How to set goals for your resale business
Jun 1, 2025
Why Goal Setting Matters in Reselling
Whether you’re flipping thrifted finds, selling collectibles, or launching a side-hustle e-commerce shop, goal setting is the backbone of a successful resale business. Defining clear objectives not only keeps you focused, but also helps you measure progress, improve efficiency, and adapt to changes in the market. Let’s break down a simple, actionable approach to setting and achieving goals for your resale business—perfect for beginners.
Step 1: Define Your Resale Goals
Start with your ‘Why’: Are you looking to earn extra income, declutter, or build a full-time business? Your motivation will shape your goals.
Be specific and realistic: Instead of “I want to sell more,” try “I want to make $500/month in profit within three months.”
Break down your goals: Consider goals for sales volume, profit margin, inventory turnover, or expanding to a new platform.
Step 2: Use a Central System for Inventory and Listings
Managing inventory and synchronizing listings across multiple selling sites (like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, and others) can be a huge headache. A central system ensures you know what you have, what’s listed where, and when things sell, avoiding accidental double-selling and missed opportunities.
Pick a system that fits your scale: Spreadsheets work for very small setups. As you grow, tools like Gavelbase help centralize inventory, sync listings, and track sales from multiple channels in one dashboard.
Keep it updated: Schedule a weekly check-in to reconcile your inventory and de-list sold items.
Track key info: Record item descriptions, prices, purchase date/cost, platform listed, and sale status.
Step 3: Assign Basic Team Roles (Even If It’s Just You!)
Even solo resellers juggle many hats—sourcing, listing, customer service, shipping, and bookkeeping. Assigning these roles helps you stay organized and see where you need help as you grow.
List your roles: Sourcing, Photography, Listing, Customer Service, Shipping, Bookkeeping.
Make a simple schedule: Determine how much time each task needs. For example: “Monday: Source new items. Tuesday: Photograph and list. Friday: Ship sold items.”
Document your process: Even basic checklists can help you stay consistent and make training others easier if you expand.
Step 4: Track Sales and Fees
Profit is the ultimate metric for any business. To really understand your growth, you’ll need to track not just sales, but also fees (platform, payment processing, shipping, etc.) and costs of goods sold.
Use a tracking template: You can start with a simple spreadsheet or use your central inventory system’s built-in sales tracking features. Here’s a free sales tracking template to get started.
Record every sale and fee: Include final sale price, shipping charged, actual shipping cost, platform fee, and net profit.
Review monthly: Set a recurring reminder to look at your numbers, spot trends, and adjust your goals as needed.
Step 5: Handle Shipping and Pickup Cleanly
Efficient, reliable shipping or pickup is crucial for good reviews and repeat business. Set clear, simple processes from the start:
Standardize your materials: Keep boxes, tape, labels, and supplies organized. Many resellers use free USPS shipping supplies or order in bulk to save money.
Create a shipping routine: Ship on set days (e.g., every Monday, Wednesday, Friday) to manage expectations and batch work.
Communicate with buyers: Always send tracking info and estimated delivery or pickup times promptly. Consider using automated messages if your selling platform supports it.
Have a pickup protocol: If you offer local pickup, arrange safe, public meeting spots and confirm details in writing.
Step 6: Review and Adjust Your Goals
Goal setting is a living process. As you sell more—or learn what works and what doesn’t—review your progress and tweak your objectives.
Monthly review: Compare your actual sales, profits, and processes to your original goals.
Identify bottlenecks: Are listings taking too long? Is inventory outgrowing your space? Are you spending too much on fees?
Set new targets: Adjust your sales, sourcing, or process goals based on what you’ve learned.
Useful Tools and Resources
Gavelbase: Centralizes inventory, listings, and sales data across major platforms.
Vertex42 Sales Tracking Template: Free, simple Excel template for tracking sales and fees.
USPS Free Shipping Supplies: Order free boxes and mailers for your shipping needs.
Shopify’s Guide to Setting Business Goals: Applies even if you’re not on Shopify.
Quick Recap
Define clear, actionable goals for your resale business.
Use a central system to keep inventory and listings organized.
Assign and schedule basic roles—even if it’s just you.
Track sales, costs, and fees to know your true profits.
Set up smooth shipping or pickup routines.
Review, learn, and adjust your goals regularly.
Start small, keep your processes simple, and use the right tools to stay organized. With these steps, you’ll lay a solid foundation for your resale business—and set yourself up for steady growth.