A must-have for cross-border e-commerce sellers: A comprehensive guide to the eBay platform
As one of the world’s largest C2C e-commerce platforms, eBay has become a sales channel that cross-border e-commerce sellers cannot ignore. This article will comprehensively introduce the relevant knowledge of the eBay platform to help sellers better understand and operate their own eBay stores.
1. Understand the eBay platform
1. Introduction to eBay platform
eBay was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, USA. It is a leader in the global commerce and payment industry. eBay Group’s business includes three major segments: eBay, an online trading platform, and eBay Enterprise, which provides retail channels and digital marketing conveniences for global companies. eBay, an online trading platform, is an online shopping and auction website for global consumers. Registration is free, fees are low, and it has a large customer base. It has local sites in 40 countries around the world, covering 338 million registered users and 276 million registered users in 160 countries. Online customers.
2. eBay platform features
- Strict seller requirements: eBay has relatively strict requirements for sellers and has high requirements for product quality.
- Mature Markets: eBay targets mature markets and has higher requirements for product and service quality.
- Global C2C Platform: Relying on eBay’s global C2C platform, sellers can reach end consumers, shorten the transaction process, and obtain higher profits.
2. Open a store on eBay
1. Store opening conditions
- Enterprise User: A legally registered enterprise user who can provide all relevant documents required by eBay.
- Business Account: Must be registered as a business account.
- Unique account: Each seller can only apply for one enterprise channel account.
- Verified Account: To apply for an account, you must pass eBay seller account verification and be connected to a certified PayPal account.
2. Registration process
Personal account registration
- Open the eBay website and click the registration button.
- After arriving at the eBay registration page, set the eBay member account and password.
- Follow the form requirements on the registration page and fill in the true registration information.
- Complete the confirmation information in the email and complete the member registration in the email, then go to eBay’s welcome page to complete the trading account registration.
- Finally, use mobile phone verification to complete identity authentication.
PayPal fund account registration
- Open the PayPal website and click Register.
- Choose to register a “Premium Account”.
- After filling in the registration information as required, click Create My Account.
- Perform PayPal authentication and support debit cards and dual-currency credit cards.
3. Bind eBay account and PayPal account
- Log in to your eBay account and click the “My eBay” button.
- Click on PayPal account, then enter your PayPal account and password to complete the binding.
3. Release products
1. Preparation
- Define product positioning: Identify the type of product you want to sell, your target market, and your audience.
- Prepare product information: Collect and prepare detailed product information, including product title, description, specifications, brand, material, color, size, etc.
- Take high-quality photos: Take clear, high-quality photos of your products.
2. Choose the appropriate category
- Select Category: Choose the most suitable category and subcategory based on the nature, use and characteristics of the product.
3. Write attractive product titles and descriptions
- Product Title: Be sure to include keywords and key features of your product.
- Product description: Provide detailed information, including product features, functions, uses, materials, dimensions, etc.
4. Set reasonable prices and shipping costs
- Price: Set a reasonable price based on market demand, competition, and the value of your product.
- Shipping: Offer a variety of shipping options, such as free shipping, flat shipping, or shipping based on destination.
5. Upload product images
- High resolution: Use a high-resolution camera or mobile phone to capture the image.
- Multiple angles: Provide multiple photos to show various angles and features of the product.
- Appropriate lighting: Use appropriate lighting and background to highlight the features of your product.
6. Choose the appropriate sales format
- Fixed Price Selling: For sellers who want to sell their products quickly and set a fixed price.
- Auction sales: For sellers who want to get the highest price through bidding.
7. Choose the appropriate payment and shipping method
- Payment Method: Choose the appropriate payment method, such as PayPal, credit card, and bank transfer.
- Shipping Method: Choose a reliable shipping method with a tracking number and appropriate shipping insurance.
8. Provide excellent customer service
- Prompt Response: Respond promptly to buyer questions and inquiries.
- Handling complaints: Proactively handle buyer complaints and return requests.
9. Regularly update product information
- Check Information: Regularly review your product listings to ensure the accuracy of pricing, inventory, and other information.
- Timely updates: If there are any product changes, update them in a timely manner and maintain communication with buyers.
4. Choose the right product
1. Pay attention to fashion trends
- Understand the market: Understand current trends and consumer needs through tools officially provided by eBay, such as “eBay Trends” and “Hot Items.”
2. Choose products with high profit margins
- Market Research: Find some products with high profit margins through market research and analysis of competitors’ pricing strategies.
3. Choose products with stable supply
- Supplier relations: Establish long-term cooperative relationships with suppliers and understand their production capabilities and inventory status.
4. Pay attention to product quality and quality
- Sample testing: Understand the quality and quality of products through product sample testing, supplier evaluation and customer feedback.
5. Choose products with competitive advantages
- Market Gap: Understand the gaps and hot spots in the market to choose products with competitive advantages.
5. Logistics methods
1. Common logistics methods
- International Express: DHL, UPS, FEDEX, etc.
- Cross-border special line: SF Express, Deppon, etc.
- Postal parcel: China Post, Netherlands Post, Singapore Post, etc.
- Sea transportation: Suitable for the transportation of large quantities and heavy goods.
2. Choose the appropriate logistics method
- Product characteristics: Different product characteristics require different logistics methods.
- Transportation time: Sellers need to choose appropriate logistics time based on the characteristics of the product and the needs of buyers.
- Logistics costs: Sellers need to choose appropriate logistics methods based on their own business conditions to reduce logistics costs and increase profit margins.
3. Logistics precautions
- Accurately fill in the logistics information: Sellers need to accurately fill in the logistics information of the goods, including logistics method, logistics company, logistics order number, etc.
- Logistics tracking: Sellers need to pay close attention to the logistics tracking of goods and track the logistics status of goods in a timely manner.
- Check the product packaging: Before the product is sent out, the seller needs to check whether the packaging of the product meets the logistics requirements.
- Logistics costs: Sellers need to consider factors such as logistics costs and service quality when choosing a logistics method.
6. Cross-border e-commerce currency issues
1. Handling different currencies
- Currency Conversion: Convert payments received in different currencies into your local currency.
- Foreign exchange service provider: Choose a reputable and strong service provider, and compare factors such as exchange rates and handling fees between different service providers.
2. Currency functions provided by eBay platform
- Currency conversion function: Sellers can choose a default currency in their account and convert other currencies to that currency.
- Currency collection capabilities: Sellers can choose to accept payments in different currencies and keep those currencies in their accounts.
7. Improve seller credibility
1. Positive reviews
- Choose something sophisticated and relatively cheap: Get a lot of positive reviews in a short period of time.
- Timely delivery: Deliver the goods as soon as possible without wasting time.
- Check the goods: Before shipping, be sure to carefully check whether the goods are intact and whether the packaging is intact.
2. Comply with platform regulations
- Read eBay platform policies: Make sure that the products you want to publish can be legally published on the platform.
- Cross-border transactions: View the platform’s cross-border transactions and import and export restrictions.
8. Win consumer trust
1. German market overview
- Consumption Concept: German consumers pay attention to quality and value.
- Brand awareness: Brand awareness and credibility are very important.
2. eBay Germany site rules and policies
- Language and Culture: The language of the German site is German, and merchants need to use German for product descriptions and customer service.
- Quality requirements: German consumers have higher quality requirements for products.
- Returns and after-sales service: Provide high-quality pre-sales and after-sales services, and respond to consumer feedback and complaints in a timely manner.
- Operating expenses and handling fees: The operating expenses and handling fees of the German station are relatively high.
3. Operational skills and strategies
- Market Demand: In-depth study of demand and competition in the German market.
- Product quality and credibility: Ensure product quality and reliability, and provide authentic product information and descriptions.
- Promotions and Offers: Take advantage of different promotions and offers.
- Multi-channel promotion and marketing: Promote products through search engine optimization, social media, influencer recommendations, etc.
- Response to consumer feedback and complaints: Proactively respond to and handle consumer feedback and complaints.
Conclusion
Through the guidance provided in this article, cross-border e-commerce sellers can better list products on eBay and establish a good seller reputation. By following these guidelines, being prepared, and paying attention to detail, you’ll be able to successfully list your products on eBay and grow your sales.