Selling on eBay is the perfect way for business owners to reach a vast audience. With thousands of listings, hundreds of millions of visitors each month, and a seller-friendly reputation, eBay is an excellent option for those who lack the resources or experience to start their own retail business.
Opening any business can be intimidating
That said, starting an eBay store can be pretty intimidating, especially without any past success or experience in eCommerce.
- What if no one buys from me?
- What level of customer service should I offer?
- What if you have bulky items that you want to ship?
Don’t let the details put you off before you even start. Finding out what options are available and taking action to address these will improve your customer service levels and increase the chance of making more sales. For example, instead of trying to sell bulky items and use the eBay collection only items tag, some companies offer eBay shipping services so you could use these.
Setting up your account
Creating an eBay account is the first step to starting your own eBay business. A new account costs nothing to start, and it’s easy to set up. First, you will need to create a username. This can be whatever you want; something memorable will help you remember your login information. Next, you will need to set up a password, which will be the most secure password you can make. A good rule of thumb is to make it at least 12 characters long and use numbers, letters, and special characters.
Registering your store and creating listings
After setting up your eBay account, you must select the subscription level you want for your shop. The options are basic, featured, or Anchor. Each level comes with its own set of fees and benefits.
Once you have selected the subscription level, you must now name your store. The name can’t already be used and can’t infringe on any trademarks.
After building your store, it’s time to start selling products, including listing them for sale on eBay. The first step is adding the item(s) you want to sell to your Shop Manager page under Listings > Add a Listing.
Shipping your items
When listing your items for sale on eBay, you must ensure that your listings are eligible to ship. To check whether your item is eligible for shipping, go to the item details page and scroll down to the Shipping section. The shipping method tells buyers if they need to pay additional costs (such as a shipping surcharge) when they purchase the item.
Getting paid
You must also specify the payment type. There are four options: PayPal and Direct Checkout, Paypal and Credit Card, Direct Checkout with Credit Card, or No Shipping Charges.
Finally, there are a few other items that you need to include in every listing: the item description, item number, item condition, size/dimensions, estimated delivery date/time, price of the listing, eBay category (if applicable), and your return policy.
A few final tips for success
When creating your eBay store, it’s important to remember the most important step in selling on eBay: the customer experience. It’s all about providing a great shopping experience for buyers, whether they’re from within your city or from halfway across the world. The more detailed you are in creating listings and responding to customer questions and concerns, the more likely you will get repeat customers and a great reputation as an eBay seller.