Online entrepreneurs interested in growing their business often look to eBay to boost profits. They are after all, according to eBay, the world’s largest online marketplace – where practically anyone can sell practically anything at any time.”
With more than 50,000 categories, eBay presently sells to a total of 39 countries worldwide. That means more than 84.5 million active members. Clearly, retailers have a lot to gain by selling to this captive and growing market.
Steps to Get Started
eBay makes it easy to sell online. Lets take a look at the steps required to get started.
#1 Register. A basic account is free and will provide a wealth of getting started type information.
#2 Research fellow sellers and your competition. As a seller you’re able to build a store. There are three levels of stores beginning with a Basic Store, a Premium Store and an Anchor Store. Each store offers:
Store Logo ” provides consistency and recognition. Store Description ” include keywords to help drive traffic to your store. Promotion boxes ” useful for highlighting current specials. Search box ” useful for customers who know exactly what theyre looking for. Store categories ” a great feature for organizing the items in your store. Gallery View ” used to attractively showcase your products.
#3 Signing up for a store. There are three subscription price levels depending on your budget and needs. The store options include:
- Basic Store – $15.95 a month – Premium Store $49.95 month – Offers advanced business tools to increase sales. – Anchor Store $299.95 per month – Designed for high volume stores and offers advanced business tools.
#4 Create your store. You now get to create your online store which will include a home page, an about us page, and additional pages depending on the level of store youve decided to subscribe to. Its helpful to draw up a plan on paper of what you need your store to have before taking action.
If website or store design isnt your cup of tea, there are design services available through eBay and other vendors as well.
#5 Drive traffic to your store. eBay offers a wealth of marketing tools and resources including an email marketing program. Store owners also have access to keyword tools and resources, business cards, flyers and other print material design help, advertising programs and cross promotion features all to help build your business and drive traffic to your store.
eBay is an outstanding resource for internet marketers. Where else can motivated entrepreneurs have access to millions of customers from around the world and all the tools and resources they need to grow their business? Of course no business is an overnight success and it pays to test and track marketing tactics and strategies for optimal effectiveness and lasting success. Visit eBay and get started building your store today.
