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Small Business Idea's For Teens And How To Start


If you're looking for a way to make money with minimal effort, you have come to the right place!


I run three small businesses, so I know something about selling and the best platforms!



Some ideas are:


  • Photography Business

  • Social Media Influencer

  • Graphic Design Business

  • Lawn Care Business

  • Delivery Service Business

  • Child Care Services

  • Selling on Online Marketplaces

My three businesses are lawncare, online electronic scales, and a custom T-shirt shop.


If there are numbers like this [1] next to a line of text, please note they correspond to the citation source at the bottom of the information provided for the platform



Selling Online And The Best Places To Do It!


eBay is an online marketplace that sells crafts, electronics, car parts, and anything you can think of. However, there are some pros and cons to selling on eBay.


Pros and Cons:


Here are some common issues that eBay sellers face, according to various sources:


1. Unpaid items: Buyers are required to pay for purchased eBay listings on the platform, but some buyers may not follow through. Sellers can only open an unpaid item case if payment is not received within two days of the purchase [1].


2. Low seller limits: eBay sets limits on how much sellers can sell based on potential sales, not actual sales. This can be confusing for new sellers and can hinder their ability to grow their business [3].


3. Inventory management: Many eBay sellers need help tracking and organizing their inventory due to the high volume of sales and orders. Issues with inventory management can lead to overselling, understocking, or incorrect listings, ultimately resulting in unhappy customers and lost sales [1] [2] [3].


4. Competition: With millions of sellers on eBay, competition can be fierce. Sellers need to find ways to differentiate themselves and their products to stand out [4].


5. Negative feedback: Negative feedback from buyers can hurt a seller's reputation and impact their ability to make sales. Sellers need to provide excellent customer service and resolve any issues with buyers promptly to avoid negative feedback[4].


6. Fraudulent buyers: eBay has seen more frauds done by buyers than sellers. Common fraud types include fake payments from fake PayPal accounts, fake review pictures, claiming a refund, keeping the product, and refusing to pay for the purchase. Sellers must properly communicate all terms and conditions with the buyer to protect themselves[4].


7. Rising costs eBay fees, shipping costs, and sales tax can put some sellers in a tough spot if they want to make a decent profit. Sellers need to find ways to manage their costs and price their products competitively[6].


Overall, selling on eBay can be a learning experience, and sellers need to anticipate and prepare for potential challenges. By setting clear policies, providing excellent customer service, and using eBay's dispute resolution tools, sellers can mitigate many of these issues and find success on the platform.



Citations:



Selling on eBay as a teen



Based on the search results, it is possible for teens to sell on eBay, but they must follow specific rules and have parental supervision. Here are some key points to consider:


- eBay's user policy states that you must be at least 18 years old to sell on the platform[2].

- However, it is possible for minors to sell on eBay with parental supervision[1][3][6].

- Parents must set up the account and act as the account owner, then add the teen as an authorized user, and monitor all activities, from managing offers to customer interactions[6].

- Once the account is set up, the general steps to start selling are similar to those for adults[1].

- It's important to note that eBay transactions are legally binding contracts, and minors may have limited capacity to enter into such contracts[4].

- Therefore, it's recommended to trade under a parent or another adult[4].

- The top-selling products on eBay fall under the electronic and accessories category, but there are many other categories to explore[1].

- It's important to do research and calculate all costs, including eBay and PayPal fees, shipping, and taxes, before listing items for sale[3][5].

- eBay offers helpful guides on how to start selling and how to refine sales strategies[1][6].


Overall, it is possible for teens to sell on eBay, but they must have parental supervision and follow specific rules. It's important to do research and calculate all costs before listing items for sale.


Citations:





Mercari:


SAMPLE PROFILE:





This is my favorite platform because I run my technology sales on this platform.

This platform is low in fees and it is extremely easy to get Customer support when needed!



Mercari is an e-commerce platform that allows buyers and sellers to buy and sell a wide variety of items, ranging from clothing and accessories to electronics and household items[2]. It is only offered to buyers and sellers in the United States and has 20 million monthly active users[2]. Mercari requires sellers to fill out several fields when listing an item, including the title, description, category, brand, condition, shipping details, and price[2]. The platform also has a list of prohibited conduct, which includes fraudulent activity, selling or transferring access granted under the terms, and using Mercari for money laundering[5].


In terms of fees, Mercari does not charge insertion (listing) fees but takes a 10% commission on each sale[2]. Mercari's customer service team has created about 150 different categories of inquiry and has developed a customer inquiry routing algorithm to help route inquiries to the appropriate team member to make your support experience faster[3].


Overall, Mercari is a newer platform with a smaller audience than eBay, but offers a wider variety of categories and has a simpler listing process[2].


Citations:



Selling on Mercari as a Teen:


Mercari's policy states that you must be at least 18 years old or the age of majority in your state of residence to have an account [1]. Minors under the age of 13 are not permitted to use Mercari's services, but minors between the ages of 13 and 18 are allowed to use Mercari's services only if the account is owned by and registered in the name of their legal parent or guardian with their appropriate permission and acceptance of Mercari's TOS[1]. All verification of identity and/or tax information provided to Mercari must belong to the parent or legal guardian who owns the account [1]. Any account identified to be owned or operated by a minor may result in suspension, limitation, or termination of the account [1]. Therefore, it seems that it is possible for minors between the ages of 13 and 18 to sell on Mercari, but only with the direct supervision of their parent or legal guardian.


Citations:





Etsy:



Etsy is the largest leading marketplace in crafts and homemade goods in the world



Selling on Etsy can be a great option for many handmade sellers, but there are also some drawbacks to consider. Here are some pros and cons of selling on Etsy based on the search results:


Pros:

- Easy to set up and maintain[1]

- Etsy has an established audience of built-in visitors[1]

- Large community of sellers and buyers[1][3]

- Access to education, content, and advice online[1]

- Growing number of customers that shop on the platform[4]

- Low overhead costs[6]


Cons:

- Stiff competition[2][4][6]

- Limited customizations and branding options[2]

- Fees and transaction costs[3][4][5]

- Constant changes to the platform[4]

- Saturated market[5][6]

- Must work on SEO to be found[1][3][6]

- Can only sell handmade or vintage items[5]


Ultimately, whether or not selling on Etsy is right for you depends on your individual business goals and needs. It's important to weigh the pros and cons and consider other options, such as building your own website or selling on other marketplaces, before making a decision.


Citations:




Selling on Etsy For Teens

Based on the search results, minors between the ages of 13 and 18 can sell on Etsy with the permission and direct supervision of their parent or legal guardian[1][2][3][4]. The legal adult must set up the account using their own information, but once the account is set up, the teen can use it as their own[1][3][4]. Minors under age 13 are not allowed to use Etsy[1][4]. Here are some tips for minors who want to sell on Etsy:


1. Get permission and direct supervision from a parent or legal guardian[1][2][3][4].

2. Set up an Etsy store using your parent or legal guardian's information[1][3][4].

3. Choose a unique shop name and create a logo[1].

4. Take high-quality photos of your products[1].

5. Write clear and detailed descriptions of your products[1].

6. Price your items competitively[1].

7. Use Etsy's tools and resources to optimize listings and sales[1][4].

8. Build a positive reputation through feedback and ratings[1][4].

9. Be aware of the legal and tax implications of selling on Etsy[1][4].

10. Ship items promptly and communicate with buyers regularly[1][4].

11. Be transparent about shipping costs and delivery times in item listings[1][4].

12. Use packing supplies on hand so you can ship out orders as soon as you get them[5].

13. Try to ship out any orders you receive the same day or the following day[5].

14. Be sure to have the correct packing supplies on hand, such as boxes, bubble wrap, and tape[1][5].

15. Use the Etsy app to list items and streamline the process of uploading product photos[5].

16. Enter shipping information, print your labels, and mark the order as shipped as soon as possible[5].

17. Check the weight and dimensions of your package before purchasing a shipping label[5].

18. Use local pickup for items that are too big, bulky, or expensive to ship via regular postal mail[5].

19. Respect your customers by accurately describing the condition of your items, including any flaws or defects, explaining your return policy, answering any questions from potential buyers, and communicating with buyers regularly[5].


Overall, minors between the ages of 13 and 18 can sell on Etsy with the permission and direct supervision of their parent or legal guardian. They should follow the tips above to optimize their listings and sales, build a positive reputation, and be aware of the legal and tax implications of selling on Etsy.


Citations:




Marketplace-Related Fees:


Marketplace Fees Fee Breakdown

Etsy

​$0.20 Per listing +6.5% of sale price

​It costs 20 cents to list an item and the sales fees are normally 6.5% of earnings. If you want to use advertising it can cost up to 12-15% of the item's selling price.

Mercari

​2.9%+ 30 Cents

Small Processing and Sales Fee deducted from the sale price

eBay

Ranging between 5-17.5%

​There is a small 0.30 cent listing fee per item listed. The selling fees range between 5-17.5% depending on what you are selling.





In conclusion, if you are interested in selling on any of these platforms and you would like a free and I mean totally free tutorial from an experienced seller please contact me and I will be glad to help you!



The Best ways to contact me are linked below!


Email: techbyhunter@outlook.com

Phone: (980)-292-4997 (call or text)

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