Strong Growth Means Now is the Time to Sell on eBay

eBay reported record Q4 2016 results, with delivered Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) reaching $22.3 billion worldwide (regional revenue figures were not released).

Quarterly revenue rose by $2.4 billion, representing 3.1% growth globally and rounding off a strong year for the marketplace. This marked a positive shift from the previous year, when GMV remained flat and year-on-year growth was modest.

With eBay building clear momentum, there’s never been a better time for online retailers to start — or scale — selling on the platform.

Use eBay to Grow Your Online Presence

eBay can be a powerful channel for expanding your online presence and reaching new customers. Selling through a high-traffic marketplace helps introduce your brand to audiences who may not otherwise discover you — and can ultimately drive visits to your own website.

In the UK alone, eBay recorded 1.1 billion visits in Q2 2016, offering significant exposure for businesses of all sizes. Increased visibility can translate into greater brand awareness, higher sales and a competitive edge in crowded markets.

Why open an eBay Store?

Setting up an eBay Store, rather than selling as an individual, adds professionalism and credibility to your business. Benefits include:

• A more polished, branded storefront

• Access to eBay’s Business Resource Centre

• Downloadable sales templates and business tools

• A unique, shareable store URL

• Built-in email marketing tools to retain customers and encourage repeat purchases

Together, these features make it easier to build trust and maintain long-term customer relationships.

How to Sell Successfully on eBay

Anyone can sell on eBay, but success comes from adopting the right approach. If you regularly sell products online, eBay can be seamlessly incorporated into your wider eCommerce strategy. To get the most from the platform, consider the following best practices:

• Detail the product: Include clear, accurate descriptions and multiple high-quality photos. The more information you provide, the more confident buyers will feel.

• List in the correct category: Choosing the right category ensures your products are seen by the most relevant shoppers, maximising exposure and conversions.

• Sell yourself as well as the product: Complete your “About Me” page and include a profile photo. Building trust in you as a seller is just as important as showcasing what you’re selling.

• Start low: Setting a competitive starting price can attract more bids and interest, often driving the final price higher than expected.

• Respond quickly: Prompt replies to questions reassure buyers and increase the likelihood of a sale. Following up after delivery can also encourage positive feedback.

• Ship efficiently: Reliable, timely delivery is crucial. Using trusted delivery partners helps ensure items arrive on time and in excellent condition.

• Review the competition: Analyse similar listings to identify pricing trends, gaps in the market and opportunities to differentiate your offering.

By following these steps, there’s no reason you can’t become a successful eBay seller — particularly if the platform continues to build on its strong growth.

Boost Visibility with Promoted Listings

If you’re struggling to achieve your desired sale price or attract enough interest, eBay’s promoted listings can help. Sellers can choose an ad rate between 1% and 20% of the final sale price, paying only when an item sells.

Promoted listings are available across both domestic and international markets, and have recently expanded into additional categories including books, music, DVDs, retail and services, helping sellers reach even wider audiences.

New Initiatives Driving eBay’s Growth

In Q4 2016, eBay reached 167 million active buyers worldwide, a 3% year-on-year increase. This growth wasn’t just driven by new customers — eBay has also succeeded in retaining and reactivating users through several strategic initiatives, including:

• Launching StubHub on Apple TV

• Integrating the eBay Marketplace with Gumtree in the UK

• Achieving record-high user review scores for its mobile platform

A greater focus on fixed-price listings, renewed TV advertising and continued investment in mobile apps has also paid off. With mobile and tablet traffic now critical for online retailers, eBay’s ongoing app development has helped sellers stay competitive.

Supporting Your eBay Sales with Whistl Parcels

If you’re an online retailer, now is the ideal time to expand into selling on eBay. Pairing the platform’s growing audience with reliable delivery solutions is key to long-term success.

Whistl Parcels offers a range of business parcel delivery services designed to support eBay sellers, helping you ship efficiently, meet customer expectations and build a strong seller reputation.