How to be successful on Depop: Our top tips for selling successfully

The ultimate guide to finding success on Depop 

Every selling journey and shop on Depop is unique in its own way. But we’ve seen that the most successful Depop shops often have a few key things in common. With that in mind, we’ve put together this step-by-step guide containing everything you need to know to start a successful Depop shop – and get to the top. Read on and get ready to take your own shop to the next level.

Please note: Whilst we are able to share our top tips for success on the basis of our experiences and the feedback we get from our sellers, we do not make any guarantee or representation or accept any liability in relation to the sales or revenues to be gained as a Depop seller. 

How to successfully sell on Depop

Selling successfully means making money, great profits, happy customers and more personal growth for you and your Depop brand. But the secret of how to be a successful Depop seller lies in setting your shop up well, communicating with your customers openly and building your own personal brand. Follow the top tips below to put your shop on a path to success:

1. Set up shop

The start of your successful seller journey on Depop is all about setting things up correctly to set you on a straight path to the top. The first thing you’ll do is sign up by choosing your unique username and writing your personal bio – see our detailed bio guide for more on this topic. 

Then start listing items that you want to sell. You might start by clearing out your own closet and listing any unwanted clothes or accessories. Or maybe you can ask family and friends to help declutter their wardrobes. Listing often and being consistent in your listing is the first step to becoming successful on Depop.

2. Take good photos

Photos are an essential part of any good Depop shop. You’ll need good photos for all items listed on your shop, and this’ll help your items sell more quickly. You don’t need special equipment or skills to make your photos great – just grab your phone and start shooting. Good natural lighting can make your items look their best. Remember to always shoot in a square format, so your photos are sized for the grid format on Depop.

Once you’re comfortable with the basics of photography on Depop, you can start thinking about playing around with backdrops and other equipment that can make your photos really stand out.

3. Write accurate descriptions

Writing clear, accurate descriptions for your items is really important to help you successfully sell on Depop. It’s your chance to tell the world all about how great your item is. Start by writing a headline that sums up everything a buyer should know about your listing. Make sure to include the most relevant and accurate keywords that someone might search for to find an item like yours.

Then, add in measurements so it’s clear how the item will fit. Include details about its fabric, and if the item has any flaws be sure to include these, too. Finally, finish your description with any extra reasons why a buyer should purchase from you – this could be your shop’s policies or shipping info. This way, shoppers will get all the most important info right at the start, and can keep reading through your description if they want to find out more. 

4. Build your personal brand

Now you’ve set up your Depop shop, it’s time to start thinking about your brand. Having a consistent look for your photos can help your buyers understand what your shop is all about. You can also carry this through to your packaging to make your brand stay in your customer’s mind. Make sure you offer your customers a memorable and smooth experience, and you might find that they keep coming back for more.

5. Use hashtags wisely

Use hashtags in your item’s description to increase its visibility on Depop. But be sure to use only relevant and accurate hashtags for each item – spamming your description with irrelevant hashtags can prevent your listing from showing up in search results.

6. Follow people

Connect with other sellers by following their shop. This can help you build followers of your own. It’s also a great way to stay up-to-date with what other sellers are doing – another important step in how to become successful on Depop.

7. Communicate with your community

Once your shop is up and running, potential buyers may get in touch with questions before they make a purchase. It’s vital to answer them in a reasonable timeframe, since this can help you make sales. Communicating openly with your customers – and being friendly and helpful while you do it – will keep customers coming back to your Depop shop and get you on the path to continued success.

8. Be open and honest

If buyers have questions about the items you have for sale, the best way forward is to be open with them. Let them know about any issues with sizing, flaws or details on the item. This will help them know what to expect when the item arrives. Transparency is key to helping you earn a good rating. Plus, provide a good and honest experience for your customers so they want to keep shopping with you in the future.

9. Add a personal touch

A little personality can also go a long way. Think about getting some branded packaging – flyers or stickers – to send with your item when it ships. Those extra touches can help cement your Depop shop in a customer’s mind.

10. Promote and share on social

Looking to get more eyes on your Depop shop? Share yours across Instagram and any other social media networks you have. Add your Depop details to your social bios for increased visibility. For Instagram, you can also use the Depop ‘Shop Share’ feature. Just go to your profile, click Share Shop and select 4 photos that best represent your Depop shop. Then tap Post to share these to your Instagram Stories.

Curious for more tips and tricks on how to sell on Depop? Follow How To Depop - Depop’s learning hub for sellers here.

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Depop success stories

If you want to know the secrets of how to be a successful Depop seller, there’s no magic formula that can guarantee success. But these top tips from some of our most successful Depop sellers are a great source of inspiration. They show you exactly how some of our best sellers rose to the top of the platform and should help guide your own personal journey of success.

Please note: We asked real Depop sellers about their experiences of selling on Depop for the specific purpose of including their feedback in this blog. All quotes and testimonials included below were provided in response to that request. The opinions expressed are the sellers’ own and should not be taken as advice (including legal advice), endorsement or recommendation from Depop.

Alex – aka @cultclassique – is a South London-based Top Seller who joined Depop in 2016. Here, he shares his top four tips for someone who wants to be successful on Depop: 

1. Bring as much of yourself to your shop as possible. For each item that I sell, I try to express this by styling full looks that I would wear in the real world. You can be aware of trends, but don’t compromise on your own style – identify what you love and let this determine what stock to sell. The more personalised to your own taste, the more you should stand out and have a shop and aesthetic that is distinctively yours.

2. Consistency is a big part of growing your shop and building a strong customer base. I maintain a consistent photo style, which has helped to familiarise people with my shop. I also aim to list new stock frequently throughout the week – this keeps people engaged and coming back organically to check on what’s new in-store, driving more sales and regular customers. 

3. Always be honest and realistic with your pricing. I calculate the price point needed to make a reasonable profit – factoring in original cost, labour, shipping etc. – but I try not to inflate prices above an item’s true value. If it fairly reflects the quality of the product, customers are more likely to have a positive experience and then return to buy from you again.

4. Rely on more than one source for stock. It’s rare that you’ll find a Top Seller who doesn’t do this – and it’s something I wish I had known when I was starting out. For many it’s a case of managing different alternatives and being proactive with it. Broaden your sights and get creative with where you can acquire stock from – with time and experience you should have a number of sources that work for you.

Hannah – aka @handpickedbyhannah – has been on Depop for three years, and a full-time seller for two years. She shares her top four tips for being a Depop success:

1. Sell what you love. This will keep your shop looking authentic and exciting as your unique style will become recognisable.

2. Experiment with photography. I'm talking lighting, backdrops, modelled shots, flat lays. Work out exactly what works for you and your brand aesthetic.

3. Provide good service. Yep, it's as simple as that. Respond to messages as quickly as possible, and be honest about what you're selling. Never underestimate the value of word of mouth from a happy customer.

4. Trust your instincts. I wish I’d known this more when I started out. I have absolutely no fashion background and I let this manifest into self-doubt – the great thing about Depop is there's a space for literally everyone and every style.

Whatever your goals are, arming yourself with the right information can help make sure your Depop shop wins. Build your brand through slick photography, great descriptions, cool packaging and social media sharing – then push it further by going the extra mile to give your customers a seamless all-round experience when they shop with you. Together, these actions open up the chances of repeat business and great reviews. All these things are essential when it comes to how to sell successfully on Depop, and will clear the pathway to your own Depop stardom. Fore more information, check out our top tips for selling on Depop. 

Please note: Whilst we are able to share our top tips for success on the basis of our experiences and the feedback we get from our sellers, we do not make any guarantee or representation or accept any liability in relation to the sales or revenues to be gained as a Depop seller.