Business Type

Take advantage of selling tools to rev up your online auction revenues
By Matt Alderton

Selling stuff on eBay is easy enough. So is making money at it. Selling more stuff, however, and making more money requires true business savvy. Anyone can be an eBay seller, after all, but it takes a true entrepreneur to run a truly successful eBay business. To pump up your sales on eBay, you need to:

1. Use online and offline marketing techniques.
2. Source products for less.
3. Streamline order processing and shipping.
4. Offer more items for sale.



Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Shop savvier
Perhaps the easiest way to increase your profit margin on eBay is by paying less in the first place for the merchandise you sell there.

I recommend: Save money by purchasing products wholesale from companies such as GeteStore and Doba which sell goods to merchants at low prices and will even ship them directly to your customers. Or check out the wholesale lots available on eBay.

Create an eBay Store

In a survey, 75 percent of eBay sellers said that opening an eBay Store increased sales. Opening an eBay Store allows you to list items for longer durations with lower fees and provides access to marketing and merchandising tools that can increase sales.

I recommend: Follow three easy steps to open your eBay Store.

Improve your listings

Listings don't need to be flashy, but they do need to be informative and, above all, accurate. Provide precise measurements, colors and conditions in your product listings and remember that honesty is always the best policy. Paramount to successful eBay listings is good photography.

I recommend: Beyond the Basics, from eBay University Online, is a CD-ROM that helps you grow your eBay business and includes tips on creating compelling listings. Invest in a high-quality digital camera from Best Buy or Circuit City to give your auctions the boost they need.

Add eBay Express to the mix

Gain access to a new market with almost no effort on your part with eBay Express. This new service is geared to streamlining the buying process for busy shoppers and can put your products in front of these consumers.

I recommend: Find out how to get your listings to appear on the site with the eBay Express checklist for sellers.

Sell more products and cross-promote

It sounds simple, but one of the best ways to make more money is to sell more stuff. Even if you're a one-person shop operating from home, you can ramp up your capabilities. And when customers show interest in one of your products, suggest others that might also appeal to them.

I recommend: Turbo Lister is a free listing tool you can download to help you upload thousands of items in bulk. Follow these simple steps to cross-promote items in your eBay Store.

Reach out to customers

Many of your buyers miss the ends of your auctions because they're away from their computers. Convert these lost sales into cold cash with services that bring customers back to your pages. Get the word out about your business with online and offline marketing techniques, such as email newsletters, banner ads, promotional flyers and branded letterhead email.

I recommend: Use UnWired Buyer, which notifies buyers of their auction status via cell phone. Get help with an email newsletter from Constant Contact, which offers templates, delivery statistics and subscription management. Send everyday email using branded letterhead and custom business card signatures

Streamline the buying process

When it's easy to order and pay for merchandise, your customers will buy more of it.

I recommend: Make collecting payments easier with PayPal invoicing.

Ship on time and on budget

Include accurate shipping information in your listings. Deliver on your shipping promises and charge only what it will actually cost you to ship the item.

I recommend: Take advantage of eBay's All-in-One Seller Solutions which prints shipping labels and invoices in bulk and helps track and manage shipments. Automatically send emails and feedback with eBay's Selling Manager Pro. Always include eBay's free Shipping Calculator in your listings to help both you and your customers calculate accurate shipping costs.

Become a PowerSeller

With a PowerSeller icon on your listings, shoppers will instantly recognize you as one of eBay's top sellers. This increases your credibility and makes customers more inclined to buy from you. As a PowerSeller, you're also privy to advanced selling tips from the auction site.

I recommend: Discover what you need to do to become a PowerSeller.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

* The best eBay listings begin with a winning title. Experiment with different subject lines to find out what strategy ropes in the most bidders; the best titles, you'll find, are both informative and creative.
* Timing is key in eBay sales. Examine the auction start and end times for top selling items in your category to garner information about when to best attract your target customers.
* Browse other auctions and find out what merchandise in your category is selling for. Pay special attention to competitors' Buy It Now prices; find out what their maximum Buy It Now price has been and set yours just below that.