Question
eBay Stores are presently receiving more attention from sellers.
Some are considering opening them, others, like myself, have recently started one and many have used them for some time but are exploring wider promotion on the Internet.
The transition of Half.com inventory to eBay is also a major factor as eBay seems to be giving much greater attention to Stores.
There has also been an announcement of a substantial redesign coming soon.
I work better when I can break projects into smaller steps and benefit from checklists.
I wonder if we would benefit from dividing the Store process into separate elements and maybe, in time, have a thread for each element.
Any grouping would have to be somewhat arbitrary as certain functions impact two or more elements but I'll try to suggest components, for discussion sake.
Element #1 - Design Options -
These are the choices eBay offers when you open a Store. They are about to be expanded and everyone, new and old, may have to consider the upgraded options.
Element #2 - Individualized Text
This is a little more complex. Starts with the Store name, includes categories, Store description, Specialties, payment options, service and returns policy and the About Me Page. Inventory selection might also fit here as well as the general components of Store descriptions.
Element #3 Onsite Promotion
This includes both the specific wording and techniques plus the general concept used to promote your Store through Main Site listings and within Store listings. Plugging your Store in every auction listing, cross promotion options, maybe the About Me page belongs here, mention in sales related emails and tailoring Store descriptions to let viewers feel they are within your Store and not just looking at an individual listing.
Element #4 - Internet/Search Engine Promotion
This, for me, is the most complex element and also seem to have the greatest potential. How to construct the Store so that it has the best chance of being seen by search engines.
Using a doorway URL, paid advertising, keywords, optimizing for search engines, site promotion, evaluation software, links, search engine formulas all make my head start to hurt.
Element #5 All the Rest
Anything not included above such as using the URL on business cards, shipping labels, inserts with packages, tag lines on chat boards and a hundred things I haven't even thought of
Is having this type of a thread worthwhile? Should we eventually start "Element #X" threads?
Should there be more or less elements? Better titles?
A number of valuable discussions have already been held and I find myself printing threads to help with a current task or because I expect to need the information in the near future.
I thought we might all benefit from ongoing specific threads if Store usage is going to expand.
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I like the idea of themed discussions about stores - I've had one for ages and I'm still learning new tricks...
My newest one is having a Search Box in my Auction Listings that will pull people to my store... they changed the policy making this now eBay legal to do, but of course forgot to tell us this
SO hopefully that'll generate more traffic & sales from my store...
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ok, you start the threads and I'll ask the stupid questions....
we have a rulle around our office
each person has to do what they are best at....
and asking dumb questions is my fortay....
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I like it. I am a step by step person who makes checkoff lists for everything so this would really help me. I want to open a store but just haven't taken the plunge until I know more.
Thanks for the idea.
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Looks promising. I don't have a store yet but have read threads of others that do here. It could benefit me in the short/long run and help me beat the learning curve as well. Thanks.
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I love my store, There is rarely a day goes by that I do not sell out of it. It out sold the web site by such a wide margin I finally moved all the web items to the store. I mainly use the web site to drive traffic to the ebay store.
What I find working for me is to have a large volume ( over 600 at the moment) and to offer free shipping when 3 or more or purchased. This is a huge boon to my business and more often than naught they purchase at least 3 if not more. I use the search box like Katyiana mentioned and custom links in my templates so they do not have to wade through all 600 items. Tanya is working on creating me a very cool logo and template to give it a more professinal look.
The way I see the ebay store is that it is like the "Antique Mall" where there is lots of traffic. The Website was like having a store on a side street in town hoping for a few pop ins as people drove by on the google hiway. http://community.here.com/infopop/em...icon_smile.gif
For me the store works best, Paying the fees is not that big of deal for the volume of customers ebay brings in.
Each has to determine what is best for them. Try them both and see what happens!! I am glad I did my website as it was an amazing journey but the ebay store works best for me and the amount of time I have.
Be sure to read the ebay store forum too, It is quite friendly and full of great ideas and information.
Good luck to all!!
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I would like more suggestions before starting any threads and I'm concerned that too many threads would only add confusion.
I'm leaning towards three threads.
1) eBay Stores - Initial Design Options
This would be helpful to people just starting a Store and, with the upcoming expansion of options, something every Store user will have to revisit.
2) eBay Stores - Onsite Use & Promotion
Everything we can do to make the Store more productive from existing eBay customers.
3) eBay Stores - Internet & Offsite Promotion
Everything we can do to promote the Store beyond eBay.
I don't expect the threads would contain all the information but rather might, for example, include links to the Store Discussion on eBay, other threads and sites where information and/or help exists.
Something is better than nothing and, through experience, we might find a better way but any suggestions might get us started on the right path.
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looks good
and around here eventually the threads do what they need to do, either educate us or fall off the first page http://community.here.com/infopop/em.../icon_wink.gif
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Lanetz, congratulations on your success on the eBay Store. I don't mind investing in fees as long as the return is there. I've been thinking strongly about opening an eBay Store along with the current web store on our own domain. I'm just thinking in the long term and how much control I will have? My greatest fear, I think, with an eBay Store is what happens if eBay implements a policy I completely disagree with?
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Hello everyone:
This is my first day!
I have been buying and selling on eBay for about 7 months. When I got serious about selling I had no doubt the eBay Store would suit me to a T.
Now I have to tell you I sell to a very small (but growing wildly) group of woman. Yep, the Women of the Red Hat Society.
I am still a baby in the Store business, but learn something new almost every day. So go ahead and ask. I probably won't know the answer, cause I not real up on computer whatit's, but I might know where to point.
Thanks