12 Tips To Make Your eBay Business More Profitable
Sometimes it's the simple things that can make your eBay
business more profitable and run smoother. Here are twelve
things you can do that will lead to more sales and increased
profits on eBay.
1. Use auction management tools or services
Using an auction management tool or service allows you to
automate most of your day-to-day auction business and frees up
time for other activities. There are numerous ones available and
the majority of them offer a free 30-day trial period. Find one
that fits your needs and budget, learn how to use all of its'
features, and then stick with it. Make certain the one you
choose supports eBay's Item Specifics and Pre-Filled features.
2. Target all your items toward the same market
There's nothing wrong with offering several different items on
eBay, but try to sell things that target the same general market
or 2-3 markets. You will find this makes it much easier for
satisfied customers to buy from you again. The majority of my
customers have returned to buy five or more items from me in the
past year. You should strive for this also.
3. End all your auctions on the same day and during the same
general time frame
Whatever you are selling, test different days and times of the
day to determine what works best for you. Once you determine
what day and time works best for you, stick to that time. Your
customers will come to know your auctions always end on a
certain day at a certain time and know that they can go on the
computer on Sunday night at 10 PM, for example, and be able to
bid.
4. Fast shipping equates to repeat sales
We live in an instant gratification world. Once an item is paid
for, get it in the mail as quickly as possible. This will lead
to higher customer feedback and repeat sales. If you aren't
seeing comments about how fast a customer received their item in
60 to 70 percent of your feedback, it's taking you too long to
get things in the mail and it's hurting your business.
5. Give your product a vacation once in a while
It pays to stop listing an item, or type of item, every once in
a while so that potential customers don't begin to take it for
granted that it will always be available. You will find that if
you don't list an item for two or three weeks, when you do it
again, it will almost always result in increased bidding and
higher bids.
6. Make use of eBay's "Second Chance" offers
If you have multiples of the same item and more than one person
has bid on it, make a "Second Chance" offer to the next one or
two unsuccessful bidders. You will find the response rate to
these offers is quite high. If you simply choose to re list,
there's a good chance that many of the under-bidders will never
see your item when it is re-listed.
7. Use a template to create a recognizable identity
Every auction you run should have a similar layout, graphics,
and style that your customers can quickly associate with you.
When one of your customers clicks on an item link and first
arrives at your auction, they should instantly be able to say,
"This is one of Bill's auctions." They will instantly feel at
home and be more ready to bid.
8. Make use of eBay's Keyword program
Most people associate eBay's Keyword program with eBay stores,
but it can be used very successfully in conjunction with your
auctions too. The Keyword program is usually running some kind
of free trial. Take advantage of it and see how it can increase
both the number of bids and the ending price for your auctions.
9. Use Google's Adwords program to attract buyers
Used correctly, Google's Adwords program is an excellent way to
attract potential bidders who would otherwise never see your
auctions. As long as you use search words or phrases that are
tightly targeted to the item you are selling, this can be a
cheap and effective promotional tool.
10. Sell only one item per auction
There are exceptions, but bundling similar products into one
auction almost always leads to fewer bids and decreased sales.
While there may be times you do this to get rid of inventory
that hasn't sold, it's normally not a good way to do business.
11. Sell internationally
The simple truth is that if you don't allow international buyers
to bid on your auctions you are throwing money out the door.
This is a lucrative market with lots of money to spend. Since
many sellers exclude these buyers, it only makes sense that you
give them the opportunity to spend their money with you.
12. Accept PayPal
If you're not accepting payment by PayPal, you may be loosing a
lot of bidders and money. Buyers love the convenience of using
this service and many won't bid on an item if the seller doesn't
offer it as a payment option. If you're not doing it, you are
throwing money away.