Optimizing traffic to your ebay page without a store

[licoricebabyandfabmama]

I know there are plenty of ways to get traffic to your store,  but what if you dont have a store and have to first compete with stores to even get to the point where it is worth having a store.  I cant justify having a store right now obviously especially if the store costs are about to double.   The only thing I can think to do is charge a bit less and lose some profit in order to gain some sales.  Other then that maybe have a picture tht stands out more,  better product descriptions.     I think if you are truly selling niche products you'd have better luck competing without a store,  but finding a niche product these days is trickier then it seems.

I am doing a course on selling on ebay (inlaws paid a heap of money for it,  but then didnt have the time so passed it onto us)   Anyway this worked for me because I wanted to open an online store and want to use selling on Ebay to fund my stock for that store.    The products I want to sell are brands that dont allow selling on Ebay, which is good in my opinion.

But of course sounds like this course would have profitted more like 5 years ago and of course selling from Australia almost doesnt work at all.  Soon I will start dropshipping from the states and just sell within the states,  but even there I will competeting with heaps of stores.    Sorry to ramble on but thats my story.      Course has taught me heaps but only discusses maximizing traffic from a store point of view.

[phorum_junkie*]

If you are considering dropshipping only within the US and say you may need a US bank account have you looked at the tax implications both in the US and Aus?

I don't want to rain on your parade any more than I have already but I have been selling for many, many years on ebay and other places and I did not start out selling in Australia.

If you are looking at joining dropshipping 'clubs' in the US then I think you are taking a great risk, especially with the global economy the way it is.

Just imagine the scenario: You have $1,000 worth of orders, your buyers have paid you and you pay the dropshipper. Before the orders get sent off the US company goes bust.

Guess who is out $1,000 as you would have to refund all your customers and would have no chance of getting anything back from the bankrupt company.

Can you afford to hire US attorneys to look through your contracts, do you know about the restrictions on posting certain items from some states to others, do you know about the different sales taxes that apply over there etc. etc.

[licoricebabyandfabmama]

Thanx  yes its not just simple go and do it,  but like I said I have been researching for it awhile.    EIN number is a phone call away and not required by some suppliers,  US bank account is not required by all suppliers either.  I have no fears to open a US bank account if I needed one,  I already have Canadian bank accounts, and Oz ones.     If i was actually selling 1000's of dollars in product monthly surely it would be motivation to find a laywer/accountant,  but not to rain on my own parade I dont think I'll be making that much.   All I ask from the heavens is enough money in  year or so to open my own online business and buy my stock,  and even that business is one aimed at Canada not even Australia.   So living in two countries dealing with international trade is something i need to face and learn about anyway.   I dont think dropshipping or even ebay is for everyone,  which is sad that my inlaws were targeted.   Even if they had stuck with the program theres no way they'd even be interested in going through the hoops or research you are left to do on your own when you dont live in the states.   Luckily Im already interested and dont mind ther challenge.

In the mean time Im happy to work on my Australian ebay site which currently isnt selling anything.   Which brings me back to my original question.  Is it just a waiting game now,   Im not keen to order more stock until I start selling at least one item a day.

[the-kazbar]

I find that the more (and varied) items I have the more traffic I get.

I can't see you getting too many sales with only two products listed, sorry.

[licoricebabyandfabmama]

yes 2 of my listings just ended,    which brings me to my next question.     Would it be better to do the 10 day listings or the 3 day listings,  I did some for 3 days only thinking maybe they would make it to the top of list if someone did an 'ending soonest' search.  I only have 2 different products right now,  just wanted to test the market and get some money back before i invest in more stock.

[licoricebabyandfabmama]

PS Kazbar,  i really like your about me page,.  lots of information there,  not just about you and why you sell but about your store, product and sourcing.  😄

[the-kazbar]

yes 2 of my listings just ended, which brings me to my next question. Would it be better to do the 10 day listings or the 3 day listings,  I did some for 3 days only thinking maybe they would make it to the top of list if someone did an 'ending soonest' search.  I only have 2 different products right now,  just wanted to test the market and get some money back before i invest in more stock.

I'm not really sure what to advise you, sorry. I would probably make up small packs ie 3 dummies and 2 wraps and then list as an auction for 10 days.

I realise thats not what you are really looking at doing but with only two items, that will appeal to only a small perecentage of buyers, I think you need to attract as much attention as possible and I don't know that a dummy on its own will do that. I don't mean to sound harsh. :8}

[licoricebabyandfabmama]

Thanx  kazbar,  no I get it.  Luckily the paicifiers are only found in the states  so there is some demand for them,   just that there is one ebay lister with a store, power seller and lots of sales who takes up the first like 50 listings when one goes to do a search.

I want to get more items but cant afford to till some of these ones sell.     Kazbar I notice your store is doing very well in terms of sales per month,  and that you have heaps of listings.  These are personal questions that you don't have to answer,  but do you buy and then store all your stock in your home,  and how did you start out as far as your stock quantities went.

[the-kazbar]

I started when I had 4 month old twin babies and needed some extra income for our family. I was selling off things from around the house that we didn't need and that type of thing.

After a while I decided to see if I could make a go of it and bought a few things that I saw on sale in a department store. Over time I learned what would sell and what just sat there. After a bit I got an ABN and registered my business and started buying from wholesalers, renting storage facilities etc. I still have a huge amount in my home (and a very understanding family) but I couldn't possibly keep it all here.

I am glad that I started out small as it really gave me a chance to learn as I went along. I think it is very important to be a buyer as well and from that you can see exactly how you like to be treated, and how you don't, and also what the site is like from a buyers perspective.

I am not a very ambitious person and I am happy to plod along as I am. I don't have any plans to expand and take on the big boys and certainly have no interest in having staff (did all that pre-children when working for someone else). Over the years I have accumulated (for want of a better word) a lot of repeat buyers. I like to keep my prices low, with a reasonable turnover that helps keep my stock fresh.

I am no expert by any means. I think a lot of ebay is just about giving it a go. If something works, keep doing that. if it doesn't, then change it  🙂

[licoricebabyandfabmama]

Wow,  thanx!  thats a great story,  very inspiring.  I feel like Im in a similar situation to where you started from.    Id be happy just to make a little money but to have fun and learn as I go.   Well I guess if you thought you could rich off ebay right away you'd be mighty dissapointed and probably would give up a little too early.

Thanx again for sharing  xx

[koalablue12]

10 day listings