eBay operation: 10 questions for novices

When you start running an eBay store, you may encounter various problems and doubts. Don't worry, we were all novices and have come through step by step. Here are the answers to 10 common novices' questions in eBay operations. I hope it can help you get started quickly and get your store off to a smooth start~

Question 1: How do newbies choose products?

Answer: Analyze market demand to find suitable categories. Also analyze product and pricing differentiation, as well as negative product information.

• Inspiration: It is recommended for newbies to choose small-weight, low-priced and unpopular products to save shipping costs and avoid too fierce competition.

Question 2: Does delayed order delivery have a big impact?

A: A delay of 1-2 transactions is not a big problem and will not cause a bad transaction rate. There are two situations that will affect the timely delivery rate, as shown in the following figure:

• Inspiration: However, in order to maintain the competitiveness of the store, sellers should pay attention to delivery speed and ensure that orders can be sent out on time, so as to win the trust of buyers and improve the store's reputation.

Question 3: Why was the listing removed by the system?

A: Generally, it is Vero that infringes upon or violates eBay safety regulations, or it may be duplicate distribution.

• Lesson learned: If your eBay listing is removed, you should immediately check the notification sent by eBay to determine the reason for the removal, and correct the problem according to the prompts, such as adjusting the product description, improving the quality of the pictures, or modifying the price, etc. Make sure that all information complies with eBay policies and resubmit the listing. If you believe that the removal is in error, you can file an appeal through eBay's appeal process and patiently wait for the official response. At the same time, evaluate and optimize your sales strategy to reduce the risk of future removal.

  

Question 4: Will using ERP be associated with an eBay store?

A: When using an ERP system to integrate with an eBay store, it generally does not directly lead to account association. The ERP system mainly synchronizes data with the e-commerce platform through APIs, including order information, inventory data, etc., rather than logging into an eBay account.

Question 5: How to view the indicators of eBay overseas warehouses?

A: Sellers only need to click on the overseas warehouse standard module in the seller center to view the relevant indicators at a glance. The report will be updated on time every Wednesday, allowing you to keep abreast of the latest developments of overseas warehouses at any time.

Question 6: Should new eBay stores sell a large amount of goods to gain more traffic?

Answer: New stores can increase exposure and traffic by distributing goods in moderation, but care should be taken not to over-distribute goods, which will lead to excessive management and logistics pressure.

• Lesson: In the early stages, you can observe which products sell well, then select the best-selling products for optimization and distribute them in appropriate quantities. As the store gradually stabilizes, you can gradually transition to focusing more on a certain vertical field and remove some products that cannot bring traffic and conversions.

Question 7: Can individual sellers on eBay list their products?

A: eBay allows individual sellers to use their identity information to register and open stores. Individual sellers only need to register and authenticate their personal accounts on eBay's official website.

• Revelation: However, individual sellers are restricted in listing products, which means that the sales quota is also limited. If you are capable and willing to operate in the eBay e-commerce market for a long time, it is recommended that you apply for a corporate account to obtain more support from the platform.

Question 8: What is a buyer group?

eBay Buyer Groups is a tool provided by eBay to sellers, which allows sellers to group buyers according to specific criteria in order to conduct marketing and promotion activities more effectively. In this way, you can conduct personalized promotions by segmenting buyer types, which can be used in sending coupons and store electronic newsletters.

• Tip: You can create a buyer group in Seller hub → Marketing tab → Buyer groups → “Create a buyer group”

Question 9: Can I operate multiple stores on the same computer?

Answer: When operating multiple stores, theoretically you can do it on the same computer, but you must ensure that each store’s login information (such as user name, password), network environment (such as IP address), etc. are completely independent to avoid account association risks.

• Inspiration: It is recommended to use a professional proxy service provider to achieve account isolation and prevent the association between stores. I am currently using IPFoxy. They provide clean IPs worldwide, including dynamic and static IPs, which is very convenient for my cross-border business.

Question 10: Is it better for a new eBay store to have more inventory?

A: No. For new eBay accounts, the inventory quantity should be set relatively small, because new accounts have not accumulated enough positive reviews, so the chance of large-scale purchases is relatively small.

Revelation: Generally speaking, the number of new products listed on a new account can be set at 20-30 at the beginning, which can avoid reducing the sales conversion rate and also increase the chance of small-batch purchases. Remember, don't rush to show your "warehouse"!

I hope the above answers can help you take a solid first step on the road to operating on eBay. Finally, I wish you a smooth and fruitful journey on eBay!