Learn to Sell Used Books Online
First Who is Your Target Audience?
Your first instinct may be to just buy whatever books you can get your hands on and then start selling them on your website. In the short term this may work but really you might need a better plan. While it is true that selling a wide 
variety of books will allow you to market to a larger customer base it also subjects you to greater competition. More competition can mean reduced sales price. Perhaps specializing in a certain book category would be best for you when you want to sell used books online. While you would be selling to a smaller market you could instead become known as a specialist for this category of books. Do your research in forums and eBay pulse to see what types of books are popular and currently in demand.
Where to Find a Source for Used Books
Used books are all over and finding great prices to buy used books can be done if you try. Many times people will actually give their used books away once they are done with them. You can also go to flea markets, consignment stores, charity shops or online auctions or ask family or friends to find used books. When you purchase the used book for resale remember not to overpay. Unless this is a unique book consider a purchase ceiling price of $1.00. Keep in mind that you might have to offer free shipping depending on your competition.
Where to Sell Used Books Online
There are several options for where you can sell used books online. So let’s look at a few of these online services:
- eBay.com- the largest online auction site where it is very easy to list books for sale. Many potential buyers search eBay when they are looking to buy used books. There have been recent reductions in fees for selling media which reduces your cost of selling.
- Half.com- it actually concentrates on selling used books as well as DVD’s, CD’s and video games. The listings are fixed for price and they are classified by product condition. Half.com could likewise be a source for purchasing books for you to sell.
- Amazon.com- you can list your inventory of used books for sale along with the new copies of this book that Amazon is selling. You will pay a fee if you sell the book.
- Bookbyte.com- is a great site for selling used college textbooks. Textbooks can generate more money because of the technical information contained in the books. The textbook has to be current since old information is useless.
- Textbooks.com and valorebooks.com- are similar to bookbyte.com for as a site for selling used college textbooks.
- Biblio.com- is a site for rare books and books that have stopped being printed. Biblio will provide access to worldwide customers for these unique books. You provide the details for your book inventory and potential buyers will be able to search by title.
Selling Your Used Books Inventory
If you really want to find success when you sell used books online then you should try to sell books that are in good condition. If your books look relatively new then you can get the better prices. If your books were published in the 
last 30 years they should have an ISBN number or what is equivalent to a registration number assigned to each book. If you list your books on eBay, just type in your ISBN number for the description and most of the times eBay can provide you with all the information about the book. You can look on eBay’s completed listings to see what your book has been selling for or you can go to Amazon.com to find the price being asked for this book.
Make sure you take good photos of the book, list the benefits of the book and design an ad that will be attractive to buyers. You are going to have to sell quite a new of books to turn a good profit but it has been done by sellers who are willing to devote the time and energy.