subject: How To Make More Money On Ebay Than Everyone Else [print this page] Sometimes it seems that finding a niche or a product with good profit margins is the hardest thing on eBay. It can be frustrating going online, buying an ebook or a list of 'authentic wholesalers and drop shippers' and then going on eBay and seeing those same items sell for less then the 'wholesale price' you have to pay from the dropshipper.
Now it's obvious that it's not the best business model to sell stuff for less than you pay for it. The only exception is that you have a strategy to have a 'loss leader' or overall strategy to make up for the losses in the front end. That's an advanced strategy, so don't worry about it if you're just getting started selling on eBay. As a beginner, you should always sell items for more than what you buy them.
Make sure that you don't fall into the 'drop shipping' trap. I've wasted hours hoping to find a good product in a drop-shippers' catalog without success. Yes, they have products that you can sell on eBay, but the key (as we just said) is selling them profitably. Most drop shippers just aren't profitable for you an eBay seller.
To make serious money on eBay you need to analyze what the big guys are doing and see how they are profitably moving inventory. eBay is different then a lot of places due to the nature of the site. People are going there to find a great deal, but there's much more to it than that.
Let's say you went on eBay right now and you were looking for a specific item. You'd probably find the most affordable item, with one exception. You don't want to pay the bare-bones minimum because "you'll get what you pay for."
Some people think that if they are the cheapest price on eBay, that will guarantee them maximum sales. While that might be true in the short-term, chances are that their profit margins will be so small that they won't be in business for long. Remember that you're in business to provide an experience for your customer. This includes a great product at a good price. Also, it means that you make a reasonable profit.
So how do you enter a competitive market and earn peoples business when it seems that everyone just wants the lowest price?
There are a few different ways. One of them is to make sure that your listing stands out from the crowd on more things than just price. Draw your customer's eyes away from the price tag by taking amazing pictures. Make sure that you have the most relevant keywords in your listing title to maximize your listing traffic. However you can, get people to click on your listing. Once you do that, you'll have a better chance of selling to that customer.
Once your customer goes to your listing, they'll decide whether or not they can trust you. Your feedback score factors in here, but in addition to that is how professional your listing is. You need to show that you're a quality seller that will provide the best customer experience.
How do you look professional? Have a good looking listing template, clearly defined policies, professional pictures of your item, and a description that you've taken the time to create yourself - not just copied from the manufacturer's website.
Have you ever tried to buy something on eBay and wondered if the seller is legitimate? Have you wondered whether or not the seller would run away with your money? Now, step back into your shoes as a seller. You don't want any doubts in the mind of your buyers. Your buyers will be able to tell by how your listing looks whether you are a reputable seller or not. Buyers do business with sellers that they trust.
The first-impression carries the most weight. If you can set yourself apart from the crowd from the first time that people see you, then you'll have a competitive edge to selling on eBay.
