Although running an eBay business is relatively easy, there are still areas that you will need to consider before you jump headlong into your new venture. If you do not do this, then you could find that your business does not take off as well as you hoped or totally bottoms out before you have even made a profit.
You will also have to make sure that you have the space to run your business, as this is not just in listing and taking photos but also in storing and packing the items for shipping too.
What you are going to sell
It is important that you do your research into which products sell well and for what price. Opting to sell items just because you want to sell them will not necessarily mean that they will be in demand or that there is a market for them.
In order to make your eBay business work and stand the test of time, you will not only have to find out about what is in demand but also how you are going to be able to get your hands on the items for far less than they will sell for, as this minus listing fee, selling fees, and shipping costs will be your profit.
How you are going to get the items to your customers
With this in mind, you are also going to have to look into how you are going to carry out your eBay shipping and get your items to your customers. You may be thinking that you will only offer your items for collection, but by doing this, you will be cutting down on a huge amount of your market and, therefore, your profit. Or you may think that you would be happy just to use the local postal system. However, there are other options that could either work out cheaper or a lot more convenient for you depending on what items it is that you are selling, their size, and the quantities that you are selling them in.
Using the services of a shipping broker, for instance, to find the perfect business to take care of your eBay delivery could be an easy option as they will be able to supply you with quotes from multiple businesses so that you can select which ones are the best for your eBay shipping, whether you are shipping a single item or a part load or even a whole pallet.
Your ability to keep your customers happy
You should know before you start on your eBay venture that eBay holds the feedback of buyers in very high regard. This means that in order to keep your business running and your sales happening, you are going to have to bend over backward for your customers and keep them happy.
Although this may sound quite daunting, there are ways that you can do this, and you can make it a habit. This is by making sure that every listing you produce is totally accurate and that there is an abundance of information and photos of the item that you are selling. Make sure that you are honest about the state of the item and welcome any questions that customers may have. Also, be sure to keep your customers informed on what is going on with their orders. Let them know as soon as possible if there is a problem with their order, and as a courtesy, let them know when it has left your possession and is on its way to them.