Your guide to becoming an eBay seller
by Ida Franco
Becoming an eBay seller is easier than ever. When you first decide to start selling on eBay, you need to create a seller’s account. A Paypal account is optional, but highly recommended for paying your seller’s fees to eBay and receiving payment for your auctions.
Once you’ve created your eBay seller’s account, you’re ready to list your first item. So, let me walk you through the process.
Selecting a title for your item and category
There is a character limit on how long your title can be so you want to be sure it is eye catching and to the point. Tell what your item is and perhaps something short about it. That’s really all you’re going to have room for. Then you want to select a category for your item. You want to be sure to choose the best category for your item to be sure that it is found by potential bidders. You can always run a search on eBay for similar items to see what categories they have been listed under. For an added fee, you can choose a sub category. This is optional however.
Adding pictures
Pictures of the item you are placing on eBay for sale is a great way to attract buyers. You can add one image for free, every image after that has a small fee. eBay also offers other imaging services that may be of interest to you, but remember these are all optional.
Select item specifics and write an item description
Item specifics are not available for all eBay categories. If the category you are using allows for item specifics, it is recommended that you do. Item specifics tell a little more in depth information about the item itself like the condition of the item, the copyright date, etc.
Be creative with your item description. This is the place where you really get to make your item shine. Be clear and concise, citing the details and merits of your item. This is also the place where you can tell a bit about you as a seller and your own preferences when it comes to shipping, feedback, and adding links to your other items on eBay.
Choose a selling format, pricing and listing duration
Choosing a selling format breaks down fairly easy. You can choose whether or not you are going to use eBay’s standard online auction format, your own eBay store, setting a fixed price or one of many other unique options eBay offers for its sellers. Be sure to choose the one that best suits your needs as a seller.
When listing your item on eBay, you will be asked to set auction duration. You can choose from one, three, five, seven or ten days as a seller on eBay. If you have an eBay store, the duration can be much longer. The seven day auction seems to work the best for most sellers and is the most popular by far.
You want to set a reasonable starting price for your item that is appealing to possible bidders. You can choose whether or not you want to set a reserve price, which is a set amount bidders must reach for the item to sell. You can also set a buy it now price, which is a set price within your auction for people who really want the item fast without the wait of an auction.
Set up payment and shipping information
This is where you will tell your potential buyers how you will accept payment and what types of payments you will accept. The most recommended method by eBay is through Paypal because it is a fast and secure way to accept checking account or credit card payments. There are several different payment options you can choose from, so choose those that are best suited to your selling needs.
To cut down on buyer questions, you want to be sure to be thorough in the section on shipping information. This is the place where you will tell your potential buyers who will pay the shipping cost (this is usually the buyer), what type of shipping you offer and when you ship through the week. Be clear and concise with the information you place here to cut down on misunderstandings.
Increase the visibility of your listing
eBay offers many different listing upgrades for sellers to make your item stand out more in the crowd of hundreds of other items listed in the same category. These extras are completely optional but it is a good idea to go ahead and look through them all when you first start selling so you know what tools are available to you.
Review and submit the listing
After you’ve finished all of the above steps you will be ready to review and approve your listing. Look over your listing carefully and correct any spelling errors or change any information that is wrong before clicking the submit button. This will save you a lot of time later. Once you’ve completed this and are satisfied with your listing, click the submit button and you are on your way with your first eBay auction!
The auction ending
Be sure to communicate with your buyers as much as possible. eBay offers a checkout service that will send an invoice to your buyer and an email to you as notification when your buyer has paid. This is a time when you and the buyer will exchange information pertaining to shipping. You should always contact your buyer directly if you have not heard from them within three to five days of the end of your auction.
After you’ve received payment, be sure to pack the item well for shipping. You can use bubble wrap, newspaper, tissue paper or any other packing material you have on hand. Just be sure to pack the item well so that it does not arrive damaged.
Leave your buyer feedback through eBay. eBay has set up the feedback system in order to create a trustworthy community for everyone. Feedback tells you and your buyers about your history on eBay and is a useful tool for success.
Selling on eBay has become faster and easier thanks to all the new options eBay has created to assist sellers and buyers with their auction site. You are sure to find just what you need to make your selling experience on eBay enjoyable and profitable. Be creative, clear, and communicate with your buyers and you will be successful in your eBay selling venture.
