The auction site eBay is one of the most popular places for people to start an online business, as the site allows you to sell your items at auction or for a fixed price without having to build or run your own website. Even the novice computer user will find eBay's site easy and intuitive. If you are interested in starting your own online business, consider selling on eBay as one of the options.
Instructions
1. Register with eBay. Visit the eBay homepage and click on the "Register" link located above the search box. Fill out the form with all of the necessary information to create your eBay account.
2. Create a seller's account from within your eBay account. Verify your identity by providing either credit card information or checking account information to eBay. Determine how you will pay your seller's fees from the available options of PayPal, a credit card, direct pay from your checking account, or a physical check. You must select one of these when creating a seller's account. Decide which payment options you will accept from your buyers and select this to complete the creation of your seller's account.
3. Research the item you intend to sell. Note the starting and closing prices of other similar items, the category they are listed in, and the formatting of the listings. Imitating someone else's success is a good way to get started selling with ease on eBay.
4. Create a listing for the product that you are going to sell. Decide if you are going to sell your item at auction or with a fixed-price listing. Include at least one photo of the item; rarely will buyers be interested in an item without a photo. Build your listing so it resembles other listings that your research showed to be successful.
5. Manage your listing once it is posted. Respond quickly to all questions from potential buyers. Send out an invoice using the built in eBay invoicing once the item closes to ensure your buyer knows how much to pay and what payment types you accept.
6. Ship the item once you have received payment. Be timely about the shipping, as your buyer will not want to have to wait forever for their item. Leave feedback for your buyer once the transaction is complete, and ensure that they leave feedback for you; this is the system by which you build a reputation as a reputable seller on eBay.
