How to Sell Shoes Online in 2025?

Why not turn your love for shoes into a profitable venture? Selling shoes online is a perfect opportunity for fashion enthusiasts to grow their passion into a thriving business. Whether you’re decluttering your wardrobe or starting fresh, success hinges on careful planning.

In this article, we’ll guide you through every step needed to sell shoes online successfully, and share key insights for crafting a solid business plan.

According to Statista, the online footwear market is projected to reach $187.3 billion by 2027. As eCommerce continues to grow, the apparel and footwear segment is expected to comprise 40% of total online sales across various marketplaces. This creates a strong opportunity for sellers to enter the market and earn real profits.

To get the most out of your shoe selling business, it’s necessary to carefully study the market and think of your business strategy.

Here are the steps to selling shoes online:

First, you need to decide what type of shoes you want to sell. Choosing the right niche helps you target your optimal audience and stand out. Here are some of the most popular niches in 2025:

While choosing a profitable niche is a great starting point, it's just as important to identify specific products that are in demand, have manageable competition, and offer a healthy profit margin. That’s where market research comes in. Instead of relying on guesswork, you need real data to help you avoid costly mistakes.

One option is Sellerhook’s professional services, where experts analyze trends and competition to hand-pick profitable products tailored specifically to your business. Although their research is based on Amazon data, it’s also highly relevant to other platforms too, as Amazon often reflects broader market trends.

If you want to find profitable shoes to sell without spending hours on research, Sellerhook provides a customized, ready-made solution. Their team of experts selects items that match your specific budget, style, and business goals, making it easier to launch your store with clarity and confidence.

Here’s how to get the service:

2. Fill out the questionnaire. Complete a brief questionnaire to share key details about your product preferences (such as price range). The more information you provide, the more effectively Sellerhook can tailor the research to match your goals.
3. Receive your report. Within 10 business days, you'll receive a comprehensive report featuring a product idea. This will include detailed data analysis to help you assess a product's potential for profitability and market fit.

This gives you a better chance to attract buyers and ultimately boost your sales and revenue.

Once you know what kinds of shoes you want to sell, it’s time to source your products. Sourcing depends on your particular business model. Here’s a quick overview:

This business model is less expensive and relatively easy to start out with. Dropshipping involves selling without inventory: just find a supplier, install their app, and import products to your store. Since you’re not managing any inventory yourself, it’s helpful to work with local suppliers to avoid long shipping times.

Examples: Zendrop, Bdroppy, CJ Dropshipping

This business model gives you access to lower per-unit prices, making it easier to earn a profit on each sale. However, wholesale also usually requires a big order upfront, which involves a higher initial investment and more inventory management. It’s ideal for sourcing branded products that already have demand and recognition in the market.

Examples: Costco, Wholesale Central, or contact brand owners directly

With this approach, you buy low and sell high using deals from online or offline boutiques. It’s low-risk and easy to start, but also time-consuming since you need to search constantly for profitable deals. Additionally, it’s hard to scale due to limited stock and inconsistent availability.

Examples: Amazon, Walmart, Outnet, and Premium Outlet stores

If you want to start your own brand, you’ll need to work with a manufacturer to create a custom product. This approach requires investment but gives you full control over design and quality.

Examples: Alibaba, Temu, ThomasNet

Note: Sourcing also depends on the condition of the products. For old or used items, try garage sales, online auctions, or buying Amazon return pallets.

Once you receive your inventory, be sure to manage it carefully. Consider using inventory management apps or getting extra help to avoid delays and lost sales, especially during the peak season.

Many new sellers ask: “Where should I sell shoes online?” The answer depends on your goals, budget, and skill level. While there are 15 main places to sell shoes online, here’s a brief overview of what you need to know:

No matter which platform you choose, high-quality photos and videos are essential. Your titles and descriptions should be clear, informative, and keyword-rich to attract buyers and improve visibility.

Note: Amazon sellers can benefit from Sellerhook’s Listing Optimization services, which provide professionally written, customized product listings for brand owners. These optimized listings help your products stand out and rank higher among search results.

With the right setup, your shoes will be easy to find online, and ready to be discovered by future customers.

Once your store is set up, it’s important to promote it to drive traffic and attract buyers. Here are some effective ways to do that:

No matter which platform you choose, high-quality photos and videos are essential. Your titles and descriptions should be clear, informative, and keyword-rich to attract buyers and improve visibility.

Note: Amazon sellers can benefit from Sellerhook’s Listing Optimization services, which provide professionally written, customized product listings for brand owners. These optimized listings help your products stand out and rank higher among search results.

With the right setup, your shoes will be easy to find online, and ready to be discovered by future customers.

Once you're ready to start selling, it’s important to focus on three key areas that directly impact customer satisfaction:

Happy customers are more likely to buy from you again, leave positive reviews, and recommend your store to others, helping your business grow organically.

The process of selling shoes online doesn’t end once everything is set up—you also need to track your performance regularly. Monitor key metrics like sales volume, return rates, revenue, and customer satisfaction through reviews, ratings, and polls. This helps you adjust your strategy and stay on course.

If you're ready to grow, here are a few ways to scale your business:

Success might not come instantly, but with consistent effort and smart decisions, you’ll move steadily toward your goals.

To succeed with your shoe-selling business, it’s crucial to select what you sell carefully, as not all shoes have the same potential. Consider using Sellerhook’s professional research services to let their team of experts identify the best products for your store. This boosts your chances of steady sales, business growth, and higher revenue.

If you’re clearing out your closet or selling secondhand shoes, platforms like eBay or Depop are a smart choice. For new shoes, it’s better to set up your own store on Amazon or Shopify to reach a broader audience. If you prefer to sell locally, Facebook Marketplace lets you post listings online and arrange in-person meetups for cash transactions.

Selling shoes online can be well worth it as the online market is massive and offers plenty of opportunities. Whether you’re looking to clear out your wardrobe or build a business, success comes down to choosing the right platform, offering the right product, and driving traffic to your listings.

Yes, many sellers report earning over $1,000 within their first four months of starting a resale business. Success largely depends on choosing in-demand products with low competition and sourcing inventory at a low cost, and services like Sellerhook can help with product research. Selling on a high-traffic platform helps you cover your costs and still leave room for profit and growth.

Reselling shoes—especially luxury brands—can be highly profitable. This is often less risky and more cost-effective than launching your own shoe brand from scratch. Just make sure to verify each product’s authenticity when dealing with designer models to avoid counterfeit issues.