Selling on eBay
Learn how Yocabe can help you sell on eBay
What is eBay
eBay is one of the longest-running marketplaces on the market: founded in 1995 in the US, more specifically in San Jose, Florida, it landed in Italy in 2001.
The platform was conceived for online auctions (not coincidentally, its first name was AuctionWeb), now it is one of the most established e-commerce entities and among the 25 most visited sites on the planet.
Why sell on eBay
- With eBay, both private and professional sellers have the opportunity to reach more than 72 million potential customers, in 26 countries. eBay is in fact a platform with which even SMEs enter new markets. In Italy 70% of professional sellers export abroad, and more than 57% do so to more than ten countries, including France and Germany.
- Compared to other marketplaces, creating product sheets on eBay is more straightforward; precisely because the platform is designed to be used even by those who are not professional sellers.
How to sell on eBay
Once registered on the site, one must upload one’s catalog via API or through the dedicated service called “Content Manager System.” In addition to the various webinars on the network, the marketplace provides 24/7 support.
To sell on eBay, you must open your own seller account or rely on a Specialized Seller.
What to sell on eBay
All major product categories can be found on Ebay. Among the most popular are home & design, garden furniture, clothing, technology, and costume jewelry.
How much does it cost to sell on eBay
eBay has a revenue model based on commissions on sales that depend on the item sold and the category. The highest commission percentage is associated with the vehicle parts and accessories category (9.6 percent), while the most profitable ones are for tires and tech devices (4.3 percent).
Should the seller wish to open a store, eBay charges a fixed monthly fee that depends on the formula chosen. There are three packages available: Basic, Premium or Premium Plus.
eBay shipping and returns
Ebay operates in many countries, and sellers are faced with a great deal of complexity. For this reason they can rely on the Global Shipping Program service, with which eBay takes care of all the logistics (as Amazon does with FBA).
The user may return the product within 30 days. The terms and any costs to be borne by the customer are indicated by each seller. In the case of disputes, if the seller does not provide any feedback to the end customer within 3 days, eBay will intervene to resolve the case.
How to promote products on eBay
Among the tools available to sellers are sponsored listings, which follow the cost-per-sale method (that is, you pay only when a sale is generated). Sponsored products appear at the top of search results and thus receive more visibility than others.
In addition, top professional sellers have the opportunity to join periodic promotions and campaigns (focused on a product category or season) during which eBay offers even more product visibility (both on external channels and through platform tools such as newsletters).
Through the marketing panel, sellers can also apply order and item discounts, generate coupons or create bundles (multiple discounted purchases).
