How to start a successful eBay store

Do you dream of running a successful online business? If so, you’ve probably considered opening a store on eBay. After all, the ecommerce platform is one the oldest and most recognizable in the world. In the second quarter of 2019, eBay had more than 180 million active buyers. The site averages about 1.8 billion visits per month.

Although eBay has the traffic and buyers that you need, selling on the platform is no easy task. It requires skill, dedication and knowledge to turn your store into a successful operation.

Here are some tips on how to turn your eBay store into a success.

Choose a Niche

In its early days, eBay was a place to sell your old items – like a virtual garage sale. Today, eBay stores have moved away from auctions and now sell items at fixed prices. It’s similar to Etsy and Amazon Marketplace where sellers can present their entire inventory.

The competition is fierce on eBay and because everyone displays their entire inventory on their storefront, it’s important to choose a niche. Choose one type of merchandise that you want to sell through your store, and stick to it.

Think of your store as a brand. Your merchandise should be cohesive and aligned with your brand. If you sell a hodge-podge of different items, it could give your store a rummage-sale feel that may turn customers away and make them less willing to pay premium prices for your merchandise.

Not sure which niche to choose? Check out the top selling items on eBay to see what people are buying.

Start Small

It may be tempting to invest a large sum of money into your inventory when you’re first getting started, but it’s better to start small. Test the waters by finding a few great items to sell. Work on your photography skills, writing your listings and testing different pricing options. Start interacting with buyers, too.

If you start small, you can gauge whether you have the capacity to handle the maintenance an ecommerce business, such as handling returns and fulfilling shipments. Even if your eBay store is only a side gig, you still need to dedicate time to it every day if you want to see real results.

A Photo Tells a Thousand Words

If you want your eBay store to succeed, you need to take professional photos of your items. Poor quality photos taken in poor lighting will only turn customers away. Keep in mind that the photos in your listings are the only things your customers have to judge the quality of your products.