How to Sell Books Online

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Looking to sell old books online?

Whether you’re an avid reader with too many books for your bookshelf, or someone looking to make a little extra money on the side, second-hand books are one of the easiest things to sell online.

Despite the trend of things going digital, the second-hand book market is something that’s only grown in recent years, with plenty of people looking for a simple side hustle perusing charity shops for cheap books they can send to eager readers.

So, whether you plan to sell old books online directly to your customers, or through popular online marketplaces, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about selling second-hand books online – and why you should choose Evri to deliver them!

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Important notes about selling second-hand books online

While a book is an easy item to ship, it’s not as simple as placing it in an envelope and sending it on its way. Customers expect the items they order to arrive in good condition, which makes wrapping your books correctly essential - just think of it as packaging a fragile item!

But if you’re not sure how to do this, don’t worry! You can read our blog on how to package books for shipping, which has everything you need to know about this topic, including tips on sending multiple books together.

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Where is the best place to sell books online?

When it comes to the best place to sell books online there are a variety of marketplaces and direct selling sites you can make use of, all of which offer quick and efficient ways to get your books in front of potential customers.

For most sellers, places such as Amazon and eBay are perfectly fine for their selling needs. They also tend to be the better option compared to direct selling sites because you’ll benefit from a greater share of the sale price.

Selling via marketplaces is also made even easier when you choose to deliver with Evri thanks to our bulk send tool, which lets you easily collect your orders in one place and pay for their delivery in one go. And that’s before we even touch on our great value prices and sending benefits!

Tips for selling second-hand books online

Now you know where to sell books online, let’s look at best practices to follow so that your customers get a great deal every time they order from you. Here are our top tips on how to sell old books online:

1. Research common book prices

Although you won’t be selling books at their recommended retail price, it’s always a good idea to do some research into common prices associated with the types of books you’re selling so you can price them appropriately.

For example, if the book you’re selling recently came out and is in high demand, you can price it close to the recommended retail price, depending on its condition. But if, on the other hand, the book you’re selling is fairly common, you’ll want to lower the price so that it’s more likely to sell.

Researching prices is also particularly relevant for older books or rare editions, as these can sell for a lot more than you might expect if they’re sought after by collectors. If you’re at all unsure how to price an older book, it might be worth getting it valued by an expert.

2. Be honest about a book’s condition

If you’re selling second-hand books online, chances are that they’re not in mint condition. Buyers are aware of this, and the odd bent page or scuffed corner likely won’t be a deal breaker for most.

However, you still need to be honest about the condition of any book you sell. If it has any damage, even minor marks, customers need to know so they make an informed buying decision. If you instead try to sell a water-damaged book as a book in good condition, you’re side hustle will quickly dry up.

Naturally, the condition of the books you’re selling will also determine their price. A book in good condition will likely sell for a lot more than one that’s a little rough around the edges, so your prices need to reflect this.

Transparency of this nature is always a good idea when selling any items online. Not only will it highlight you as a reputable seller, but it will make customers more likely to buy books from you again in the future.

3. Create a detailed product description

Besides the condition of the books you’re selling, it’s also very important that you create a detailed product description for each book. This should include the book’s title, its edition, a summary of what the book is about, a note on its condition, and several high-quality images of the book itself.

Again, this will provide transparency for the buyer and make them more inclined to buy from you now and later down the line. To find this information, either check the front cover of your book or research it online.

4. Buy your books from charity shops

If you want to make as much money as possible from your book sales, then it goes without saying that you want to buy any books you intend to sell at a reduced price, letting you make a greater profit.

Charity shops are ideal for this as most books are priced well below market value. This means you can pick up a suite of new books at a bargain price that you can then upsell online while simultaneously donating to a good cause.

5. Don’t pay for expensive postage

If you plan to make money off selling your books, you should look for the best value possible for your parcels. Here at Evri, for example, we combine flexible sending with competitive pricing, getting your parcels where they need to go at no extra cost. Why not look at our Evri vs Royal Mail guide to see how we stack up on prices, and save you money on your deliveries?