| Many eBay sellers have launched their own | | | | 6. Change the user name of your eBay ID or eBay |
| e-commerce websites, since eBay implemented rate | | | | store to include your website address, e.g. ABCD, but |
| increases. They have already known the benefits of | | | | omitt the ".com" portion as it is not allowed. |
| having a website, however, many sellers don't see | | | | 7. Established a CRM database of your customer's |
| enough visits on their site and still have to depend on | | | | name and email address to build your own customer |
| eBay to generate most of the income. If you are one | | | | list. If you are using Blackthrone or some auction |
| of these people, please do not give up. There are | | | | management software, you may be able to export |
| several legitimate ways to send traffic to your site | | | | the entire list to Outlook contact or any other CRM |
| from eBay. | | | | management system like ACT!. CAUTION! Be |
| 1. First, you need to check eBay's most updated policy, | | | | responsible in handling customer information, it's your |
| to make sure you do not violate these rules. | | | | responsibility and liability to safe guard this against |
| 2. Put a link to your site on your "About Me" page and | | | | fraud, hacking and any violation. |
| then link your auction ad to it. This is allowed by eBay. | | | | 8. Customize your packing slip. Your packing slip can |
| Work hard to encourage your buyers to visit "About | | | | be a great way to drive traffic to your website. This is |
| Me" page before placing the bid. Once your potential | | | | not controlled by eBay, so you are free to advertise! If |
| buyers visit your "About me" page, they are very likely | | | | you don't print any sort of packing list at all, you can |
| to visit your website. You should introduce yourself or | | | | print flyers or postcards and include in each shipment. |
| your business on this page, such as how long you've | | | | Here are a few examples using by some sellers: |
| been selling, how you picked this product line and the | | | | Visit our own website for more selections |
| story behind it. | | | | Why pay more on eBay? Shop on our website and |
| 3.Create an email signature that has your website's | | | | you'll save 20% |
| URL, hyperlink, logo and a slogan. This is another free | | | | Sign up for our newsletter on our website to get a |
| yet effective advertisement when you are | | | | 10% off coupon |
| communicating with your buyers. On average, eBay | | | | Here's a coupon code you and your friends can use to |
| sellers send 3 email messages to each winning bidder | | | | shop on our website [ |
| of an auction, winning bidder notification, payment's | | | | 9. Custom print shipping label and packaging materials. |
| received and the shipping notification. Sending these | | | | For those of you who print out postage through |
| emails with your signature will increase the exposure | | | | Paypal, Endicia or other software, besides the ship to |
| of your website. | | | | and from address, you can also add a brief |
| 4. Use email to solicitate legally. Buyers like to ask | | | | advertisement without extra charge, e.g., "For all your |
| questions, when you take the time to write back, it's a | | | | gift wrapping needs, visit [ You may also invest in |
| good opportunity to introduce them to your website, | | | | custom printed sealing tape for your shipping box, in |
| especially to bargain hunters. If you can see their email | | | | this way, your ad can reach more audience other than |
| addresses, reply directly. Pay attention to your wording, | | | | the recipient. |
| write in a professional tone. Some buyers have | | | | 10. Differentiate your eBay store and your website. |
| concerns of buying or selling outside of eBay, so you | | | | Buyers can be easily confused that your website is |
| need to work extra hard to build trust with your | | | | same as your eBay store. Make it clear in your ad or |
| buyers, communication is the key, list your contact info | | | | on your website. Selection wise, you may want to |
| including email, phone number and instant messenger | | | | save some hot selling products to your website only, |
| or live help online, and your business hours. The more | | | | so the buyers have no choice but to shop directly with |
| the better. If you have a registered business, it'll be a | | | | you. |
| plus too. | | | | At this point, you will be taking control of your own |
| 4. Advertise your business name. Create a business | | | | business and you will not have to depend on eBay |
| logo and put it on your auction ad. If your website is | | | | anymore to monetize your sales. |
| ABCD.com, you can include ABCD on your logo, as | | | | Now, the last but the most important: Service, service, |
| ".com" is not allowed by eBay. You can also add your | | | | service! Offer better services to customers shopping |
| business name as watermark on your auction pictures. | | | | on your website. e.g. if you offer 7 days returns and |
| Many eBay buyers will type your business name in | | | | exchanges on eBay, offer them 30 days or more on |
| their web browser or just Google it. | | | | your site. Give them a better experience, ship promptly |
| 5. Use an email address that is associated with your | | | | and keep them informed, make sure your website is |
| website. e.g. you could use when you register your | | | | easy to navigate and secure to shop. Once they are |
| eBay account and also put this email on your auction | | | | pleased with the first purchase, they gain more |
| ad, such as: Still have questions? Feel free to contact | | | | confidence of doing business with you and will keep |
| us at | | | | coming back. |