If you've ever tried, you probably know - it's pretty easy to sell stuff on eBay. The biggest obstacle is getting people to buy. There are several competitors, plus product prices can be cut-throat and there are costs required of sellers - even if no one buys your products.
From what I've learned with auction marketing, surprisingly I found a few simple tricks that make it easier for me to sell products - and also find more bidders, which results in driving up the sales price. If you carry out these same tactics, you can see more activity when you list your next item.
Let's get started. It's easy to get started:
1. Specific Titles Work Best
I'm talking about brand names, model numbers, colors, sizes, abbreviations, etc.. Since the area for your title allows for a small amount of text, we must select which words will achieve the best results. Typically, adding more keywords can increase revenue, as this gives browsers more opportunities to discover your product.
2. Don't Forget Multiple Photos of Your Item
The images that will work best must demonstrate the value of the things you are listing for sale. Good photos often are varied presentations of the piece being sold as well as ones that zoom in on special features. Many times it's beneficial to offer verification of a brand new product or brand-name item with a photo.
When you incorporate images, consider concerns that potential buyers may come across, and which ways photos can assist in answering those questions. The more concerns you can deal with - and trust you can build through your auction page - the more buyers you will attract.
3. Offer at Least a Few Payment Plans
Consumers like options, and they don't like to be controlled. Giving customers a choice in how they pay is a very simple tactic to multiply the amount of shoppers who make offers on your items. More bidders generally magically transforms into more activity and a bidding frenzy.
4. Keep Shipping Low - or Free
Costly shipping rates make buyers feel like they are getting ripped off - and cheap listings with costly shipping fees do not bring you customers. Unless merchandise is heavy or bulky, expensive freight charges are not usually necessary.
Offer the standard and lowest rate you can go with, letting bidders decide if they want to pay extra for faster delivery if they choose. Free shipping is another very easy way to entice extra buyers. Shoppers will bid higher in an auction in a case when they are aware that they do not have any extra fees to cough up.
5. Accept Customer Returns (When Applicable)
Usually people will not request their money back for items they purchase unless it's definitely horrid. In reality - it's not convenient to get a refund on stuff. That said, informing shoppers up front that they can easily return an item instills their trust in you exponentially. It just gives them an additional reason they should do business with you.
6. Keep Your eBay Feedback Rating at 100% Positive
This may seem obvious, but the funny part is that lots of people forget to post their comments. They frustrate sellers who have put lots of effort into making a satisfactory deal.
There is a straightforward solution to increase the communication received.
Before anything else, when the auction ends and a buyer has paid for your product, email your customer. Let him (or her) know when the item will be sent and when he will have the item. Write a note that you would greatly appreciate feedback when he receives the merchandise.
Secondly, when the person should have received the merchandise, send him a follow-up email. Bring up that you wanted to confirm that he received the product and to reach out to you if he has concerns. Remind him that you'd like to get his comments. Then place a link or details on adding comments.
Keep this simple to leave feedback, and these simple reminders should get you more feedback. Keep in mind that in a lot of situations, buyers don't leave comments because they aren't aware or they don't know the process.
7. List a Feature & Benefit-Rich Definition
Details give you a leg up in an auction listing. Some visitors are looking for lots of information while others do not, so it won't work against you to insert as many details as possible in an easy-to-skim layout. Add bullet points and feature significant details for readers who skim over the lengthy descriptions.
Another important factor for why you should write a detailed description is to help your page get located by as many potential bidders as possible. When people search for things on eBay, it's difficult to know ahead of time which search phrases they will use. Due to this fact, the more terms you insert on your listing page that talk about what's for sale, the more likely searchers are to discover you.
8. Start the Bidding at a Low Number
Buyers visit eBay to find to get something on sale. Do not post items for a minimal discount - give visitors a deal that will get them excited. When you start bidding at a low number, the greater number of shoppers you will attract. Of course, we all can predict what happens after that.
9. Select Your Auction Deadline Carefully
When you write your auction listing, ensure that your listing will not expire at a date when the majority of potential buyers are busy or sleeping. I have made a few cut-rate deals (on the buying side) on items where the expiration date was Saturday evening. Must have been that my competition was not on eBay because people were busy on a Saturday evening...
From what I've learned with auction marketing, surprisingly I found a few simple tricks that make it easier for me to sell products - and also find more bidders, which results in driving up the sales price. If you carry out these same tactics, you can see more activity when you list your next item.
Let's get started. It's easy to get started:
1. Specific Titles Work Best
I'm talking about brand names, model numbers, colors, sizes, abbreviations, etc.. Since the area for your title allows for a small amount of text, we must select which words will achieve the best results. Typically, adding more keywords can increase revenue, as this gives browsers more opportunities to discover your product.
2. Don't Forget Multiple Photos of Your Item
The images that will work best must demonstrate the value of the things you are listing for sale. Good photos often are varied presentations of the piece being sold as well as ones that zoom in on special features. Many times it's beneficial to offer verification of a brand new product or brand-name item with a photo.
When you incorporate images, consider concerns that potential buyers may come across, and which ways photos can assist in answering those questions. The more concerns you can deal with - and trust you can build through your auction page - the more buyers you will attract.
3. Offer at Least a Few Payment Plans
Consumers like options, and they don't like to be controlled. Giving customers a choice in how they pay is a very simple tactic to multiply the amount of shoppers who make offers on your items. More bidders generally magically transforms into more activity and a bidding frenzy.
4. Keep Shipping Low - or Free
Costly shipping rates make buyers feel like they are getting ripped off - and cheap listings with costly shipping fees do not bring you customers. Unless merchandise is heavy or bulky, expensive freight charges are not usually necessary.
Offer the standard and lowest rate you can go with, letting bidders decide if they want to pay extra for faster delivery if they choose. Free shipping is another very easy way to entice extra buyers. Shoppers will bid higher in an auction in a case when they are aware that they do not have any extra fees to cough up.
5. Accept Customer Returns (When Applicable)
Usually people will not request their money back for items they purchase unless it's definitely horrid. In reality - it's not convenient to get a refund on stuff. That said, informing shoppers up front that they can easily return an item instills their trust in you exponentially. It just gives them an additional reason they should do business with you.
6. Keep Your eBay Feedback Rating at 100% Positive
This may seem obvious, but the funny part is that lots of people forget to post their comments. They frustrate sellers who have put lots of effort into making a satisfactory deal.
There is a straightforward solution to increase the communication received.
Before anything else, when the auction ends and a buyer has paid for your product, email your customer. Let him (or her) know when the item will be sent and when he will have the item. Write a note that you would greatly appreciate feedback when he receives the merchandise.
Secondly, when the person should have received the merchandise, send him a follow-up email. Bring up that you wanted to confirm that he received the product and to reach out to you if he has concerns. Remind him that you'd like to get his comments. Then place a link or details on adding comments.
Keep this simple to leave feedback, and these simple reminders should get you more feedback. Keep in mind that in a lot of situations, buyers don't leave comments because they aren't aware or they don't know the process.
7. List a Feature & Benefit-Rich Definition
Details give you a leg up in an auction listing. Some visitors are looking for lots of information while others do not, so it won't work against you to insert as many details as possible in an easy-to-skim layout. Add bullet points and feature significant details for readers who skim over the lengthy descriptions.
Another important factor for why you should write a detailed description is to help your page get located by as many potential bidders as possible. When people search for things on eBay, it's difficult to know ahead of time which search phrases they will use. Due to this fact, the more terms you insert on your listing page that talk about what's for sale, the more likely searchers are to discover you.
8. Start the Bidding at a Low Number
Buyers visit eBay to find to get something on sale. Do not post items for a minimal discount - give visitors a deal that will get them excited. When you start bidding at a low number, the greater number of shoppers you will attract. Of course, we all can predict what happens after that.
9. Select Your Auction Deadline Carefully
When you write your auction listing, ensure that your listing will not expire at a date when the majority of potential buyers are busy or sleeping. I have made a few cut-rate deals (on the buying side) on items where the expiration date was Saturday evening. Must have been that my competition was not on eBay because people were busy on a Saturday evening...
About the Author:
Bob Garrett researches small businesses for Home Business Center, Inc.. If you're looking to find out more about how you can start an eBay business from home, Home Business Center has some great tips on getting started.
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