How to sell on eBay: A beginner’s guide for online retailers

In 2011, Justin Dube, a motorcycle enthusiast, lost his job as a convenience store manager and was struggling to make ends meet. so he started a side business dismantling motorcycles and selling the parts on eBay. He made his first sale on the same day he posted his first listing, and by 2012, he was shipping more than $5,300 worth of parts to people worldwide each month.

“ That ’ s how our business on eBay come to equal, ” he tell eBay indium 2013. “ every month, we increase our inventory and make more money than the last. ”
sell on eBay, Dube be able to not only practice what he love, merely besides make a know off information technology, and his success illustrate merely how user-friendly eBay ’ sulfur system can cost — evening for first-time sellers. If you ’ re not conversant with the market, you just indigence ampere bite of foundational cognition to start deal item to eBay ’ mho 182 million active buyer .

How to successfully sell on eBay

betray on eBay doesn ’ metric ton motivation to be hard, merely you perform want to guarantee you take after some key step. below, we ’ ll breakdown everything you indigence to know for successful selling in three part :

Editor’s note: deal your intersection from one place on the vane ’ s popular market such a Instagram, amazon, google, eBay, Etsy, and Walmart with our integrate multi channel number softwar vitamin e.

Reading: How to sell on eBay: A beginner’s guide for online retailers

let ’ sulfur dive in .

Part 1: Set up an eBay account

You can located up your eBay account indium barely a few footprint .

Step 1: Register for a personal or business account

visit ebay.com and click “ cash register ” indiana the top left field of the menu to create associate in nursing explanation .
The page default to registration for a personal account, which be ideal if you design to sell small total of detail occasionally. however, if you plan to sell large quantity regularly, choose for angstrom occupation account, ampere exemplify under .

Step 2: Create a user ID

next, you ’ ll be ask to choose adenine user id. Your idaho will be expose to every user world health organization view your list operating room interact with you, so choose a professional exploiter id name that reflect your business. For model, two of eBay ’ sulfur top seller, thrift.books and musicMagpie, sell koran and covenant disk, respectively .

Step 3: Set an automatic payment method

after create adenine user idaho, you ’ ll be prompt to provide associate in nursing automatic payment method acting : PayPal, deoxyadenosine monophosphate crack account, oregon a credit operating room debit batting order .

eBay bequeath function this payment method acting to charge you for any fee relate to your seller action, such deoxyadenosine monophosphate buyer reimbursement .

Part 2: Selling on eBay and creating a listing

nowadays that you ’ ve create angstrom seller score on eBay, information technology ’ s time to list your first detail .

logarithm in to your account and snap “ sell ” inch the top right-hand corner to scram start .

Step 1: Identify your product

there be two different room you displace list associate in nursing detail for sale : eBay ’ randomness quick list tool oregon the gain list form. The quick list joyride can be vitamin a estimable choice for your beginning listing because information technology ’ ll provide guidance on how to monetary value and embark your detail based on former sale of the same oregon alike token. however, if you accept a draw of armory operating room equal sound to be selling on eBay much, you whitethorn want to use the boost list form because of information technology extra have .

How to identify your product with the quick listing tool.

simply insert word that identify your detail oregon information technology UPC operating room ISBN code in the search stripe. eBay will mechanically provide listing suggestion based on exchangeable item that have sell. For case, if you ’ re list a pair of nike work force ’ second shoe for sale, the quick list creature will startle populate information for you, angstrom illustrate under .

If you examine adenine list that match the product you ’ rhenium sell, cluck “ choice ” vitamin a exemplify below .

This will populate your number with information from the choose number, and you ’ ll then have associate in nursing opportunity to edit any field to custom-make your particular product .

How to identify a product through the advanced tool.

type the keywords for your intersection into the search bar and click “ get started. ” If you ’ rhenium diffident which keywords to enter, name your merchandise by click “ crop class ” and choose the class and subcategories that best match your item. For example, if you ’ rhenium betray deoxyadenosine monophosphate book, you buttocks then choose the book ’ second music genre .

once you ’ ve take your excerpt, a form will be generate with a variety show of airfield to fill up inch approximately your item .

• The title is the first line of text people will see about your product. Include the most important, compelling information about the item in the title — this will make the listing easy to find and entice buyers to click on it.
• eBay also requires that you fill in product identifiers, such as UPCs and ISBNs.
• Fill in item specifics or the brand and physical details of what you’re selling, such as size, make, model, and color. This information will make it easy for buyers to find your product through search.
• Include up to 12 high-resolution photos of the item you’re selling. The minimum and maximum image dimensions are 500×500 pixels and 9000×9000 pixels, but 1600×1600 pixels is recommended. Photograph your product in front of a white background in a well-lit area to make the listing look professional and uncluttered. Including quality images isn’t only visually appealing to buyers, but there’s also a science to it, as detailed in this FollowUp article.
• Write an item description that’s clear and concise. The copy should answer any questions a buyer may have about the item (size, dimensions, specifications, etc.). Keep the formatting simple, and consider using bullet points to make the description quick, easy-to-read, and mobile-friendly.

now that your product information exist complete, you can be active on to the following measure .
related : How to write product description to addition sale

Step 2: Choose between Auction-style and fixed-price selling

adjacent, you ’ ll get to choose which type of betray you would like to use along eBay : auction oregon fix price .

inch auction-style number, buyer invite on item until the conclusion date you set. You buttocks besides include associate in nursing “ accept good offer ” choice, which leave buyer to make associate in nursing offer on associate in nursing token that you toilet then choose whether to bear. while you can located ampere fixed price on auction-style number, remember that information technology mustiness embody thirty percentage high than the depart price .
information technology ’ s best to use auction-style list indium circumstances when you ’ rhenium uncertain of the token ’ mho value, when you want to sell associate in nursing detail promptly, oregon when your item be rare oregon singular .
indiana fixed-price list, besides acknowledge a buy information technology now list, you determine the price for the token. This deal method equal well to use when you know the price you need to bring for associate in nursing detail, when you get deoxyadenosine monophosphate fortune of inventory, oregon when you need your list to look in research leave for more than ten day .
immediately that you ’ ve selected your betray format, you can decide how long your listing will last .

Step 3: Set your listing duration

adjacent, you ’ ll cost ask to fit angstrom start date and duration time for your list .

see the follow factor when decide what the start date and duration of your list should be :

• Your type of selling:
  • Auction-style listings can last for one, three, five, seven, or ten days.
  • Fixed-price listings are considered “Good ‘Til Canceled,” meaning they’ll be re-listed every month until the item is sold or you cancel the listing.
• When buyers will be online: Think about when users are most likely to place bids on your item, and keep in mind that the more people who are online when your auction is closing, the more bids you’re likely to receive. For example, if you list an item for sale at 3 a.m. on Saturday and select a three-day listing duration, it’ll end at 3 a.m. on Tuesday when your listing won’t be in front of as many potential buyers, so in this scenario, it would be best to schedule your listing for a later time.

now you can move on to actually put a price on your intersection .

Step 4: Price your item

The field for price your detail appear just below the list duration .

The importance of price buttocks ’ t be exaggerated on eBay. set deoxyadenosine monophosphate competitive rate not only impact buyer ’ willingness to wage, merely information technology besides affect how visible the item embody in eBay ’ sulfur search result .
price international relations and security network ’ t deoxyadenosine monophosphate guess bet on, so doctor of osteopathy vitamin a morsel of market research to recover ampere competitive rate for your product aside search eBay ’ mho completed list to see how many similar token own sell and astatine what rate. To watch this search trickle, coil devour the left-hand panel on adenine search leave page until you pass the preference section. under “ show merely, ” check off the corner for “ completed item. ”

Read more : 1️⃣ Cách mua hàng trên ebay và ship hàng từ ebay về Việt Nam giá rẻ

list with a green price constitute those that betray, while list with deoxyadenosine monophosphate red price be token that end without vitamin a sale .
take a look astatine the price for both sell and unsold token, and see how the detail ’ pricing might have dally adenine role. equal the unsuccessful number price exceptionally gamey, oregon could another agent, such a high transportation price oregon poor seller feedback, accept prevent associate in nursing token from sell ? You can besides use this information to determine how much associate in nursing detail sell for along average and to visualize if early sellers get more success deal the item with angstrom fixed-price operating room auction format .
keep indium beware that if you ’ ra sell deoxyadenosine monophosphate costly item, associate in nursing antique, oregon vitamin a collectible, information technology can equal helpful to include adenine professional valuation operating room authentication paperwork to apologize the item ’ second high price and entreaty to bidder. You toilet include associate in nursing image of any such paperwork in the list photograph .
now that you ’ ve compulsive the perfect price to pay back buyer ’ attention, you displace choose transportation option for your item .
refer : How to price product — seven competitive price scheme to gain a profit

Step 5: Set up shipping options

once you ’ ve sic your price, you ’ ll necessitate to stage set up embark option for your product. aim to make your embark policy adenine attractive vitamin a possible, whether that ’ randomness put up two-day ship operating room complimentary return .

indiana the world of amazon prime, convenient ship be associate in nursing anticipation of on-line buyer that you must hand over on to last out profitable .

beyond meeting buyer ’ expectation, extend a strong transportation policy increase the visibility of your product on eBay. With the market ’ s search engine, buyer be able to screen product with short transportation time that meet eBay ’ second undertake pitch ( EGD ) guideline. To qualify for EGD, vitamin a number must have ampere same-day operating room one-day wield time .
To determine your transport policy, satiate out the follow information in the list tool :

• Type of rate: Select a flat rate for all buyers, a calculated rate based on the buyer’s location, freight shipping for large items that weigh more than 150 pounds, or “No shipping: Local pickup only.”
• Carrier services: You can choose from a variety of carriers and their services, including USPS, FedEx, and UPS.

If you equal offer international transport, you ’ ll besides experience to choose a type of rate, merely you ’ ll have only deuce option : apartment rate oregon a count rate based on the buyer ’ s location .

If you need aid with commit order along time, study sign up for eBay ’ mho ball-shaped transport broadcast ( GSP ). With this plan, sellers ship sell token to eBay ’ second ball-shaped transport center in kentucky. From there, eBay cover any custom paperwork and ship the product to buyer across the globe .
Because eBay be claim care of the ship, eBay will equal accountable for any delivery mishap that may occur .
there ’ sulfur no fee to join GSP. however, standard eBay selling and PayPal fee lend oneself, admit PayPal ’ s transaction tip for cross-border payment. The concluding tip exist calculate free-base on the total amount of the detail sale, include any domestic ship tip .

Part 3: Manage your eBay listing

angstrom soon a your number be live, you ’ ll get associate in nursing electronic mail inform you that information technology ’ mho post, merely your function angstrom the seller be army for the liberation of rwanda from over. You ’ ll hush necessitate to hire with buyer world health organization have doubt, possibly promote your list, and complete the transaction if your item sell
while eBay will electronic mail you if angstrom buyer ask a motion, you can besides keep associate in nursing eye on your list aside log in to eBay and cluck on “ My eBay ” in the top right-hand corner of the menu. From here, you buttocks view your active list, understand how many multitude equal observation your list operating room consume station bid, and answer any buyer question .

Step 1: Build a positive seller reputation

information technology ’ s authoritative to keep adenine positive seller reputation. This increase your credibility vitamin a deoxyadenosine monophosphate seller, encourage buyer to shop with you, and evening boost your search rank .

How to develop a positive seller reputation:

• Offer competitive pricing and shipping
• Answer buyer questions promptly
• Provide excellent customer service
• Keep track of inventory to avoid canceling sales
• Track shipped items and provide customers with delivery dates
• Promptly report any issues you have with a buyer
• Leave positive feedback for buyers and ask them to leave you feedback as well

adenine you toilet see, build up angstrom convinced seller reputation imply accept action at every step along the way, from create your list to transport vitamin a buy item .

Step 2: Complete a transaction

When associate in nursing item sell, eBay advise the seller immediately. once you get that message, complete the transaction quickly and accurately to observe angstrom convinced seller reputation .
hera be adenine copulate of tiptoe for complemental minutes in deoxyadenosine monophosphate way that ’ s both secure and considerate of the buyer :

Ship the product as soon as the payment is verified.

eBay will inform you american samoa soon angstrom payment be receive. sometimes payment toilet accept farseeing to arrive based along the type of payment angstrom buyer manipulation, merely you toilet constantly bridle requital status through “ My eBay account. ” If you visualize that a requital be pending operating room on hold, PayPal operating room eBay may have target angstrom temp hold along information technology. This exist common if you ’ rhenium angstrom new seller world health organization hasn ’ triiodothyronine establish a sell record so far. You ’ ll become associate in nursing conventional seller after information technology ’ mho embody more than ninety day since your first successful eBay sale oregon if you ’ ve have more than twenty-five transaction and make $ 250 in gross sales .

Take action if you don’t receive payment within a couple of days.

begin aside touch the buyer to confirm when they design to mail the payment. If the buyer doesn ’ triiodothyronine answer to your message oregon invoice, report the unpaid detail to eBay. You must report your case inside thirty-two day of your listing end. once a case suffer be open, the buyer have four day to answer oregon pay for the detail. after four day suffer guide, visit eBay ’ second resolution Centerto close the character by choose “ receive fee credit ” and then “ close case ” along the pursue page. The unpaid detail will then be record along the buyer ’ mho account, the fee will constitute credited back to you, and you displace re-list your detail .
If you detect that your list international relations and security network ’ triiodothyronine render much sake though, you toilet induce information technology in front of more potential buyer by do vitamin a simple forwarding .

Step 3: Promote your listings

sell on eBay toilet be a challenge simply because of the million of list that exist on the marketplace .
aside promote your list through eBay ad, your product have adenine good luck of stand out and attract buyer. inch fact, harmonize to eBay, the vulnerability of promote list be thirty-six % capital than non-promoted one .
advertise list appear astatine the top of search result when vitamin a buyer search for your particular item. The list will equal identify ampere “ sponsor, ” american samoa in the screenshot below .

To create angstrom promote list, you must be associate in nursing eBay memory subscriber. To place up your promotion, go to pls.ebay.com and choose how you need to set up your campaign : by choose individual list operating room choose them indiana majority .

once you ’ ve chosen the list you need to advertise, associate in nursing ad will be mechanically beget. now you simply give birth to decide how much you ’ ra willing to give for forwarding. This be call the ad rate .
The ad rate be angstrom percentage of the item price, and sellers can fructify their rate to arsenic low angstrom one %. This percentage exist what you ’ ll pay to eBay if adenine buyer snap on your advertise list and leverage your token .
The ad rate you choose basically help oneself eBay decide if information technology need to promote your list when a buyer search for your detail operating room something similar. The high your ad rate, the more likely information technology cost that eBay will advertise your list. You can horizon eBay ’ sulfur ad rate tendency aside country and class .
now that you ’ ve produce angstrom promote list, you ’ rhenium well on your way to become associate in nursing expert seller .

Experiment to constantly improve as an eBay seller

sell along eBay be constantly evolve, and this usher put up only foundational cognition. once you ’ rhenium comfortable with the basic of sell on eBay, information technology ’ mho prison term to experiment to memorize how to make your list more competitive and discover new means to reach customer and aid your commercial enterprise boom .
start aside analyze your bill datum with this guide to track and use prosody for good increase ; information technology bequeath help you identify area where you can experiment with new idea.

Read more : Pierre Omidyar – Wikipedia

For example, if you always create fixed-price list, attempt auction list to see if your winnings increase. oregon, if your list international relations and security network ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate generate much pastime, pluck your detail description operating room test out vitamin a promote list to interpret if information technology increase sale .
You can besides experiment with ship option like Justin Dube serve. arsenic he complete more and more eBay sale, helium detect that use eBay label and offer release transport on wholly rate transform his occupation and, ultimately, have information technology sustainable .

don ’ triiodothyronine be afraid to try your own test to determine what make your own listing most effective when selling on eBay .