Useful Tools For Selling on eBay

Following are some suggestions to help you along the way in your quest to streamline your preparation of listings on eBay.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but understanding some of these will help you in your early days as a seller on eBay.

Below are the names of a number of programs - because links are not permitted to non- eBay pages in these guides, simply Google the name of the program listed to get the website address. Links to eBay pages where permitted have been inlcuded.

Photo Editing/Resizing/Watermark Programs

FastStone Photo Resizer 2.5 - Freeware

FastStone Image Viewer 3.5 - Freeware

Irfanview - Freeware

Media Resizer - I have been using this one for years

Photo Hosting Programs

eBay's Picture Services/Picture Manager Program

http://pages.ebay.com.au/sell/pictureservices/

http://pages.ebay.com.au/picture_manager/index.html

For a small monthly fee, most sellers get more than enough storage space to host their photos using Picture Services which they then use to add to an item description at no additional cost - this is the economical method that many sellers utilise to include extra photos in their listings for FREE.

Other popular hosting programs used by many eBay sellers include:

Photobucket

The Poster Toaster

Flickr

Auctiva

The Seller Sourcebook

(Google these names to find the website address)

TIP: When adding a photo to a listing, don't make it too large - the larger the photo the longer it will take for a page to load and many eBayers on a dial-up connection will not appreciate the wait !!!

Ideal size for adding a photo is 400 x 300 pixels - this size is usually large enough to show fine detail on an item without making the page so large that you need to scroll left to right to see the whole photo.

We teach this topic and available classes can be found in our eBay store at:

Learn How to Add for FREE Extra Photos to eBay Listings

Slideshow Presentations

Many sellers add slideshow presentations to their listings and eBay stores. Before doing this you need to consider whether or not this may add download time to someone trying to view the page with the slideshow on it - especially consider that many people are still on dial-up connections and slideshows can significantly delay viewing a page.

Programs I have looked at and used in the past include:

Photobucket, Auctiva, Slide.com, ISDNTEK

Seller Templates

There are plenty for sale on eBay itself, just type in 'template' in the search box and you will find heaps. Alternatively, you can have a look at the following.

The Seller Sourcebook, Auctiva, Auctionsupplies.com, Zoiks

Many of the big time eBay sellers use one or more of the above.

Turbo Lister (TL)

If you will be listing lots of items then you must have a look at this free listing tool provided by eBay. With TL, you can prepare your listings while off-line, create templates to use again at a later date, preview your listing before uploading, upload in bulk.

http://pages.ebay.com.au/education/learn-to-sell-turbolister.html

General Assistance Sites

There are many sites to turn to for general help and assistance regarding various eBay topics. The following are well worth a visit:

lyndaroxanne.com, freeauctionhelp.com, foodogsoftware.com

Do the Google thing to find the sites.

Of course, don't forget eBay's seller education help pages:

http://pages.ebay.com.au/education/learn-to-sell-basics.html

http://pages.ebay.com.au/education/learn-to-sell-advanced.html

Both are well worth a visit.

If you are still uncertain over how to prepare and list items for sale on eBay and would prefer assistance, you can always consider contacting an eBay trained Education Specialist in your area.

Some instructors who list their services on eBay can be found at:

Learn How to Sell on eBay  &  Learn How to eBay

If you are on the Gold Coast or surrounding areas, check us out - The Auction Buddy - for a comprehensive list of courses we teach at: The Auction Buddy. We are part of the Education Specialist Program.

To find more instructors and scheduled classes in your area visit: Education Specialists Trained by eBay

Not everyone can teach - just because a person can sell on eBay does not mean they can teach how to sell or buy on eBay. A look at an instructor's feedback as a teacher will give you an idea of what sort of an instructor they are.

Similarly, when considering an instructor check that they are also actively selling - whether they are a PowerSeller or not is immaterial from my stand point - what is important due to all the constant changes that eBay brings in is that the prospective teacher is currently selling and therefore up-to-date with these changes.

The other comment I would make and a comment I made a couple of years ago elsewhere, is that in my opinion, it is too easy for a seller to become an instructor.

I fail to see how someone who has only been a seller for a short time or has only sold a handful of items or has received numerous negative feedbacks from buyers can teach eBay competently. 

Do your research, and check an instructor's feedback as a teacher and as a seller and you should be right.

The other thing to weigh up when considering an eBay class is whether a large hall presentation will better suit your needs as opposed to private tuition or a small group class in your home or office on your own personal or office computer.

Learn How to eBay Courses Available  &  Learn How To Sell on eBay - Private Tuition - 3 Hours

Which ever way you go, good luck and enjoy the experience. eBay is and can be a very exciting experience and has the potential to help you earn a few more dollars along the way.

Using eBay to Make a Profit – It Can Be Done !!!