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eBay is one of the prominent e-commerce selling sites in 2023. You can easily set up an account and learn to sell on eBay today. It is a well-organized site that allows buyers and sellers to locate items by simple keyword searches.
The online marketplace also allows sellers to make extra money on items like clothing, handmade items, equipment, and several other items lying around at home. I am a huge fan of eBay. I’ve been successfully selling on the platform for years.
If you are a beginner and want to create an online business, you should consider selling your products on eBay. This article will explain how to sell items on eBay in 2023. This information will guide you, let you know what to expect, and increase your chances of success.
Getting started
The first step you need to take is to sign up for an account. The signing up process on eBay requires no charge. All you need is to input your details like name, email, password, and other requested details in the space provided after clicking on the sign-up option. eBay will then send you an email to confirm your account. With this, you can create an account within ten minutes.
Also, make sure that you select an attractive and unique business username to increase your chances of sticking out.
Setup your payment method
The method of payment on eBay is changing. Previously PayPal was the primary way that you could receive payments. In 2020, eBay has come up with its own payment system called Managed Payments. As of this writing, Managed Payments isn’t available for all sellers yet. If that is the case, you can still use PayPal as your payment option.
Decide on the items you want to sell
There is a wide range of products that you can sell on eBay. But start with what you know. If you are experienced in household accessories, start with them. There is a long list of household accessories you can sell on eBay, which also applies to other products.
As a beginner, avoid items that are difficult to ship, such as breakable and other large items. If you need help, check out my list of the 100 best things to sell on eBay.
Before listing your product, ensure that you conduct proper research. This research will inform you whether you have good products or not. There are several listed products that the sellers do not make a profit on, which is not the purpose of creating an eBay account. Your goal is to make money. You can research the products on the eBay website or app and confirm if they are worth selling. If the eBay app is not on your phone, you need to add it today.
Use high-quality images and titles
Taking High-quality pictures is one of the essential things to do for your eBay account. The quality of the images and titles are what attract prospects to your products. If you want to make sure that people buy, ensure that your pictures and titles are top notches.
Take pictures with plenty of lighting and use a good camera or a camera phone. eBay allows you to add as far as twelve images for free. If you post roughly 9 to 12 pictures, they should be more than enough to convince prospects to patronize your product.
Decide on how you want to sell your item
You can decide to list your product as an auction or sell at a “Buy it Now” price on eBay. Auctioning your products allows people to bid on it, and the highest bidder obtains the item.
With the “Buy it Now” option, you get to select the price, and a customer can purchase it without bidding.
Auctions last for 3, 5, 7, or 10 days while the fixed price listing lasts for thirty days. Provided that the item does not sell, eBay will automatically relist it for another thirty days.
Before you price your listings, make sure that you check similar sold listings to determine a good price point. You can do this by searching for similar listings in the search box and select sold items. With that, you can know the current selling price of your item.
Doublecheck your listings before they go live
eBay will allow you to preview your listings before they go live. Go over them and examine every detail to ensure the accuracy of the listing. Make sure that they have the right price, the correct shipping preference, and high-quality images.
Item sales
Once your item sells, eBay removes it from the active listings. Once the buyer pays, the item will be ready for shipment.
What to do if a buyer doesn’t pay
Unfortunately, buyers do not always pay right away. I usually give them 24 hours. After 24 hours is up, you can send them an invoice to notify them that they have to pay for the item.
If the buyer does not respond, you can open a dispute, and eBay will help you rectify the situation. Do not ignore this situation as eBay may charge you a selling fee on an item you have not sold.
Shipping items
Shipping can be frustrating if you don’t know what you are doing. When it comes to shipping, beginners estimate the shipping costs. Don’t do that. You will lose money.
I recommend that you charge a flat shipping rate. You can visit the USPS website and get free flat rate shipping supplies. They have boxes and flat rate envelopes. That is the best route to go if you are just starting. Once you get more serious with eBay, it would be wise to invest in a scale.
Essential supplies you may need for shipping
- Boxes: Shipping boxes are easy to obtain. You can get them for free at the post office. If you cannot find the right size from the post office or do not even want to go to a physical location, you can order one online.
- Bubble wrap: If you sell things like mugs or glass, bubbles wrap will come in handy. You can get it from various online and retail outlets.
- Tape: Keep your packaging secure by using good shipping tape.
It’s not hard to get started with eBay in 2023. You just have to get started. You’ll become a better seller with time and experience. eBay is the best way to make money selling items online.
Have you ever tried selling on eBay before? What’s the best flip you made for a profit? Let us know in the comments below!
Jason Butler is the owner of My Money Chronicles, a website where he discusses personal finance, side hustles, travel, and more. Jason is from Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Savannah State University with his BA in Marketing. Jason has been featured in Forbes, Discover, and Investopedia.
Great tip about the photos. They make a huge difference!