So how do you sell books online?  How does it work?

First you list your book for sale on a book selling hub.  These sites allow you to list a book for free, and then when it sells, they give you the money, and take a small commission ranging from 2%-10%(usually about 4-5%).

But I'm not computer savvy.  Can a beginner like me really do this with little knowledge?

Yes you can, and it is very simple.  These sites make it easy by providing questions and quick guides that hold your hand through the process.  If you can type on your keyboard or send an email you can sell a book online.

The process:

Here's how a book sale occurs from A to Z:

1. You list the book on a bookselling hub(See below for the website list)
2. The book becomes available to buy on the website.  It will be listed with the same book available by other sellers
3. Someone buys the book.  The website will send you an email with instructions.
4. You ship the book to the buyer
5. You get paid - this usually doesn't happen immediately unless you are selling on eBay - more like one to two times a month you will receive a check or a deposit in your bank account

That was simple wasn't it?

Here is a list of bookselling outlet websites where you can make money online selling books:

• eBay
• Amazon.com
• BarnesandNoble.com
• AbeBooks.com
• Biblio.com
• eCampus.com

Those are the top sites but there are more.  For a complete list go here.

Why?  Because the majority of people buy books online because they can get a discount.  I will rarely buy a book at Barnes and Noble because I know that if I check online I can pay 25-50% less.  Yes, that's even for new releases and best sellers.  And there are many people like me that have a hard time parting with their money when they know they can get the same book online for half the price.

Here are more reasons to sell online:

• Volume - simply put, you will increase sales volume, which will increase your income.  Instead of having a customer base of a few hundred or thousand, you will have a customer base that reaches all parts of the globe.  You may have to sell for a lower profit margin, but if you can sell it today instead of two weeks to a month from now, than you will make up for that lower profit margin with volume sales
• Less returns - The great thing about books is there are low returns.  That's why Amazon.com, the biggest online book seller was started.  The CEO and owner asked himself, "What product can I sell where I have the lowest amount of returns possible?"  Guess what, its books!
• Return customers - If you have a good store your customers will keep coming.  Again your customer base will grow.
• Better price for many books - Above I mentioned you might have to sacrifice profit margins, but not in all cases.  If you have a rare book, or technical book, or a niche book that is harder to find you often can sell it for more online than in store.  And again you will turnover the book quicker because the customer base that is looking for that book will be larger
• Multiple sales outlet - You do not have to build up a brand name, because there are book outlets already online including Amazon, Half.com, eBay, Abe Books, and more.  Just list your books and the customers come to you.
• No advertising - as with the above mentioned item since you sell at these established book outlets, you don't have to pay any advertising since the customer will go to these big guys that advertise for you, and will find your product.
• Low fees - It's free to sell in these marketplaces - you only pay after you have sold the book.  The fees are reasonable: 3-10%

These are just a few of the many reasons to start selling books online.  Another great thing is great resources for cheap book inventory including WholesaleBookDealers.net, which supplies cheap prices and a huge selection of books.