5 Actions to Take to Sell Things on eBay

You'll find it's remarkably uncomplicated to begin putting your first listing to sell things on eBay. Here's just how to do it in 5 easy steps..

Get yourself an eBay seller account.

If you've bought things on eBay, then you have already got an eBay account - simply sign in  and click on 'Sell' in the toolbar at the top of the page, after that click 'Create a seller account'. If you've never been on eBay previously, then you will want to create an account  making use of the 'register' link below the toolbar, and then simply click 'Sell' and 'Create a seller account'.  You will then be guided through all the necessary steps by eBay. As part of eBay's security checks, you may have to supply your credit or bank card details. This is perfectly normal and totally safe.

Decide what to sell.

For your first little experiment with eBay, it doesn't really matter what you sell. Take a look around the room you're in - I'm sure there's something in there that you're not all that attached to and could put in the post.

DVDs, CDs, Books, old records and board games are all great for practising your selling skills.

Put your item on eBay

To get started and sell things on eBay your chosen item, simply click 'Sell'.

You'll have to choose a category - it's best simply type in what it is you are selling and go with what eBay suggests, unless it really doesn't seem right. Then you're going to need a title for your listing, as well as a description.  Include key words you think people will search for in the title box, and all the information you have about the item in the description box.

You need to decide on a starting price. It's a good idea to set your starting price as low as possible, $0.01 if possible, it makes your listing cheaper and draws in the bidders looking for a bargain, so your item will rarely finish at such a low price. Now you need to decide on the length of your auction: 3, 5, 7 or 10 days.  Longer auctions might attract more bids, but you might also put off he people who want the item sooner - either way, ending an auction at the weekend is always a good idea.

Add in any pictures you've taken of your item, or use the one that eBay sometimes provides, but make sure you have a picture of some sort as it helps your item sell for more. You need to select that you will accept PayPal, and any other forms of payment that you are happy to take, and where you are prepared to post the item to, or maybe if it needs to be collected. It's probably best just to sell within your own country to start off with.  Submit and you're done!

Wait for the sale.

If you've done everything right, bidders will find your listing, like what they see, and then bid on your item.

If a potential bidder can't find all the information they need, they may email you through eBay with a question. Try and get back to them as quickly as possible, with the details they need, to convince them to bid.

Remember that if your item doesn't sell then you can list it again, usually for free.

Wait till you've received your money, then ship it.

eBay will send your buyer emails guiding them through the process of sending you payment for the item. Only when you have got the buyers money do you send them the item.

Once you've got the payment, all you need to do is pack the item for posting (make sure to use some bubble wrap), take the buyer's address from the confirmation email eBay sent you, and write it on the parcel. Put some stamps on, post it, and you're done!

Creating a listing to sell things on eBay is as easy as that.