Summer Sales Slow on eBay? Consider These Suggestions

We see it every year about this time, on forums and on group posts: My eBay sales are so slow this summer. Im really discouraged. What can I do? Here are a few suggestions.

Remodel. Look at your listings and your store, if you have one, with a fresh eye. Think back to all of the advice youve heard but not taken and consider applying it. Try something different for a change. It couldnt hurt and might just help. Im talking about advice such as taking better pictures with better backgrounds or using more pictures; using excellent keywords and all 55 characters of every title; not centering the text in your descriptions; using a properly-sized font, not too big and not too little; using a font color that is easy to read; including well-written, non-threatening, professional-sounding shipping, payment, and return policies in your listings; or working on building your brand by standardizing colors and templates so people will recognize your listings in a crowd.

Reassess. If your products arent selling right now, why might that be? Are they just one item in a gazillion with nothing that makes them stand out or rise above the crowded marketplace? Find a high-volume seller who sells similar items. Examine those listings and try to identify what makes their items sell when yours dont. Search for items similar to yours on completed listings and take a look at the ones that sold. Whats so special about them? Could listing/closing time have anything to do with it? Did they have a Buy It Now option whereas your items do not? What does that seller do that you dont do? Does he or she offer a newsletter? Do you? Dont ever copy another sellers listings, but take notes about what appeals to you as a buyer and incorporate some of those ideas into your own listing and marketing practices. Determine what you can do to make your store and your items irresistible to your shoppers.

Restock. Sell something else. If your listings are perfect and need no improvement at all but the items are still not selling, consider the fact that not everything listed on eBay sells. If it hasnt sold within a reasonable period of time, consider donating it or having a yard sale. Perhaps your products are out of season right now and should be put on the shelf for awhile and re-listed later. Think a month or two ahead to the next holiday or, during the summer, to back-to-school time and find items that should sell well then and get those listings ready. Or, think in a totally opposite season; have a Christmas in July sale or list items with a gift-giving theme.

If youre not busy this summer shipping out sold items, you probably have some time on your hands. Use the time wisely by studying both the market and marketing principles. Start with our remodel, reassess, and restock tips, apply them, and perhaps youll see your summer sales begin to take off again.

About the Author:
Susan Deppner is a writer and editor, as well as a businessperson with perhaps too many exciting ventures online and off, most notably those involving eBay and Squidoo. Read more eBay tips on her My52cents on eBay - Auction Tips blog or check out her growing collection of lenses on Squidoo.

Copyright 2007 - Susan B. Deppner - All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, give author name credit and follow all of the EzineArticles terms of service for Publishers.

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