How to Import Listings from Depop to Mercari: A Step-by-Step Guide

In the age of online marketplaces, platforms like Depop and Mercari have become increasingly popular for buying and selling a wide range of items. Depop, known for its appeal among younger audiences and vintage clothing lovers, has attracted many sellers who appreciate its social-media-like experience. On the other hand, Mercari provides a broader marketplace with a streamlined buying and selling process, making it a versatile platform for various items. If you’re a seller looking to expand your reach, transferring your listings from Depop to Mercari can be a smart move to increase exposure and sales.

In this article, we’ll explore how you can efficiently import your Depop listings to Mercari, offering both manual and automated options, while providing tips for optimizing your listings on each platform. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive guide to streamline your cross-listing process and maximize your online selling potential.

1. Understanding the Basics: Depop vs. Mercari

Before diving into the import process, it’s essential to understand the differences between Depop and Mercari and what you might need to adjust as you cross-list your items.

Depop: Focuses on fashion, especially vintage and streetwear. Its interface is designed similarly to Instagram, catering to users who enjoy a social, visual experience. It allows sellers to add up to four photos per item and provides options for hashtags and short descriptions.
Mercari: Known for a more extensive array of products beyond just fashion, such as electronics, household goods, and collectibles. It offers a straightforward selling interface, allowing up to 12 photos per item and encourages detailed descriptions.

To successfully cross-list from Depop to Mercari, you may need to adjust your listings based on Mercari’s guidelines and target audience.

2. Preparing Your Depop Listings for Mercari

Before you start importing, it’s helpful to ensure your listings on Depop are optimized and ready to be transferred. This will save you time later and improve the overall quality of your Mercari listings.

Optimize Your Descriptions

Format for Clarity: On Mercari, users expect more detailed descriptions compared to Depop. Consider expanding your product descriptions to include material, condition, dimensions, and any unique features.
Adjust Hashtags: Depop relies heavily on hashtags for discoverability, but Mercari uses a different search algorithm. Remove unnecessary hashtags and ensure that essential keywords are included naturally in the description.

Review Photos

High-Quality Images: Since Mercari allows more photos per listing, you can expand your visual presentation. Add extra images of close-up details, brand tags, and any wear or flaws.
Consistent Backgrounds: Choose clean and consistent backgrounds for a professional look, as Mercari users may be less inclined to buy items that appear cluttered or unprofessional.

Check Pricing

Pricing strategies may differ on each platform due to differing audience expectations and marketplace fees. Compare prices on both platforms and adjust accordingly if needed.

3. Importing Your Depop Listings to Mercari: Manual Method

If you only have a few items to cross-list or prefer to handle each listing individually, a manual import process can be straightforward.

Step 1: Open Both Apps or Use a Desktop

To manually import your listings, have both Depop and Mercari open on your phone or use a desktop where you can access both websites. This allows you to copy and paste text and upload photos between platforms easily.

Step 2: Transfer Item Details

Copy the Title: On Depop, go to the listing you want to transfer and copy the title. On Mercari, paste it into the title field, making sure it adheres to Mercari’s character limit.
Copy and Edit the Description: Copy the description from Depop and paste it into the description field on Mercari. Make any necessary adjustments for Mercari’s audience, adding more detail if needed.
Price Adjustment: Set the price on Mercari. Remember to factor in Mercari’s fees (10% of the item price plus a 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing fee) and adjust as needed.

Step 3: Upload Photos

Download your photos from Depop or locate the original images on your device.
Upload these to Mercari, ensuring the primary image is eye-catching and professional.
Add additional images to meet Mercari’s photo limits, if you have extras available.

Step 4: Finalize Shipping Details

Select the shipping method on Mercari. Mercari offers both prepaid shipping labels and an option to use your own label, so choose the option that best suits your business model.

Step 5: Review and Publish

Double-check all information, including category, brand (if applicable), and condition. Once everything looks good, publish the listing on Mercari.

4. Importing Listings Using Cross-Listing Tools

If you have a large inventory, manual imports can be time-consuming. Cross-listing tools can help automate the process, saving you time and effort. Here are some popular cross-listing tools that support Depop and Mercari:

Popular Cross-Listing Tools

Vendoo: This tool allows you to cross-list items across multiple platforms, including Depop and Mercari. It features an easy-to-use interface and keeps track of your listings on each platform, making it simple to manage inventory.
List Perfectly: Another highly-rated cross-listing tool, List Perfectly integrates with Depop and Mercari and allows for batch imports. It also provides options to manage and edit listings from a single dashboard.

Steps to Cross-List with Tools

Sign Up and Link Accounts: Create an account on the cross-listing tool and link your Depop and Mercari accounts. Most tools require you to authorize your accounts for secure access.
Select Listings to Cross-List: From the dashboard, choose the Depop listings you wish to cross-list to Mercari.
Customize and Adjust for Mercari: Most cross-listing tools allow you to customize the details on each platform. Review the title, description, and price for Mercari’s standards.
Publish on Mercari: After customizing, publish your listings on Mercari through the cross-listing tool interface.

Benefits of Cross-Listing Tools

Time-Saving: Automate repetitive tasks and avoid manually copying and pasting each field.
Inventory Management: Track inventory on each platform, including items that sell out or need to be updated.
Bulk Editing: Edit listings in bulk if you want to make changes across multiple platforms.

Note: Cross-listing tools often require a subscription, but the time saved can offset the cost for sellers with larger inventories.

5. Tips for Success on Both Platforms

Cross-listing is a great way to reach new audiences, but it’s important to maintain high-quality listings and understand each platform’s unique audience.

Keep Inventory Synced

If an item sells on one platform, promptly remove it from the other to avoid double-selling. Some cross-listing tools offer automatic syncing, but if you’re managing inventory manually, be diligent about updating availability.

Utilize Platform-Specific Features

Depop: Engage with followers and use hashtags effectively. Promote items on social media to reach Depop’s active, fashion-conscious audience.
Mercari: Utilize Mercari’s “Promote” feature to periodically lower prices and attract new buyers. Mercari also allows you to offer discounts to buyers who have favorited your item.

Optimize for SEO

Using relevant keywords naturally in your titles and descriptions improves discoverability on both platforms. Avoid keyword stuffing, but aim for titles and descriptions that are informative and keyword-rich.

Offer Competitive Shipping Options

Providing free or discounted shipping can encourage more buyers on both platforms. Mercari buyers, in particular, appreciate transparent and low-cost shipping options.

Maintain Positive Feedback

Both Depop and Mercari have review systems, so providing good customer service, prompt shipping, and quality products is crucial for maintaining high ratings and attracting repeat buyers.

Conclusion

Importing your listings from Depop to Mercari can significantly expand your customer base and increase sales. While a manual transfer is feasible for smaller inventories, cross-listing tools offer a streamlined approach for larger inventories. Remember to tailor each listing to suit the preferences of each platform’s user base, stay consistent with inventory management, and keep your pricing competitive. With these strategies, you can efficiently grow your business across both Depop and Mercari, reaching a broader audience and boosting your online sales

how to import from depop to mercari