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The best place to sell shoes online isn’t the one with the loudest ads or the most sellers shouting over each other. It’s the one that fits your shoes, your buyer, and the level of control you want over the sale.

Some platforms are great for clearing out a closet. Others are built for brands that want repeat customers, higher margins, and a business that doesn’t depend on an algorithm’s mood. 

Pick the wrong place, and you’ll fight fees, discounts, and low-quality traffic. Pick the right one, and selling gets a lot less stressful.

This guide breaks down the best websites to sell shoes — from big marketplaces to running your own store. We’ll cover where each option works best, what kind of shoes actually sell there, and how to price and present your products so they don’t get lost in the pile.

Let’s turn those shoes into cash!

15+ best places to sell shoes online

We’ve compared 15+ top places where you can sell shoes online and make money.

Preparing to sell shoes online

To start selling shoes online, you need a well-defined plan and strategy in place. 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

How to choose the best website to sell shoes

Select the website that suits your needs based on this detailed comparison of major ecommerce sites considered as some 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 improve 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 enables you to set up a fully functional online store with powerful features and integrations, allowing you to effectively 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

Which platform is best for your shoe type?

Not every platform works the same, and the best websites to sell shoes often depend on what kind of footwear you’re listing. Choosing the right marketplace based on your footwear type can help you maximize visibility, profits, and ease of sale.

If your obvious next question is “Where can I sell shoes for the highest return?”, here’s a breakdown to guide you:

• Designer heels and luxury footwear: RealReal is often the best place to sell high-end designer shoes, as buyers expect authenticated luxury items. Meanwhile, Poshmark works well for new or gently used designer heels thanks to its fashion-focused community and simple listing process.  
• Limited-edition sneakers: If you’re looking for the best place to sell sneakers, start with StockX, GOAT, and Grailed. Also, check out Stadium Goods and Flight Club, as they connect you with serious sneakerheads looking for rare, unworn, or high-demand sneakers. 
• Casual or everyday shoes: Mercari is a strong choice for anyone seeking the best place to resell shoes from mainstream brands like Nike or Adidas that don’t need authentication. ThredUp simplifies the process with its consignment-style model.
• Kids’ shoes: Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp excel in this area, as parents prefer local deals to avoid shipping costs and inspect shoes before making a purchase. They allow quick local sales with no listing fees, making either platform the best place to sell used shoes for fast pickups.
• Quick sales and auctions: If speed is a priority, eBay is your go-to option. It has a massive audience and auction options, making it the best site to sell shoes fast. Facebook Marketplace adds the advantage of zero fees and immediate payment when dealing with local buyers. 

Best practices for selling shoes online

You may be wondering how to sell shoes online and make money by following the best practices.  

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 strategies for selling shoes online

Here are some effective marketing and sales strategies to consider if you want to sell shoes online and make profits:

• 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 a 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:

With Omnisend’s intuitive workflow builder, you can create automated email sequences that nurture leads, re-engage customers, and seamlessly promote upsells and cross-sells. You can also integrate this feature-rich platform with your existing SMS and social media platforms for a unified customer experience across all touch points.

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 transparent and customer-friendly return policy
• Omnichannel support: Offer multiple channels for customer service

Below are examples of some customer service channels: 

Ready to sell your first pair? 

Selling footwear gets easier when you pick the best place to sell shoes online, follow the best practices, and create strong listings. 

Be sure to price your products competitively and use smart marketing to reach buyers. From choosing the right marketplace to planning fulfillment and returns, each step helps you build a smoother, more profitable workflow. 

Start by picking one or two platforms from this guide that match your inventory. Take quality photos, write honest descriptions, and price competitively. 

Don’t wait for the perfect moment. List your first few pairs today and learn as you go.

• 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

FAQs

This article originally appeared on Omnisend and is available here for further discovery.