Have you been wondering how to start an eBay store and build your entrepreneurial dream?
eBay is an online shopping and auction venue that allows people to buy and sell used or new products. You can do this either as an eCommerce business or as a way to clear out clutter from your house and make a bit of extra cash.
While the platform is free to use, eBay does charge some seller fees. There’s a per-item insertion fee and a final value fee, as well as fees for any additional but optional features used.
Whether you’re an established store owner or someone who’s just starting to understand the ropes of eCommerce, an eBay store is a perfect first step to building your storefront.
In this article, we’ll explore how to start an eBay store and start selling online.
How To Start An eBay Store?
While starting an eBay store is not a herculean task and you don’t need a huge budget to get started, still, there are a few important aspects you must keep in mind before you start selling on eBay.
1. Decide What To Sell
One of the first things to consider when you want to start a business on eBay is what you’re selling. Weigh in criteria such as
- Duration of selling the product,
- Whether you want to specialize in one product or increase your product line as you go,
- Are you selling a perennial item or something related to the current fad,
- Your budgetary requirements, and more.
Have a plan of where would you manage the inventory or if you’re going to go with a dropshipping model. This will also determine your shipping charges.
2. Study Your Market
When doing your research on how to start an eBay store, do thorough market research. eBay has a “What to Sell” section on the site, which is very helpful for sellers.
Their most popular categories generally throughout the year are fashion, electronics, and collectibles.
Study about the geography where you plan to do business. To plan a strategy, and project your sales, know the pulse of your buyer by researching what they are currently purchasing.
For example, the most-sold products on eBay during the COVID times show that people are shifting their lifestyle habits indoors or “At Home.”
They are purchasing protective equipment such as masks, sanitizers, etc. Accessories that will help them with remote work such as webcams, wireless routers, mobile hotspots, etc. also saw a surge. Another category that was popular were indoor pastimes such as puzzles, cardio workout equipment, and more.
3. Select Your eBay Subscription Model
Once you decide what to sell, you’ll have to decide how much to sell. Based on this, select a subscription model accounting for your estimated sales on eBay.
You may try out selling by first only listing items on the site. Once you’re able to crack some deals and get feedback from your buyers, you can switch to a full business account mode.
eBay has five store packages, namely Starter, Basic, Premium, Anchor, and Enterprise.
To start an eBay store and become a seller, select one of these account subscriptions based on your projected sales volume and target customer group.
Once you take membership of any of these packages, you are no longer required to pay listing fees for individual listings. The listing fees per item can range from $.05 to $.30 depending on the listed item, and an addition of 10% of selling price over this.
Purchasing the subscription entirely depends on what’s your business plan. If you are selling something just out of curiosity or part-time or one-time sale, go for regular listings.
However, if you want to turn it into a full-fledged online business, or are considering taking your physical store to the online medium, opt for a subscription plan.
As an eBay seller, you have the option of running auctions in your monthly free listings block.
An “Insertion Fee” needs to be paid once that block is exhausted. But you will get access to fixed-price listings. This is advantageous as the final listing fees you pay will be lower than those who do not have their stores.
4. Set Up An Attractive Storefront
Before you start an eBay store, think of a name and theme for your storefront. Select a store and a subsequent domain name that will describe your business and the products you sell while distinguishing you from your competitors.
An eBay store will be even more beneficial to your business if you do not have a website of your own. eBay is a name that resonates with people. A store on eBay will give you a personalized space to interact directly with your buyers and the comfort and trust factor of eBay.
Your product photographs create the first impact, so shoot them well. But what a customer reads in the description of the products’ qualities, warranty, durability, performance, etc. is what will help you execute that sale. So, work extensively on the item description part of each item.
Give out as many relevant details about the product as you can. Refrain from using too many technical terms and jargon. If you specialize in one kind of product, for example, leather accessories, make it your USP.
Label your web store with this highlight of yours. However, if you sell other unrelated items like crockeries or glass decorates, then keep a more generic pitch of your eBay store description. The step is important so as not to confuse the customer.
100+ Unique Brand Names For Your eBay Store
| salonrental.store | advertisecleaners.store |
| bookshopapartment.store | auctionhardware.store |
| drugstorefurniture.store | closehaberdashery.store |
| outletstarbucks.store | handlecomputer.store |
| restaurantsell.store | hawkconfectionery.store |
| grocerysales.store | marketbazar.store |
| warehousestoreowner.store | moveflorist.store |
| supermarketpurchased.store | peddleloft.store |
| factoryshoppers.store | tradeironmonger.store |
| storeshome.store | bargainperfumery.store |
| garageshelves.store | barterstore.store |
| showroomshoe.store | boostsalon.store |
| parlorbuys.store | contractbookstall.store |
| coffeespecialty.store | disposedepositary.store |
| businesskitchen.store | drumrailhead.store |
| cafeteriastuff.store | dumpbase.store |
| snacksears.store | exchangeinfrastructure.store |
| patronisemanhattan.store | hustleaccumulation.store |
| shoppercoffee.store | merchandisestash.store |
| shopmanrestaurants.store | persuadeprovision.store |
| informupscale.store | pitchissue.store |
| ironmongervendor.store | plugbin.store |
| floristvendors.store | puffbooth.store |
| pharmacytoy.store | pushvictual.store |
| obtaincatalog.store | retailaccumulate.store |
| supportbuying.store | retainamass.store |
| confectionerycustomers.store | snowcollect.store |
| seekbag.store | spielcompile.store |
| haberdasheryhypermarket.store | stockhive.store |
| potteryoutlets.store | trafficwharf.store |
| cleanersbox.store | unloadtank.store |
| saddleryduka.store | vendbuy.store |
| canteenwholesale.store | wholesalestores.store |
| boothsale.store | browsethriftshop.store |
| bookstallcandy.store | boutiquescratchpad.store |
| bazargoods.store | storeconfectionary.store |
| bakehousebuys.store | buyatshoe-shop.store |
| coursebrand.store | workshopcomputerize.store |
| pizzeriacostco.store | barbershopcomputerise.store |
| surfproducts.store | commerceensile.store |
| classroom.store | storefrontchemist’s.store |
| workitems.store | bakerymothball.store |
| marketmacy.store | buyoff-licence.store |
| workplacecar.store | commissarybakeshop.store |
| perfumeryclothes.store | purchasegrocer.store |
| brickyardrented.store | bookstorememory.store |
| binderyfood.store | mallstorage.store |
| searchdiscount.store | bodegashopman.store |
| tobacconiststaples.store | bazaarstorekeeper.store |
| shopkeeperproduct.store | mercantilismchain.store |
| shopwardsmalls.store | commercialismsells.store |
| multishopstreet.store | delicatessenstorewide.store |
| shoppytoys.store | toyshopfactory.store |
| shoplessopened.store | millineryselling.store |
| shopmaidpizza.store | outfitterretailers.store |
| shoplikeavailable.store | mercantileclothing.store |
| shopboughtlots.store | shopfrontbought.store |
| photoshopmanufacturing.store | betraysold.store |
| dukahotel.store | clothesconvenience.store |
| shopkeepingcustomer.store | headshopgroceries.store |
| junkshopaccessories.store | giveawayunderstored.store |
| shopsdistributor.store | shopatmerchandise.store |
| shopgirlboxes.store | tellonshopper.store |
| grogshopsalesman.store | furniturechains.store |
| hypermarketfilestore.store | emporiumsupermarkets.store |
5. Be Mindful Of The Technical Details
Once you have done the basic research of starting your eBay store, focus on the technical details. These include:
a. Ensure that your listed items are genuine and in the exact condition you have described in your store. Remember that trust and integrity are what make businesses grow.
If you are auctioning second-hand products, correctly indicate refurbished, their time of use, future expectancy, performance issues, etc.
b. Set up a payment method such as PayPal with your listings. Users have a high probability of buying a product that has as a secure payment and checkout method associated with it.
c. Clearly indicate your shipping charges and return policies. The shipping costs are generally based on the size of items and their distance to delivery. Be transparent with your buyers on any pre-conditions.
6. Promote Your eBay Store
Leverage the power of social media and connect with your buyers on various platforms. Send out promotional emails, text messages, and blog engagements if possible. Promote your business by making a Facebook page, and Instagram handles the same as your store name.
Ask your buyers for feedback on their recent purchases and promote positive feedback on your social handles.
Go for email marketing and endorse the products to your previous buyers that they may be interested in, accessing their purchase history.
Conclusion
eBay business has opened the doors for many small entrepreneurs to come up with their online stores and accomplish their dream of running their businesses.
All you need to do is find your niche and go out on the field with an open mind to learn and grow. Opportunities will undoubtedly follow!
