How to Create a Free Online Auction

An online auction is an auction conducted over the Internet where buyers from around the world can bid on an item.

Online auctions are auctions conducted over the Internet that match buyers and sellers from around the world. EBay pioneered online auctions and is the most popular online auction site. There are many online auction sites on the Internet. EBay and eBid are two online auction sites where you can create a free online auction without having to pay a fee to start the auction.

Things You'll Need

• Camera
• Credit Card

Instructions

1. Take pictures of the item you want to sell. Situate the item so that it looks attractive and take a picture of it with a digital camera.

2. Create an online auction for free on eBay. Go to the eBay website (see Resources). Register with eBay by clicking "register" at the top of the Web page. Fill out the registration form with your name, address, email address, user ID and date of birth. Type in the verification code, select the check box next to the "User Agreement" and click "Continue." Check the mailbox of the email address you registered with for the email eBay sent. Open the email they sent and click the "Activate Now" button inside.

3. Click "Sell" at the top of the eBay Web page that pops up. Click "Start selling." Type the UPC, ISBN, or name of the item you are selling and click "Search." Select the category that your item belongs to and click "Continue." Fill in the item's title listing name, item condition, item description, starting bid, shipping and handling service and payment method. Upload the photo of your item and click "Save and preview." Click "Continue" and select the payment method that you want. Then click "Continue" again. Verify your identity and click "Continue." Review your listing and click "List your item."

4. Create an online auction for free on eBid. Go to the eBid website (see Resources). Click "Here to register" at the top of the Web page. Fill out the registration form and click "Register me." Check your email and click the validation link in the email sent from eBid.

5. Click "Start selling. Upgrade Your Account Now" on the Web page that opens. Sign in using the username and password you created. Click the "$0.00" button under "SELLER Lifetime." Type in your credit card information and click "Submit Card Details."

6. Click "Sell" at the top of the Web page and choose the category that your item belongs to. Fill in the item information and click "Preview Auction." Make sure the item listing looks the way you want it to and click "Begin Auction."

Tips & Warnings

• Taking a good picture of the item will increase the chances that the item will sell.

References

• PC Magazine: online auction
• eBay: Fees for selling on eBay
• eBid: Help : FAQ : Fees and Charges
• Tias: How to take pictures and sell merchandise

Resources

• eBay: Home page
• eBid: Home page