How and why to sell on eBay

What is eBay?

Founded in 1995, eBay is one of the longest-standing and most well-known marketplace platforms in the world. The store allows selling a wide range of products, from new to used goods, and stands out for its flexible format that includes both direct sales and online auctions.

With over 190 active markets globally and millions of registered users, eBay offers sellers a unique opportunity to reach customers worldwide.

Thanks to an intuitive management system, eBay enables the creation of detailed listings with images, optimised descriptions and customised prices. Additionally, the platform provides advanced tools to monitor sales and optimise performance, making it an ideal choice for individuals and companies looking to expand their online presence.

Why sell on eBay

Selling on eBay represents an extraordinary opportunity for companies and professionals looking to expand their online presence. There are many reasons to choose this platform; let’s take a look at the main ones:

Global visibility: present in over 190 markets, eBay allows your products to reach an international audience, enabling you to expand beyond local borders.

Flexible selling options: the platform supports both traditional direct sales and auctions, offering sellers the possibility to tailor their pricing strategy according to the product type and target audience.

Wide variety of categories: eBay is known for its ability to host a diverse range of products, including used items and niche markets.

Excellent reputation: with over 25 years of history, eBay is a well-established platform recognised for its reliability by both sellers and buyers.

What to sell on eBay

eBay is an incredibly versatile marketplace, capable of hosting a wide range of product categories. From everyday items to niche products, there is room for every type of business on eBay. According to a recent report by Webretailer, some categories dominate the market in terms of sales volume and popularity.

Among the top 5 best-selling categories are:

• Electronics: smartphones, tablets, accessories, headphones, and PC components

• Fashion and clothing: clothes, shoes, accessories

• Home and garden: furniture, tools, decorations, lighting, appliances

• Vehicle parts and accessories

• Collectibles and rare items: comics, trading cards, stamps, and other niche collectibles

In addition to these, other high-performing categories stand out for their strong sales, such as health and beauty, jewellery and watches, sports equipment, pet products, and toys and games.

How to sell on eBay

Selling on eBay is a great opportunity, but it requires attention and commitment.

If you’re thinking of getting started, here are some essential steps to follow:

• Create a seller account: Open a seller account on eBay, choosing between a personal or business account according to your needs.

• Upload products: You can upload products manually or use an API to integrate your catalogue, but both options require time and care.

• Optimise listings: Once products are uploaded, you need to write detailed descriptions, select the right keywords and pay attention to every detail, from images to managing variations. This requires a certain level of professionalism, especially to ensure your listings are visible and attractive to buyers.

• Manage shipping and returns: Handling shipments can become challenging, especially as sales grow. It is essential to choose the right courier, monitor shipments and manage any returns.

• Customer service: Providing good customer service, such as responding promptly to buyers’ questions, resolving disputes and managing feedback and reviews, is essential to maintaining a strong reputation on eBay.

All these tasks can become quite demanding, especially if handled manually. If you prefer to focus on sales and save time, relying on a specialised partner like T-Data can make a big difference. With our outsourcing support, we relieve you from the daily management of listings, shipping and customer service, offering you a complete solution for all operations, from opening your seller profile to managing listings, logistics and customer care.