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Selling things on eBay has become a popular way of making money, but how do you make sure you’re making the most out of your selling experience?
eBay is one of the most popular online marketplaces in the world. With over 180 million active buyers and sellers, it’s no wonder that eBay has been around for more than 20 years!
eBay can be overwhelming at first glance, but don’t worry- we’re here to point you in the right direction so you can increase your income!
In this article, we’ll cover what types of products are best for selling on eBay and how to advertise them effectively.
Table of Contents
Our eBay Sales
Not sure if you can set up a listing to sell stuff on eBay?
No worries! Our video goes over how to sell on eBay, and here’s a summary of what’s in the video.
I start by cleaning out old items that we don’t need or use anymore. I tidy up and turn them on (if applicable) to see whether they are still working.
After that, I do some research to see whether it’s worthwhile for me to sell them at a competitive price. I look up what other people are paying for the same goods and establish a fair price for myself and the buyer.
Next, I created the listing. My objective is for my page to be found by as many people as possible, so I use the highest-quality keywords. In this video, I’ll demonstrate a method for ensuring that I’m getting the best terms.
After that, you’ll need to capture images of them so that you may share them online. You may get some nice photos with your smartphone.
When the product sells, it must be packed and sent, and I cover the shipping details in my video.
In the last year, we’ve made almost $850 before paying some fees to eBay- so if you have some good appliances or electronics laying around, you could quickly make $800 or more today!
How to Sell on eBay
1. Decide What To Sell (Pst, See Below For Ideas!)
When it comes to deciding what to sell on eBay, the sky is the limit!
It’s a platform where reselling businesses, artists, and more are able to sell products around the world.
You can sell anything from clothes and accessories to electronics and furniture. However, there are a few things to consider when choosing what to sell to make money.
It can be helpful to think about what you know or what you’re passionate about. If you have a hobby or interest, there are products for it that can be bought online.
For example, if you’re into crafting, you could sell handmade jewelry, soaps, or paintings. Or, if you love antiques, you could sell vintage furniture or jewelry.
Another thing to consider is to start with things that don’t require an investment. Start small by selling a few items that you already have lying around the house- like clothes, used furniture, books, or kitchenware.
You can start building up your inventory and profits using items you already own. You don’t need a huge inventory right away since eCommerce businesses generally need storage for that.
Certain items cannot be sold on the site, such as firearms, body parts, alcohol, and food. Be sure to familiarize yourself with eBay’s prohibited and restricted items before listing anything for sale.
2. Create A Business eBay Account
When you’re ready to start selling on eBay, you’ll need to choose between a personal account or an eBay business account.
Both are free, but you will have to pay seller fees on the listing, and it looks like eBay does require you to pick a business account and not a personal account if you’re buying items to resell rather than selling your own items.
An eBay business account will give you access to additional tools and features designed for businesses, such as bulk listing and invoicing.
To create a business account, go to eBay and click the “Create an Account” link or use this link.
Then, select “Business Account” from the list of options since you’ll be making product listings. You’ll need to provide some basic information about your business, such as the name and address.
Once your account is set up, you’ll be able to start listing items for sale. Be sure to read through eBay’s seller policies and guidelines so that you know what’s expected of you as a seller.
3. List Your Products
When you’re getting ready to sell in your new side hustle, the first thing you need to do is create an eBay store listing. eBay listings are where you’ll provide all of the information about your product, from the title to the description.
Each month sellers get a certain number of free listings. The number of free listings the seller gets depends on the seller’s monthly subscription. You get up to 250 free listings if you have the Basic package.
To make sure your eBay listings get seen by as many potential eBay buyers as possible, take some time to think about how you can make it stand out. Use interesting titles, add lots of images, and be sure to write a catchy description.
You’ll also want to be sure to research your competition on the search engines and see what they’re doing so you can set a competitive starting price.
You can also check on eBay for past listings or sold listings from other sellers, so you know what your items may go for.
If you can find a way to differentiate your product listings from theirs, you’ll be more likely to sell them. The easiest way to research your competition is to search on eBay and check each of the search results.
Where to List Product
eBay offers a variety of tools that are available to sellers.
You can create listings in different formats, like auctions or Buy It Now. You can also list your products based on condition, including new and used items.
eBay even offers categories that you can choose from to make it easier for buyers to find what they’re looking for.
Write a Catchy Title
You’ll want to be sure to write a title that will catch the eye of potential buyers. You can write a short and descriptive title or think outside the box and come up with something creative and catchy.
Add lots of images
You should also add lots of images to your product listings so that buyers can see what they’re buying. eBay suggestions include 3-5 product photos for eBay sales, but you can add as many as you feel necessary.
Just be sure that the images are high quality and don’t have any logos or watermarks.
Write a detailed description.
When writing your description, it’s essential to include all of the information a buyer wants to know before purchasing your product. You should highlight some of its best features and include specific details about what the product can do or how it’s useful.
You should also describe any problems that the product might have so buyers know whether or not they’re willing to work with it.
Include shipping information
It’s also crucial to indicate exactly if the buyer pays for shipping or not- this could be a deal-breaker for some buyers, or some just want to know the total cost before going for the final sale.
You can choose to offer free shipping or have them pay the shipping on their purchase. This will make it much easier for potential customers to decide whether or not they want to make a purchase.
Listing Fees
When you’re ready to list your products, the first thing you need to consider is how much it costs to list them. eBay charges different fees for each kind of listing, so consider how much you’ll be making on your sale before you list an item.
4. Fulfill Orders & Ship Items
Once you have created a listing and received an order, it is time to start the fulfillment process.
This includes packaging the item, printing a shipping label, and dropping the package off at the post office or third-party shipper.
There are a variety of tools to make the fulfillment process easier. You can print shipping labels directly from your eBay account, and you can also purchase postage online.
eBay also provides tracking information for all shipped items, which is a must for an eCommerce business.
When you’re ready to ship your item, make sure you have the following information:
- The buyer’s shipping address
- The package dimensions
- The weight of the package
- The item’s declared value
- A shipping method that meets the package dimensions and weight requirements
Don’t forget, if you want the box to be returned to you if it gets lost or is undeliverable, put your business address on it too!
Using a third-party shipping service will offer you more protection if the item gets damaged during shipment.
5. Sell On Multiple Platforms
eBay is not the only game in town for starting an online business selling things. There are several other platforms that you can use to sell your items:
Shopify
Shopifyis a platform that allows you to create your own online store. This is a good option for businesses that want more control over their online presence.
You can customize your store’s design, add products, and set up payment and shipping options. Shopify also offers various features, such as discount codes and inventory management tools.
Facebook is a popular platform for selling used goods. Sellers create their own pages and send items to Facebook’s warehouse, where they are listed for sale. The website also has a robust payment system that allows buyers to use PayPal and credit cards to make purchases.
Amazon
Amazon is a great way to attract customers who want the convenience of shopping online, rather than in person at rummage sales and tag sales. It’s also a good option for people who would instead handle the selling process from the comfort of their own home. Sellers add items to their online inventory and set prices, and then Amazon does all of the work from there on out.
Your own website
Having your own website is an excellent way to build up brand recognition.
You’ll need some help from a developer to get started, but the vast majority of hosting companies, likeBlueHost, offer this service at affordable rates.
Basics For Selling On eBay
You need to know about some basic things when selling things on eBay.
You want to be sure to know about these so that you do not make mistakes and get in trouble with eBay or miss out on making money by missing more sales.
Cost Of Selling On eBay
When you sell on eBay, there are costs associated with the online store. The most obvious cost is eBay’s seller fees for its services.
There are three types of fees that you will need to be aware of: shipping fees, insertion fees, final value fees, and payment processing fees.
Shipping Fees
Shipping fees are costs associated with shipping an item from you to eBay buyers. eBay charges the shipping costs, and they vary depending on the listing you create and the shipping materials you choose.
eBay offers several shipping methods, and each has its own shipping cost and delivery time. You will need to choose a shipping method that meets the size and weight requirements of your item, as well as the buyer’s location.
Insertion Fees
The insertion fee is an eBay charge for each item you list for sale on the website. This fee is currently $0.30 per listing, whether or not your item sells.
The insertion fee covers the costs of maintaining eBay’s marketplace, and it helps to ensure that sellers have an incentive to list their items wholly and correctly.
Final Value Fees
eBay charges a final value fee when the item sells. This fee is a percentage of the total amount of the sale, the product category, plus $0.30 per order and eBay store subscription.
The breakdown of the final value fee is as follows:
- The fee for most categories is 12.55%
- Books, DVDs & Movies, Music: 14.55%
- Clothing, Shoes & Accessories: 15%
- Art NFTs, Select Collectibles categories: 5%
- Select Business & Industrial categories: 3%
- Musical Instruments & Gear > Guitars & Basses: 5.85%
- Select Clothing, Shoes & Accessories categories: 8% if the total amount of the sale is $100 or more. The $0.30 per order is not charged; 12.55% if the total amount of the sale is less than $100
The fees for some of the categories reduce after price breaks. This means that the percentage of the final value fee decreases after a specific dollar amount has been reached.
For most transactions, the final value fee is 12.55%.
Payment Processing Fees
eBay also charges a payment processing fee for all transactions processed through its payment system.
This fee is 2.9% of the total transaction amount, plus $0.30 per transaction.
Other Fees
Besides the insertion fee, you may also have to pay other fees to list your item on eBay. For example, if you want to upgrade your general listing, you’ll have to pay for those features.
Additionally, if you use a classified ad to sell your item instead of a general listing, you’ll have to pay an insertion fee. So be sure to factor all of these costs into your calculations when deciding whether or not to sell something on eBay!
Seller Account
The eBay seller account is a great way to start your own online business. You can create a listing for free, and there are no listing fees.
You only pay when your item sells, and you have the option to choose from multiple selling formats, including auction-style or fixed price.
You’ll be asked to provide basic information, including your name, address, phone number, and email address. You’ll also create a password and choose a username.
Your eBay seller account gives you access to various tools to help you sell your items. These tools include:
- Listing Tools: eBay has various tools available to help you list your items carefully and take great pictures to make your items stand out.
- Selling Format: You can choose between auction-style or fixed price formats when you list an item.
- SEO Keywords: eBay has tips on choosing the best SEO keywords to use in your listing titles and descriptions. This helps buyers find your items in the search results more quickly, which increases the likelihood of a sale.
- Promotion: eBay also has tools to help you promote your listings, including the opportunity to send email newsletters about new items listed for free.
- Customer Service: If you have any questions or concerns while selling on eBay, an extensive customer service team is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Positive Feedback: You can maintain your seller status by maintaining high scores on both feedback and detailed seller ratings (DSRs). Your feedback score and DSRs will be displayed publicly in your listings.
eBay also offers some options for postage and packaging through their PayPal Here service, which includes discounts for sellers.
Listing Your Items
It’s vital to be proactive when it comes to selling on eBay. If your fixed price listings are coming up in the search results, you won’t make any sales. Some tips for being proactive are creating eye-catching listings, updating your listings often, and following up with buyers.
When it comes to creating your listings to make sure they stand out from the rest, there are a few key things to remember:
- Make sure your title is accurate and descriptive. The title needs to be searchable by potential buyers. It also needs to describe why someone would want the item you are selling on eBay; otherwise, it becomes difficult for them to find your listing even if they are interested in buying.
- Use SEO keywords to help promote your listing. Think about keywords used when searching for items selling on eBay or the search engines. Make sure these words are included somewhere in your title or item specifics. This way, your listing will appear when people search for the items.
- List multiple items together. This benefits both eBay sellers and the buyer! You can offer your items at a lower price since it’s in bulk, making them more appealing because they’re cheaper than buying them individually. Buyers often get these great deals and don’t have to make multiple transactions to get what they want.
- While creating listings on your eBay account, you also need to ensure that your photos are high-quality. It’s great when people can see the item before buying it, but if the photo isn’t clear, it doesn’t matter how well someone likes what you’re selling. You can use different angles or take your photo in a different setting, such as outside or near a window, to make it look better.
- Selling Format. When you’re listing an item on eBay, you have the option of choosing between an auction-style format and a fixed-price listing format. The bidding process with auctions means that there is no set price for the item, but it also means that your item could sell for more or less than you expected. With a fixed price format, the buyer can negotiate the item’s price. However, this might not attract as many buyers as an auction-style format does.
- Be honest and accurate in your description of the item. If you make promises about the quality of your item, then you need to make sure they are included in the description.
- Include shipping information and any return policies you have. Your buyers need to know how much they’ll have to pay for shipping as well as how long it will take before they receive the item. To maintain positive feedback, you want your buyers to be satisfied with their purchase from beginning to end!
- Getting Positive Feedback. Getting positive feedback is very important as a seller. It tells potential buyers that you are reliable and trustworthy, which will help you gain more sales. If you want to maintain your selling privileges and avoid being suspended, get those positive reviews!
- Update your listings regularly. You can add more pictures, edit your description or check for new items you want to include. List items currently in demand because people aren’t likely to purchase something if they can’t find it on eBay today.
Our Current eBay Listing
Wondering how your listings should look?
Here are some screenshots for my active listing on eBay:
Tips To Sell On eBay
When selling items on eBay, remember a few key tips. There’s more to selling on eBay than just putting a listing on the site. We put together a small list of things to help eBay sellers be successful on eBay!
Investment Funds
When you first get started selling on eBay, you probably will start slow with little investment. As your eBay business grows, you may want to invest more money to sell items.
For instance, if you want to start selling on eBay full-time and create a self-employed business, get a high-quality camera for taking pictures of your products and invest in some advertising methods such as pay-per-click advertising with Google.
You’ll want to make sure and budget for the investments and expenses of running your eBay business. The traditional budgeting method may be okay initially, but consider using a personal finance tool like Mint or Empower (formerly Personal Capital) (both free!) to track your income and expenses.
Shipping Hacks
When it comes to shipping items, be aware of the different options available.
You want to choose the option that will be the most cost-effective and fastest for your buyer.
Here are a few tips for shipping items on eBay:
- Choose a shipper that is familiar with eBay. This will ensure that they know the process and can help you navigate any issues that may arise.
- Compare prices among different shippers. You could save money by choosing a less expensive option but lose tracking options.
- If you have a rush order, choose an expedited shipping method. This will ensure that your item arrives as quickly as possible.
- If you are shipping through USPS, only use the Priority Mail option. The postal workers will make sure your item is sent quickly and help you avoid fines for shipping internationally.
Payment Methods
For Buyers
eBay customers can choose from several payment methods options. They are:
- a credit or debit card
- gift cards
- PayPal account
- PayPal Credit
- pay when you pick up the item
eBay shoppers can also save their payment information, so they don’t have to type it in every time they pay for something on eBay!
The most common methods for eBay shoppers include credit card and debit card, PayPal account, and other online wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Credit cards are also an option, though some sellers prefer not to accept them because of the higher transaction fees. Sellers may also offer forms of payment like PayPal Credit.
For eBay Sellers
eBay payout to the sellers is a critical part of the eBay process. Sellers need to be aware of the payout option available to them and how to receive their payments.
To ensure that you receive your payments promptly, be familiar with eBay’s payment method.
eBay payments to sellers are made directly to the seller’s bank account. When you open your eBay seller account, you are asked to link to your bank account.
The fees and selling costs on the sales you make are deducted from your payout funds before eBay deposits the payout to your bank.
The payout schedule for sellers
According to eBay, they no longer have a PayPal account as a seller’s payment method.
Sellers can choose when they want eBay to send their payout to their bank accounts. You may create a weekly payout schedule to get the most out of this feature. You can also choose to have payments delivered every day if that’s more convenient for you.
If you want to get paid weekly, available cash payments are sent to your bank on Tuesday. Weekly payouts will only include the Available funds from sales with confirmed payments received through the preceding Sunday.
If the payout date is a bank holiday, payouts will be made on the following day.
If you want to get daily payments, available cash payouts will be delivered to your account in two days after confirming the buyer’s payment. Payouts will be made the next day if a bank holiday occurs.
Give & Get Positive Feedback
Buyers can also leave sellers feedback right after purchasing an item, and you want to get positive feedback from your buyer.
Feedback is generally a reflection of the buying and selling experience with the buyer and seller, respectively.
Positive feedback can help increase your chances of getting future business because other buyers notice the number of positive comments that you have.
Negative feedback can hurt your business because buyers assume that if you had a negative experience with one buyer, the next buyer should be aware of this experience before buying from you.
Sellers can leave both positive and negative comments for buyers. It’s a good idea for sellers to be equally fair when it comes to leaving negative feedback, or else their buyers might retaliate by leaving a negative comment for the seller!
Follow up with your buyers once the item has been received and let them know that their feedback is meaningful to you. This will help build their confidence in you as a seller!
Product Research- Aim For Profit!
When you’re selling on eBay, research profitable products to sell, this way, you can make the most money from your sales and increase your chances of success.
One way to do this is by using eBay’s Research Tool, Terapeak. This tool allows you to see what items are selling on the site and how many are sold each month.
You can also see the average price items are selling for and what keywords are used in searches. This information can help you identify products that have profit potential.
Another great way to find profitable products is by checking out online marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy.
These sites offer a wide variety of products that you may not find on eBay, which can help you find products that are selling well and make your store unique.
One last way to find profitable items is by visiting thrift stores or garage sales. You can often pick up rare or collectible items for low prices, which may sell for a higher cost on eBay.
The key is to look for items in demand, especially in markets that are different from eBay.
Get The eBay App Or Start An eBay Store
Once you’ve found a profitable product to sell, the next step is to list it. This is where having the eBay app or opening an eBay store can be very helpful, making this process quick and easy.
In addition, you can use their mobile apps for iPhone or Android devices to take photos of your products on the go to post to your eBay store!
The eBay app allows you to list items easily, take pictures, and research profitable products. You can also use the app to manage your sales and keep track of your payments.
What To Sell On eBay
Some items are not allowed on eBay. These items include real estate, business opportunities, services, and event tickets. You will need to check restrictions before listing your item for sale.
To ensure that you don’t list an item not allowed by eBay’s rules, you can use the website’s “prohibited items” list.
This list is constantly updated and contains all the items not allowed on eBay. Listing an item that is not allowed when you’re selling on eBay makes your account liable for removal.
But there are plenty of options for what to sell- we’ve found some of the best things to resell on eBay!
Let’s look at some popular items that are selling and making a profit on eBay:
Flea Market Items
It’s no surprise that second-hand items are popular on eBay. Many people sell things from flea markets and garage sales on eBay! It can be a great way to make extra money from those items you don’t need.
Clothes
Clothing is a popular category on eBay, especially nice shoes and accessories.
Sellers can list their items for a set price, like the clothing that sells on Etsy, which means buyers will know how much an item costs. This method saves time and confusion because there’s no bidding involved.
Stickers and decals
If you’re a fan of stickers and decals, then eBay is the perfect place to sell your collection!
You can find all sorts of stickers from stores like Target or Disney online through auctions. Just make sure that the stickers are in good condition before selling them.
Printables
Printables such as coloring books and cross stitch patterns can be a great way to make money on eBay. They will typically cost less than the finished product, and you can sell printables through multiple selling platforms like Etsy!
Where To Find Stuff To Sell On eBay
There are many great places to find products to sell to make money, or even alternatives to eBay if you want to buy and sell elsewhere.
Some of these include your own home, garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores, Amazon, Etsy & Craigslist.
Your Own Home!
Your own home is a great place to start when looking for items to sell! It’s a great way to start a business with little to no money! Ask yourself what you’ve got that’s just sitting in your closet or basem*nt that you don’t use anymore.
You can find anything from Pottery, Furniture, Artwork, Electronics, and Musical Instruments online.
Flea Markets/Thrift Stores
These are good places to find items that you can use yourself or resell for a profit. Items at these types of sales tend to be inexpensive so that you can get items for little to no money.
There are some online flea markets like eBay, so do some good digging online and in-person to find great resell options for making profits.
We learned how to become excellent flippers from Flea Market Flippers, who have a great FREE workshop you should check out today!
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a way to find items that people sell in your local area.
Facebook has partnered with eBay, so you can access the same inventory on Facebook as you would through Create A Shop or other selling platforms. You can also get a lot of the same information about items, so it’s a great place to look for unique finds!
Craigslist
Craigslist is a great place to find items that people are trying to get rid of. Craigslist has more local inventory than eBay, and you can quickly compare prices across the board.
eBay!
Of course, we can’t forget about eBay itself as a selling platform.
It’s easy to use and constantly growing, which means more people are buying there than ever! You can find almost anything on eBay and sell it for a profit if you use the tips below.
Buy Nothing/Free Groups
There are a lot of groups on social media that will help you find items that people are giving away for free, including Buy Noting groups on Facebook.
These might be great places to look if you’re just starting and don’t have a lot of inventory. Building up an online presence can take time, so these groups could be an excellent place to start!
Our Key Takeaways
Selling items on eBay is a great side hustle to make extra money. It’s easy to use, has large markets for buyers, and you can find anything on the site!
It’s also a great way to clear out your home, garage, or storage unit when you have items you don’t need anymore.
eBay is a great place to sell your unused items and make some extra money. Many products will sell on eBay, so there is likely a market for it somewhere, even if you have something peculiar.
Managing your finances is another essential part of running eBay stores. You can keep track of your income and expenses by setting up software like Empowerto help you.
What are you waiting for? Get out there and start making money on eBay now!
As someone deeply immersed in the world of online selling, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to guide you through the intricacies of maximizing your selling experience on eBay. Having personally navigated the dynamic landscape of eBay for several years, I've honed my skills in product selection, strategic listing, effective marketing, and efficient order fulfillment. In the last year alone, I've successfully generated almost $850 in revenue on eBay, demonstrating a tangible understanding of the platform's nuances.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts covered in the provided article, offering insights and tips to ensure you make the most out of your eBay selling journey:
-
Decide What To Sell:
- eBay is a versatile marketplace where resellers, artists, and various businesses can thrive.
- Consider your interests or hobbies when choosing products to sell.
- Start small by selling items you already own before venturing into larger inventories.
-
Create A Business eBay Account:
- Opt for a business account for access to additional tools and features tailored for businesses.
- Provide necessary business information during the account creation process.
-
List Your Products:
- Craft compelling listings with attention-grabbing titles, high-quality images, and detailed descriptions.
- Research competitors to set competitive prices and stand out in search results.
- Leverage eBay's various listing formats, such as auctions or Buy It Now.
-
Fulfill Orders & Ship Items:
- Efficiently fulfill orders by packaging items, printing shipping labels, and utilizing shipping methods that align with buyer expectations.
- Use eBay's tools for streamlined order fulfillment, including direct printing of shipping labels.
-
Sell On Multiple Platforms:
- Explore other platforms like Shopify, Facebook, Amazon, or even establish your own website to diversify your selling channels.
-
Basics For Selling On eBay:
- Understand the costs associated with selling on eBay, including shipping fees, insertion fees, and final value fees.
- Regularly update your listings, add high-quality images, and maintain accurate product descriptions.
-
Payment Methods:
- Familiarize yourself with the payment methods available for both buyers and sellers on eBay.
- eBay pays sellers directly to their linked bank accounts, with various payout schedule options.
-
Feedback:
- Positive feedback is crucial for building trust and credibility as a seller.
- Promptly follow up with buyers to encourage feedback and address any concerns.
-
Product Research - Aim For Profit:
- Utilize eBay's research tools like Terapeak to identify profitable products.
- Explore other online marketplaces and physical locations for potential product ideas.
-
Get The eBay App Or Start An eBay Store:
- Utilize the eBay app for convenient listing, image capture, and research on-the-go.
- Consider opening an eBay store for a more organized and branded selling experience.
-
What To Sell On eBay:
- Be aware of items prohibited on eBay, and refer to the "prohibited items" list.
- Popular items to sell include flea market finds, clothing, stickers, decals, and printables.
-
Where To Find Stuff To Sell On eBay:
- Explore sourcing opportunities in your own home, flea markets, thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and online platforms like Amazon and Etsy.
In conclusion, the world of eBay selling is vast and full of opportunities. By leveraging the tips and strategies outlined above, you can embark on a successful eBay selling journey and maximize your income potential. Happy selling!
