eBay’s newest Spring Seller Update is full of mostly good news.
For eBay sellers, the first sign of Spring every year usually comes in the form of a seller update. This year is no exception: The 2021 eBay Spring Seller Update was released recently. Thankfully for eBay sellers it’s mostly good news!
Let’s start with the eBay Spring Seller Update new initiatives around Listings and Promotions.
First of all, two words that should have you doing the happy dance: coded coupons! This is something for which sellers have long been asking. Starting in Spring 2021, coded coupons will be available to all eBay Store subscribers via Promotions Manager.
They’ll replace the codeless coupons previously offered.
The new tool lets you create and share a discount code that your buyer(s) can apply at Checkout. To use it once it goes live in April, go to the Marketing tab in Seller Hub and click “Create a Promotion”.
Also good news for sellers is the rollout of eBay’s new Unified Listing Flow.
It’s designed to provide a clean design and consistent interface across all of your devices, from smartphone to tablet to desktop. Furthermore, it brings eBay’s popular and coveted Background Removal photo-editing functionality — formerly only available in the mobile app — to the desktop. That alone is cause for celebration! You can opt in anytime now by clicking on the words “Try the new listing tool” in blue text wherever you go to list. I urge you to do so ASAP, and then to provide feedback to eBay regarding this new tool.
It is still under construction, so it behooves us to speak up now and help shape it to sellers’ best advantage. From now through mid-May, you may switch back to the traditional listing flow at any time. But the unified listing experience will eventually (as in sometime later this year) become first the default option and then the exclusive mode for listing on eBay.
The next bit of good news for sellers: Promoted Listings will now feature Automated Campaigns! Be on the lookout for this new timesaving tool on the “Create Campaign” page in your Promoted Listings dashboard within Seller Hub.
In addition, eBay is going to provide sellers with even more Terapeak data. They’ve also made significant improvements under the Performance tab in Seller Hub. A new Listing Quality report is already available to some sellers. It will be extended to all eBay Store subscribers over the next few months.
Now for the good news/bad news in the eBay Spring Seller Update:
Seller updates invariably include category changes plus changes to item specifics. By mid-May, sellers who list in Clothing, Shoes, & Accessories, Collectibles, and Media categories will see yet more “Required Soon” item specifics popping up in their listing flows.
Remember: Category and item specifics changes are all designed to help buyers find your listings more easily. It’s well worth the pain of updating your listings, because doing so will really boost your sales — especially since other sellers may not bother.
Let’s Talk About the Money, Honey!
Now get out your calculator. It’s time to take a look at the 2021 Spring Seller Update’s overhaul to Fees & Financials. Final Value Fees (FVF) are going up; that always stings, but it is what it is. Unfortunately, there’s no table showing the old and new FVF side by side for easy comparison. Offsetting these FVF increases, eBay is giving storeowners in Managed Payments lots — and I mean LOTS — more free listings for Basic, Premium and Anchor store owners.
eBay Spring seller Update 2021 is mostly good news for sellers!
So many, in fact, that it may actually pay to downgrade your Premium, or Anchor Store.
eBay has not said on eBay’s Announcements Board but I was told by a senior staff member that you can downgrade your store subscription with no penalty as long as you do it by April 30. Do the math: Depending on how many listings you have, the increased allotment of $0 insertion fee listings may allow you to save a bundle by moving down a level.
One tidbit of bad news: Top Rated Sellers and higher level store subscribers are not amused to learn that their popular Promoted Listings credits are going away April 1 st . Back on the sunny side, eBay promises that exciting store updates are on the horizon. These include a modern storefront with more merchandising options and better search function; optimization features to help drive repeat purchases; and (finally!) a newly improved store newsletter.
Now that you know what to expect from this seller update, update, it’s time to read the details for yourself. Just go to ebay.com/SellerUpdate. I’ve given you a helpful overview here, pointing out the highlights (and lowlights).
eBay sellers are on the lookout to create consistent eBay sales power.
Creating consistent eBay sales power!
To begin, strong sales on eBay are always a goal for sellers. Generating consistent eBay sales is essential to running a healthy online business. So, right now a key to steady sales for eBay sellers, is understanding structured data. “But Kathy,” you say, “I’ve heard a lot of buzz about structured data, but what exactly is it, and why should I care?”
Let’s answer those questions in reverse order.
I will start with why you care about structured data. In words of one syllable: more sales! Now keep that in mind while I explain eBay structured data.
Simply put, structured data is what search engines utilize to understand the contents of a web page, such as one of your listings on eBay. It’s a standardized format. It provides information about what’s on a web page, or in this case, in your listing. The item specifics for that listing represent one example of structured data.
Here’s how it works:
Search enginesare powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The searches themselves are driven by the engine. The search engine is governed by search algorithms and carried out by search bots known as web crawlers, a.k.a. spiders.
Search algorithms tell these web-crawling bots what to search for. Furthermore structured data provides a trail of breadcrumbs for them to follow. If you don’t fill out your listing’s item specifics, you starve those poor spiders .They will search elsewhere forlistings with more nourishing content.
So I have three words of advice for you:
Feed the spiders! But instead of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, think title, item specifics, and description. All three areas of an eBay listing feed Cassini (eBay’s search engine). Your eBay listings requires essential data for its spiders to gobble up. Ditto for Google Search’s spiders.
Let’s start with item specifics. Fill them in, please! What are the default options provided by eBay? What are your choices?
Furthermore, the more item specifics you can fill in, the better.
The terms you use to do so comprise a type of standardized information called attributes: for example, brand, size, color, pattern, etc. They help describe your item not only to potential buyers, but also to the search engines that will surface your listing for that item in search results so that buyers can find it.
Other forms of structured data in your eBay listings include condition, price, item location, and features as well as payment and shipping information.
What makes structured data so crucial to eBay right now is at the heart and root of what eBay CEO Jamie Iannone calls “a tech-led reimagination of eBay” — and that’s not just a catchphrase, it’s a mission statement.
Basically, eBay is trying to find better ways to catalog thousands upon millions of items into four or so best options for sellers.
For buyers, current and future technologies such as voice shopping, augmented reality (AR), and virtual shopping will lean heavily on structured data. Cassini already depends upon itwhen calculating which listings should be included in search results and how they should be ranked.
So if you want to continue (or start!) succeeding on eBay, get acquainted with structured data.
Freebie Guide -eBay Listings That Sell!.
It’s your new best friend. Feed Cassini’s search spiders well for your listings to be ranked higher in search. Rank better in search and be found by more shoppers. More buyers translates into more sales, which in turn will bring you higher profits.
In closing, to learn more about using structured data in your listings on eBay, check out my YouTube video Big Money on eBay for This!Then download your complimentary copy of my free guide eBay Listings That Sell!It features more than 7 pages chock-full of pro tips. Furthermore, the free guide is loaded with proven strategies that will pay off for your business on eBay.
eBay Listings That Sell Free Guide!
With the pro tips in eBay listings that sell, you’re optimized for more eBay sales!
But many of 2020’s same old challenges linger on. So how do you prepare your business on eBay for the unknowns that lie ahead??
Let’s break down eBay selling into two manageable concerns:
First, we’ll talk about inventory. Because without inventory, you’re basically out of business. Second, we’ll look at ways to get sold items safely to your buyer. Because if you can’t do that, then again, you’re basically out of business.
But here’s the good news: As an online retailer, you’re always open on eBay! And I’m going to share with you my proven, actionable strategies for addressing your concerns about inventory and shipping, so you may rest assured that your business can indeed not only stay afloat, but thrive this year!
Let’s talk product sourcing in 2021.
How and where can you find new merchandise with which to stock your eBay store’s virtual shelves?
Sure, many brick-and-mortar retailers have closed up shop. That doesn’t mean you have to! No matter how and where you acquire your inventory, it’s always smart to be alert for and test new sources.
For example, do you thrift? Great! But have you tried retail arbitrage? That’s where you buy merchandise at brick-and-mortar stores, then flip it on eBay.Opportunities for retail arbitrage abound, from NWT clothing on clearance to health and beauty products with limited nationwide availability to marked-down seasonal décor and a gazillion other possibilities.
If you already do retail arbitrage for your eBay selling, have you tried online arbitrage?
That’s where you find merchandise on eBay and/or other ecommerce sites that you can buy at a low enough price to allow you to mark it up and resell it on eBay for a profit. My video Score Hot Selling eBay Inventory has some super ideas for you in this area.
Two eBay sourcing pro tips:
Look for eBay listings with misspelled brand names.
Sort search results by “Ending Soonest” and look for undervalued items, especially in auction listings.
Don’t forget about wholesale! With many wholesale shows now taking place online, this could be the perfect year for you to try sourcing some wholesale lines.
Remember: Multi-quantity/multi-variation listings only have to be created once to run for months as GTC (Good ‘Til Cancelled), and they’ll move up in search results with every item sold from that listing. It’s much less labor intensive than listing one-off items, which (obviously) end each time the item sells.
So consider complementing your one-of-a-kind inventory with a commodity product — or two!
Now let’s consider shipping. You probably have a favorite carrier, or at least one that you use more than others.
That’s fine, but do keep an eye on what the other carriers offer. In addition to their discounted USPS rates, eBay has partnered up with UPS and FedEx. It pays to compare prices to ensure you’re making smart choices about how to ship your sold items!
However you’re shipping, be sure you have a backup provider.
eBay Labels is pretty reliable, but should it go down or get glitchy, you’d best be prepared to turn to an alternative source for generating your shipping labels and packing slips.
I have an account with Stamps.com for this very reason. Did you know that Stamps.com offers a free account for eBay sellers? Yes, FREE! All you have to pay for is the postage you purchase, and Stamps.com offers the same discounted rates as eBay.
If you’re shipping globally, you may want to start using eBay’sGlobal Shipping Program (GSP) and International Standard Delivery (eISD) exclusively. These shipping services offer special protections for sellers. Furthermore, eISD is cheaper than USPS First Class International.
One thing is certain: 2021 is fraught with uncertainty.
Get ready now, so that when the curve balls come your way, you’re ready to knock ‘ em out of the park!
eBay Holiday shipping delays are a major seller headache right now. What can sellers do to help buyers without losing hundreds of dollars?
I’ve heard from dozens of sellers that many of their packages have one or no scan. Those packages sit for days — even for more than a week — with no further movement. Then when a buyer reports that they have not received their item, eBay is forcing the seller to refund them.
What to do about eBay Holiday shipping delays?
First of all, if this is not happening to your packages, then lucky you! 2020’s holiday shipping snafu is not impacting every seller. Personally, I’ve had only a handful of packages in limbo out of the nearly 100 packages I’ve shipped lately. All of the others arrived in timely fashion. So if you’re not having shipping issues, don’t borrow trouble. Enjoy the Holiday rush and keep shipping!
Currently on the USPS site and in the eBay purchase sequence, buyers are warned of shipping delays.
So, if your holiday selling season is haunted by the Spirit of Christmas Gifts Yet to Arrive, then you’ve got three options:
1. Continue shipping. In all likelihood your packages will reach their destinations eventually.
2. Keep selling and shipping. Extend your handling time to 5 or 10 days. Ship same or next day. Also you can wait X number of days before shipping.
3. Use Time Away (formerly known as Store Vacation). You can block your listings from being viewed and not sell until 2021. Additionally you can sell and start shipping at the end of the year or on whatever date you set.
Here’s the bottom line: It’s your business to run as you see fit.
Right now, eBay does not reimburse sellers for funds lost due to refunds being given for items delayed in transit.
What can eBay sellers do if their package(s) are stuck in transit and late in arriving to the buyer?
So, there are a couple of things you can do when tracking shows that a package has gotten hung up somewhere enroute to the buyer. Sometimes logging the tracking number
into USPS.com will goose it along.
To do this, click USPS.com. In “Search or Track Package” field, fill in the USPS delivery confirmation number. Then click “Fill in the form” to send an online service request. This often yields results within 48 hours. You can share with your buyer that you logged an inquiry for them with the USPS. Helpful customer service goes a long way to calm frustrated shoppers looking for their purchase.
Read this eBay Announcement to find out what eBay tells buyers of the current state of holiday shipping. Basically eBay adds protections for sellers’ Top Rated Status with problematic shipping scans and delivery. However, don’t look to eBay to reimburse sellers for delayed or lost packages.
To note, lost packages have always been a sellers responsibility. Furthermore, this is true on most online sites. What’s different now is how many items are stuck in transit. For some sellers it’s hundreds of dollars of products. Even with this increase in stuck and lost packages refunds for lost packages remains at the sellers’ feet.
Seller help for late eBay packages!
In closing, every seller is in unique situation this Holiday season.
Some sellers have little to no problems with packages stuck in transit. Others suffer with dozens of “stuck” parcels. eBay offers seller reputation protections but not financial reimbursement for lost packages. Every seller needs to look at their sales and chose what is best for them.
Now is the time to buckle down and focus on your eBay seasonal sales must do’s seller! Get ready to throw away your eBay To Do list. Yes, I said throw it away.
eBay seller last minute “Must Dos” for Seasonal success!
Because now it’s time to start on your eBay Seasonal “Last minute must do list.” It’s not too late to score holiday sales!
Here’s what should be on your “Last Minute Must Do list.” It’s as easy as 1-2-3:
First, be sure to keep plenty of shipping supplies on hand! Don’t run out of anything. If you need more polymailers, free USPS Priority Mail boxes, or eBay-branded packing tape, order them NOW. Better to have too much on hand than too little! Besides, you’ll use them up eventually. Order now and more than you’ll need as the USPS website is already warning of shipping delays on their free supplies.
Next, keep sourcing and listing!
Brick-and-mortar stores have predetermined financial goals — i.e., they must sell $X by Y date. Watch for 50%-75% off sales on any and all things holiday related. And remember, Christmas sells all year long. And don’t overlook listing those Holiday goodies you are buying. As fast as your purchase Holiday products, get them on the eBay site!
Your area may have an abundance of twinkle lights in stock, but the next state over may not be so lucky. My recent YouTube video “eBay Hot Item to Sell? Yes? No?” will give you more tips and ideas for last-minute holiday product sourcing. I actually went to two stores in NYC in search of candy canes! Neither store had them. Guess who bought candy canes online this year?
IIs it worth it to list on eBay?
Ship FAST, as in ASAP! If you can get sold items out the door the same day they’re purchased, by all means do so. And while you’re doing so, share that fact via social media. Post pics of your packages going out — being picked up by your carrier, getting dropped off at the post office, etc. Be sure to blur or strike through any visible shipping addresses! Check out my blog post Last Minute eBay Holiday Sales Tips for more Holiday shipping ideas.
There’s a postscript on your eBay Seasonal Last Minute Must Do list!
While listing, packing, sourcing and shipping, don’t forget to take good care of yourself as well as your business on eBay.
What pumps up your holiday spirit? Play your favorite Christmas carols or other holiday tunes while you list, pack and ship; sip a cup of hot cocoa (marshmallows and/or spiking optional);relax in a peppermint-scented bubble bath…you get the idea.Whatever jingles your bells, indulge yourself.
Must do’s to score last minute eBay Holiday sales!
‘Tis the season to be jolly! So yes, take care of your customers, but also take care of YOU. I wish you the happiest of holiday selling seasons!
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