by Kathy Terrill | Aug 11, 2017 | eCommerce Selling Tips, eCommerce Tips, Selling on eBay
eBay sellers are always looking for more sales. So, the question is how to best accomplish it.
eBay sellers always want more sales!
All of eCommerce selling is very competitive. Furthermore, it’s getting more competitive daily. It’s all about getting found in search. So, better search results gets your products seen by more shoppers. More shoppers looking at your items, means more sales. With a faster turn over rate you make your money faster.
eBay has a program that gives it’s Store owners and Top Rated sellers an edge in search and sales. It is Promoted Listings.
Sales power is here with Promoted Listings for single quantity items!
Promoted Listings is eBay’s paid search initiative. So, previously only multi quantity items were boosted in paid search service. As of 8/10/2017 single items, except Motors fulfillment, are eligible for this popular program. Qualifying sellers control what and how they promote their listings using Promoted Listings.
Store owners and Top Rated sellers can create Campaigns through Promoted Listings. Sellers include a few or all their eligible listings. Sellers only pay a Promoted Listings fee if the shopper clicks the item through the promotion and buys the exact item within 30 days of the initial click. Any other items that the shopper buys, benefits the seller with no additional sales fee over the usual listing and final value fees.
So, to use Promoted Listings, go to your Marketing tab in Seller Hub. Click Promoted Listings. Then select “Create A New Campaign” Creating a campaign is the process of selecting listings to be promoted.
Niche each Promoted Listing Campaign.
The reason for tightly grouping Campaigns is that by putting similar items into the same Campaign, it’s easier to analyse data and results. When Campaigns are set up over several categories, you can still get sales but it’s a more time consuming process to evaluate the effectiveness of the Campaign’s results.
eBay recommends that sellers chose the Prevailing Rate when setting up a Campaign. This is the price to get the best search result for the item selected. If the seller has very tight margins it is totally acceptable to select a lower rate. Realize a lower rate will mean the item will not be boosted in search as frequently. A lower search rate can still be effective for sellers. Sellers can also bump the rate they are charged up a bit over the prevailing rate.
It’s worth it to experiment and see if a slightly higher rate brings better sales results. Here is a Youtube from eBay on how to set up a Campaign easily and quickly for Promoted Listings.
The Promoted Listings dashboard shows your Campaign(s). Sellers have data on their overall impressions, click and sales for all their Promoted Listings Campaigns. In addition eBay sellers can access the statistics for each Campaign. Campaign results will vary. For instance, Campaign 1 has a a 1000-1 ratio for impressions to clicks, for Campaign 2 it’s 2000-1. If you note a very high number of impressions with no clicks, it’s worthwhile to analyse the listing(s) for price, quality of photos and keywords. Used this way Promoted Listings is an awesome tool to flag under performing items.
Equip yourself with my Promoted Listings Guide to get awesome sales results. Click HERE for instant access.
Complimentary Promoted Listings Guide!
eBay’s Promoted Listings boosts your listings in eBay search for great visibility and sales. Using it, you are set up with a powerful dashboard to gauge and monitor your sales success. You have strategic data to make powerful changes to your listings to increase your sales.
eBay’s sales powerhouse Promoted Listings has arrived. Get on board now and ignite your eBay sales!
by Kathy Terrill | Jul 16, 2017 | eCommerce Tips, Selling on eBay
eBay is returning to Las Vegas July 25-28 welcoming eBay sellers to the annual event eBay OPEN.
eBay OPEN is a mega conference event produced by eBay for it’s sellers. It’s a time of celebration and learning for the eBay community.
Sellers and staff come from not only all across the United Sates, but from around the world. eBay pulls out all the stops using cutting edge technology in it’s information and inspiring presentations, workshops and festivities.
If you’ll be at eBay OPEN, it’s worthwhile to take a bit of time to prepare before the event. Preparation can maximize the benefits of attendance.
Here are practical tips to help you take advantage of everything this eye popping event has to offer!
On the practical side:
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking going to and from presentations and workshops.
- It’s smart to carry a light sweater or hoodie with you. Las Vegas will be 100 degrees outside, but indoors there is plenty of air conditioning.
- Carry a water bottle with you. It’s easy to get dehydrated in Las Vegas.
- Bring lots of business cards. Also have something handy to collect business cards. When meeting with eBay staff it’s smart to get their business card. It will help you if/when you want to follow up with them on their tips and suggestions. If you’re carrying a smart phone the free app Cam Card is great for scanning business cards.
- Carry the electrical plugs for your cell phones, tablets and cameras. Also carry spare juice packs for your camera, phones, tablets and cameras. The days are long and eventful at eBay OPEN. You’ll want to take lots of notes, pictures and video!
On the educational side, if you’re attending eBay OPEN , you have selected which workshops you are attending. This year’s workshops are Efficient Selling Toolbox, Seller Hub, Know Your Numbers, Smart Shipping, The Perfect Listing, Know Your Audience, Maximizing Sales With eBay Marketing Tools, Building Your Brand Through Social Media, Going Global, Take Better Pictures, Case Studies, Fashion Sellers Q&A, Top Sellers Collectors Q&A, Top Sellers Hard Goods Q&A and A Conversation About Entrepreneurship. I want to take them all! Last year the workshops were videotaped. eBay has made no announcement yet about taping this year’s workshops.
What can be smart is to split the workshops with your eBay selling buddies and agree to meet up and compare notes!
Whichever workshops you plan to attend think through your eBay business needs now.
What specific questions do you want answered? If it’s not covered in the presentation, there is always a question and answer time at the end of each workshop. You can also often get time one on one with presenters in between presentations. eBay OPEN also will have an abundance of meet up areas and eBay staff team areas. Be sure and get time with the eBay staff teams of your choice.
Want to meet eBay executives? If you’re attending the eBay OPEN reception on July 25th, if you keep an eye out you might be able to spot eBay CEO Devin Wenig, eBay’s Sr Vice President of North America Hal Lawton and Bob Kupbens Vice President of B2C Selling & Global Trust mingling with sellers.
You’ll see key eBay executives chatting with sellers throughout the event. Be bold, walk up and introduce yourself. eBay executives are attending to let you know their vision for eBay and to hear from sellers.
Don’t overlook the eBay vendors that are sponsoring eBay OPEN. Speaking with vendors is a great way to learn of new selling tools and hear of updates to tools you use. Cross channel sellers stop by Volo Commerce or Channel Advisor. Want to talk payments? Visit Paypal. Shipping solutions in attendance are Ship Station, Shiprush and Shippo. Insurance questions for your shipping, chat with Shipsurance.
If you’re looking for a listing tool stop by Inkfrog, Auctiva or Crazylister. Collectible sellers will enjoy learning of updates to the listing research tool Worthpoint. Looking to outsource some of your work and hire a VA? 2nd Office is attending.
Sellers are always looking for great inventory to sell! Stop by BULQ and learn about the awesome wholesale liquidation inventory they offer sellers.
To accommodate sellers of all sizes BULQ offers inventory by case and by the pallet.
eBay OPEN explodes on Thursday with the eBay seller SHINE award winner being announced. Everyone heads to the party at the Brooklyn Bowl Thursday night to celebrate. This year’s band is Barenaked Ladies.
Wishing you could get in on all the learning and festivities? You can!
eBay For Business promises coverage on their Facebook Business page and Twitter account at @eBayForBusiness. Be sure and tune in for eBay Radio’s live broadcasts during the 3 days. On Twitter search by the hashtag #eBayOPEN2017. Keep an eye on social media for pictures, tweets, posts and live video from eBay and attendees!
eBay OPEN goes FAST.
Thinking through your priorities now, taking notes, making plans and writing down your questions in advance will help you to get the information you need to grow your eBay business and have the best time ever!
by Kathy Terrill | Jul 4, 2017 | eCommerce Selling Tips, eCommerce Tips, Selling on eBay
So, if you’re having a slow Summer sellers, now is the time to re-group. Let’s turn slow sales into awesome sales.
You need to take action to increase your Summer sales now.
Here we go!
If your online sales are terrific, good! Keep doing what you are doing.
But, if you are like many sellers, experiencing a slowdown in Summer sales, let’s get to work and turn your sales around.
#1 Mistake Sellers Make That Slows Summer Sales!
Check prices!
Check prices if your sales are slow!
Have you checked the price on your product? Have you looked at it with a Google search on the web and not just the site you sell on?
Yes folks may pay a bit more on Amazon if they are Amazon Prime, but if it’s $5 cheaper on eBay, shoppers may head over to eBay to buy the item. The reverse is also true. Shoppers look at eBay, Amazon, Walmart, Jet, Etsy and Poshmark and a whole host of websites with a few taps of their finger or click of their mouse. They are sites that find the cheapest price for products for shoppers. In hard to find collectibles where your item is unique you are less subject to this. As a collectible seller, for you it’s a matter of doing your price research using tools like Terapeak, #ad so you value your item correctly.
For more common items especially items with barcodes and MPN numbers, if your item is sitting and not selling, look at the price all over the web.
Often a price change of $1 can open the flood gates to more Summer sales! The internet is like the stock market. prices go up and down. When you listed your item the going price may have been XX and 2 weeks later it has dropped as other sellers have come onto the market. Big Commerce did a study on what shoppers look for. Over 80% of shoppers say price is very influential in their purchase selection.
#2 Mistake Sellers Make That Slows Summer Sales!
Check your keywords in your title!
Is the brand, color, size and important aspects of the item in your title?
Titles are more and more crucial to getting sales online. That is because so many shoppers are on mobile.
On a mobile device your customer is looking at your picture and title on eBay, Etsy, Amazon or Poshmark. Online shoppers make the majority of not all of their shopping decision solely from your title and picture(s). This YouTube will show you how to use eBay search to write titles for your listings that will help in both eBay and Google search.
http://https://youtu.be/hvfK5wsEbNM
#3 Mistake Sellers Make That Slows Summer Sales!
Forgetting To Think Ahead!
I was working with a private client this past week. I reminded them to start to set up their social media for back to school. They remarked, “Really?” My response was, “Yes!” Back to school may not start where you are til late August or September, while other parts of the USA start in late July. Look to your products now and decide what you put front and center for people that are shopping for back to school now! With my free Ultimate Guide To Back To School Inventory list you’ll be ready to increase your Summer sales everywhere you sell! Click HERE for yours!
Check prices, check your keyword selection and get busy anticipating the next selling season and you’re on your way to more Summer sales everywhere you sell!
Let me know how these tips help you below.
by Kathy Terrill | May 9, 2017 | eCommerce News, eCommerce Selling Tips, eCommerce Tips, Selling on eBay
As of June 1 eBay is turning off Active Content.What does that mean to sellers? First of all, let’s start at the beginning.
So, what is Active Content?
What is Active Content?
Techopedia explains it
here. Therefore, it is is Java Script or Flash. In older style listings it was used for popular scrolling galleries, cross selling widgets and apps.
Years ago colorful listings with moving parts were considered desirable. That has changed with the modern emphasis on mobile shoppers.
So, to be “Mobile Optimized” or “Mobile Friendly” sellers need lean pared down listing to get sales.
Java script and Flash lead to listings loading slowly. This leads to frustrated shoppers, abandoned searches and shopping carts.
Active content hurts the mobile shopping experience.
Since eBay announced it’s intention to deactivate all Active Content, third party applications are working quickly. They are free of Java Script and Flash. HTML and CSS are fine to use but Java Script and Flash are not. Contact your third party service providers and ask about their products.
Let’s break it down. What should a successful eBay seller do?
eBay emailed sellers information on this topic several times in the past year.
Using the Isdntek testing tool, test a few of your products.
If you discover Active Content, as you have time remove it. It will be deactivated by eBay June 1. Deactivating the content does not remove it from your listing. It makes it inactive. The “dead” content should have no effect. It’s in your listing but it’s not doing anything. The dead content will not effect the loading time of listings.
Jim “The Griff” Griffith discusses this during this April 2017 Facebook Live for eBay For Business
eBay listings are more mobile friendly and safer.
Mobile friendly is ALWAYS good for sellers!
by Kathy Terrill | Feb 24, 2017 | eCommerce Tips
Sellers come to almost daily and say, “Kathy my eBay item isn’t showing up well in search, what can I do?”
My answer is simple, “Let’s get to work”
#1 way to get better search results on eBay is write a great title.
Whether your shopper is on mobile or desktop, your eBay item’s title is one of the first thing your potential buyer sees. Your title is important to your buyer and important for good eBay and Google search results. Have you chosen the best keywords for your product? The best keywords clearly identify what you’re selling. The words that matter here are your brand. color, size, distinctive patterns and the like. Take a minute and look at your item. If you wanted to buy this item, what words would you be using in searching the internet to find it? Use those words. This video will show you how to use eBay search to quickly write eBay titles.
#2 way to improve your search results on eBay is fill in the item specifics.
Fill the item specifics in to the best of your ability. Fill in the MPNs, UPCs, brand, color, size , country of manufacture, leading role etc depending on the item you are selling and the category you are selling in. If you have the UPC for your item and you leave it blank or use the drop down menu does not apply, the seller that does fill in the UPC has given eBay search more structured data information than you. Is there a place to chose the color of your item? If yes, chose the best color, blue, pink etc. Again the seller that takes the time to fully fill in item specifics is giving more search data to eBay. Filling in the item specifics gives eBay and Google search vital information to help your item in search.
#3 way to improve your search results on eBay is take clear, crisp pictures.
Your customer cannot hold and touch the item you’re selling. Your pictures literally put your item in your customer’s hand. Show them every angle of your product. Include pictures of any flaws on the item. You do not need to buy expensive photography equipment to take clear pictures that are in focus. Most smartphones have great cameras. Pictures are important now for the shopping experience on eBay and will grow as an essential part of eBay search. eBay‘s CEO Devin Wenig spoke to this in a recent article for CNET. “We’re doing a lot of work on image recognition. Computers are getting really good at recognizing things. We’re not that far away from a future where you’ll just do this. [Wenig picks up his phone and acts out taking photos of a pen in front of him.] You’ll just take a picture of that and we’ll match it through AI to our catalogue, we’ll know exactly what that pen is. And we’ll say, do you wanna sell it? We can get you five bucks right now for that pen.” In short, pictures matter.
#4 way to improve in search is to use eBay’s paid search service Promoted Listings.
eBay offers it’s eBay store owners an effective way to promote qualifying listings through it’s paid Promoted Listings program. Through Promoted Listings sellers create Promoted Listing campaigns and chose the advertising rate they will pay eBay IF the product sells directly through Promoted Listings. A seller ONLY pays eBay the Promotion fee is the item sells from a click through Promoted Listings campaigns. Sellers do not pay for clicks with no sales. Nor do sellers pay for listing impressions. Many sellers note an increase in sales to the overall category in their eBay store that has Promoted Listings, and increased sales store wide. Promoted Listings can have the effect of increasing overall traffic to an eBay‘s sellers store. Currently Promoted Listings are only available to eBay store owners with multi quantity items. There is a Beta test going on for unique one of a kind items. To be considered for this Beta test go to Promoted Listings under the Marketing Tab in your eBay Seller Hub dashboard. You must apply to be considered. To apply go to Promoted Listings in Seller Hub. It’s under your Marketing tab
CLICK it . Find “Give us feedback”.
Give Us Feedback in Promoted Listings Dashboard
It’s all the way to right of the page in Promoted Listings. Click it. Say something like ” Hi I’d like to be in your beta test for one of a kind items.”
According to my eBay contact, ” from the time the seller sends us the request to be considered for the beta group, it may take up to a week to get added to beta. We will confirm via email once they are accepted. They can share this info with their friends/colleague. However, we cannot guarantee that everyone will be accepted.”
#5 way to improve in search is to research.
eBay is a competitive market place. When you first listed your item a month ago or a year ago the prevailing price may have been XXX but now its Z. You can wait and see if prices change, or you can change your listing for the current market and get the sale. eBay’s advanced search can give you short term sales data. For more in depth and detailed information professional sellers look to Terapeak.
Cleaning up your title and/or pictures can get your better search results on eBay. If an item qualifies using eBay‘s Promoted Listings is a great way to get a boost for your listings and your eBay store. Make sure to stay abreast of marketplace changes in prices with Terapeak.
I’ve made a special FREE How To Dominate eBay Search Tip Sheet for you to use. It has powerful eBay search tips you can use with or without an eBay store.Gain instant access by clicking HERE.
NOW is the time for YOU to stand out in eBay search!
