💫 How to List & Sell on Depop Like a Pro

Tips from a 4.95⭐ rated seller with 40+ reviews, over $1,000 in sales, and 600+ followers

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So, you’ve got a closet full of clothes you swear you’ll wear again someday, but deep down, you know it’s time to let them go. Whether you’re decluttering, curating your style, or just trying to make some extra cash for that latte fund, Depop is your place to shine. 

With around 45 million registered users (as of 2024), Depop has grown into one of the most creative spaces for Gen Z sellers and sustainable fashion lovers. It’s where vintage meets modern, and scrolling feels more like exploring a fashion feed than browsing a store. Unlike other resale platforms, Depop’s charm lies in its community

After selling for a while (and making plenty of rookie mistakes), I’ve picked up a few tricks that turned my closet clean-out into a mini side hustle. Here’s my honest guide to listing like a pro and selling successfully on Depop — from someone who’s been there, learned the algorithm, and packaged way too many orders at 2 a.m!!

1. ✨ Choose Your Clothes

Anything can be sold — trust me. From pre-loved jeans and cozy hoodies to swimsuits, jewelry, and heels, it’s all about how you present it. If you can style it right and write a great caption, someone out there will want it. Personally, most of the pieces I sell on Depop are items I’ve outgrown or no longer wear — think casual everyday staples like Aritzia, Brandy Melville, and cute activewear. It’s the perfect way to give your wardrobe a second life (and make some extra cash while you’re at it 😉).

2. 📸 Photos That Make People Stop Scrolling

Good photos sell. Period. 

Natural lighting, clean white backgrounds, and clear details make a huge difference. I like to model the clothes myself or lie them against white bedsheets — buyers want to see all the details, shape, and material. Avoid dark, clustered, or photos that make the clothing look distressed or dirty.

Pro Tip: Depop has an amazing new feature where you make collages of your item to create outfit inspiration. You can then screenshot this to add to your listing - allowing buyers to picture themselves in your clothes! This works like a charm.

3. ✍️ Descriptions That Do the Work for You

This step might just be the most important part of your listing — how well you write your description can make or break your traction and help spotlight your account. Think beyond a basic “super cute top.” Instead, include size, condition, fit, and brand, and don’t be afraid to tell a mini story about the item.

Pro tip #1: ChatGPT can be your secret listing assistant! Upload a picture of your item and prompt it to write a detailed, fun, and accurate description. Just make sure to double-check all details before posting. 

Pro tip #2: Emojis are your also your best friend — they make captions more eye-catching and add to your overall aesthetic⭐

Pro tip #3: Take advantage of all of Depop’s built-in tags like item category, brand, condition, and size. These help your listing appear in more searches and filters, increasing visibility.

Pro tip #4: Another powerful strategy is adding popular brand names and keywords in your description — even if they’re not the exact brand of your item. Think: “Brandy Melville,” “Aritzia,” “Y2K,” “cute tops,” “going out tops,” “Babaton,” “Edikted,” “White Fox,” and “Princess Polly.” These keywords are highly searchable and can get your item in front of users who weren’t even looking for it  but end up falling in love with your listing anyway!

Pro tip #5: And finally — honesty always wins. Be upfront about any flaws, even small ones. Transparency builds buyer trust and helps keep that 5⭐ rating glowing. 🌟

Example:

Baby Blush Pink Aritzia Contour Tube Top 💐🎀⭐💖 The cutest baby pink ruched tube top — perfect for concerts, brunch, or spring fits! 🌷Super flattering + stretchy Contour material 💫 Worn once, BRAND NEW condition.

🏷️Size S (fits XS–S) Super stretchy! 🎀

📦 $5 untracked shipping anywhere in Canada

⚡ Instant buy is ON — grab it before it’s gone!

#aritzia #banton #brandy #edikted #pinktop #springoutfit #minimaliststyle

5. 💸 Price Smart (and Fair!)

Before listing, do your homework — search for similar items on Depop and check what they’re actually selling for, not just what people are listing them at. That’ll give you a realistic range of what buyers are willing to pay. Once you have a ballpark, price your item slightly higher than your target price. Why? Because Depop buyers love to negotiate — and this gives you room to accept offers without underselling yourself. For example, if you’d be happy selling a top for $25, list it around $30–32. Another game-changer? Bundle deals. Offers like “10% off 2+ items” or “free shipping on bundles” encourage shoppers to buy more at once — and it’s a great way to move older listings while boosting your average order value.

6. 💸 Shipping

A big thing that people get confused with is Depop Shipping. Unlike other platforms, Depop works in a way where you have to create your shipping labels and figure out yourself how to get your package out. Here’s how to ballpark, charge, and set yourself up like a pro.

📦 Understand the Cut: Depop & PayPal Fees

• Depop takes 10% of the total sale price, including shipping. So if your buyer pays $30 for the item + $5 shipping, Depop takes 10% of $35 = $3.50. Zensurance+2Reddit+2

• On top of that, PayPal (or your payment processor) will typically charge around 2.9% + a fixed fee (varies by country). Zensurance+1

• Because of those cuts, always factor shipping costs into your final net so you don’t end up losing money.

Notes:

• Untracked letter mail is cheaper but risky: you lose seller protection and proof of delivery. It’s safer to use tracked methods.

• Use Canada Post’s “Find a Rate” tool (on their site) to plug in weight, dimensions, and destination to get real numbers

• Pro Tip #1: I strongly suggest setting up a free Canada Post small business account (e.g. their Snap Ship / Solutions for Small Business program) because you can print your own shipping labels at home, saving time and you often get “small business” discounted shipping or preferred rates. 

• Pro Tip #2: Free shipping (buyer sees “FREE”) often converts better — but you need to build that cost into your item price.

• Pro Tip #3: Try to ship within a week if possible!

6. 💌 Stay Active & Build Trust

The more active you are, the more you’ll show up on feeds — Depop’s algorithm loves consistency. Refresh older listings, post new items regularly, and engage with buyers through messages or offers. Staying active signals to both the app and potential customers that your shop is reliable and up-to-date.

Equally important is communication.Fast shipping and cute packaging = glowing reviews. A thank-you note adds a personal touch. Your customer’s unboxing moment is part of your brand, so make it feel special. Keep your buyer updated every step of the way — from confirming their payment to letting them know when their package has been dropped off. Clear communication builds trust, shows professionalism, and helps turn one-time buyers into loyal customers. Finally, include a short note kindly asking them to leave a review once their order arrives. Positive ratings boost your credibility and help your shop stand out in search results, making it easier for future buyers to trust your listings.

🛍️ Ready to Start Selling?

If you ever need some inspiration (or just love a good piece for your next outfit😉), you can find me on Depop at @jessicahoangg— say hi, browse my listings, and see how I put these tips into practice. Happy selling, and remember: every “SOLD” notification is just the start of your next story.