How to Optimize Your eBay Listings for Higher Sales

Successfully selling on eBay requires far more effort than posting a product with titles that were copy and pasted from Google. Below are a few ways to optimize your eBay listings for higher conversion rates.

Upload More Than One High Quality Product Photo

High quality product photos may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised by the amount of listings comprised of photos taken from an iPhone 5 (or downloaded from the internet). Make sure you’re posting high definition product photos and that you’re posting more than one photo featuring different angles of your products. Quality product photos will certainly draw attention to your listings, but it’s the titles and descriptions that convert sales.

If you’d like to learn more about product photography, we put together a guide that outlines that basics of taking photos that sell.

Write a Keyword-Rich Title

eBay limits product titles to 80 characters, so every word counts. The title needs to be rich with descriptive keywords that clearly convey what you’re selling. Here are some tips compiled by eBay describing how to write an effective title:

• Include the item’s brand name, artist, or designer
• Include item specifics. For example, include size, color, condition, and model number
• State exactly what your item is, even if your title repeats the category name
• Don’t use multiple synonyms or plurals. It’s not needed for search and may make your title less attractive to buyers
• Omit punctuation marks and asterisks
• Don’t include words like “wow” or “look.” Buyers don’t search for words like these
• Don’t worry about creating a grammatically correct sentence
• Use correct spelling
• Don’t overuse acronyms
• Don’t use all caps

Sell Benefits in Your Description

Features and specs are necessary to ensuring your customer knows exactly what they’re purchasing, but it’s vital to include the benefits of using the product. Additionally, you’ll want to describe what the product is used for, how it’s used and what your product lacks or doesn’t do.

Include Item Specifications

Complete all item specifics! Many consumers come to eBay because they’re looking for a very particular product. The difference between making a sale or not is in the details. The more information you’re able to provide, the more likely you are to make sales. If you’re selling a watch, for example, you may want to consider including the below specs:

• Dial texture/finish/color
• Display (ex. analog)
• Case diameter
• Case material/finish
• Water resistance (ex. 300 meters)
• Year of manufacture
• Movement (battery)
• Regulator
• Strap type/style/material
• Clasp style
• Warranty
• UPC/MPN
• User guide
• Gender

It may seem excessive, but it’s necessary in order to rank higher and provide customers with the precise information they need to feel confident purchasing from you.

Offer Free Shipping

Psychologically, shoppers feel like they’re getting a better deal when free shipping is offered. Further, shoppers will frequency filter by products with free shipping. It’s easy to configure and will keep you competitive.

Allow Returns

Allowing returns gives customers peace of mind when purchasing. If you follow the above steps to optimize your eBay listings, customers should know exactly what they’re buying which will reduce your return rate. Lastly, eBay favors sellers who offer returns and will grant more authority to your listings.