2. It's very easy and simple to get started posting your first
auction on eBay. This article will cover the steps you
need to follow to get your first auction up.
3. The first thing you need to do is set up your eBay seller's
account. If you have already bought things on eBay in
the past, then you already have an account. Just log in
and click "Sell" on the toolbar at the top of the page and
then click "Create a seller's account".
4. If you have never bought or sold on eBay, then you need
to create a new account. First click on the "register" link
beneath the toolbar, then click "Sell" and "Create a
seller's account". From there the eBay website will guide
you through the process of getting set up. For security
reasons, this may involve including providing your card
and banking information.
6. Now that you're registered, you need to decide what
you want to sell. It doesn't really matter what you sell,
this is just your chance to get your feet wet. Check your
garage and attic, I'm sure you can find something that
you're not attached to and something interesting. Small
items like books and CDs are great for your first time.
7. Once you have your item picked out, it's time to submit
it. Just click "Sell" and you're on your way. The first thing
you need to do is choose the best category for your
item. eBay makes this easy, you just type in your item,
and eBay suggests the best category for you. It's usually
best to just go with the category that eBay comes up
with.
8. The next step is writing the title and description for your
item. You want to make sure to include any keywords
that people might use when searching for your item in
the title. Include all the rest of the information in the
description.
9. Now you need to set your starting price. In order to
draw people to bid on your auction, set a starting price
of $0.01. Don't worry because items almost never end
up as such a low price. Next set the duration of the
auction. You have the choices of 3, 5, 7 and 10 days. This
is really up to you, the longer the auction the more bids
you are likely to get. Add a picture to your auction
because items with pictures always sell for more.
10. Great, now you're ready to select the payment methods
you want to accept, and where you will post to. I would
just go with PayPal for now, and limit yourself to the
country you are in. Just click the "Submit" button and
you are done!
11. Now you can just sit back and let eBay work it's magic.
Potential buyers will search for your item and submit
bids on it. Some bidders may email you with various
questions about your item. Just do your best to answer
the questions as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
12. Don't worry if your item doesn't sell the first time. The
great thing about eBay, is that if your item doesn't sell
the first time, you can list it again for free!
13. Once the auction closes and you have a winning bidder,
eBay takes care of all the work. eBay will send your
buyer emails guiding them through the process of
sending you payment for the item your are selling. Just
make sure you have the money in hand before you send
the item.
14. eBay prefers that you use PayPal to send and receive
your payments. PayPal is very safe and secure and you
will get your money instantly so it's a good idea to use
them. It's also free to create an account with PayPal.
15. You can create your free PayPal account here:
PayPal.com
16. As soon as you have received the payment, all you have
left to do is pack up the item and send it to your buyer. If
you're not sure of the best way to get this done, just
take your item to your local post office and they can
help you. Use the buyers address from the confirmation
email that eBay sent you and write it on the package.
That's it, you've made your first successful sale on eBay!