How to Capture the eBay Segment of the Online Consumer Market

Small business owners, large business owners, entrepreneurs, and online marketers have discovered how to capture the eBay segment of the online consumer market for lead generation, growing their customer base, and post-transactional marketing.

At first thought, you might not want to bother with eBay - learning the protocol and policies, understanding the system, etc. But, learning how to use eBay may benefit you greatly. Using eBay for lead generation can be quite effective as eBay is an online marketplace with over 250 million buyers, assembled in one place, ready to buy.

Many sellers are not selling on eBay for the profit eBay itself provides - in fact, many large sellers operate their eBay business at a loss. They exist on eBay for harvesting customers (and their contact information) in order to market to these buyers later.

Learn how to use eBay for lead generation and growing your customer base.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• eBay Account
• Internet Connection
• Time

1. Out in cyberspace, there are people who always check eBay first when making a purchase. Buyers may be seeking a cell phone, computer, article of clothing, or a service such as graphic design or consulting. If you have a presence on eBay when searches are made, you have the potential to reach potential buyers, complete a transaction with them, or direct them to your own website for future sales.

2. Large retail sellers often use eBay as their clearance department. This strategy does not result in huge profits, but accomplishes another goal: connecting sellers with buyers. Savvy sellers understand the power of post-transactional marketing opportunities. The concept is that if you sell an inexpensive or clearance item to a buyer, and then ship the item to the customer, and you have his contact information in your database forever. You can now market to him whenever you want.

3. The only place on eBay that allows outside (non-eBay links) is your About Me page. It is here that you as a seller can refer potential customers to your website for future sales. In order to get potential customers to your About Me page, you need listings on eBay to grab their attention.

4. This is why you see phrases on eBay listings like, "Check out my About Me page for a great deal, See my About Me page for more information" etc. Sellers want you to click over to their About Me page so that you will see their website link, hopefully click on it, and do business with them outside of eBay.

5. You can also reach the millions of potential buyers on eBay by placing ads for your product or service on eBay's Classified Ads. Classifieds also allow outside links that can go directly to your website. The fee for eBay Classifieds start at $9.95 for a 30 day listing. In the event of a sale, no additional fees are involved because the sale does not actually take place on eBay. (See my eHow article on How to Use eBay Classified Ads."

Tips & Warnings

• Study other sellers' About Me pages.
• Consider having a professional design your About Me page, if the sole purpose of your presence on eBay is for lead generation and customer harvesting.
• Before creating an About Me Page, read the eBay help section and make sure you stay within the guidelines. Violation of eBay policies can result in suspension or removal.

Resources

• Learn More About eBay Selling

[40skydiver]

on 10/22/2008 You know your way around eBay, thanks for the great tips.

[vickivannoy]

on 10/9/2008 Thank you Suzanne. I keep intending to give eBay a try, and find several good reasons to do so in your article.