[HadrianH]

Hello everyone.

First of all: All contributions are greatly appreciated -- this venture needs to get moving.

I've started an online store for my venture ForeignWares on eBay and several other auction sites. We specialise in providing International crafts, antiques and arts along with other misc. related items at value prices for these niches.

My store is not doing fantastically well right now due to, as I see it, limited marketing and being a ''new'' member of eBay. (Any marketing tips would be appreciated. Budget isn't high as I am controlling cash flow.)

As a result I've been recommended by many to start an e-store through a website dedicated to the company. Is this a good idea at this stage? I am looking to test the waters a while first. I may change the company name, items sold and so forth if progress isn't great.

So what do you all suggest? Here are links to some of the products being sold right now. I've done competitor research and they are well-priced and promoted in comparison.

Necklaces: handcrafted and a wide range
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1209070514...#ht_969wt_1272

''Modest'' full-cover swimsuits: idea came to me when traveling Middle East; promoting for religious niche
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1208969564...#ht_826wt_1272

Same as above; I've been told that they would be a great idea as religious for minorities in Europe
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1209043591...#ht_758wt_1272

I also have tablecloths and decorated dresses (Pashmina type)

Just to add: other forms of marketing, though not reliable, are relatives and wider network recommendations. If you personally know anyone who may be interested, be of a great help to them and me -- send them over to my page!

Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a great day.

P.S. How can I name the links so this looks neater?

[dogie]

I've sold millions on eBay, literally.

Its very late, but a few points:

1) Yes you do have relative reduced visibility due to being a new seller. After 100 transactions and £2000 of sales you can get 'normal' or elevated search status.
2) Don't use titles for "sale, 20% off". This is your keyword area, this is how people find you in search.
3) Make sure you turn seller manager on.
4) Turn instant payments on
5) Stop putting so many pictures up, they're only costing you money [unless its different for Jewellrey section]. Add them within your listing which is free. They MUST be better quality then they are now.
6) Do set up an estore. Don't spend massive amounts of money on it, you can get plenty of things that will do the job for you at this level for free.
7) You don't realise what a job eBay does for you [expensively...] at bringing customers. Utilise this and turn every eBay customer into your site customer if they return. Ie leave a note in the package saying "you can buy cheaper from my site...". = free advertising to your site with greater margins and control. Careful not to mention this anywhere on eBay as its against policies.
8) Its not long before you will HATE eBay and Paypal. They are hungry and horrible corporate entities who really don't care about small businesses. You will see this later on the power seller forums, maybe 90% would happily leave eBay forever if there was a viable competitor.
9) Keep free postage, its an advantage in search.
10) Only offer 1st class postage. Its a minimal difference to your bill but the speed increase really improves your detailed seller ratings. It also improves packing time by not having as many options to note down. Make sure you select 1st class in the delivery section as eBay auto calculates est arrival date.
11) Set a realistic dispatch time, I'd recommend 2 days.

[HadrianH]

(Original post by dogie)
I've sold millions on eBay, literally.

Its very late, but a few points:

1) Yes you do have relative reduced visibility due to being a new seller. After 100 transactions and £2000 of sales you can get 'normal' or elevated search status.
2) Don't use titles for "sale, 20% off". This is your keyword area, this is how people find you in search.
3) Make sure you turn seller manager on.
4) Turn instant payments on
5) Stop putting so many pictures up, they're only costing you money [unless its different for Jewellrey section]. Add them within your listing which is free. They MUST be better quality then they are now.
6) Do set up an estore. Don't spend massive amounts of money on it, you can get plenty of things that will do the job for you at this level for free.
7) You don't realise what a job eBay does for you [expensively...] at bringing customers. Utilise this and turn every eBay customer into your site customer if they return. Ie leave a note in the package saying "you can buy cheaper from my site...". = free advertising to your site with greater margins and control. Careful not to mention this anywhere on eBay as its against policies.
8) Its not long before you will HATE eBay and Paypal. They are hungry and horrible corporate entities who really don't care about small businesses. You will see this later on the power seller forums, maybe 90% would happily leave eBay forever if there was a viable competitor.
9) Keep free postage, its an advantage in search.
10) Only offer 1st class postage. Its a minimal difference to your bill but the speed increase really improves your detailed seller ratings. It also improves packing time by not having as many options to note down. Make sure you select 1st class in the delivery section as eBay auto calculates est arrival date.
11) Set a realistic dispatch time, I'd recommend 2 days.

Great advice. I'll start on it right away!

What is it that you sold? Link me to your eBay.

Best of luck.

[dogie]

(Original post by HadrianH)
Great advice. I'll start on it right away!

What is it that you sold? Link me to your eBay.

Best of luck.

Computers, computing that sort of area. Its just been killed by the combined fee increases in technology categories, reduction of top seller feed reductions and the merging of Royal Mail packet weight categories.