How to start selling online without spending any money
Setting up a business and selling online can seem daunting, especially if you are on a tight budget. But, the good news is that it's possible to start selling online for free! I put this to the test by setting up this website and making my first sales without spending a penny. In this blog post, I share how to start selling online without spending any money as a small business owner.
1. Use social media
It can take a but of time to build up, but social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok are essential when starting to sell online. Using them is free and one of the best ways to reach potential customers. Simply create an account and regularly share engaging content with your followers. Don't just sell. Work out what else is relevant to your audience, and use that to create inspiring, educational or entertaining content around those themes.
If you are just starting out or limited on time, my top tip is not to try and do them all. Instead, pick the platform your customers are most likely to be on. Do one platform well, and you will be more likely to grow a community quickly. At Martha Brook, I initially prioritised our Instagram and built it to 75,000 followers. It is now in the top five traffic sources to our website and one of our biggest sales drivers.
If you are struggling to gain traction with your social media strategy, or anything in this blog post, find out about mentoring with me here.
2. Sign up to an online marketplace
If you are considering how to start selling online without spending any money, online marketplaces are an excellent place to start. Marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, and Amazon offer businesses the opportunity to list and sell for free. While these platforms may charge a commission on your sales, you don't have to pay anything upfront to list your products. The exception is more curated marketplaces like notonthehighstreet, where you may have to pay a joining fee.
All marketplaces have their nuances, so pick the one where your customers are. There is enormous potential to build six or even seven-figure annual sales on these platforms. However, you should invest time in understanding how they work and optimise your listings with high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and relevant keywords to increase your visibility.
3. Create a website
Whilst I am a big fan of using online marketplaces to get your business going, I always advise you to set up your own transactional website. This will allow you to build a direct customer base, be more in control of your sales, and sell more profitably.
There is a perception that setting up a website can be costly, and if you want to work with a web developer to build something completely bespoke, this can be the case. However, nowadays, platforms like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace and Shopify offer free website-building tools that can be used to create a website for your business. While these free options may not provide all the bells and whistles of a fully-customised website, they can be a great starting point for small businesses looking to establish an online presence. We will return to setting up a website in a future blog post!
4. Leverage email marketing
Email marketing is a very cost-effective way to reach customers and promote products or services, and another brilliant way how to start selling online without spending any money. At Martha Brook, it is one of our most significant sales drivers and has the highest e-commerce conversation rate of any of our marketing activities.
From the word go, I recommend starting a mailing list. Even if you don't have a website, you can direct people to sign up via links from social media. This will be one of the most valuable things you 'own' as a small business owner - the permission to contact people directly who want to hear about what you are doing!
Many of the website-building tools I mentioned above offer free emails as part of their platform, or you can use free email marketing tools like Mailchimp or Sendinblue to create and send newsletters to your customer base.
5. Create a blog
Blogging is a powerful way to attract customers to your website and establish yourself as an expert in your industry. Again, many of the website-building tools I mentioned above will have a blog option integrated, or you can use a free platform like WordPress or Blogger to create a blog and start publishing high-quality content.
Share your blog posts on social media and include links to your products or services to drive traffic to your online marketplace or store.
Thinking about how to start selling online without spending any money can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be expensive. Business owners can reach their customers online by leveraging free tools and platforms without breaking the bank. Remember, stay consistent with your online presence and provide excellent customer service to build a loyal following. Good luck!
I’d love to know in the comments if you'd like to expand on any of these points in a future blog post. Also, what do you currently find most hard as a business owner?
P.S. If you’d like 1:1 help with anything discussed in this blog post, discover mentoring with me here.
