Listing Designer isn't the only option you have for creating fancy eBay item listings. There are many software programs and web-based services that offer pre-designed auction templates for your eBay listings. Most of these programs and services let you choose a design and fill in some blanks, and then they automatically write the HTML code necessary to create the listing. These programs and services are easy to use; some are free, some aren't. Create-Your-Own Listing WebsitesWe'll start our tour of third-party auction templates by examining some of the most popular create-your-own listing websites. These sites are often referred to as code generators, because that's what they dogenerate HTML code that you then insert into your eBay item listing. Note
Here are some of the most popular of these sites:
To give you an idea of what you can expect, Figures 17.3 and 17.4 show templates from two of these listing-generation sites, Auction Writer and Nucite. Figure 17.3. An eBay item listing created with Auction Writer.![]() Figure 17.4. One of Nucite's free auction templates.![]() Downloadable Auction TemplatesOnline auction listing code generators are great, but what if you don't want to go to somebody else's website to design your eBay auction listings? If you prefer to work within the comfort and safety of your own computer desktop, consider using a downloadable auction template. These templates feature pre-designed color schemes and layouts; you have only to open them in any text editor program (such as Windows Notepad or WordPad) to insert your own auction information, and then copy the final code into your eBay item listing. You can find all manner of both free and paid templates for your auction use; here are some of the most popular:
Auction Listing ServicesAn auction listing service is, quite simply, a website that lets you create eBay auction listings from within your web browser. You create the listings, apply some sort of pre-designed template (or perform your own custom formatting), and then have the service upload the listing to the eBay auction site. Depending on the service, your listings may be free; you may be charged a per-listing fee; or you may pay a flat monthly subscription charge. And, as part of the package offered by the site, you may have other auction management services available to you. Here are some of the most popular of these third-party listing sites:
Figures 17.5 and 17.6 show item listings created by two of these listing services Figure 17.5. An item listing created with the Auctiva service.![]() Figure 17.6. An inkFrog item listing.![]() Auction Listing SoftwareThere are a few advantages to using a listing program instead of a web-based service. For one, using a software program lets you work offline, at your own pace; you can create your listings at any time of day or night, and upload them at your leisure. Second, since you work offline, all your auction information is stored on your own computernot on somebody else's website. That makes it easier to access past information when you're not online, and to manage it as you see fit. (Many sellers like to create their own sales reports using Excel or Access, which isn't always doable with web-based management services.) Third, most web-based listing services charge you money for each listing you createor sale that you make. That's not always the case with listing creation software; while some programs come with subscription plans, many are available as simple one-time purchases, just like most of the other software you have installed on your PC. Here are some of the most popular listing-creation programs:
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