Selling on multiple platforms is exciting, but it can get messy fast. Between Whatnot, eBay, and Etsy, it’s easy to lose track of what sold where, how much you actually made after fees, and what’s left in your inventory. Bookkeeping might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few simple tips to help you stay organized, track your inventory, and be ready for tax season.

Why Bookkeeping Matters for Resellers

As an online seller, it can feel like you’re always chasing numbers. Sales are coming in, but do you really know how much you’re keeping after fees, shipping costs, and what you paid for the inventory? That’s where good bookkeeping changes everything.

Bookkeeping gives you clarity. It pulls together every sale, expense, and payout so you can see what’s actually working in your business. Instead of guessing, you’ll know which products are the most profitable, how much cash you have on hand, and what you can confidently reinvest into new inventory.

And the best part? When your books are kept up-to-date all year, you skip the stressful year-end scramble to gather receipts and reports; everything is already organized and ready to go.

Tracking Inventory the Easy Way

Inventory tracking is crucial. When you track inventory well, you can see exactly how much you spent on products, how much you sold them for, and what’s still sitting on your shelves waiting to sell.

Here is how to keep it simple:

• Use a spreadsheet or software you’ll actually update. Include item name, cost, purchase date, and any shipping costs.
• Update it when things sell. If you sell on multiple platforms (Whatnot, eBay, Etsy), make sure quantities stay accurate.
• Do a quick monthly check. Compare what’s listed online to what’s actually on your shelves.

Keep it simple and stay consistent, and you’ll be saving time and making sure your books reflect your real profit.

Organize Your Sales and Fees

It can be exciting to have sales coming in from multiple platforms, but it can get messy fast if you don’t have a system for your payouts and fees. Without tracking them, it’s hard to know what you’re really taking home. 

Here’s what works best:

• Download sales reports each month from Whatnot, eBay, and Etsy and save them in one folder.
• Record your fees and shipping costs so they’re reflected in your books.
• Reconcile your payouts against your bank deposits so you know everything is accounted for.

Get Ready for Tax Season

Being organized now means no panic in January! Staying organized means you can hand your accountant (or tax software) clean, accurate records, with no last-minute scramble required.

Here’s what to focus on:

• Reconcile your accounts monthly so your numbers are always accurate.
• Save receipts and invoices in one place — a digital folder or app works great.
• Review your profit & loss each month to catch errors early and know where your money is going.

A little bit of organization each month will save you time, money, and stress when it’s time to file.

Keep It Simple and Stay Consistent

Bookkeeping doesn’t have to be complicated, and it definitely doesn’t have to take over your life. By tracking your inventory, staying on top of your sales and fees, and keeping your books updated each month, you’ll always know where your business stands and avoid the end-of-year scramble.

If all of this feels overwhelming or you’re already behind, you don’t have to figure it out alone. This is exactly what we do for resellers like you every day.

Ready to feel confident about your numbers? Schedule a free call with me and let’s get your books organized so you can focus on growing your business, not stressing over it.

Disclaimer:

Ever Leslie Bookkeeping provides bookkeeping and financial organization services. We are not CPAs and do not provide tax advice or file taxes. The information shared in this post is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as tax, legal, or financial advice. Please consult with a licensed CPA or tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.