Listing Best Practices
From picture taking tips to pricing guidance—here’s what you need to list, sell, and score more cash.
The Perfect Listing
There are four parts to the perfect listing.
Title - Item Specifics - Quality Photos - Price
Examples of Perfect Listing Titles:
Fashion
Lululemon Cashmere Sweater Medium Blue Mens V Neck New Long sleeve
Womens Astros Jersey Fits Small Medium Pink Stripe Polyester Vintage 80s Retro
Electronics
Dell Chromebook CB1C13 11.6in Intel Celeron N2840, 2.16GHz 2GB 16GB SSD
Apple TV 4K 32GB HDR 5th Generation Digital Media Streamer MQD22LL/A
Collectible
Hallmark 2019 Disney Beauty and The Beast Bonjour Keepsake Ornament Pre-owned
Dr Doctor Who 12' Deluxe Striped Scarf Fourth 4th Costume Tom Baker BBC Licensed
Pro Tip: Perfect titles AND item specifics help searchability of your listings.
Use our sell flow guidance
Our selling guidance is available within the sell flow to help you keep these best practices in mind.
Best practices
- Use quality photos
High-quality pictures encourage your customers’ confidence. Follow our photo-taking tips for inspiration and help.
- Listing titles
Have a well-structured product title. Front-load your titles with relevant keywords and organize them in a readable, logical order. Don’t use acronyms, like NIB, that buyers may not know or understand.
- Write clear descriptions
Include detailed product descriptions with brand names, styles, and model numbers. Make sure to include unique qualities and potential flaws.
- Use accurate item specifics
When you select item specifics for your listings, provide as many recommended item specifics as possible and choose from the options we provide.
- Choose the right listing format
Decide whether auction-style or fixed-price is right for you.
- What is Auction-style?
Choose a starting price and your customers can place bids. When the auction ends, the highest bidder buys the item at that price. - What is Buy-It-Now?
For fixed-price listings, your customers know the exact price they need to pay for your item and can purchase it immediately. No bidding required. - List using both
You can add a Buy-It-Now option to an Auction-style listing. Your buyers can either purchase your item immediately or place a bid.
- What is Auction-style?
- Price competitively
Not sure where to start on pricing? Our guidance is based on similar items sold during the previous 90 days.
- Allow offers
Buyers can make offers on your item and you can choose to accept or decline them, or make a counteroffer.
- Share your listing
Increase your reach and share what you’re listing with your social communities.
Celebrate 25 years, together
Our 25th Anniversary Sellerbration is all for you— live and online, September 25.
