If you are looking to start up an online store, it is always good to consider all options and all revenue areas of sale. Many people turn to ebay as a starting place and while this can work very well for some, it should be noted that it does take a considerable amount of time and effort in order to make the business profitable.
The first and most important part is to do you research. You will have to pay a small listing fee for every item you post and the chances are it will remain unsold, so you not only need to spend time on researching what does sell and what doesn't sell, but you need to understand what will make your listing attractive to the buyers in order to stand out from the crowd. Small differences in the wording of the listing, the title of the listing and the photos can makes all the difference in the sale of the item and it is well worth putting in the time and the effort in getting this right, otherwise you may find it very hard to make your online store profitable.
Ebay PulseThe first place to look to see what is selling is a website produced by ebay - ebay pulse. This provides invaluable information on the top ten searches in every category. You will be able to see what people are searching for and also the largest stores in your chosen category. It is always worth visiting the largest stores in your chosen category to see how they do it. You will be able to see the pricing structure and also the wording they may have in their title. Chances are these store have spent a great deal of time on research and testing, so it is well worth taking notes.
Photographs
A picture is all the buyer has to go on in the sale of the item and it is vital to ensure you have the best quality pictures in your listings. This is the part that will be the most time consuming, so it is worth to ask the wholesalers if they already have photos you can use in your ebay listing. If not, you will need to spend the time perfecting your photo skills to ensure your items look like something not to be missed.
Ebay shop vs Private listing
Although having an ebay shop as a business seller will save you on insertion fees, it is always worth starting small in order to test the water, find out what is selling and also to get more experience in the selling process. An ebay shop does cost more, and you need to have a high volume of items to make it more cost effective. In reality having a store does not greatly increase your chances of selling, so it is not something to be too concerned with at the beginning phase.
Cost of selling
You need to pay special attention to the selling fees in ebay and paypal, as well as the profit in the item and the postage. Remember you will not sell every item you list, however every item you list will incur a listing fee. After time you will know the percentage of the items sold, to add in to the basic cost of the item, but to start with 1 item sold in ten can be a good starting point. It is only after you have subtracted all of the selling costs from the final sale price you will find what money you are actually making. In reality in a site that is focused on price and low cost goods, profit margins are going to be tight.
Many people do make a successful living selling on ebay - all it takes is a bit of practice. Practice and perseverance will pay off in the end, so don´t give up.
Also Read - Make Money Online Blogging
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