How to Sell on Depop Fast: An Analytical Guide Based on Data and Benchmarking

Depop has emerged as one of the hottest online marketplaces in recent years. The peer-to-peer ecommerce app, which focuses on fashion and lifestyle products, has experienced massive growth since its launch in 2011:

• Depop has over 30 million users globally as per recent statistics [1]
• It saw a 424% increase in gross merchandise value (GMV) from 2019 to 2020 [2]
• Monthly active users doubled from 13 million to 26 million from 2019 to 2021 [3]
• The app has strong market penetration among Gen Z with 90% of users under the age of 26 [4]

This meteoric growth can be attributed to several factors:

• The rise of sustainable fashion – promoting recycling and reducing waste
• Gen Z‘s preferences for buying secondhand goods
• Depop‘s social and community-driven features

For sellers, Depop represents a major revenue opportunity given its scale and target demographic. However, with over 26 million active buyers on the platform, standing out poses a significant challenge.

This analytical guide will provide data-backed tips on how to sell items quickly on Depop by benchmarking top performer metrics and mapping growth levers.

Benchmarking Top Categories and Conversion Rates

To sell out inventory swiftly, the first step is listing products in the fastest-moving categories. But which items actually have the highest velocity on Depop?

Analyzing historical transaction data indicates the following categories generally sell the fastest:

• Tops – particular cropped, vintage and Y2K style tees and shirts
• Dresses – mini, slip and summer dresses in bright colors or prints
• Sweatshirts and hoodies – oversized and vintage fits like Harley Davidson
• Shoes – Jordans and retro sneakers along with flats and sandals
• Handbags – mini bags and 90s styles like Fendi Baguette

Image source: Oberlo

Beyond listing hot categories, ensuring high conversion rates is crucial for sales velocity.

The average cart conversion rate on Depop is 36.5% as per seller data aggregated by ecommerce analytics platform Emetry in 2022.

However, top Depop sellers generally have conversion rates over 50% – almost double the marketplace baseline.

For specific categories, average conversion rates are:

• Clothing – 32%
• Shoes – 29%
• Accessories – 44%
• Home goods – 23%

Use these category benchmarks to set your conversion goals. If your rates fall below the averages, it signals issues with listing quality, photo appeal or buyer trust.

Optimizing Listings for Maximum Visibility

To sell quickly, your listings must rank prominently in both search results and browse feeds. This depends significantly on title and description optimization.

Craft Engaging Titles

Your product title is a major visibility driver. Some best practices include:

• Lead with your strongest keywords – the exact brands, item types and attributes buyers are searching for
• Use targeted keywords in a natural, conversational tone. Avoid awkward stuffing
• 60 characters is the ideal length for maximizing click-throughs [5]
• Capitalize the first letter of each word to aid readability
• Prioritize attributes like color, pattern, fabric first so the most distinguishing elements show in search
• Avoid overused terms like "exclusive", "sale" or "hot item" which are seen as spammy

Here are some title optimization examples:

Ineffective: Gorgeous Blue Mini Skirt, Super Low Price! 

Improved: Dark Wash Denim Abercrombie & Fitch Mini Skirt

Ineffective: NWT Brand New Never Worn Corset Top Y2K Sexy Reduced  

Improved: Sheer Mesh Floral Lace Up Corset Bustier Festival Rave Top 

Write Robust Descriptions

The product description similarly influences search placement and serves as your main sales pitch. Best practices include:

• Open with a short intro identifying the most distinct product attributes
• Provide detailed "specs" like fabric, pattern, size measurements etc. Use bullet points
• Capture appealing elements in creative body copy – mood, lifestyle cues
• Close with a clear CTA prompting the next step
• Use relevant keywords throughout naturally – don‘t keyword stuff
• Craft an authentic brand tone – avoid overly salesy language
• 300 to 500 words balances thorough details with engagement

Here‘s an example from a Depop seller optimizing a corset top listing:

Screenshot via Depop

Note how the description prioritizes visual details first with measurements while aligning the corset with desired aesthetic elements like "festival season" through the seductive mood.

The balance of functional specs, sensory descriptors and contextual relevance is what maximizes organic visibility on Depop while enticing the target Gen Z demographic.

Pricing Strategies Based on Category Benchmarks

One of the most complex balancing acts in ecommerce is determining the optimal pricing. Price too high and sales velocity slows. But underpricing leaves potential profit on the table.

On Depop specifically, category-specific price conditioning has an enormous influence. For example, expect to pay far more for a designer handbag versus a basic tee.

Analyzing historical sold prices by category provides pricing guidance:

Average Sold Price by Category

Price data via Emetry

However, sale price represents just one side. To determine viable margins, you need to factor in average cost of goods (COGS) + overhead like shipping and platform fees.

Here‘s an example COGS breakdown for a handbag:

• Acquisition costs – $20
• Cleaning & repairs – $5
• Plus Depop fees – 10% transaction fee + Paypal charges

So after expenses on a $250 bag, the net profit might only be $180.

Make sure to calculate your all-in costs before setting prices based on category trends. The goal is maximizing sell-through velocity within viable profit targets – not just chasing high price points.

Tools like the Depop fee calculator streamline COGS and net margin estimates.

Driving Repeat Business Through Post-Purchase Marketing

Growing a loyal following accelerates continuous sales. Engaging shoppers after they purchase boosts repeat order rates by signaling reliable service and exclusive offers.

Email marketing delivers the highest return on investment (ROI) based on figures from retail ecommerce:

• Email boasts a median ROI of 122% according to 2022 benchmarks by Campaign Monitor [6]
• Retail sees 3x higher conversions from email vs social media ads [7]

Here are some best practices for post-purchase communications with previous Depop customers:

1. Send Confirmation Emails Immediately

Automate order confirmations to instantly notify customers their purchase is being processed and shipping timeline.

Provide order details like items purchased and transaction ID for reference along with shipping and returns policies.

This promptly instills buyer confidence in the sale.

2. Request Reviews 1-3 Days Post-Delivery

Don‘t be afraid to ask satisfied customers to provide positive reviews. The prompt timing ensures maximum feedback response rates before attention fades.

Displaying robust 5-star ratings and rave reviews builds vital social proof for conversion.

3. Send Customer Surveys 30 Days Later

Follow up with quick surveys on overall satisfaction levels and product performance. This identifies areas for business improvement from enhanced packaging to better sizing guides.

Pleasantly surprise occasional respondents with special discount codes for completed surveys.

4. Promote New Arrivals with Targeted Emails

If a customer purchases crop tops from your shop, later promote relevant new inventory additions like bodysuits or jeans that complement previously purchased items.

Curated recommendations feel exclusive and personalized compared to general email blasts. Segment customers into interest groups for tailored communications.

Post-purchase email automation combines the high-ROI of targeted messaging with the low overhead of pre-set triggers – making it hugely effective for both relationship-building and sales velocity.

Just don‘t bombard people! Maintain a reasonable monthly threshold like one promotional email per week maximum, with the ability for recipients to easily opt out.

Social Media Content Strategy for Maximum Exposure

Beyond email, social media now plays a pivotal role in ecommerce discovery and conversions.

93% of Depop sellers state Instagram is key for driving shop traffic and sales [8].

But simply creating a business Instagram profile won‘t cut it. You need an audience growth roadmap encompassing visual content planning, Instagram Reels, hashtag optimization and strategic cross-posting across platforms.

The Importance of Shoppable Content

Think beyond basic product images. Lifestyle imagery, styling inspiration and behind-the-scenes business snapshots all engage audiences.

However, embed clickable product links directly within creative social content to enable instant checkout convenience – transforming inspiration into conversions within the app interfaces users already live in.

Instagram specifically offers shoppable posts and stickers to attach ecommerce links as you can see major brands like H&M implementing here:

H&M embraces shoppable links within engaging social content – Image via @hm on Instagram

Optimizing Your Instagram Hashtags

Including relevant hashtags when posting is equally key for discovery. But generic tags like #fashion or #depopseller will drown you in the noise.

Get specific and niche with hashags like #cottagecorefashion #darkacademia #y2kaesthetic to precisely target communities obsessed with those micro-trends.

Tools like Hashtagify identify related trending tags along with top influencers and optimal posting times associated with each hashtag. These insights refine your keyword strategy.

Maximizing Reach via Cross-Posting

Don‘t confine yourself to Instagram! Get added visibility by cross-posting shop content across platforms:

• Post try-on clips and styling videos on TikTok using trending audios. Embed Depop links to drive impulse purchases
• Share new arrivals on Pinterest product boards tagged with relevant keywords so fashion enthusiasts pinning outfit ideas easily shop your store
• Even run retargeted Facebook and Google ads to previous site visitors that bounced to capture residual demand

A cross-channel social strategy combining organic community building with paid amplification gives you the largest possible reach across Depop‘s core Gen Z demographic.

Streamline Operational Processes for 5-star Service

Selling comes down to more than just platforms and marketing. You need customer-centric operational processes for prompt fulfillment and exceptional post-purchase experiences.

This increases satisfaction, retention and word-of-mouth buzz to accelerate continuous sales.

Invest in Packaging and Unboxing

Pack orders thoughtfully with stylized mailers, custom stickers, handwritten notes – small touches that surprise-and-delight.

Promote your branding while turning the unboxing itself into a shareworthy moment that may even spark organic promotion across their networks.

It‘s why companies invest heavily in experiential packaging – they know first impressions leave an outsized impact.

Ship Orders Within 24 Hours

Online consumers expect near instantaneous fulfillment. Set up streamlined processes for printing shipping labels, packaging orders and drop-offs to maintain a 24 hour max processing time.

Don‘t batch process either – the urgency of individual orders prioritizes resource allocation efficiency.

Automations like pre-set order confirmations buy you added time while reassuring customers their items are on the way shortly.

Respond to Messages Instantly

Set up notifications across your selling channels – email, Instagram DMs, Depop inbox – for real-time conversational commerce.

Prompt personalized communication builds trust and customer intimacy while resolving issues faster. Don‘t keep shoppers waiting on lingering questions.

Prioritizing customer convenience, transparent communication and memorable post-purchase impressions results in repeat business and organic referrals – the most valuable sales channel.

Continual Optimization Is Key

Like any complex operation, selling quickly on Depop requires continuous tuning informed by data signals.

Constantly track daily metrics for conversion rates, sales velocity by category, listings views and more using built-in analytics.

Monitor changes week-over-week as you apply tweaks – whether Improving photo backdrops or testing pricing increments.

Don‘t rely on guesswork. Thanks to robust reporting tools on both Depop itself and connected platforms like Instagram, you can take an optimized, evidence-based approach to selling faster.

Depop opens access to a lucrative Gen Z market, but competition is fierce. Hopefully this guide has broken down actionable tips – from optimizing listings for organic visibility to post-purchase marketing automation flows and streamlining operational processes.

Selling speed ultimately intersects multiple factors – choosing trending inventory, crafting compelling listings, building engagement across touchpoints, and providing exceptional fulfillment experiences.

It requires equal parts data-driven insight, creative skill and customer service excellence. But apply these disciplines continually as you grow, and your Depop shop can scale successfully.

The above blueprint, tips and Depop selling benchmarks aim to accelerate your sales velocity and transactions. Now dive in – and start selling!