After selling on eBay for a while, I have a few things that I would like to share with new sellers. The way that you list your item can make a big difference in the final price. I would like to let you know what I have learned.

First, you have to list your item by thinking like the potential buyer. Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes, and think how you might search, what you would like to see in the listing, and what things would make you feel more or less confident about placing a bid on that item.

So, to get started, try to think of all of the related words that a buyer might search on eBay to find that item. List as many as you can in the title, even if you list them at the end of it–just extra words. In my opinion, leaving empty spaces, characters out in the title is like not using the advertising that you have just purchased by listing your item. Also, make sure that you spell these words correctly. Another thing that you can do is search on eBay for a similar item to the one you want to sell that is attracting a lot of bidders, or at a high price. Try to see what it is about this listing that it attracting the buyers to it, as opposed to the other similar items. Check out what words the seller used in the title, and also how the listing appears.

Once you have decided on your title, start thinking about how you want your item to appear. Think about what you would like to see if you were buying something. Of course, it helps to have a good feedback level, so try to take care of any neutral or negative feedbacks with the other user. Also, make sure you leave feedback for every transaction, so that you can increase your feedback level as well. If someone has not left you feedback, and you feel that it was a good transaction, you can always try writing them a short message letting them know that you have left positive feedback for them, and would appreciate the same if they were satisfied with the purchase.

Of course, sometimes you just have to wait for your feedback levels to grow. Now, in the body of the listing, think about what you would like to see, or how the other similar items already listed on eBay appear. Most buyers would like to see lots of clear, descriptive pictures. Would you bid on something without a picture or a fuzzy, dark picture? Make sure that your pictures come out clearly, and you can see the item from multiple angles. If you are selling an expensive item, I would recommend posting multiple pictures, because the small extra charge for additional pictures will help you to get many more bidders.

Also, try to be as descriptive as possible in the listing. Write exactly what the item has listed on the box, etc. Let the buyer know approximately how much it will cost to ship. You may want to offer a shipping discount if the buyer wins more than one item. This will encourage more bids on additional items.

So, how does this price go up? Well, I’m sure that you know already that the price goes up significantly at the end of the auction. So, think about this…When do you want your auction to end? Probably at a time when there will be the most people looking/bidding. At the end of the weekend is a great time that has worked for me. The price really increases when you have 2 or more bidders who want the same item. People will get more interested in an item if it starts out at a low price (of course, this is a bit more risky if the price doesn’t go up). Also, try not to list your item when there is another one exactly like it ending at the same time. If 2 bidders have 2 items to choose from, they can each just bid on one for a lower price.

Lastly, let the buyer know that you are an honest seller.

I hope this guide has been useful for any new sellers. Welcome to eBay!