Introducing Auction Templates
OK – this week I am going to take a detailed look at eBay auction templates.
Invite Visitors to Stay Longer!
Using a template allows you to standardize your auctions and present your product range in a professional and attractive fashion. If you have a well-designed and good-looking auction display and shop, you are going to keep visitors to your pages and auctions for longer because they stay longer on better looking auction pages compared to amateurish looking ones.
Even an absolute eBay newbie can make an auction web page look professional with the minimum of fuss and bother!
Templates Save You Time!
Once you have the template finalized, you will never have to repeat entering your contact information, payment terms, returns policy or links to your eBay shop or “About Me” profile. Templates save you time as well as giving you a tight, professional look to your business.
Using a templates does not require you know very much html, the coding which makes up many web pages and which you use to make items bold, in italics, or >>centered<<< In act, all you really need to worry about is getting the template right from inception and then simply upload your auction photographs and descriptions before you schedule the auction to go live.
The Required Tool:
One issue when using a template is you need an HTML editor – don’t panic because if you are using Windows you have on already – use Notepad or Typepad for writing your descriptions (NOT Word) and then cut and paste these to your template. The reason for doing it this way is that Word and other word processing programs copy the formatting into the template which starts playing havoc with how the finished auction will look. Typepad and html editors strip all the formatting out and leave you only with the unadulterated text.
You can find “free” auction templates by browsing the web and Auctiva was the biggest free auction template provider on eBay until a recent change of policy. Free is not always the best route to go however, and there are several cost effective options available to you which I shall be covering in my next posts.
Oh, one more thought. The free html editor I have frequently used is called NVU – they offer great tutorials and support Windows, MAC and Linux operating systems!
Have You Twittered Lately?
Ebay is an interesting lesson in sales. I look for vintage guitars and to contradict you story I look for the amateurish templates the simple ads. The simple ads are ads placed by someone that may have found a guitar at a garage sale and being an amateur they may not realize the true value of the product and expect less. The savvy ad writer may also be savvy in research of the product he is selling therefore may expect a high price. I sell more guitar and have more visitors when I make my ads look simple amateurish Joe garage type.
Brilliant, Svenja, I never have used a template but I might just try one and see is it makes a difference to sales.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Hi Svenja!
Very interesting and helpful. I will definitely need to look into this and see your next post.
Best Regards,
Benedict
Hi Benedict,
Thank you for stopping by. I hope all is going well with you!
Many Thanks,
Svenja
Hi Mandy,
Thank you for stopping by. Templates are great, and you can find free ones everywhere. If you need an easy html editor give NVU a whirl.
Many Thanks,
Svenja
Hi Steve,
What a great point! Interestingly enough eBay has different buyers and sellers alike. I have found some great ’steals’ following your approach in the past as well. Many sellers, however, need a little nudge to get focused. You have a clear focus and you know how to write auctions that will attract the buyer you are looking for. In that you have found your niche!
Thank you for your comment! I greatly appreciate your input. Thank you for sharing how your techniques are working for you!
Many Thanks,
Svenja
More food for thought Svenja. I am looking forward to your next post, to have a look at the templates you recommend….One day, I will get off my backside and actually sell something on eBay :O)
John
Hi John,
Personally, I like templates a lot. They do not make up for selling descriptions, but they can add a lot. From my experience, women tend to be more persuaded by the look of an auction than men. Men seem to be looking for the ‘meat’ in the description, trust the rating, and like good pictures, however, this is my personal opinion.
Tell me if I can assist you in any way to get your eBay presence up-and-running
Many Thanks for your comment!
Svenja
Hello again Svenja. My eBay project is on the back-burner as I am busy painting. However,as a change of subject, can you tell me how you get a proper ’smiley’ into your comments? Thanks :O)
John
Hi John,
Totally understand that you’ve put eBay on the back-burner. I had to do the same for some of my projects. To get the smiley face you make : and then – followed by ) – no spaces, please and you’ll get
Until soon,
Svenja