What is the difference between a standard eBay auction and a product that is sold through an eBay store?
Great question!
eBay stores allow businessmen and businesswomen to sell items for less money than traditional auctions; however the items are sold at a fixed price and will remain listed on the web site for 30 days.
eBay stores are intended for serious individual in business looking to mass produce and sell select items for a fixed price. eBay stores usually thrive on offering vintage or rare items, or even common place items for a cheaper rate.
In order to run an eBay store you must pay at least $15.95 per month for the basic store feature. Some may hate the monthly rate but keep in mind that listing fees only cost two cents and gallery pictures only run one cent a piece while you are under the eBay store membership.
If you make one sell you have probably already paid off the membership fee for the month and the much cheaper listing fees will allow you to post numerous products without killing your checkbook.
In order to start a store on eBay click on the “Sellers” icon, followed by the “Open a Store” link.
You need to proceed with eight basic steps to create your very own and custom eBay store.
First off, select a color theme for your store. You could either select your favorite two colors or center your color theme on the product you are selling. Say you are selling mountain bikes. What types of colors would people associate mountain bikes with? How about green and light blue since the mountains are often filled with lush green trees and a clear blue sky?
Click “continue” and proceed to the “Store’s Name” text box. Here you will name your eBay store. Take your time and think hard about what name you want to select. Remember customers will remember a business name that is catchy and short. Brainstorm some creative names and narrow it down to the winner.
Next, enter a description about your store. Refer to which products you sell and what makes them popular. If your store specializes in bargain deals on bikes, make sure you mention that in the description. Sometimes it helps to mention where you are located or how long you have been in business (if applicable).
If you are talented or know somebody in the industry, create a few graphics for your store beforehand. You can use these business graphics to help advertise and profile your business. In terms of increasing your reputation and gaining notice, something as simple as a graphic can really help increase exposure.
After you name your business, enter the description, and graphics – click “continue.”
Sign up for the basic eBay store for now. There are other options available but I suggest you start with the basic plan. Keep in mind you can always upgrade to a bigger package in the future.
There are plenty of other customizable features for your store which you can now edit through the “supplied” link.
photo by thewanderingangel
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PayPal is highly recommended by most eBay users including myself.
Why such the lofty rating?
PayPal equals protection, reliability, and consistency.
PayPal acts as a third party escrow system that will protect the money as it exchanges hands from the buyer to seller. Sellers prefer PayPal because it prevents the check from bouncing, is much quicker, and an easier way of doing business. Buyers love PayPal because it does not give out personal information such as the credit card and social security number when transferring money between parties.
When you shop on eBay you will find out that a lot of sellers prefer payment through PayPal if not requiring it. PayPal is just so secure and reliable that most other forms of payment cannot even compare to the easy of using PayPal. You will also find that buyers prefer paying through PayPal because the payment is made sooner and ultimately the product shipped sooner.
When you register for an account on eBay, you are given the option of also signing up for PayPal. If you do not sign up for PayPal at that stage in the registration process but wish to now, do not be afraid. Signing up for a PayPal Account is very easy.
Log onto: “PayPal.com” and check out the home page.
On the left hand side of the home page you will find a small grey login box. Make note of that box, as whenever you return to PayPal that is where you will sign in.
For now you need to create a new account. Click on the “Sign Up” link directly below the “email address” and “password” box.
You then need to select a country of reside and language spoken. Remember that PayPal is a worldwide escrow system, which is awesome because it connects people with similar interests in business transactions from all over the world.
You also need to select which type of PayPal plan you want to own. Personal accounts are for individuals who shop online, Premier accounts are for individuals who buy and sell online, and Business accounts are for merchants who use a company or group name.
The excellent benefit of PayPal is all three accounts listed below are entirely free. The accounts may charge small fees for money deposited or withdrawn, but the general rule is all bank transaction done inside the United States are entirely free.
After you select a type of PayPal account you will fill in required contact information such as name, address, and phone number. Keep in mind this personal information is needed to verify your name and bank account, as well as send checks if you wish to get paid that way. You will also need to enter a valid email address and create a password. The email address serves as part of your login and also is where you will receive notices about money deposited or withdrawn from the account. The password needs to be at least 8 characters long, shouldn’t contain personal information (such as Social Security), and something you can easily remember.
Write down your login information and store it in a safe place to verify security on the account.
You must also agree to the PayPal user agreement and terms of privacy before registering.
After you account is set up, you can check back at any time to view your available funds and other options featured on PayPal.
photo by lasziophoto
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