Secrets for Creating More Effective Item Listings

Now let's look at some secrets you can use to make better-looking, more effective item listings. And, as we all know, the better-looking your listing, the more sales you'll have!

Note

Learn more about eBay's About Me pages in Chapter 6, "Creating Your Own Personal About Me Page.

Secret #18: Make Your Listing Stand Out

Do everything in your power to make your item listings stand out from all the other listings currently online. Work on both the title and the description, and consider using a listing-creation tool (or using HTML formatting) to create a more dynamic ad.

Secret #19: Get All the Buzzwords in the Title

Make sure you have the right words and phrases in the title of your item listing. If your audience looks for "compact discs," say compact disc; if they look for "CDs," say CD. If they look for both, use both. Use all possible words (up to your auction's character limit) to hit all possible keywords your potential bidders might be searching foreven if some of the words are redundant.

Note

See Chapter 17, "Creating More Effective Item Listings," for more ideas about creating eye-catching item listings.

Secret #20: Be Descriptive

Include as much descriptive text about your item as you can. The better you describe your item, the fewer mid-auction emails you'll get asking about it and the greater the chance that your ultimate buyer won't get any unpleasant surprises. In addition, you never know when that single "unimportant" detail is just the thing a specific bidder is looking forso don't overlook any detail, no matter how small.

Secret #21: Reuse Text That Sells

After you find a winning formula, reuse it! This is especially so if you sell a lot of similar items. Cut and paste descriptive text from your successful listings into additional listings, or use eBay's Relist Similar Item function so you're not always starting from scratch. If nothing else, this gives you a head start when creating new item listings!

Secret #22: A Picture Says a Thousand Words

Nothing increases your chances of selling an item like including a picture of it in your listing. Take a photo of your item, scan it in, upload it, and include it with your listingeven if it's just a plain text listing. (And when you take your picture, make sure that it's a good onethere's no point in posting a picture if the item is too small and out of focus.)

Secret #23: Include Shipping and Payment Details

Don't forget to include all the details about shipping and handling (how much and who pays), payment methods, and the like. (That means estimating shipping and handling up front, if you can.) Don't leave anything open to interpretation.

Secret #24: Remember All Your Shipping Costs

When figuring your shipping and handling costs, be sure to factor in all your costsnot just the shipping itself, but also the cost of the packaging, the labels, and the packing tape. Don't gouge your buyer (this isn't meant to be a profit center), but don't cheat yourself, either. If actual shipping costs are $3.50, think about charging the buyer $4 to cover your additional costs.

And, when you're figuring the item's shipping weight, remember that you don't just ship the itemyou also ship the box and all cushioning materials. These items have weight and must be included when you're weighing your item for shipment. (Those free Priority Mail boxes are especially heavyand can easily increase your cost of shipping.)

Secret #25: Be Honest

Be honest in your description of the item. If the item has a few flaws, mention them. If there's damage or the item is otherwise imperfect, make note of it. Misleading a buyer will only cause you grief.