How to make your eBay store run more efficiently

HOW TO MAKE YOUR eBAY STORE RUN EFFICIENTLY

May 2013

TIM DAVIES

TRADING ON eBAY

Successful trading is much more than making sales and collecting payments. Sustainability is achieved through profitability and efficiency.

3HOW TO MAKE YOUR eBAY STORE RUN EFFICIENTLY

CREATING A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

$

TProducts Postage Profit

Operational costs

Unfortunately you don’t get to keep all the money you receive! Profit is calculated by deducting all costs first. Identify costs that you can and can’t reduce. Then decide how to trade-off time and money for operational contributors (tools, staff, premises, training, equipment, outsourcing, marketing). The less time or expertise you have, the more you money may need to invest and vice versa.

Alternate suppliersPrice negotiation

Quantity discounts

Couriers v PostPrice negotiation

Quantity discounts

4HOW TO MAKE YOUR eBAY STORE RUN EFFICIENTLY

ACHIEVING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

Time Effort Knowledge Tools

Operational efficiency is driven by these 4 factors. The less you have of one, the more you will need of the others. Sustainable business requires continuous improvement. That means evaluating and re-evalulating your capabilities and deficiencies, and adjusting you resources to stay competitive and sustainable. The great thing is that there are plenty of providers who can contribute what you can’t yourself.

5HOW TO MAKE YOUR eBAY STORE RUN EFFICIENTLY

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

• Create listings• Update listings• Accept orders• Leave feedback• Pack & label orders• Book & dispatch deliveries• Respond to customer inquiries• Manage disputes & claims• Issue invoices• Process returns• Manage inventory• Maintain records for tax• Produce reports

A typical day in the life of an eBay seller…

EFFICIENCY OPTIONS

With a little up-front effort, you can optimise your eBay operation, reduce time spent, lower costs and improve efficiency.

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Available timePlenty None

SOME eBAY BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

HOW TO MAKE YOUR eBAY STORE RUN EFFICIENTLY

Numberof

listings

5000

2000

500

100

0

Selling Manager Pro

Considerations:• Structured data• Templates• Sales records• Listing changes• Invoicing• Cost v time• Expandability• Ongoing support

MIP

There are plenty of great solutions around for running an eBay business. The ones shown here are just a sample. The less time you have available, the more robust and comprehensive solution you will likely need.

AUTOMATION & CUSTOMISATIONSome tasks for your eBay business can be automated and customised, to save you time, reduce stress and improve efficiency.

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AUTOMATIC FEEDBACK

HOW TO MAKE YOUR eBAY STORE RUN EFFICIENTLY

My eBay > Automation Preferences

Automation Preferences

Save time by letting Selling Manager Pro automatically leave positive feedback for each customer

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CUSTOMISING AUTOMATED BUYER EMAILS

HOW TO MAKE YOUR eBAY STORE RUN EFFICIENTLY

Manage communications with buyers

My eBay > Account tab > Manage communication with buyers > FAQ

Send the right message to your customers at every stage of the transaction

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SMART FAQ

HOW TO MAKE YOUR eBAY STORE RUN EFFICIENTLY

My eBay > Account tab > Manage communication with buyers > FAQ

Manage communications with buyers

Reduce the time you need to spend answering common questions.

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UNPAID ITEM ASSISTANT

HOW TO MAKE YOUR eBAY STORE RUN EFFICIENTLY

My eBay > Site Preferences > Unpaid Item Assistant

Site Preferences

Save time by automating unpaid item disputes so you can either get paid, or get your eBay fees back.

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REQUIRE BUYER PHONE NUMBER

HOW TO MAKE YOUR eBAY STORE RUN EFFICIENTLY

My eBay > Site Preferences > Postage Preferences

Site Preferences

Make your requirements clear to customers right from the start

Your one-stop resource for selling on eBay:

sellercentre.ebay.com.au