Listings
Stuff to Include in Your Title
The goal of the title is to include as many useful keywords as you can to promote your product.- Brand Names are a must. Be sure to include their variations: i.e. for a brand of 7 for all Mankind Jeans, you may also want to put the word "Seven" in case buyers search for that.
- Size: It's pretty much a given, but I have seen sellers who rely on their Item Specifics (or just their description!) to list the size. I strongly advise you not to do this! Some buyers to not search with Item Specifics - they just imput the size in the search box. So always list the size in the title. Also put sizes that this may also fit (but not too many).
[update] eBay now has improved searching, so if a buyer searches "Large" an item titled "Banana Republic Dress size L" will come up. This provides you more space for other keywords (you can use XS, S, M, L, XL as opposed to xsmall, small, medium, large, xlarge). - Condition: I would rather put condition in the title only if it is NEW or NWT. The idea of putting "Used Prada Top" just is not at all appealing. If you're tight on character space, instead of putting those shoes as BNWOB (brand new without box), just list them as NEW. This is not decieving towards the buyer, and still accurately describes your item's description.
- More: If you have room, you can also put in seasons the item was from, the item style name. If there have been known knockoffs and you know yours is geniuine, perhaps that. Retail price, color, etc.
Create a concise yet accurate description.
Your description should accurately list of course what you are selling - brand, size, alternative sizes, MEASUREMENTS. Try to detail the description. If it is used, try to be more specific - is it used but in good condition? Great condition? Like new condition? (Listing in the title as "like new" can oft be subject to eBay listing removal because it is misleading).Use item specifics.
Item specifics are really important, so don't skimp out on it. And try not to pick the "OTHER" options. People do not search "Other", so pick the one that has the closest match (i.e. a multi-colored shoe should be listed as the color you first see when you glance at it, or the main color or its color scheme). Keep in mind the target consumer, especially for Women's clothing when the Specifics can throw you off. A Wet Seal top should be in Juniors sizing, while a J. Crew khaki pant may be more suitable for Misses sizing.Make it easy-to-read.
An elaborate design or attractive template is not necessary - but your description should be laid our so it is very easy to read and all buyer information is easy to find. DO NOT put your whole description in two lines or a big paragraph of text. Line breaks are your friend - on different lines, put the different kinds of info you have for your item. Make sure it is easy to read. And now eBay has many colors to choose from so your text can be colorful and inviting.Answer questions before they ask them!
Try not to make buyers ask questions. List a clearly explained combine shipping policy, return policy, etc. However, encourage them to ask questions if they want.End with a friendly goodbye
"Good luck and happy bidding" and "thanks for looking" are a polite phrase to say to potential buyers. It subtley shows you value their interest.
Packing
Include a second defense!
I try to wrap my items in something other than just the mailing container - I like to put things in a large Ziploc bag or wrap it in tissue paper before I ship it out, for courtesy. It is just an extra gesture that can go a long way. If something smells musty but is not a permanent odor, I hold it 3 feet away from me and put a single Febreze spritz on it. I immediately put it in the package so when customers open it, it smells fresh and clean.Consider an envelope.
Try to use a Tyvek envelope instead of boxes to ship. Boxes are not only more expensive, but they add a few more ounces to the weight. Tyvek envelopes are pretty much undestructible unless you take a razor to it and deliberately slash. With adding the extra wrapping inside the envelope, it is pretty safe for mailing.Tyvek can be an alternative to using bubble mailers. Try to keep your packaging costs low for maximum profit. Many items DO NOT need a padded envelope -- soft items like clothes do not need the added protection.
Recycle materials!
If you are an eBay buyer and get packages with any kind of thing you can save, do it. I only save things that you'd normally have to buy, like boxes, air packing pouches, etc. I don't recommend recycling Tyvek envelopes because of their disposable nature. You can save a lot of money by recycling packaging, plus feel good about the environment! *Many times shipping companies will give out free packaging supplies because they want your business*.Shipping
Keep it simple.
This is not at all necessary, but try to keep your shipping prices in the same price format (i.e. do not have one item shipping for $2.99 but another one of your item's shipping is $2.50 and another's is $3.95.). A buyer may see your items while searching and trigger the thought of a combined shipping discount.Keep it low.
High shipping prices can throw off buyers, ESPECIALLY since eBay allows buyers to use the Lowest Price + Shipping search setting. If you want your item to be seen among of sea of other products, a low price is a must (if your buyer is searching for that certain item, you'll be lucky). I only charge a dollar or so above the actual shipping price, or at least the amount is costs to cover listing, PayPal, packaging, and final product fees. If a very light t-shirt is selling for $.99 but with $11 shipping, buyers don't want to pay that much. Even if you have listed it for $.99, buyers take into account the shipping costs and how much they will have to pay in total. These prices can also be competitive if you have an item that other sellers also have. Try to beat the other sellers' shipping prices, even if it's only cheaper by a few cents or so.* I seldom have people asking for different methods of shipping, but if they do try to accomodate them to the best of your ability. Sometimes buyers will be willing to pay more for your item because you will do a special shipping method for an item. *
Do your research
Consider how to find the lowest price for shipping BEFORE listing. USPS is generally the most convenient, or the most cheap. They offer First Class Mail, which is only a couple of bucks to ship but the item must be under 13 oz. Priority Mail I use for items that are a few pounds. Parcel Post is better for heavier packages. USPS recently raised their shipping costs, so be aware of that. Use the postage calculator at postcalc.usps.gov.In addition to United States Postal Service, there is also FedEx and UPS that are primarily used on eBay. Check and compare rates at redroller.com or use the UPS and USPS shipping caculators. [ update: Red Roller is no longer a free tool :(].
Items that fit in USPS mailboxes may be shipped that way. By printing out a shipping label at home, you can drop your package off in a post box and they'll take care of it! FedEx and UPS requires you to either call for a pickup or drop it off at a designated location, wasting time and gas money.
Try to use shipping labels.
Shipping labels will save you lots of time. For USPS, you have to drive to the post office and wait in lines. If you print the shipping label at home, you can either drop it off in a mailbox (if it fits) or just cut the line at the post office and give them your parcel.
Always put a shipping price!
Do not make people ask you for the price and do not make people "See Item Description". Some people leave the shipping part blank so it says "See Item Description" because there are multiple prices for shipping. Some buyers do not want to take the time to look in the description for a price. Also, don't rely on a private shipping caculator - the only shipping caculator you should let buyers use is the eBay one. Also, many times with searches items without a listed shipping price end up at the BOTTOM of the search page!
Don't get stuck...
Some people list all their shipping services through eBay, their worldwide and domestic prices. I usually just list my domestic shipping prices and ask global customers to ask me for worldwide shipping costs. This way you are not bound/obligated to ship at a flat rate worldwide price.Be prompt!
Ship in a timely manner. You never want to give a buyer cause for complaint. eBay now requires you to list a handling time. While usually I ship within 2 business days of payment being received, I may put a 3-day handling time. A buyer once complained that it took me 4 days to ship the item out and it arrived on the eighth day as opposed to the 4-7 business days eBay predicted it would take. While many buyers and not so impatient, just in case you encounter one that is, you don't want to risk negative feedback for it.You're good to go!
Recommending this guide always helps, even if you didn't find it as informative as it could be. Other sellers may see this guide as helpful and get tips from it. If you have an suggestions or comments, feel free to contact me.I hope you learned something from this guide - if you didn't learn anything, you're probably already good to go!
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