Wondering how to sell books on eBay?
Books might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about starting an eBay business. However, they are one of the best-selling items on eBay and offer a huge opportunity.
In this guide, we’ll break down the process of selling books on eBay. You’ll learn which books sell best, where to source them, and how to create listings that actually convert.
Key Takeaways
- eBay is an excellent platform for selling books with a customer base of 134 million and presence in 190 countries worldwide.
- Choosing a niche helps you avoid direct competition with large sellers and makes it easier to source profitable books.
- Tools like ZIK Analytics can help you evaluate product ideas and overall competition, as well as create optimized eBay titles for your books.
- Dropshipping lets you avoid headaches associated with keeping inventory, whereas selling books directly gives you more control over the final price and brand.
Step 1: Find Your Book Niche
Like Jeff Bezos says, books are perhaps the most versatile product you can sell; that’s why it’s important first to find your book niche.
You should start by evaluating your interests in certain topics.
For example, do you like collecting a particular genre of books?
Are you passionate about a specific field, such as cooking or science, handywork, gardening, mystery, or basically anything?
Selling within a subject close to your heart makes it easier to identify valuable items while making the process fun.
Next, access your supplier network. A profitable eBay books business requires a steady stream of inventory. See where you can source books consistently, such as thrift stores, estate sales, or local contacts.
While you’re at it, drill down into subcategories. Rather than searching for “History,” look for “World War II Personal Memoirs” or “Medieval European Trade Routes.”
A highly specific niche means a more targeted audience and less competition and easier to for you to differentiate from the rest.
2: Research Your Competitors
eBay is a melting pot of book sellers competing for people’s attention. So you’ll want to research a few of them to see which items are bringing them the most revenue.
Now, there are many different ways how you can do competitor research on eBay, but without a doubt the best is to use ZIK Analytics’ eBay Competitor research tool .
You can use it to track any book seller’s listings and top-selling items in a few clicks. All you have to do is enter their store name and ID in ZIK, and the tool will give you a complete overview of their sales numbers.
In the dashboard, you’ll see metrics like sell-through rate, monthly revenue, and average pricing. You can use these to decide what inventory and pricing to use for your own eBay store.
For example, if a successful eBay store is selling books at an average price of $20.12, you’ll want to price yours around that to make your listings attractive.
The product view inside the competitor tool is where you can see the price, revenue, and 30-day sales for each item.
Filters allow you to refine the results based on the number of competitors and upload data. You can also analyze individual items by clicking the magnifying glass at the far right.
Individual listings also include key metrics like average price, number of listings, and the overall sales trend.
Step 3: Create an eBay Seller Account
To sell any item on eBay, you need to have a seller account. To create one, go to the seller registration page and sign up. Enter your basic information and choose between a personal vs business eBay account.
Personal accounts come with some limits, so it’s better to make a business account if you plan on selling a large volume each month.
Also, verify your phone number and email using the codes eBay sends. You can then click My eBay > Selling > Accounts > Payments to add a payment method for eBay fees and your bank details for receiving payments.
Step 4: Find Best Selling Books in Your Niche
You probably know that the book market is saturated with thousands of books published every year. Without a unique selling proposition, it will be extremely difficult for you to compete.
That’s why you need to find the best-selling books in your niche. Here are a few steps you can take:
Analyze Bestseller Lists
Amazon is the leading platform for book sales. Go to the Amazon Bestsellers page and explore relevant categories and niche subcategories.
Identify opportunities with less competition and look for books with a Best Seller Rank (BSR) of under 100,000 (this indicates consistent sales).
You can also analyze the “Customers Who Bought This Also Bought” section to find more niche ideas.
Additionally, look up best sellers on other plaforms like Goodreads and the New York Times to broaden your search. Analyze the competitor’s descriptions, covers, and pricing to determine how you can bring unique value to the audience.
Research Social Media
Follow groups popular with readers in the books niche, such as the r/books and /bookclub communities on Reddit or the #BookTok on TikTok. See what people are discussing and which mentions of book get the highest engagement.
You can also ask individuals there what they’d love to read next and gauge their interest through the enthusiasm in their replies.
Leverage Google Trends and Keyword Tools
Google Trends reveals if interest in a topic is rising or falling so you can focus on items with sustained interest over short-term fads. Just search for the book you’re looking to sell and see the graph over the past 5 years.
Additionally, look at the Rising terms as these can give you niche ideas for the type of books you should consider selling.
You can also use Amazon.com in Incognito mode to see which keywords and phrases people commonly use to find books. Tools like Jungle Scout can provide even more in-depth keyword data for Amazon research and analysis.
Use ZIK’s Product Research tool
ZIK also has an eBay Product Research Tool that lets you search items by keywords and see which items rank highest in the platform’s search results.
You can search for any book to get data on pricing, sell-through rates, and total sales over the past 7, 21, 30 or 60 days.
You can also filter the results by the seller’s country, whether you only want to see books available for dropshipping, eBay VeRO, and price range to find relevant books to sell on eBay.
If you notice that certain types of books consistently sell more, those are the ones you should be sourcing.
Step 5: Sourcing Your Books
Sourcing books takes some work since it’s not an item that you can easily find on websites like AliExpress. Some of the best places to find books for resale are:
- Libraries: Libraries frequently clear out old stock at bargain prices. Focus on non-fiction niche and academic sections to find books for eBay resale.
- Charity shops and thrift stores: These are reliable places to find affordable books. Plan regular visits to increase your chances of finding valuable books before competitors.
- Second-hand bookstores: These shops have curated selections and an expert staff to help customers.
- Facebook Marketplace: People often list bulk lots on the Facebook Marketplace in a bid to offload unwanted inventory. You may even find bargains by searching for misspelled or poorly written titles.
- Wholesalers and Arbitrage: Wholesalers like Books 4 People often list new books. However, buying from platforms like ThriftBooks keeps costs since the books there are underpriced.
Step 6: eBay Store Policies
Store policies are important as they help you manage customer expectations and improve the overall buying experience by defining payment, shipping, and return rules.
To set them up, go to the Business Policies dashboard in the Account section of your eBay Seller Hub and opt in. Once done, click the Listings tab and choose Settings > Business Policies to manage your policies.
You can use the different templates to create polices around the book’s condition, value, or weight. Here are some examples:
- Shipping: Create separate shipping policies for different book types, like “Ground Advantage Paperbacks” or “Priority Mail Textbooks.” You can use calculated shipping based on weight and distance.
- Return: Set your return window to 14, 30, or 60 days, and decide who pays for return shipping. You can also create separate policies for rare books versus standard used books.
- Payment: Use eBay’s managed payments system, and require immediate payment for “Buy It Now” listings to ensure transactions complete quickly.
Once set up, you can choose the relevant policy from the dropdown menu when listing a book on eBay.
Step 7: Create Your Listing
To create a book listing, you’ll need to describe its condition in detail and use the complete range of item specifics.
Go to the Create Listing section and enter the book’s title plus its UPC, ISBN, or EAN in the field. eBay uses these product identifiers to pre-fill many fields. If you see the “Sell One Like This” option, select it and then update the details with your own where relevant.
You should also specify the condition by selecting New, Used, or Like New from the dropdown menu. In the Condition description, enter information about any flaws, such as wear or tear or markings. The main item description field is where you’ll provide key details such as the specific edition.
The most important part of the listing is Item Specifics. As a book seller, you’ll want to provide all the relevant specifics, including:
- Author
- Genre
- Language
- Publication Year
- Format Paperback, Hardcover, etc.)
- Special attributes ( Ex-Library, First Edition, Signed, etc.)
When done, add some high-quality images (eBay lets you upload up to 24 photos) and set pricing and shipping. For most books, you can use the Buy It Now format, but feel free to test Auction if your inventory includes higher-value items.
Step 8: Fulfillment and Returns
Once you start getting orders from eBay, you’ll need to package and ship the book to the customer.
To prevent damage during transit, use appropriately sized boxes with void fills (e.g, packing peanuts) and wrap the books in bubble wrap. For domestic US shipping, use USPS Media Mail (it’s the cheapest) for single books and USPS Priority Mail (offers faster delivery with better tracking) for bundles and more valuable items.
Shipping labels can be created and printed directly on eBay. Using this option automatically populates tracking information to the order details. You’ll also want to set your handling time; aim for 1 business day if you want to achieve the Top Rated Seller status and meet buyer expectations.
Your eBay returns policy also needs to be clear in order to avoid negative feedback from buyers. Define your return window (most sellers use 30 days) and mention who’ll pay for the return shipping. You can also set up automation rules in Return Preferences for handling routine returns (such as issuing refunds for low-value books) efficiently
Step 9: Bundling and Promoting Books
Bundling books involves creating a single package of multiple books to increase perceived value. You can group books that go naturally together, such as books by the same author or those that make a complete series (e.g., all seven Harry Potter books or a three-book mystery thriller collection).
Checking sold listings on eBay can help you determine popular bundles and the sweet spot for pricing. You can also pair high demand books with less popular titles to clear inventory and add more variety to your bundle.
When describing the bundle, use the term “lot” instead of “set” as most eBay buyers consider that to have multiple items. Also choose one book as “primary” and in the Listing Specifics section, set Bundle Listing to Yes and fill out the Bundle Details field.
You can promote bundles the same way you promote a single book. We tell you more in Step 11.
Step 10: Scaling & Automation
A dozen book sales is a good start, but if you want to make this sustainable, you need to learn how to scale your eBay books business.
The ideal way to scale is to build significant inventory (think 1000+ books). Source affordably and consistently while assessing book condition to make sure you’re investing in quality. Thrift stores and estate sales are your best options for buying low.
Automation can significantly reduce the time you spend on repetitive tasks. There are tools like ZIK’s eBay title builder, which help you create optimized titles using your target keyword. You also have native eBay tools like ISBN Autofill, which automatically populate item details when you enter the book’s ISBN.
You can also set up rules to automatically send offers to interested buyers (like individuals who add the item to their cart or watch your listing). Plus, eBay gives you the option to auto-relist products that don’t sell in the auction-style format.
Step 11: eBay Promoted Listing
eBay promoted listings are like paid Google ads, but on eBay. The help your products show up higher in eBay search results so more buyers can see them and click through to your listing.
There are two options for Promoted Listings:
- Standard Promoting Listings: With this, you only pay when someone buys your book within 30 days of clicking your ad. Choose the ad rate that eBay suggests, which is usually around 2% to 5%. If your book has a higher profit margin, you can increase it to 8% to 10% to get more visibility.
- Advanced Promoted Listings: This option works better for rare or high-value books where you want to bid on specific keywords. You pay each time someone clicks your ad, whether they end up purchasing or otherwise. Choose keywords buyers are most likely using right now, such as “vintage cookbooks,” and set a daily budget to keep finances under control.
Go with the option that works best for your situation.
What Types of Books Sell Best on eBay
Niche books, vintage books, and collectibles are often the best-selling on eBay. You can consider listing:
- Rare and out-of-print books: Examples include McGuffey Readers, vintage National Geographic magazines, and Civil War diaries
- First editions and signed copies: First edition Harry Potter books and signed Stephen King novels are popular with collectors
- Specialty manuals: Think military field manuals and 1960s electronics repair books attract niche buyers.
- Fine press editions: Heritage Press classics and Limited Editions Club releases maintain their value.
- Current textbooks: Medical school anatomy books and engineering textbooks should get you buyers.
- Popular series and graphic novels: Complete Dragon Ball manga sets and Marvel comics appeal to fans.
Why Sell Books on eBay?
There are a few reasons why eBay is the perfect platform for selling books.
The main reason is that the platform reaches 134 million buyers in 190 countries worldwide. That means anything you list will get a lot of eyeballs and potentially sales.
Another reason is the lower fee. eBay charges around 15.3% on book sales, which includes payment processing. Amazon, on the other hand, charges 15% plus a $1.80 closing fee per book.
eBay is also ideal for decluttering or starting a small reselling side business. With up to 250 free listings and no subscription required upfront, you can sell a lot of books without getting into a long-term commitment just yet.
Dropshipping eBay Books or Inventory Selling?
There will come a point where you’ll need to decide between dropshipping books vs. selling your own inventory on eBay.
Ebay dropshipping lets you avoid shipping and logistics headaches while keeping costs low. However, it requires strict compliance with eBay’s rules (particularly avoiding retail arbitrage and having proper wholesale agreements) and managing customer service.
Related read: What to dropship on eBay
Inventory selling gives you more control and potentially higher margins on book sales. However, it requires more upfront capital to buy and resell your own books (not to mention, you’ll need a space to store and package them).
Pros of Dropshipping Books on eBay
- No upfront investment required
- You can add or remove titles easily
- Supplier handles storage and shipping
Cons of Dropshipping Books on eBay
- eBay restricts retail arbitrage from Amazon
- Suppliers reduce your profit margins
- You’re responsible for shipping issues
Pros of Buying and Reselling Books on eBay
- Full control over sourcing and quality
- You keep the entire profit after costs
- Lets you build inventory as a business asset
Cons of Buying and Reselling Books on eBay
- Requires upfront capital to buy books
- Need storage space and time for shipping
- Unsold books tie up your capital
My recommendation is to start with dropshipping if you’re new and want to keep risks low. You can move to inventory selling once you find a profitable niche and have funds to consistently source from thrift stores and other places.
Common Mistakes of Selling Books on eBay to Avoid
There are a few mistakes that can hurt your book sales on eBay:
- Trusting eBay’s ISBN catalog data: ISBN details (the pre-filled information about a book’s author, appendix, etc.) can contain errors. You should manually verify every detail or choose Does Not Apply in the ISBN section and provide accurate information yourself.
- Using stock or poor-quality photos: Using stock photos for used books gives the impression that you’re hiding some damage or flaw. Take clear, high-resolution images of the book against a plain background, preferably from multiple angles.
- Writing generic titles: Vague titles like “the best children’s book” won’t do your listings any favor. You should use the entire 80 characters and include essential terms like Edition, Published Date, Author, and other specifics (first edition, collectible, etc.).
- Mentioning inaccurate grading: Not being transparent about the book’s condition, such as mentioning “like new” for a “good” condition book, can lead to negative feedback. Familiarize yourself with book grading terminology and show any flaws, ideally through photos.
Using ZIK Analytics to Find Profitable Books
ZIK Analytics has a suite of tools to help eBay sellers find profitable books to sell.
However, I specifically want to mention three tools that make researching and listing books easier:
- eBay Competitor Research shows you what other book sellers are doing. Enter a store name to see their monthly revenue, which books sold the most, and how they price different genres and editions. Add successful sellers to your Watchlist to track when they list new inventory.
- eBay Product Research shows you what’s selling right now. Search for keywords like “first edition” or “vintage textbooks” and see which books rank highest, how many sold, and what prices buyers are paying. Filter by condition or location to narrow your niche.
- eBay Title Builder helps you write listing titles that buyers actually search for. Enter a term like “Stephen King first edition” to see search volume, competition, and whether books with that keyword are selling. Use the data to build titles that get your books in front of the right buyers.
You can save searches and products to folders for quick reference when you’re ready to list.
Get your ZIK Analytics trial and start sourcing profitable books with real marketplace data.
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Sell Books on eBay
In this section, I’ll answer the frequently asked questions about selling books on eBay.
How much does eBay charge to sell books?
eBay charges around 14.95% to 15.3% on the total sale amount for the first $7,500 and a meager per-order fee to sell books. If your sales volume is above that threshold, you’ll pay lower fees, with the exact amount varying slightly by account type.
Can you sell used books on eBay?
Yes, eBay allows you to sell used books on its platform. However, the low-priced book niche is dominated by large companies offering free shipping due to a high turnover and favourable postal rates. If you want to succeed, you should focus on unique and higher-value items such as out-of-print titles, signed copies, or first editions.
Can you make a profit selling used books on eBay?
Yes, you can make a profit selling used books on eBay. However, not many people achieve this because they follow the wrong strategy. To improve your chances, focus on first editions, rare titles, and niche non-fiction books like old computer repair manuals. Also consider bundling books to increase the average sales price and source from charity shops and library sales to keep costs low.
How much does eBay take from a $100 sale for books?
eBay charges around $15.30 in Final Value Fees, plus a $0.30 order fee, from a $100 book sale. Books fall into the category of items that have higher fees (around 15 percent of the sale price, including shipping & tax). If you don’t have a professional eBay plan, you’ll also pay insertion fees on any listing above the 250 free monthly limit.
What is the best site to sell my books?
The best site to sell your book depends on its type. For example, rare or vintage books sell best on eBay. Textbooks are better sold when listed on BookScouter. World of Books is a top choice for selling general used books for cash.
Is reselling books still profitable?
Yes, reselling books is still profitable. However, it requires smart sourcing and choosing niche, high-value books such as collectible first editions and vintage (pre-ISBN) books. Simply scanning books and listing them on eBay is no longer enough to achieve profitability as a book reseller.