If you own a small fashion business, then you need to try out Depop. You probably know what Depop is, but if you don’t then it’s a fashion marketplace that is laid out like a social media platform. As a consumer, you can like postings, save them to a collection, tame your feed to your interests, etc. As a business, you can easily list your items, communicate with buyers via message, easily set up Paypal, etc.
Depop is very different from the likes of eBay, Craigslist, Shpock, etc. It is very image-based. In each listing, the image is the main feature and selling point. Pictures do the talking, hence why you don’t really need a stupidly long description. Depop is loved and used by younger people, hence why most of the clothes sold there are mainly trending fashion items as well as a lot of designer items. Another big category on Depop is retro clothes.
If you own a small fashion store selling, for example, retro soccer jerseys, then you need to be on Depop. If you want to start a small fashion business selling second-hand clothes, then Depop is a must. You can even link your socials to Depop to make things a whole lot easier.
Depop Was a Lifesaver For Small Fashion Businesses
This lockdown has been hard for small businesses, especially ones with a brick-mortar store. Many fashion businesses were previously based on the high-street or in malls. As we know, the lockdown has meant these places have had to close, some temporarily and others permanently.
Depop has allowed many small fashion businesses to flourish during the past year. You can easily run your fashion business now from the comfort of your own home. Delivery is just as easy, taking pictures is easy and you can connect with a wider customer base.
Depop was made for fashion-sellers. It was made for clothes and culture. Therefore, if you own a fashion business, why not use Depop more often? It was made for your business to succeed so why not take the opportunities that await?
The one great thing about Depop is that consumers can find what they want very easily. There are firstly the categories that separate different fashion styles. Then there is the search bar which you can search for whatever you’re after. Finally, there is the feed. A feed is made up of all the things a consumer is interested in. This can be set on previous purchases or by choosing interests.
SEO is needed in Depop. Titles are definitely more important than descriptions, so it is important not to keyword stuff. Clean titles work better and they are so much more straight to the point. Images are also key, so if you are going to sell on Depop as a business, then you’re going to need to learn how to take good photos. Ones with a model usually work best.
How To Start a Small Business on Depop
If you are interested in setting up a small business on Depop, then listen up. This method is quite simple and it will kick things off on your entrepreneurial journey.
First of all, you need to determine what you want to sell. There is no point in being a “general” type of seller selling all types of fashion items in multiple niches. Those sort of stores never work properly and look a bit unprofessional. You need to have a set niche. For example, a jewelry store or a store selling rare sneakers.
Then you need to find or make the items you are selling. If you are selling handmade jewellery, etc then you’re the expert at that. When it comes to clothes, you can sell used stuff you don’t use anymore. Or, if you want to sell more like a business then you can do this.
Go onto Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, etc. Find a job lot of the clothes you are after. Make sure the clothes look ok and are suited to your niche. If you are selling retro clothes, make sure they are retro. If you are selling Asian attire, make sure they’re Asian attire. Make sure the clothing is not beyond repair. You can live with a few blemishes, holes, or anything repairable. However, things like permanent stains, huge rips, etc are all a no go.
Make an offer for the clothes. Pick them up yourself from the seller, and check all the clothes to see if everything is legit. Then wash them, repair them if need be, iron them out and then model them and take photos. Using a phone camera is absolutely fine. For the pictures, studio shots work well. However, if you don’t have a studio then you can easily shoot outdoors. If you don’t have a model then selfies could work but just make sure the product is shown off.
Editing the photos is pretty easy too. You can use phone apps like Snapseed or Photoshop express to do it. Just simple things will do. Depop has a section on how to take great photos, make a great listing, etc.
Make sure your items are listed neatly. No keyword stuffing, no long boring descriptions, etc. Make the product speak for itself and let the high-quality images do the talking. respond to all customers and answer all of their questions. Make sure your listing has the accurate size, colours, variants, etc. This is what consumers want.
Another way to find clothes is to go to a garage sale, a market stall or look at other marketplaces to try to find something interesting that people would like. You may find some interesting items that you could sell on quite easily. Another way is collecting free clothes, though mostly they’re junk, however, some stuff can be saved.
If you are selling designer clothes, buying in bulk could be an option. Find a supplier and order stuff from them to sell. Or you could source items for people such as rare Louis Vuitton items, however, that’s a whole different business model. You could also enter “drops” for rare shoes, clothes, etc. These are essentially lists which you enter to win the chance to buy an item which then can be resold on. Depop has many listings of rare shoes, clothes, etc.
Anything interesting or designer can be sold on Depop. As they advertise, you can make a fashion empire from your bedroom! Selling on Depop is one of the easiest ways for anyone to make money, especially teens. It makes used clothing cool and opens up a wider range of fashion to everyone.
However, do bear in mind Deopp does take a fee when you sell things.