Listing a new item on Mercari is a simple process that can be done on Mercari website using a computer or Mercari app using a mobile phone.
To list a new item on Mercari, follow these simple steps:
Add Photos:
You can upload or drag and drop up to 12 photos when you list an item on Mercari.
- Try to add as many photos as you can to cover all angles and to show any special features your item has.
- Try to use a white background to allow potential customers to see the item clearly.
- Show any damage to reflect the real condition of the item.
Add a title:
Add a title that describes your item in 40 characters or less.
- Add a title that is keyword focused.
- Mercari allows 40 characters only, Make sure you add the keywords that best describe your listing such as brand, size, color..
- Search for similar listings in the Mercari app to have an idea about what other sellers are using as keywords in their titles.
Add a Description:
Add a description to tell potential customers what your item is, and what are its characteristics.
- Add a keyword focused description.
- Avoid long and boring descriptions and information the customer doesn’t care about.
- Mercari allows you the use of 1000 characters in your description, try to add the most important information that best describe your item such as brand, size, color, functionality, measurements…
- Add any damage in your item to your description and make sure you communicate its real condition to avoid returns and bad feedback.
Add Tags:
Mercari allows you to add 3 tags to your listing. This section is optional.
- Adding tags on Mercari is optional, but it’s important in helping the app find your listing and add it to the search results.
- Use the 3 keywords that best describe your item.
- Make sure that you are using keywords that you included in your title and description.
Select a Category:
In this section you select your item’s categoty.
- It is important to select the right category of your item.
- Selling a purse in the sport & outdoors category won’t work.
Add a Brand:
In this section, add the brand of your item.
- Many customers on Mercari search the app for specific brands. It’s important to add the brand of your item to allow it to show up in the search results.
- Make sure that your item is authentic.
Select Condition:
Select the condition of your item from the 5 options that Mercari provides: New (New with tags (NWT). Unopened packaging, unused), Like New (New without tags (NWOT). No sign of wear, unused), Good (Gently used, one/few minor flaws, functional), Fair (Used, functional, multiple flaws/defects), Poor (Major flaws, may be damaged, for parts).
- Select the same condition you added in your description.
- Make sure you select the right condition of your item to avoid returns and bad feedback.
- Keep in mind that what you believe is a good condition can be described as only a fair condition by an other person.
Select Color:
Select the color of your item.
- Just select the right color of your item. If you are not sure, ask a family member or a friend to confirm your selection.
Decide you Mercari Shipping:
In this section you will need to add the zip code from where your item will be shipped, and decide if the buyer should pay the shipping cost or if you are offering free shipping.
- Mercari recommends free shipping like all the other online marketplaces (Amazon, Poshmark, eBay…), but you don’t have to. You can still make sales if you have quality items that you are offering for reasonable prices.
- Test both shipping options (Buyer pays for shipping and free shipping) and decide which one helps you make more sales.
I make sales on Mercari even if I don’t offer free shipping. I like to promote my items and accept offers without making any complicated calculations by including shipping costs in my prices.
Example: If an item costs me $3 and I’m asking for $10. I can reduce my price to $8 or accept a $7 offer from a customer quickly without looking at my listing or making any complicated calculations. I know that my profit is 7-3=$4 because the buyer will pay for shipping.
Set your Price:
In this section you set the price of your item.
- Make sure you buy items cheap to be able to offer them to customers for a reasonable price.
- Check your competition’s prices on the Mercari app before you set your price.
- Customers who like your item will make you offers that are less that the price you set. Keep that in mind when pricing an item to accept offers and still make a profit.
- Don’t price your item too low because sometimes you will have to reduce your prices and send offers to customers to boost your Mercari sales.
List your Item:
Click List to list your Item.
Congratulations. You listed your item on Mercari.
Please consider some of the tips I provided in every step of the listing process to make sure your item is found in the search results on Mercari.
You can sign up for Mercari by visiting the link mercari.com, or use my invitation link to get a $10 discount in your first purchase. Sign up To Mercari here using my link to get $10 credit (I will also get $10 credit)
Remember that you will need to offer a good customer service when needed and keep listing items frequently to increase your sales. Read more about how to boost your sales on the Mercari app in these articles:
Ask me anything in the comments area below this article
