Power Sellers Unite

timming2001 · Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Posts: 19

Hi, I'm wondering to what extent you can advertise your store on eBay. I have been collecting a names and e-mails through a link in my About Me page so that I can contact those people for non-eBay sales.....that's about as far as I've gone until now coz I was only selling on eBay.

Now I have opened a PSU store and I want to promote it, obviously, without breaking the rules and getting kicked off, ovbiously.

I had an interesting feedback recently which said "sitename.com rates this seller A+++" I thought that was interesting. Can you do that if your site sells stuff? ie. sitename.com rates this buyer A+++

I am still going to keep my eBay store, but drastically reduced the number of items in it. Can you mention your off-Japan store name in a store item? Like "Here is another auction selected item from sitename.com.....or maybe erase the ".com"? If no, can you go that far in the About Me page?

I would be really interested to hear other techniques for using eBay to somehow promote your NON-eBay store........pamphlets in packages to buyers? I would really appreciate any ideas from anyone interested in sharing their knowledge / ideas..........or even suggestions of things NOT to do!" :-)

Thanks in advance!

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4782

You are not allowed to advertise your non-eBay store on eBay.

What you do want to do is..

Get signed on with the major search engines. (Google, Bing, Yahoo) You might check www.websubmit.com If they still exist, they place you on some 50 search engines and web directories.

Learn what is involved with submitting your items to Google Base.

Sign up with EveryPlaceISell (EPIS.com). This site is run by the people who write the publication AuctionBytes.

Sign up with Explorz.com

Avoid advertising on Craigslist. They have started getting strict on their "no-links to other website" rules.

Instead try listing some items on Oodles.com. They DO allow links to your webstore.

I'm sure that others will be along with even more suggestions.

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 16923 Location: Texas

I've had a direct link to my own web site in my "about me" page at ebay for years with no problem. Problem is if few browsers/buyers actually check out the "about me" page. :roll:

As Dl suggested you'll probably get better results using other means of marketing your new web site. I too use EPIS along with google and MSN.

ehustle · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 621

Timming, what object/item/line/theme/type/size of item do you sell, just some general idea will help those of us on this thread give you better advice.

timming2001 · Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Posts: 19

ehustle, I sell music (pop / rock 'N' roll)-related magazines, clippings, tour programs & flyers from Japan. From 70s to current. Clippings & flyers are sold by artist / group so people can look for items on their fave band. Magazines are listed by title with featured artisrs / bands in the title, too.

I'd send a link, but at the moment there's nothing to see......still in testing phase :-) Will post one after I get some items up and running.

I'm thinking Youtube might be an off-ebay promotion possibility, especially seeing as you seem to be able to put links into the actual video itself these days? Anyone doing that?

ehustle · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 621

That's a really good idea. Can you comment on the videos and put a link or text for your URL there?

I was thinking also you could team up with an EMO seller on eBay to pull extra traffic. Would be a good combo.

timming2001 · Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Posts: 19

"EMO Seller"...what (who?) is this? :-)

ehustle · Joined: 18 Mar 2009 Posts: 621

Go over to eBay and do a filtered search on the word "emo"

Also try logging into the UK site and searching from there, results are different.

Filter high to low.

Contact one of the sellers and see if they'd like to work out an exchange with you. I'd imagine a clothing seller would love to exchange traffic with you.

ps

I'd also look for someone that is carrying a blog or outside website presence.

You might want to just take the shortcut and wholesale to them.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4782

The only EMO I know of is an offshoot of Punk.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4782

I think you might be better off spending your time getting your website up and running before you go too hog-wild promoting it.

Nothing turns buyers off faster than seeing a promotion to a website that isn't in operation yet.

I have yet to go back to a site that wasn't operating the first time I checked them out.

timming2001 · Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Posts: 19

True, there are so many things to think about, I find myself jumping all over the place! Probably best to keep focused on one thing for a while...getting the thing up and running! :-)

Stockmiser · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 1146

The current ebay links policy is very clear. You cannot have an actual link, or mention any off-ebay sales site URL, on any page on ebay - including the "about me" page, (which is now subject to the same rules as the item description page). Even putting the URL in an graphic is a violation. Even if the URL is your business name, Even if the URL is "invisible". The current wording leaves no wiggle room.

With that said...

As with all things ebay, you can do whatever you want - until someone complains or ebay discovers you. A violation will most likely not mean suspension - but it can result in loss of PS and/or TRS status.

The only real exception is that you can post a direct email link - which can obviously contain your site URL 8)

-----------------------
Best ways, imho, to promote your off-ebay site:

1 - Google Base.
2 - Organic Google Search (SEO is a must)
3 - Put your site URL and a short pitch in every ebay-related email signature (don't use ebay messaging)
4 - Send an off-ebay-only discount coupon with every ebay order (I do this via email).

To jumpstart your site, you might also consider some Google adwords - just a small budget can still be effective.

Remember - the longer your site is online, the better your search engine exposure. My webstore URL has been active since 2000 - all of my store items are indexed on google very quickly (and I do not mean google base - which I also use). Ultimately, in my experience you will get more business from regular search engines than from google base - but it will take time and effort.

I've had over 1,000 sales on my website, and many weeks my site sells more than ebay, so it can be done. 8)

Jerryb · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 418

Nice Post Stockmiser - Just to add a couple thing

Every chance you get send your link to your customers via your email system. they are your customers and with the constitution in this country you can do that. lol.

I never use ebay mail system unless i want a record of my email at ebay. it is there and they do and will pull it up every time you contact them even if you dont ask, they are looking at it.

End of sale thanks, Payment received, item shipped - just note to them that most of your items are at your website- no fear- its your customer- your email. This does not constitute spam if done at these 3 times. Another thought is a private mailing list but there we get into some spam accusation possibilities (be careful) I have 10 years of saved completed sales emails -- if the stuff hits fan at ebay i will use it big time. For serious long time collectors some of these emails will be generally still good.

Use your website as a hub fior your alt sites- it works well. I had good sales at etsy and ecrater yesterday - both got to them through my website links. I assume there are zillions of ways to get a website these days for all skill levels of computer sellers. Yes, google website search is so fast it is amazing. I'm still out to lunch on this google base. lol.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4782

Quote: › docWrite("quote")Every chance you get send your link to your customers via your email system. they are your customers and with the constitution in this country you can do that. lol.

Sorry, but unless your customers have opted-in to receiving emails, this constitues SPAM and is in violation of the Can the SPAM Act.

Jerryb · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 418

Lizard- do us both a favor and stop replying to my posts here. You are trying to attach yourself to every thread on PSU. Stop trying too engage me in your rediculas games and making remarks here that are not fact. If you were a real seller on Ebay you would know this. Taking part of my post out of context to back up a half truth is nothing but an act or trolldom. stop it.

My post clearly stated that you have 3 oportunities to reply to your customers with links. At these points it is not spam to include links and a private message. End of sale, payment received, item shipped.