Starting an eBay Business

Sign up for PayPal PayPal makes it easier for buyers to purchase your items and allows you to receive payments from credit cards, debit cards, bank accounts and PayPal accounts. Items listed on eBay that offer PayPal as a payment option are 6 percent more likely to sell. PayPal fees (from 1.9 percent to 2.9 percent + 30 cents) are only applied when you accept a payment.

I recommend:  Sign up for a PayPal Business or Premier Account before listing any items for sale.

Create a seller’s account Every seller needs an eBay seller’s account. To create this free account, you’ll need to provide credit card and bank account information. Fees, which start at 20 cents, are only charged when you list items for sale.

I recommend:  Click on Create Seller’s Account and provide the required information.

Get equipped You don’t need a fancy computer to run an eBay business, but you do need high-speed Internet access.

I recommend:  Check Verizon or AT&T/Yahoo! for business DSL in your area. Popular high-speed cable access providers include Time Warner Cable and Comcast.

Invest in a camera Listings that include photos are more likely to result in a sale. Take photos of your merchandise from several angles using adequate lighting and a plain background. Setting your camera for medium resolution will provide sufficient quality while still allowing for quick uploads.

I recommend:  Digital cameras are best because they offer easy transfer to your computer and easy upload to eBay. Use a tripod to get sharper photos. Find them at Best Buy or Circuit City.

Develop strong listings By supplying accurate and detailed information in your listings, you can vastly improve your chances of making a profitable sale. The best listings start with a winning title, are placed in the proper categories and feature photos and thorough descriptions that include a product’s precise measurements, sizes, colors and condition. Successful listings also list acceptable payment methods and shipping costs.

I recommend:  Review what you’ll need to provide in the Sell Your Item form before you complete the form online. Get tips from eBay on how to create “The Perfect Listing.”

Use eBay’s seller tools Take advantage of the seller’s tools eBay offers to help you simplify the selling process. Free listing tools can help you list a single product or multiple items quickly. Use its Web-based tracking and sales management tools to monitor your listings and maximize sales.

I recommend:  Choose the various seller’s tools that meet your needs. Some basic tools are free; other more sophisticated versions require a modest monthly fee. When first launching your eBay business, start with the scaled-down versions.

Complete sales efficiently To ensure customer satisfaction and good ratings for your eBay business, ship merchandise promptly using the appropriate packing materials.

I recommend:  Visit the eBay Shipping Center for tools to help you calculate shipping fees, print shipping labels and track packages. Get free eBay-branded shipping boxes for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Flat Rate service delivered to your office courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service.

Buy wholesale Like any business, the key to success is selling your merchandise at a profit. To pump up your profit margins, reduce your expenditures by purchasing products wholesale.

I recommend:  GeteStore and Doba sell goods to merchants at low prices and will even ship them directly to your customers. Also check out the wholesale lots available on eBay.

Market your eBay business Drum up business by spreading the word about your new online enterprise. Direct potential customers to your merchandise with banner ads and email campaigns.

I recommend:  Get help with email marketing from Constant Contact, whose services are used by more than 75,000 small businesses and associations. Launch a banner ad campaign with help from HeyBannerBanner.com, which produces ads for small budgets.