Most French people are now accustomed to buying products and services online, particularly since the pandemic. According to the 2025 annual report by the Federation of E-commerce and Distance Selling (FEVAD), online service sales in France rose by 9% compared to 2024, reaching €120.3 billion. Selling services online is therefore a key growth driver for service providers looking to market their expertise and meet customer demand. In this article, we explore the concept of selling services online and review the benefits, regulatory obligations, and steps to get started.

Key takeaways

• Selling services online allows you to expand your market and gain visibility, flexibility, credibility, and productivity.
  
• Selling services online is suitable for many industries. You can offer courses, consulting, technical or legal support, or even lodging services.
  
• Online sales are subject to several legal requirements.
  
• To sell services online, you must define your offerings and pricing, create an ecommerce shop or register on a platform, write service descriptions, launch marketing campaigns, and offer secure payment methods.
  

Why sell services online?

Selling services online allows businesses to grow beyond the limits of their geographic area. Using the internet, businesses can access new markets, expand their audience, and reach customers worldwide. They gain visibility and can build their reputation more easily than by word of mouth alone. Well-designed online stores can also strengthen credibility and brand image while developing customer trust.

Selling services online also helps providers reduce various operating costs (e.g., rent, store maintenance) while enjoying greater flexibility. They can more easily manage their schedules and work from wherever they choose. They can also collect data on customer habits for more precise sales targeting and use digital tools to improve productivity.

Types of services sold online

Some services are more conducive to online sales than others. Among the most commonly sold services online are teaching, tutoring, training, beauty services, therapy, legal services, content writing, web development, graphic design, personal and professional coaching, technical support, and strategy or marketing consulting. Other services frequently marketed online include lodging, transportation, dining, and leisure services.

Laws applicable to selling services online

A service provider selling services online is subject to several legal obligations, including:

• Drafting the general conditions of sale (CGV)
  
• Respecting the right of withdrawal
  
• Respecting the performance deadline
  
• Complying with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
  

General conditions of sale (CGV)

The general conditions of sale (conditions générales de vente, or CGV) govern the business relationship between the service provider and the customer. (In the context of selling services, the CGV is also sometimes referred to as the general conditions of service, or CGS.) The CGV allows the service provider to define the rights and obligations of each party. At a minimum, it must include:

• The professional’s name or business name
  
• Contact information
  
• Core service characteristics (e.g., what the service is, how it will be performed)
  
• Total price (in euros, inclusive of tax), how it’s calculated, and payment methods (e.g., bank transfer, check, bank card)
  
• Date the service will be performed
  
• Applicable legal or commercial warrantees
  
• Methods of recourse in the event of dispute
  
• Conditions for exercising the customer’s right of withdrawal
  

According to Articles L.111-1 et seq. of the Consumer Code, CGV must be provided when the customer is a private individual. The customer must be able to review them before signing a contract and paying for a service.

If the customer is a business, the service provider must provide the CGV upon request. Failure to do so is punishable by a fine of up to €15,000.

Right of withdrawal

For most distance sales, whether of services or goods, the customer is entitled to a 14-day withdrawal period starting the day after the contract is entered into. During this time, the customer can cancel the contract and obtain a refund, provided the service has not yet been performed. The seller is required to honor the customer’s right of withdrawal.

Performance deadline

The performance deadline for the service must be specified before the contract is entered into and reiterated at the time of signing. If no specific date is noted, the service provider must perform the service no later than 30 days after signing the contract.

Penalties can be imposed for failure to meet a performance deadline: €3,000 for an individual and €15,000 for a business. If the service provider still does not perform the service, the customer can request termination of the contract and a refund of any amounts paid.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The GDPR governs how personal data is collected and managed within the European Union. Customers must be asked to consent to the online collection of their personal data and must be informed of their rights.

How to get started selling services online

Selling services online involves several key steps. First, you need to conduct market research and identify the type of service you want to offer. Next, define your target market, assess your costs, and set your prices.

You should strongly consider creating an ecommerce shop to build customer trust and take control of the sales journey. Your site should introduce yourself and your team, if you have one; include a brief biography for each person along with photos to add a personal touch. Describe your expertise and what sets you apart from the competition. Highlight your unique selling points and the benefits of your services. You can also include a section on frequently asked questions (FAQ) and a description of your business’s process. Make sure the site’s navigation is smooth and intuitive.

To maximize your reach, register with a marketplace platform such as Malt, Fiverr, or Codeur.com. These types of platforms are good solutions for freelance service providers who want to get started and test selling services without a website.

Whether you set up your own ecommerce site or use an online marketplace (or both), it’s important to clearly demonstrate how your services meet customer needs. Reviews from happy customers and partners can help boost your credibility.

Prominently display a transparent pricing structure, along with ways to contact you by phone, email, or through a contact form. It’s important that your offers are clear and that your pricing is consistent.

To attract new customers, implement a “social selling” strategy to promote your expertise and sell your services on social media. Regularly publish blog posts, podcasts, webinars, and videos. Collaborate with content creators to boost your visibility and strengthen your brand image. For more precise targeting, you can leverage paid advertising.

One of the advantages of selling services online is the ability to collect data that can help you better target your offers and marketing campaigns. Collect visitors’ email addresses and send them regular emails. You can also offer them discounts and exclusive deals.

Offering a free call or consultation is an effective strategy for converting prospects into paying customers. You can use an appointment scheduling tool to streamline the customer experience.

Finally, to sell your services successfully online, it’s important to offer secure payment options. We recommend using a reliable payment service provider (PSP), such as Stripe, that can secure and customize the online payment process. Stripe Payments lets you accept payments online and in person from anywhere in the world, while reducing the complexity and cost of multicurrency management.