The platform doesn\u2019t operate like the others, so it helps to learn some eBay selling tips and get familiar with the eBay audience before you open up shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are our 13 top tips for selling on eBay to help beginners and experienced sellers boost their online store, plus insights from eBay shoppers themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"smattering](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/everythingSchittsCreek.gif\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nFollow along with these links:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- PickFu research insight: eBay shoppers want clothes, gadgets, and cheap(er) items<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 13 eBay selling tips<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tip #1: Be transparent to build trust with your customers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- #2: Familiarize yourself with eBay rules and policies<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- #3: Sell in one of eBay\u2019s popular product categories<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- #4: Take advantage of reselling on eBay<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- #5: List items frequently and on different days<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tip #6: Write product descriptions with SEO in mind<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- #7: Use social media marketing to attract potential buyers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- #8: Use picture-perfect product photos<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- #9: Offer free shipping<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tip #10: Offer a generous return policy<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- #11: Price your items based on other items listed<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- #12: Understand when to use auction and fixed prices<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Tip #13: Optimize your eBay listings<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
\ud83d\udd0e PickFu research insight: eBay shoppers want clothes, gadgets, and cheap(er) items<\/h2>\n\n\n
Many sellers look to eBay to sell used goods and collectibles, like sports cards and similar items. It\u2019s also a fierce competitor for common products, from blenders to baby essentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What about the buyers? What, exactly, do they shop for on eBay? We polled 100 eBay shoppers<\/a> to find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The short answer: all of the above, and then some.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Few shoppers named just one type of item or product category. Most look to eBay for a variety of things.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"PickFu](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-27-at-10.49.29-AM.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"comments](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-27-at-10.49.49-AM.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nHere are the categories our respondents mentioned most often:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Clothes <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Electronics<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Games<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- “Hard to find” and “unique” goods<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Books<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- “Vintage”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
“I buy electronics, artwork, video games and anything related to plants and gardening,” one respondent wrote. “I’ll buy anything there as long as it is a better price than I can find elsewhere.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which brings us to another key theme: eBay shoppers expect to find better prices on eBay than other sites \u2014 and often, they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s more from our respondents about finding deals on eBay: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
“I usually purchase office supplies on eBay. For instance, blank labels for printing eCommerce labels. I find these cheaper on eBay than on Amazon.” \u2014 Male, age 35-44, $61-100k<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I shop for electronics, name brand things that I can possibly get cheaper, small kitchen appliances\/accessories, clothing, and makeup.” \u2014 Female, 35-44, $0-30k<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I buy stamps for my stamp collection. And I also buy products that I know I’m not going to want to return. For these non-collectible items, I do look for new in box items that give me savings over buying from a retail store.” \u2014 Female, 45-54, $101k+<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Usually I get CPAP supplies cheaper as well as vinyl albums that I collect.” \u2014 Male, 45-54, $31-60k<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Open box and used electronics usually. I’m willing to take a gamble to save 50% or more on retail. I also occasionally shop for vintage\/nostalgic stuff from my younger years. Whether collectibles, clothing, video games, or whatever.” \u2014 Male, 35-44, $0-30k<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Now that you know what eBay shoppers look for and buy, let\u2019s get into our 13 top tips for building your online business on eBay.<\/p>\n\n\n
13 eBay selling tips<\/h2>\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/giphy-blog-1-1.gif\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\nTip #1: Be transparent to build trust with your customers <\/h3>\n\n\n
Trust is paramount in e-commerce. Shoppers are essentially sending money to strangers online and hoping for the best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This goes double for eBay, which is known for reselling. Anyone who\u2019s bought used goods before knows there\u2019s always a risk involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be as transparent about your store as you can. Fill out all the sections that give information about your store so potential buyers know you\u2019re a legitimate business (and not a scammer). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you sell used goods and they have issues like scratches or blemishes, mention that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And don\u2019t forget to upload a photo of yourself or your brand logo<\/a>. It does wonders for building trust online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
New sellers need to take every step to earn shoppers\u2019 trust; positive feedback will follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-27-at-2.09.22-PM.png\")
<\/a>Adding an image to your eBay profile helps build trust with potential buyers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\nTip #2: Familiarize yourself with eBay rules and policies<\/h3>\n\n\n
eBay\u2019s policies are pretty standard among e-commerce marketplaces, with reasonable restrictions on selling items like firearms or biological products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But pay attention to the fine print. In particular, you\u2019re not allowed to bid on your own items, and you can\u2019t use eBay to drum up sales outside of eBay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The marketplace also will penalize or boot sellers who try to get around eBay fees by inflating shipping costs or offering to sell outside of eBay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for dropshipping, eBay doesn\u2019t allow sellers to have products shipped directly to a customer from a third party. If you\u2019re going to use a dropshipping model, you must first have the products shipped to you, then re-ship them to your customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re serious about running an eBay store, familiarize yourself with all eBay rules and policies<\/a> to make sure you\u2019re not stepping on any toes. <\/p>\n\n\n
Tip #3: Sell in one of eBay\u2019s popular product categories <\/h3>\n\n\n
To increase your eBay sales, play to the strengths of the marketplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aside from used goods, eBay thrives in the traditional bestselling categories for e-commerce: fashion, electronics, toys, and beauty products, according to a Shopify 2022 report<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unique to eBay is its dedicated community for auto parts. Eight respondents in our eBay shopper poll mentioned they shop for automotive parts and supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-27-at-11.02.00-AM.png\")
<\/a>You’ll find a deep selection of auto parts and accessories on eBay.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\nShoppers like buying auto parts from eBay because of the confidence guarantees, and they do their research. They can see a seller\u2019s rating and reviews to make sure the auto parts work and it\u2019s not a scam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I like to buy mechanical products, automotive parts. I usually research ahead of time and know what I am looking for then go to eBay,” wrote one respondent in our poll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you decide what to sell on eBay, your next step is acquiring the goods. You have a few options, from retail arbitrage to white- and private-label. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To learn more about your options, read our guide to eBay product sourcing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
Tip #4: Take advantage of reselling on eBay<\/h3>\n\n\n
eBay has a built-in audience of thrift shoppers, collectors, and antiquers. You might as well take advantage of that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most notably, eBay is the go-to e-commerce site for rare items like trading cards<\/a>, vintage comics, stamps, coins, action figures, and memorabilia. Vintage and retro clothing are also big sellers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/pexels-neosiam-592739-970x646.jpg\")
<\/a>eBay is a go-to source for vintage items and collectibles. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\nYou can also find eBay buyers for one-of-a-kind goods \u2014 even weirdly shaped Cheetos<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider adding collectibles or secondhand goods to your store to complement your other target niches.<\/p>\n\n\n
Tip #5: List items frequently and on different days<\/h3>\n\n\n
It may be tempting to list items all at once, but the way the eBay algorithm works, it\u2019s better to space them out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For one thing, listing new items on separate days means your eBay listings will appear in the new listings section multiple times instead of once. The eBay algorithm will consider you a more regular seller rather than a one-time seller. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Try setting a schedule of when to post which product listings, based on which products you think will sell best. That will help you stay organized so you don\u2019t accidentally skip or miss a day.<\/p>\n\n\n
Tip #6: Write product descriptions with SEO in mind<\/h3>\n\n\n
In e-commerce, getting visitors to your pages is as important as foot traffic to a brick-and-mortar store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with other websites, search engine optimization (SEO) is an effective method of lead generation and a key part of any e-commerce marketing strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use SEO keywords<\/a> and search terms when writing your eBay product descriptions, especially in the product title, so your products show up not just in eBay\u2019s search but in other search engines as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But don\u2019t overdo it. Google penalizes the rankings of sites that use the same keywords over and over.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n
\t\r\n\r\n ![](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/PICKFU-First-Ads-Horizontal-Banner-2a-1.jpg\")
![](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/PICKFU-First-Ads-Mobile-Ad-2-2.jpg\")
<\/a>\r\n<\/center>\r\n\n\n\nTip #7: Use social media marketing to attract potential buyers<\/h3>\n\n\n
Another e-commerce marketing tip<\/a> for growing your site traffic is to use social media marketing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Posting your products and completed listings on social media increases their exposure. You can also reach new shoppers who wouldn\u2019t discover your online store otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly, this strategy also helps with SEO rankings, as your links appear in more diverse places online (which Google\u2019s algorithm loves). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be sure to use relevant hashtags so the right people find your posts. Good photos help, which brings us to our next eBay selling tip.<\/p>\n\n\n
Tip #8: Use picture-perfect product photos<\/h3>\n\n\n
Product photography<\/a> is crucial to e-commerce sales, especially on eBay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shoppers can\u2019t interact with your products directly, so they rely on your product photos to gauge aspects like size, weight, and texture. High-quality photos will help them feel more confident to click “buy.” <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Top](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Screen-Shot-2021-10-07-at-10.51.49-AM.png\")
<\/a>Your product photos need to stand out on an eBay search results page.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n But you don\u2019t need to be a master photographer to sell on eBay. Follow our DIY product photography do<\/em>s and don\u2019t<\/em>s<\/a> to create high-quality photos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you have some pictures, you can test your product photos<\/a> with real eBay shoppers to see which ones get their attention and which don\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n
Tip # 9: Offer free shipping<\/h3>\n\n\n
Free shipping is more of a necessity than a gift at this point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consumers always appreciate free shipping, and it\u2019s a clear-cut way to turn new visitors into loyal customers.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Top](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/asia-woman-packing-box-parcel-use-paper-for-support-product-easy-damage-fragile-product-.jpg\")
<\/a>Free shipping, if it’s a viable option for you, will make your customers happy. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n The problem with free shipping for eBay sellers is that shipping fees cut into your profits. You have to budget smartly to make sure it\u2019s financially viable and worth it to your e-commerce business<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In particular, avoid offering free shipping on large or heavy items. It also helps to weigh your products in their shipping package for an accurate shipping cost.<\/p>\n\n\n
Tip #10: Offer a generous return policy<\/h3>\n\n\n
Another advantage eBay has over Amazon is its return policies. Unlike Amazon\u2019s rigid return policy rules, eBay lets the seller decide how big the window for returns is, if any. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it\u2019s tempting to discourage returns, offering a lenient, if not generous, return policy might pay off in the long run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to eBay data, <\/a>listings with a 30-day return policy had 17% more conversions, while listings with a 60-day return policy had 34% more conversions.<\/p>\n\n\n
Tip #11: Price your items based on other items listed<\/h3>\n\n\n
One thing online shoppers love about e-commerce and eBay is that it\u2019s easy to compare prices and see who\u2019s offering higher prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This isn\u2019t exactly an advantage for sellers, but it suggests that you should price your items based on the cost of other related products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Always check your competition before posting your eBay listing. This is a good tactic for understanding the price sensitivity<\/a> of your target customers. Forego the market price in lieu of a price that can compete with other sellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re selling collectibles or other unique items, base your price on similar items if you can\u2019t find an exact match.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Top](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/red-blank-tags-on-black.jpg\")
<\/a>Do competitive research before pricing your items on eBay. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n Tip #12: Understand when to use auction and fixed prices<\/h3>\n\n\n
eBay has shifted away from its auction-style origins, but they still offer the opportunity for bidding wars instead of fixed pricing. This can give sellers an advantage, as long as they know when to use each. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you sell rare or unique items like sports cards or Pokemon cards, auction-style works best. This applies to all commerce where demand outweighs supply, and still holds true on eBay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you sell common goods, i.e., goods a shopper can easily find elsewhere, a fixed price works best. <\/p>\n\n\n
Tip #13. Optimize your eBay listings<\/h3>\n\n\n
Your eBay product listing is one of your most important sales tools for your eBay business. The better it is, the more shoppers click on it, which leads to more sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With PickFu\u2019s polling platform, you can get feedback from real consumers on your eBay listings, images, product titles, and more to see if they spark their interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can narrow your target audience<\/a> to eBay shoppers or choose a random audience of consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upload two (or more) images or versions of your product image, product page, or whatever you want to test, and ask respondents which one they prefer. This is also a great way to see how you stack up against competing eBay sellers.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-27-at-3.08.05-PM.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/blog.pickfu.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-27-at-3.08.29-PM-970x741.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nPickFu polls usually complete within hours \u2014 sometimes minutes \u2014 so you\u2019ll know pretty quickly what your audience prefers, and why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also run Open-Ended polls, which are good for idea validation<\/a> and getting feedback on your pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn more in our guide to eBay listing optimization<\/a>, then get ready to start selling \u2014 and selling more \u2014 on eBay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- 13 eBay selling tips<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n