Do you want to start promoting and selling your products on eBay but can’t figure out the best way to do it to keep mistakes to a minimum? As a beginner, the task may seem daunting.
Well, don’t fret, because many people have the same issue. You only need some guidance to set you on the correct path.
Luckily, you can keep worries at bay by reviewing this guide on how to sell on eBay!
Why You Should Consider Selling on eBay
The process of selling on eBay has many benefits to it, which is why starting an eBay business has captured the attention of countless small business owners.
Here are the perks of using eBay to sell your products.
- Good reputation and popularity: Being both popular and legit means that the items you sell on eBay will have a large audience that won’t hesitate to purchase a good-quality product.
- Simplicity: You don’t need to watch extensive tutorials to easily manage your account and promote your products.
- 150 monthly listings for free: Your free 150-product monthly quota can help you save some money if you’re just starting.
- Comparatively low selling fees: With 10% fees per sale, which is lower than Amazon’s average of 15%, you’re more likely to make a bigger profit per sale.
Problems With Selling on eBay
Selling on eBay has a few drawbacks that you should weigh against the benefits to make a well-informed decision.
Here are the issues you might face on your journey.
- Listing in different tiers costs you extra: It may be an annoying setback for a beginner when the site charges them extra for listing items in multiple categories.
- Creating product listings is time-consuming: It takes some getting used to to finish the process of listing products quickly, which can be an issue if your schedule is busy already.
- Basic shipping tools: The shipping tools on eBay become harder to manage as you sell more on the platform. The lack of automated processes can make sellers waste a lot of precious time on updating tracking information.
- Selling limits: You have selling limits that increase the more your business grows, but you may struggle to make a good profit the first few months because these limits are too low in the beginning.
What You’ll Need to Sell on eBay
If you’re ready to start your eBay selling journey, it’s time to understand the few things you’ll need to do or have to kickstart your eBay business.
Here’s a quick overview of these points.
- The products you’ll sell: Conduct thorough market research if you haven’t settled on what you’ll be selling on eBay. If you already have a running business, take inventory of your products to prepare for listing them.
- A business account: You need to set up a business account on eBay to start selling on the platform. Optimize the account’s settings by choosing between auction-style and fixed-price selling, picking the right subscription plan, etc.
- Listing and promoting your products: After writing your product’s details and attaching a high-quality picture of it, you should use the Promoted Listings tool to ensure it appears on other people’s search results page.
What to Sell on eBay
If you’re still unsure what to sell on eBay, here are a few ideas that you might want to consider.
Home and Garden Items
Anything from sofas and coffee tables to pillows and wicker chairs has a high chance of selling well on eBay.
You can also go for garden items, which are popular with the arrival of spring. Think along the lines of barbecue sets, garden lighting options, outdoor furniture, and the like.
Why This Product Sells Well
Social media has a powerful impact on people’s buying habits, especially when it comes to home and garden products.
With the rise of Instagram posts that showcase warm and welcoming indoor and outdoor settings, everything related to decorating and renovating your home is always in high demand.
Smartphone Cases and Accessories
Another good candidate for eBay selling is cell phone cases and other accessories. These include headphones, glass protectors, car holders, etc.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can specialize in iPhone-branded items to further boost your sales. This is because the iPhone and its accessories are market leaders.
Why This Product Sells Well
The smartphone market is ever-changing, with new models emerging every few months. You can take advantage of this knowledge and aim to offer the latest and trendiest products.
Health and Beauty Items
Skincare and hair care products are always good options to sell on eBay. Makeup, dietary supplements, perfume, and similar items are also expected to become best-sellers if their quality is high.
Why This Product Sells Well
The market for health and beauty products grows rapidly, and experts predict it’ll expand annually by 3.8% in the next few years.
With more and more influencers and celebrities encouraging people to buy cosmetics and skincare products, it’s natural that many people all over the world are now more interested in getting their hands on them.
How to Sell on eBay: Step-By-Step Instructions
Looking for a reliable tutorial for beginners to kickstart your eBay journey? The following steps should help you out, especially if you pair them with some knowledge of eBay selling best practices!
Step 1: Create an Account on eBay
Start by visiting eBay.com and setting up an account if you don’t already have one. While you can use a personal account, a business account is the better option as it gives more benefits to sellers.
Next, fill in your business’s details and pay special attention to the user ID, as it will be the name to show up on your audience’s screens. If you don’t already have a name for your business, make sure the one you choose reflects your company’s identity perfectly.
Step 2: Choose a Payment Method
When you’re done with the previous details, the website will then ask you to pick a payment method on which you’ll be charged for your fees as an eBay seller.
You can go for PayPal, a checking account, a debit card, or a credit card. Select the method that best suits your use.
Step 3: Start Listing Your Products
Now that you’ve launched your eBay account, it’s time to learn how to list your products, which couldn’t be easier.
After logging into your account, select “Sell” from the top-right corner of the eBay homepage. You can use two methods to list your items, either using eBay’s quick listing tool or the more advanced listing option where you enter all the details yourself.
Using the Quick Listing Tool
This is the better method if you’re only starting out with your first item and you want something to guide you through the listing process until you gain enough confidence to use the advanced tool.
To use this tool, type the name of your product or its UPC or ISBN code into the search bar to reveal other listed items that match its description. Click “Select” to pick the best fit for your product.
Now, all the details of the product you’ve chosen will be yours. All you have to do next is edit any fields for customization.
Using the Advanced Listing Tool
If you’d rather enter all your product’s information manually, you can try this listing method instead.
Begin by typing the keyword for your product’s name into the search bar, then click on “Get Started.” Or, there’s the option to browse pre-existing categories and subcategories until you find one that suits your item.
When you’re done selecting that piece of information, a new page will appear with a form. You’ll have many empty fields to fill here, including:
- Title
- Product identifiers (UPCs and ISBNs)
- Size, color, model, etc.
Afterward, you can upload up to 12 high-resolution photos of your product to grasp the attention of potential buyers. A good piece of advice here is to take the pictures yourself and not borrow from other online sources.
This is why you need to browse some great cameras for eBay photography.
Finally, you’ll have to write a short and clear product description that highlights its features, goes over its dimensions, and mentions any key selling points you’d like your eBay shoppers to know about.
Step 4: Choose Your Pricing Mode and Price Your Products
Before you settle on a price for your product, you’ll have to pick whether you want the purchase process to be auction-style or fixed price. After that, determine the duration of your eBay listing after taking note of your inventory.
Next, conduct in-depth research of the market to find the range of prices for your product and try to place a competitive price to give yourself an advantage.
Take special care when listing a high-priced item like an antique or collectible. To justify the high price, it’s a good idea to include authentication paperwork amongst your product’s images.
Step 5: Consider Your Shipping Options
The last step is to choose your shipping options by picking the type of rate (flat, calculated based on the buyer’s location, freight shipping for large items, or local pickup only).
Another detail to determine is carriers along with their services. Your options here are UPS, USPS, and FedEx.
Note that an attractive shipping policy can boost the popularity of your products, so always make it a priority to come up with one that also suits your workflow.
Things to Consider When Selling on eBay
We know that despite how straightforward the process is, selling on eBay isn’t a walk in the park. Here are a few considerations to remember to make your work easier.
- Think About the Retail Arbitrage Strategy: Many first-time eBay sellers like to go the retail arbitrage path to source their products. This means that they buy discounted products or items in bulk to get a good deal, then they resell them on eBay at competitive prices.
- Enter the Mind of a Buyer: Thinking like a buyer can help you craft the best product listings as you’ll be able to pick out a suitable name, description, picture, and more with no hesitation.
- Respond to Your Messages: Building a strong relationship with your customers goes a long way in providing an unforgettable service. By sending and receiving feedback, you can further optimize your products in the future to generate more sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have some questions on your mind, this section may give you the answers you’re looking for.
Is Selling on eBay Worth It?
Yes. Selling on eBay is worth it for many reasons. eBay is safe to sell on, easy to use for beginner sellers, and one of the most popular e-commerce platforms in the U.S.
A good statistic that highlights its worth is that eBay makes up 4.7% of the U.S. e-commerce market.
Does eBay Charge You If Your Item Doesn’t Sell?
No. According to eBay’s official site, the platform won’t charge you any final value fees if you don’t sell a certain product.
Similar Tutorials to Check Out
Want to widen your horizons even further than eBay? The following tutorials can be your guides.
- How to Sell on Craigslist: Craigslist should be your go-to option if you want to resell items or sell used products.
- How to Sell on Etsy: Etsy is your best bet if you’re all about handmade products.
- How to Sell on Facebook: Reach the huge population on Facebook by knowing how to sell stuff on the social media platform.
Wrapping Up
Knowing how to sell on eBay is a must for established businesses and beginner sellers alike. It gives your products the chance to reach a wider audience in a safe, mistake-free, and no-hassle way that you can manage from the comfort of your home.
After reading our how-to guide, let us know your opinion on it by leaving a comment, and feel free to ask any questions.
Share it with your friends or coworkers if you think they might be interested in making a profit off of eBay.
