Depop has been around since 2011, but with giants like eBay often taking centre stage when it comes to online marketplaces, Depop stayed safely in the background until it absolutely boomed in recent years with the rise of smart phone users- so how can you make some money on Depop yourself?
Depop is an app based online marketplace where trend led clothing, vintage and vintage sportswear are particularly popular with users- 80% of whom are under 25. If the clothing you are wanting to sell fits into these categories, you are likely to have a lot of success in selling it. It’s a great way to make some money on the side when you are clearing out your wardrobe. People sell jewellery, shoes and accessories as well as clothing- so pretty much anything goes.
All you need to make money on Depop is your phone- which means almost anyone can have a go at selling on this platform.
So how to sell on Depop? These are some tips that you can put into practice to maximise the profits you gain from selling on the app.
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Clear photos
Clear photos are absolutely key to selling anything online, but it’s particularly important for clothing- no one wants to buy something that looks like it’s been screwed up in the bottom of someone’s wardrobe for years.
Make sure that clothing is fresh and ironed before taking photos, take photos during the day when there’s as much natural light as possible, and preferably on a white background. You could use an app like Snapseed to make sure that the background is as white and bright as possible before uploading your photo.
There are many professional sellers on Depop, who sell online as their full time job. To get your items noticed, the photos need to compete with the professionals. Upload lots of photos so that you can show off every angle of the item, including the label and care label if possible.
If you are able to, upload photos of yourself wearing the clothing (and crop the image so your face isn’t visible). This is more likely to get people to click on your listing and buy from you as they can get an idea of what an item is likely to look like when worn, and what the fit might be like. This is vital when purchasing something online, as buyers don’t like to take a gamble on fit.
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Searchable descriptions
Make sure you include as much detail as possible in your listing description. It’s no use putting a description like ‘pretty dress’ as users are likely to be searching for something more specific. Add the brand, colour, sizing and length into the listing description to ensure that as many users find your item as possible.
You can also add up to 5 hashtags which are also worth using to help ensure your item comes up when searched. If you are selling a vintage dress for example, you might hashtag the decade it’s from, the style, or the print.
You should also include the sizing in the description, and possibly even take measurements and add these to the listing as this all helps a buyer to build confidence in what they are buying. If an item is vintage, it is especially important to add measurements as clothing sizes have changed a lot in the last 20 years!
In the full description you should include any flaws that an item may have, make sure you check over every garment very carefully for tears, stains and buttons missing before listing it- or else you could end up with a very unhappy customer.
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Pricing
Make sure that your pricing is competitive, so do a little bit of research before you post your listing to check that it’s within a similar price bracket to similar items that are listed for sale.
Fairly often people will make you an offer on an item for a lower price, it’s completely up to you whether you decide to negotiate the price- but if you’re interested in selling the item quickly, why not come back to them with a counter offer and see what happens?
Communication
Customers will often leave comments on your listing, or send you a DM about an item. Make sure you have notifications switched on so that you can respond to any queries quickly. Don’t leave it too long to reply or else the buyer might find something new.
By replying to queries quickly and helpfully, you can build up a rapport with customers, and you never know, if they like what you are selling they could buy several things from you, and return to your Depop page in the future.
Social media promotion & increasing followers
If you want to get more serious about selling on Depop, it’s a great idea to start an Instagram page for your store where you can build a following and post about any new items that have been listed.
Like I said earlier in the post, some Depop users are full time sellers, which often means that they source stock and then resell it on the Depop app- most full time sellers will have an Instagram page to accompany their account so that followers can keep up to date with their store. It’s also a great way to build relationships with your customers, and they can get to know you too.
Discounts
If you are hoping to make money quickly, you could offer discounts on your items to get them sold faster. There isn’t a dedicated ‘discount’ button that you can use, but if someone has liked a few of your items or left some comments, there’s no harm in sending them a DM to say that you can offer a discount if they buy multiple items from you.
If you’ve set up a dedicated Instagram page, you could also announce discounts or sales through this- perhaps advertise a code which they can DM you to get a percentage off their order, or free postage.
Costs
What fees do Depop charge?
Depop fees are similar to eBay, in that they take 10% of the full transaction value, including shipping. Make sure that you bear this in mind when calculating postage to ensure you’re covering your postage costs adequately.
On top of the 10% Depop fee, PayPal will also charge 3.4% plus £0.20 in the UK.
How can I calculate postage?
You can calculate postage by heading to the Royal Mail website where you can find a breakdown of postage costs. Remember that small items like little tops or jewellery can be classed as a large letter so this can bring down the cost of postage.
Once you have a rough idea of the price, add 10% so that this covers the Depop fee and you are not left out of pocket.
Some Depop sellers will give free postage as an incentive for people to buy from them, if you decide to do this, factor it into the overall cost of the item to again make sure you are not missing out on any profit.
So there you have it- how to sell on Depop and maximise your profits! It’s time to open shop- remember to use clear, bright photos and detailed descriptions and your clothes will be sold before you know it. Happy selling!
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