Sell on Ebay

Selling on eBay is exactly like selling in any other marketplace except that the usual barriers to entry (such as cost, employment, etc.) are virtually non-existent and, instead of just a few thousand potential buyers, you have access worldwide to over 181 million potential buyers! In fact, people who have already experienced selling through garage or yard sales or swap meets are already well and truly familiar with what it’s like to sell on eBay. Whether you're a home-based business, a big business, or just trying to sell some stuff you may have sitting around, here is a comprehensive guide to becoming an eBay seller. 

Selling on eBay is a notoriously easy process, but there are many options you can take to get the best price out of the item you are selling. This video shows you the best way to maximize profit, and how to get started as an eBay entrepreneur. 

Step 1: You Will Need

• A computer with an internet connection
• Items to sell
• A digital camera
• And your credit card or bank details 

Step 2: Open an account

Click 'Register' at the top of the page. Fill in the details required and follow the on screen instructions. Once your account is up and running you must register as a Seller. Click on 'Sell' and fill in the relevant details. You will need to enter your credit card and bank details, so make sure you have them to hand.

Step 3: Test it out

 

 

Get to grips with eBay by buying a couple of small items. This will give you a better understanding of the mechanics of the site and more importantly, give you positive feedback from buyers that future customers can use to establish that you are a trustworthy seller.

Type your item into the sell box, and then click onto the category that most fits your item. For example, if you are selling a Teddy Bear, but do not know the name of the manufacturer, you would enter Dolls and Bears> Bears> Other Bears.
You have the choice to select a second category in which to display your item, although be aware it costs a bit more.

Step 4: Write an auction title

 

An accurate, descriptive title for your item is important, as it will be the first thing buyers see when your auction comes up in their search page. Ebay's search tool prioritises the words in auction titles over words in the description text, so by including as many key words as you can in your title you should appear near the top of people's searches. A good title for selling a Teddy Bear might be "LOVELY OLD TEDDY BEAR, HAPPY SMILE"

You can supplement with a subtitle if you wish.

Step 5: Write an item description

 

Fill in the relevant details for your item on the eBay checklist. Then write a full item description. This is your sales pitch, and is key to making a buyer interested in your item, but remember to stick to the truth.
There are other boxes like 'New or Used', or 'Type', which invite you to define your item a bit further. It is worth clicking on these, as they will help your item come to the surface in people's searches.

Step 6: Photos

Adding photos of your item will help potential buyers see exactly what they are buying. A good photo can make a huge difference to the price your item sells for, so make sure you get the photo in focus, and that it is not over or underexposed.
The first photo is free, but for more than this, eBay charges a small fee per photo. If you are selling a high value item, like a car or good piece of furniture, then it is worth paying for extra photos that show the item off in extra detail. Lots of people take the time to include photos that detail the provenance of an item.

Step 7: Choose auction length

You will be given the option of having your item listed for 1, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days, depending on how fast you want to make a sale. For a small fee you can schedule your listing to start at a specific time in the future rather than straight away. Click sell to reach the next page.

Step 8: Pricing options

 

 

There are a variety of pricing structures that you can choose. A basic auction is when you set a starting price and then let potential buyers bid against each other. You have the option of placing a ‘reserve' bid if you don't want a very valuable item to go for a low price.

The 'Buy It Now' feature allows you to set a final selling price, giving a buyer the opportunity to buy instantly instead of bidding. As soon as a bid is placed the 'Buy It Now' option is removed. This forces the buyer to act fast, working for a quicker sale, at an assured price for you.

Alternatively you may wish to bypass the auction approach altogether and sell by setting a fixed price. This allows for an immediate sale and is a better option if you have multiple, identical items. You can also choose to let buyers give you 'best offers' for your consideration. You need to have a good.