get the latest buyer requests in your mailbox.
In addition to Alibaba's free option, sellers can opt to pay for a Global Gold Supplier Membership to earn more buyers and buyer trust.
Global Gold Suppliers choose from the following packages:
View Alibaba's packages and pricing to learn more.
Pros and cons of selling on Alibaba vs. your website
First let's look at some advantages of using this online selling site.
Pros of selling on Alibaba
Cons of selling on Alibaba
Summary
Want access to millions of B2B and B2C buyers, ready to purchase your items? Alibaba is a good option for businesses selling everything from apparel to machinery!
Facebook Marketplace for Business

Facebook Marketplace - commonly used to buy and sell items like furniture, clothes, and even cars - features 800 million monthly users in 70 countries.
Though the platform is popular among individual sellers, Facebook has started to roll out Marketplace for Business - a feature for SMB sellers.
Marketplace for Business allows you to:
How to sell on Facebook Marketplace for Business
To list ecommerce inventory on Marketplace for Business, you'll need to work with one of the following listing partners:
1. BigCommerce
2. ChannelAdvisor
3. CommerceHub
4. Feedonomics
5. Quipt
6. ShipStation
7. Shopify
8. Zentail
Facebook recommends contacting a listing partner directly to express interest in selling your products on Marketplace for Business.
All Marketplace listings must comply with Facebook's Commerce Policies and Community Standards.
It's important to note - Facebook is gradually introducing Marketplace for Business, so it may not currently be available to you.
Cost of selling on Facebook Marketplace for Business
A perk of using this selling platform - Facebook doen't charge to list invetory on Marketplace.
However, you may encounter fees working with Facebook's listing partners.
Pros and cons of selling on Facebook Marketplace for Business vs. your website
First let's look at some advantages of using this online selling site.
Pros of selling on Facebook Marketplace for Business
Cons of selling on Facebook Marketplace for Business
Summary
Want to boost awareness of your products and allow people to buy directly on social media? Facebook Marketplace for Business is a good option for selling retail items, home rentals, vehicles, and event tickets.
Start selling on Facebook Marketplace now!
Your own website

Now that we've looked at the top third-party marketplaces, it's time to consider creating and selling on your own site.
For many businesses, creating and selling on their own ecommerce websites yields the best return. Since 74% of small business websites don't have ecommerce funcitonalities, there's a significant opportunity for you to move into the online selling space using your site.
How to sell on your website
To start selling products online via your site, you'll first need to create or update your website.
Follow these steps to get started selling on your site:
1. Select your website host.
2. Register your domain name.
3. Design your ecommerce site.
4. Get your SSL certificate to secure your site.
5. Set up a merchant account to start accepting online payments.
6. Establish your pricing an start listing products.
7. Create a plan for managing your inventory and shipping products.
8. Promote your site with digital marketing services.
Designing and launching your ecommerce store is a daunting task, but AtumX Media can guide you through every step of the process. Contact us today to speak with an expert and start selling from your custom online storefront.
Cost of selling on your website
Selling on your own site requires an upfront investment, but for many SMBs, it's the best long-term option.
When creating your site, you'll encounter several fees, including:
Website design, development, and maintenance
On average, you can expect to pay 500€ - 20,000€ to design and launch a custom ecommerce site. You'll also need to invest in routine maintenance, which can range from 30€ - 2,000€ per month.
Ultimately, the total cost of selling on your site depends on several factors. For a custom estimate, contact us online!
Ecommerce SEOIf you want to drive long-term results with your ecommerce store, we also recommend investing in an SEO strategy.
AtumX Media offers ecommerce SEO services.
At AtumX Media, we understand the importance of creating website that not only look great, but also function well and rank at the top of search results.
When you choose us as your ecommerce partner, you can rest assured we'll earn you the best possible results, and you'll enjoy more site traffic, leads, and online revenue.
Create my Custom Ecommerce Site!
Ad options for your website
When selling on your own website, you can choose to run paid ads on platforms like Google Ads, as well as social media sites, to boost traffic to your website, and increase your revenue.
PPC ads appear at the top of search results, above organic listings. And they can help you SMB boost brand awareness, leads, and revenue.
Advertising on social media expands your reach and connects your business with a qualified audience, people most likely to purchase from your online site.
If you're launching a new site, PPC ads can help you gain qualified leads immediately, while you work to establish you organic site rankings with SEO.
Shipping options for your website
When selling on your own site vs. an online selling site, you're responsible for fulfilling and shipping all orders.
Here are some things to consider:
Keep in mind, you'll also need to create a return policy and provide customer service to shoppers.
Pros and cons of selling on your own website
First let's look at some advantages of using this online selling site.
Pros of selling on your own website
Cons of selling on your own website
Investing in an SEO plan can boost traffic to your site, so people can find and contact you. Results don't happen overnight though, so if you want a lot of eyes on your products quickly, you may consider selling on an online marketplace.
You need to work harder to earn consumer trust: Depending on your business, you may also lack the reputation or social proof necessary to inspire purchases. A household name like Amazon doesn't back your website, so you'll need to work hard to instill trust in shoppers and keep them coming back to your ecommerce store.
Summary
Want full control of your pricing and online sales platform? Creating your own website is a good option if you want to take the reins and position your business for long-term success!
Start selling on my website now!
What is the best platform to sell online in 2022?
The million-dollar question: What is the best platform sell online? A top online marketplace or your own website?
Unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, but hopefully, our online marketplace guide helps you get started. Depending on your business, goals, and budget, you may get a better return selling on an online marketplace, your own site, or a combination of online selling platforms.
Choosing where to sell online is a big decision, and it can make or break your business.
At AtumX Media, we understand the importance of fully researching and vetting all options. That's why we recommend consulting ecommerce specialists, like the AtumX Media team.
We specialize in creating ecommerce websites that not only look great, but also rank at the top of search results.
Plus, we help companies like yours take advantage of the best online selling sites, like Amazon and eBay, so you can earn more sales through more online channels.
Contact us online to learn more about our ecommerce web design services, as well as marketing services for online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.

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