eBay is basic

Yes, eBay is basic. I like basics, don't you? If you understand the basics of anything, you're well on your way to mastering it. The same goes for eBay.

Here are the seven basics of eBay Selling:

1. Titles
2. Descriptions
3. Photos
4. Pricing
5. Shipping/Handling
6. Order Fulfillment
7. Customer Service

Focus on these areas, and you will be on your way to selling profitably on eBay and becoming an eBay PowerSeller.

First, let me give you information that few eBay users know.

Over 30% of all eBay listings DO NOT SELL. Of course, eBay makes money. Ebay collects listing fees no matter what. The sellers are the losers. Now, that's a full one-third of all sales. Surprising? It's not something that eBay crows about. And that's why it's so important that you focus your time and energy on mastering eBay basics. You want to be in eBay’s 66% category.

Here’s a little hint that will help you in the first two eBay areas.

Spell correctly.

Typos (and I'm notorious for them) are the number one reason why listings don't sell on eBay.

There's a spell checker for the eBay description section, but there's no spell checker for the title. And your eBay title is "Keyword Central" on eBay. More about this later.

Sometimes, though, even a spell checker won't help. Here’s an example:

There are common errors that I make when I type. I'm aware of them, and always on the lookout. For some reason, I tend to drop the "r" off the end of "your". A spell checker never finds the typo, because it reads the word "you" as correct.

I also transpose numbers. I remember sending out resumes, and my phone number was incorrect. I spell checked the document, but it didn't make a bit of difference.

Okay, so how can this hurt on eBay? Well, let's say that I'm selling a popular perfume called "Your Adventure". No one will find my eBay listing if they're typing in "Your" and my title lists "You".

Likewise, if I'm selling a top rated digital camera on eBay that's a model 789, and I list it as model 987, it won't be found by the eBay search engine.

If you make common errors, be on the alert. A good way to check for errors is to read the words out loud. Work with a partner and ask him or her to read it to you. You're better able to catch a mistake if you can hear it.