Refining Your eBay Listings

How do you make sure you’re doing everything you can as an eBay seller to promote your products and convert visitors to customers?

Here are 7 effective strategies to improve your listings:

1. Research before writing the title. You can do this by punching potential keyword combinations into the search box and seeing which versions come back in the “Best Match”, and appear on the first page of results. Keep it simple, but include relevant facts like size and brand. Try to avoid synonyms (i.e. “slacks” along with “pants”) as they tend to cause the item to come up lower in the search results. Make sure your item is in the appropriate category as well.
2. Use a template for your listings if you don’t know how to code your own. These make it much easier to create an organized, easy-to-read visual with coordinating colors (don’t overdo it on colors – two is a good number) and appropriately sized fonts. Nothing says unprofessional better than a plain white page filled with a single block of run-on text.
3. Only include information that serves a specific purpose. Space is at a premium when you’ve got one screen to explain to your visitor why your product is the best choice – each photo they view and bit of info they read should give them another reason to choose your item.
   For example, instead of wasting space saying “all the storage you’ll ever need in a computer”, give the exact size of the hard drive. If you’re selling books, include the ISBN in your eBay listings, as these details can help people find you when they’re searching for a very specific item.
4. Include a screenshot of your feedback profile. Research shows that you’ve got roughly seven seconds to capture your visitor’s attention and convince them to either a) give you more of their time, or b) hit the buy button. Seven seconds goes quickly, and if your customers don’t have to perform an additional click just to see a feedback sample, you’re that much closer to securing the sale.
5. Make sure you have clearly defined shipping and return policies. People want to know what will happen if something goes wrong with their item, and they don’t want to hunt around just to figure out your store’s policies. Opting to join the Global Shipping Program will also expand your customer base.
6. Study your competitors. This is perhaps one of the most important things you can do to set yourself apart from other eBay sellers who are advertising similar products to yours. Check out their titles, layout, return policies, everything. Even check their feedback – this can give you heaps of critical information about where they’re falling short, and what strategies are working for them and keeping their customers happy.
   Don’t be afraid to one-up them as long as it doesn’t turn your profit to a loss – if sellers are offering a warranty on their items, extend your warranty out longer. This gives your version of the item an edge over other sellers.
7. Back up your promises with great customer service. The best way to bring people back to your listings is by building a reputation as a conscientious seller with high quality products. Your prices don’t even necessarily need to be the lowest available on eBay – if you’re providing good service, a good product, and that little bit of extra effort that puts you just ahead of the competition, you’ll see the rewards with positive feedback and loyal customers.