Whether you want to sell a few one-off items to make some extra cash, or are starting out as a marketplace seller, eBay is a great resource. Whatever your reasons, here are a few tips to make your time selling online go as smoothly as possible.
Buy First - And Sell Small Until You're Established
Online, feedback counts for a lot. If you’re new to the site, you’ll have no reviews to your name, which can make people wary about buying from you. Counter this by building up a profile first through buying and selling small items. This should help to establish you in the marketplace.
Scope Out The Competition
As with any business, analysing the competition is a good way to a better sales plan. Seeing how others’ profiles compare and the kind of prices they’re expecting will help you to create a successful page.
Photographing your items Accurately
Photographing your items is vital to a successful sale. This should be done in correct lighting to show the true image of your item, even if there are any blemishes or defaults. Using a bare background is effective in showing off your item and being honest with your buyer is essential if you want to continue selling.
Writing An Effective Description And Ttile
In order to gain potential buyers, having an eye-catching title is a must. Use keywords to describe your item, and if you’re selling clothing, add the size, brand and the kind of audience it would interest. With any item, make sure you include an honest, clear and detailed description.
Communication
Communicating with your buyer is another important factor. Sending them a thank you message when they’ve purchased your item is a nice touch, and you may also want to add how you will be posting their item and when they should expect it. Small gestures such as these can create a trusting bond between you and your buyer, thus leading to positive feedback.
Get The Posting And Packing Right
Making sure you pack your items properly will minimise the risk of damage, and using quality packing material will give the parcel a professional touch. Check out our packing guide for more information on how to wrap your parcels right.
When it comes to posting, choosing a faster/tracked delivery service, such as SenditNow.com, can help to keep you from falling below standard on eBay’s on-time delivery metric. To hold on to your status as a top-rated seller, you can have a maximum of 4% late deliveries (9% to maintain above standard), and a speedier service will help you stay within the delivery timeframe, while tracking will show that your parcel has been accepted and delivered within your stated delivery time.
For added convenience, our system can also be linked with your eBay account – automatically filling in item details and sending updates to both you and your buyer so you can track the delivery. You can also choose to have your parcels collected from your home. For full details of our eBay services, head to our site.
One Last Thing
Keeping in contact with the buyer once the payment has gone through is another way of scoring brownie points in the eBay world. Letting them know that you value them and making sure they’re satisfied with their purchase can prepare you for your next victorious sale.