Decluttering is an essential part of keeping our lives organized. It can help us figure out what we no longer need, what we need but should put in storage, and allow us to enjoy a more streamlined environment, whether at home or work.

In this blog, we frequently talk about the importance of decluttering, cleaning, and organizing, and we mention the fact that you can sell many items that you no longer need. Here, we’ll get into detail on how to sell your goods online.

Anything you plan to sell should be in new or gently-used condition. With that in mind, let’s dive deeper into selling stuff you don’t need.

Steps for Effective Sales

No matter where you sell those belongings you no longer need online, there are certain steps to take that will help you sell them quickly and for a fair price.

1. Sell only stuff that’s in new or gently-used condition.

2. Take one or more photos of the object for your listing. Make sure the picture is clear and in a clean, well-lighted place. Natural light is great for this.

3. Describe the item in detail. Depending on what it is, details may include the materials it’s made, the serial or model number, and measurements. Also, note what year you bought it.

4. Disclose any flaws. Even gently-used things may have dings or scratches. Mention these in your description so that the eventual buyer won’t get angry at you for it. Take an item’s flaws into account when pricing it.

5. Don’t overprice your stuff. Look up similar things that have already sold, rather than new listings. This way you can discover what they actually sold for, and you can price your stuff accordingly.

6. Read the descriptions of similar listings that already sold and use the same keywords.

Top Places to Sell Your Stuff Online

There are numerous places to sell old belongings online. Here are some of the top sites, along with the basics of how they work and what you can sell on them.

1. Ebay. You can think of this as the mother of all online sales and auction sites. Ebay has been around since 1995. You can sell just about anything there. If you have a lot of items to sell from your decluttering, consider selling less pricey belongings first to build a positive reputation.

2. Craigslist. You can buy, sell, and give away just about anything on Craigslist as well, though this site has a more local focus. It’s not an auction site, so be prepared to pick a single price and to perhaps haggle over it. Craigslist is for more than selling stuff, though. You can find homes for rent, various services, and more.

3. OfferUp. This is an excellent app for buying, selling, or giving away old things locally. It’s different from Craigslist because it’s all about the stuff. The app will alert you when someone is interested in one of your items.

4. ThredUp. If you have a lot of clothes still in good condition, Thredup is a good place to sell them because it specializes in clothing. There’s a caveat, though: they take only women’s and children’s clothes. They buy your clothing directly and will even send you a package to ship them in, postage paid.

5. Facebook Marketplace. This is a lot like OfferUp, but through Facebook. It’s free to use, and you can use it to view activity on your listing, giving you an idea of the demographics of buyers.

You will need to read the instructions and terms of use on each site, but now you have the tools to move forward. Once you’ve sold your clutter, you may need space to store seasonal items or other things you plan to keep, but that just won’t fit comfortably in your home. Check our listings for great self storage facilities near you.