We can all agree - it's not too difficult to sell stuff on eBay. What's not so easy to do is closing the sale. There is a truckload of other sellers to compete against, plus price tags are competitive and there are costs you need to pay - even if no one buys your products.
Here's something I know with online auctions, I've discovered a few simple tricks that help me get my products out the door - and also help me attract more potential buyers, consequently increasing the selling price. If you make use of the 9 steps below, you can see more bidders when you list your next item.
OK.Let's go. The instructions can't get much easier:
1. Specific Titles Work Best
I'm talking about brand names, colors, abbreviations, size, model numbers and on and on. Since the allocated space contains a specified number of characters, you may need to decide the title that contains the best keywords. Generally, additional keywords give a competitive advantage, since this provides browsers extra ways to locate your listing.
2. Don't Forget a Number of Photos of Your Item
Pictures you want to include must demonstrate the value of the item you are listing for sale. High-value images include multiple displays of the item for sale not to mention close-ups. You may decide that it's a good idea to include visual proof of a brand new product or brand-name item with a photograph.
When you incorporate images, think about inquiries that shoppers are most likely to have, and which ways pictures can assist in answering those concerns. The more questions you can deal with - and trust you can build using your selling page - the more action-oriented visitors you will appeal to.
3. Include a Variety of Payment Options
Consumers prefer to choose, and they don't like to be controlled. Giving customers a choice in how they pay is a very simple way to multiply the number of shoppers who will bid on your listings. More bidders typically translates to increased activity and more profitable bids.
4. Keep Shipping Low - or Free
High product shipping prices make buyers feel like they are getting ripped off - and cheap goods with costly shipping fees won't usually bring in buyers. Unless an item is heavy or bulky, unusually high shipping and handling charges are not usually necessary.
Use the standard and lowest fee you can afford, giving shoppers a choice to pay extra for faster delivery if they like. Free shipping is also a great way to bring in extra buyers. Shoppers will increase their bids in a case when they are aware that they don't have any extra fees to cover.
5. Let Shoppers Return Items (When Possible)
Usually shoppers don't try to request their money back for items they purchase unless it's undeniably awful. Hey - it's not convenient to take back items. So keep in mind, making bidders aware up front that they can easily return an item increases their trust in you more that you know. It gives them one more reason why they should buy from you.
6. Keep Your eBay Feedback Rating at 100% Positive
This might sound obvious, but the crazy thing is that a large number of people forget to leave their comments. They dishearten sellers who have made their best effort to complete a satisfactory transaction.
There is an easy 2-step strategy to step-up the communication obtained.
Firstly, when the auction ends and a person has paid for your product, send an email to the person. Make him/her aware of when the package will be shipped and when he should expect to receive the product. Write a note that you would be really happy if he would leave his feedback when he gets the order.
Secondly, when you think the purchaser should have gotten the piece, send him a reminder email. Remind him that you wanted to know he got the package and to contact you if he has any questions. Briefly state that you're waiting for his feedback. Then place a link or information on where he can leave it.
Make it as easy as possible to leave feedback, and these reminders should get the job done. Keep in mind that in most circumstances, people don't think about giving feedback because they forget or they don't know how.
7. List a Complete Run-Down of the Product
Details give you an advantage in an eBay sales page. Some readers require specifics while many don't care, so it's in your best interest to paste as many specifics as you can in an easy-to-skim format. insert numbered lists and feature important information for those who prefer to skim over the description.
Another critical case for why you should add several paragraphs is to help your sales page get found by as many potential bidders as you can. When people look for items on eBay, it's hard to predict which search terms they will use. So in this situation, the more labels you insert on your sales page that talk about the item, the more likely shoppers are to locate your page.
8. Start the Bidding at a Low Number
Shoppers think of eBay to find to get something for cheap. You don't want to post things for only 5% off the retail price - give people an offer that will get their attention. When you start your bids at next to nothing, the greater number of shoppers you will attract. Well, we all can predict what will happen next.
9. Select Your Auction End Carefully
When you list your item, ensure that your auction won't end at a date when many potential buyers are tied up or asleep. I have made a number of highly discounted purchases (on the buying side) on products where the expiration date was late on a Saturday. Seemed like other possible buyers was not available for bidding because people had other plans on a Saturday night...
Here's something I know with online auctions, I've discovered a few simple tricks that help me get my products out the door - and also help me attract more potential buyers, consequently increasing the selling price. If you make use of the 9 steps below, you can see more bidders when you list your next item.
OK.Let's go. The instructions can't get much easier:
1. Specific Titles Work Best
I'm talking about brand names, colors, abbreviations, size, model numbers and on and on. Since the allocated space contains a specified number of characters, you may need to decide the title that contains the best keywords. Generally, additional keywords give a competitive advantage, since this provides browsers extra ways to locate your listing.
2. Don't Forget a Number of Photos of Your Item
Pictures you want to include must demonstrate the value of the item you are listing for sale. High-value images include multiple displays of the item for sale not to mention close-ups. You may decide that it's a good idea to include visual proof of a brand new product or brand-name item with a photograph.
When you incorporate images, think about inquiries that shoppers are most likely to have, and which ways pictures can assist in answering those concerns. The more questions you can deal with - and trust you can build using your selling page - the more action-oriented visitors you will appeal to.
3. Include a Variety of Payment Options
Consumers prefer to choose, and they don't like to be controlled. Giving customers a choice in how they pay is a very simple way to multiply the number of shoppers who will bid on your listings. More bidders typically translates to increased activity and more profitable bids.
4. Keep Shipping Low - or Free
High product shipping prices make buyers feel like they are getting ripped off - and cheap goods with costly shipping fees won't usually bring in buyers. Unless an item is heavy or bulky, unusually high shipping and handling charges are not usually necessary.
Use the standard and lowest fee you can afford, giving shoppers a choice to pay extra for faster delivery if they like. Free shipping is also a great way to bring in extra buyers. Shoppers will increase their bids in a case when they are aware that they don't have any extra fees to cover.
5. Let Shoppers Return Items (When Possible)
Usually shoppers don't try to request their money back for items they purchase unless it's undeniably awful. Hey - it's not convenient to take back items. So keep in mind, making bidders aware up front that they can easily return an item increases their trust in you more that you know. It gives them one more reason why they should buy from you.
6. Keep Your eBay Feedback Rating at 100% Positive
This might sound obvious, but the crazy thing is that a large number of people forget to leave their comments. They dishearten sellers who have made their best effort to complete a satisfactory transaction.
There is an easy 2-step strategy to step-up the communication obtained.
Firstly, when the auction ends and a person has paid for your product, send an email to the person. Make him/her aware of when the package will be shipped and when he should expect to receive the product. Write a note that you would be really happy if he would leave his feedback when he gets the order.
Secondly, when you think the purchaser should have gotten the piece, send him a reminder email. Remind him that you wanted to know he got the package and to contact you if he has any questions. Briefly state that you're waiting for his feedback. Then place a link or information on where he can leave it.
Make it as easy as possible to leave feedback, and these reminders should get the job done. Keep in mind that in most circumstances, people don't think about giving feedback because they forget or they don't know how.
7. List a Complete Run-Down of the Product
Details give you an advantage in an eBay sales page. Some readers require specifics while many don't care, so it's in your best interest to paste as many specifics as you can in an easy-to-skim format. insert numbered lists and feature important information for those who prefer to skim over the description.
Another critical case for why you should add several paragraphs is to help your sales page get found by as many potential bidders as you can. When people look for items on eBay, it's hard to predict which search terms they will use. So in this situation, the more labels you insert on your sales page that talk about the item, the more likely shoppers are to locate your page.
8. Start the Bidding at a Low Number
Shoppers think of eBay to find to get something for cheap. You don't want to post things for only 5% off the retail price - give people an offer that will get their attention. When you start your bids at next to nothing, the greater number of shoppers you will attract. Well, we all can predict what will happen next.
9. Select Your Auction End Carefully
When you list your item, ensure that your auction won't end at a date when many potential buyers are tied up or asleep. I have made a number of highly discounted purchases (on the buying side) on products where the expiration date was late on a Saturday. Seemed like other possible buyers was not available for bidding because people had other plans on a Saturday night...
About the Author:
Bob Garrett researches small businesses for Home Business Center, Inc.. If you're looking to find out more about how you can start an eBay business from home, Home Business Center has some great tips on getting started.
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