Selling stuff on eBay is not a difficult prospect by any means. The following BusinessZeal article will provide a simple guide on how to do just that, specially for all the beginners.
eBay is an auction website where you can sell pretty much anything you want for a good price. How you do this is not rocket science, and anyone who has an account with eBay can sell whatever they want. Of course, seasoned sellers on eBay know a few more tricks and nuances which helps them in getting better deals. But selling on eBay is still pretty simple, with or without those tricks.
Selling stuff online is a very easy thing to do as there will always be someone willing to purchase what you are selling. The Internet has billions of users worldwide, so it is possible for anyone to get the best deals out of it. eBay has revolutionized the term ‘auction’, as it gives people an opportunity to trade things from the comfort of their homes. There are no middlemen, there is no hidden cost, and the best part is that these auctions can be done from anywhere. All you need is an eBay account and a picture of the item you intend to sell, and you’re good to go.
Steps You Need to Follow for Selling
eBay is one of the easiest ways to make a few bucks when you’re clearing out your old stuff. You’re bound to find some things to sell on eBay that you do not need anymore and that can fetch you a decent amount of money over the site. It is designed for this sole purpose, and millions of people over the world regularly use it. Adhere to the following steps on how to sell on eBay for the first time, in order to carry out this task effectively.
Step # 1
The first thing that you need to do is open an eBay account. This is a very simple procedure, and you can follow the steps on the site itself. They will ask you for some basic information, and once you are done with filling that, you can begin your trading process.
Step # 2
Each member on eBay has a feedback score depending on their past performances. People with a higher feedback score carry a greater deal of credibility than others, and the more work you put into this, the better credibility you will have. Think of it from the point of view of a buyer. You’d rather purchase a product from an individual who has a higher and better feedback score.
In order for a first time user to build eBay’s feedback score, maybe you can buy a few small items first. This is an optional step, but for people looking for advice on selling, this is something that can prove invaluable precedence and make all the difference in the buyer’s mind.
Step # 3
Next, you need to decide the product that you wish to sell. People looking to sell stuff on eBay often think that they can pass off anything as long as they present it in the right manner. This is true, but only to a certain extent. The way you describe your product also makes a lot of difference in the way it pops out in the search results of potential buyers. Before you decide to place something for sale, ensure that it is something slightly unique in nature and that there will be people looking to buy it from you.
Do not put up damaged or torn items for sale as this will eventually damage your credibility and gains. If you put up the right items and present it in the right way, you can end up getting a substantial amount for your item.
Step # 4
A very important part of the presentation of your item is the picture that you put up of it. Make sure that it is a good image and highlights the USP of the thing that you’re selling on eBay. Use a good quality camera and take the pictures in a well-lit room for best results. The pictures you take are the only thing the buyer can see; ensure that they’re the best.
The first picture that you put up will be free. But every subsequent picture comes at a cost, and sometimes this is worth it, as some buyers like to see the item from different angles.
Step # 5
Next, you must get down to actually listing out your item. Include as many details of the item as possible, as this will ensure that your buyer gets the best possible search results. If you list your item as a generic item, you will face a lot of competition. But if a buyer is looking for something specific, and your item matches his search keyword, you stand a better chance. In the title box as well as the description box, include as many details about the item that you possibly can.
You need to also open a PayPal account as this makes it easy to carry out financial transactions with the buyers. Also remember to limit your shipping area beforehand, because international shipping can turn out to be quite expensive sometimes. Selling on eBay, as you can see, is a very simple activity.
Step # 6
Your potential buyers will always ask you a few questions before they make their decision. Do not ignore these questions if you want to close the deal and want good feedback. These are important questions from the buyer’s perspective, and the sooner you answer these questions, the better it will help in pushing the sale.
Step # 7
The last step in the process is to ship out the items. Once the deal is closed, make sure that you immediately ship out the items. It also helps to get better feedback scores if the items are promptly shipped off. Either use brown paper bags (for smaller items), or a big cardboard box that does not have anything written on it. Instead of using costlier service providers like FedEx and UPS, stick to the U.S. Postal Service. This is cheaper and just as reliable.
These were the steps that were required to be followed for selling on eBay. As you can see, they are not overly complex in any way. Once you have carried out a few transactions, and as your credibility and feedback score rank higher, you will become an expert on how to sell stuff on eBay.