eBay Stores
eBay Stores feature changes, subscriber benefits and discounts, and new markdown sale event requirement.
What you need to know
- eBay Stores management feature changes, and new subscriber benefits and discounts to help you manage and grow your business.
- List an item for 14 calendar days with no changes before you create a markdown sale event with Promotions Manager.
eBay Stores and feature changes
As we announced in the 2018 Spring Seller Update, we are updating eBay Stores to give buyers a better shopping experience.
In May 2018, we started moving Stores without custom content to the new Stores experience. These Stores will be updated to a new URL: https://www.ebay.com/str/StoreName. Your previous Store URL will automatically redirect to the new URL with no action required on your part. We recommend using this new URL when linking to your Store to reduce page load times.
Stores with custom pages will be updated to the new experience later this year. Stores with custom storefronts will be updated in 2019.
New Stores features
Starting in June 2018, we will provide eBay Stores subscribers valuable new features that will help you manage your Store. They include:
- New merchandising opportunities
- Enhanced mobile experience
- HTTPS security
Manage your Store from one convenient location—Seller Hub
In late-June 2018, these Store features will only be accessible in Seller Hub at the following locations:
- Marketing tab
- Stores Management
- Performance tab
- Sales reports
- Traffic reports
You will continue to have access to eBay promotional tools through the Stores experience including Promoted Listings, Promotions Manager, and Global Shipping Program.
New eBay Stores subscriber benefits and discounts
eBay offers Stores subscribers exclusive benefits and discounts provided by our partners to help you manage and grow your business. We have added three new benefits and discount programs with no additional cost to all Stores subscribers. They include:
- Marketing support. Free co-branded promotional material for your physical storefront from eBay Always Open and support to help drive online traffic to your eBay Store.
- Payroll benefits and HR. A free 3-month trial with Gusto™ Built for the modern business, Gusto helps you onboard and pay employees and contractors, and automates payroll taxes, deductions, and time off.
- Accounting services. Discounts on Bench Accounting services for both regular and catch-up bookkeeping—ideal for small to medium businesses. If you already use Bench, get more ongoing support. Bench can also help you get your finances back in order.
Explore these Stores subscriber benefits and discounts.
Store feature removals
Starting late-June 2018, the following features will be removed because the functionality is either outdated or included in the new Stores management experience.
- Recommendations
- HTML builder
- Search Engine Keywords
- Promotional flyer
- Favorite Seller Top Picks
- RSS feeds
- Promote similar items
Learn more about eBay Stores.
eBay Stores and feature changes FAQs
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Why is eBay making this change?
We are always looking for new opportunities to increase the value of your eBay Stores subscription.
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If I have a Store with custom pages or a custom storefront that was not automatically moved, and I wish to move to the new experience on my own, how do I do that?
If your Store wasn't automatically moved to the new experience in May 2018, you can follow these steps
- From your storefront, go to "Manage Store" page or from the Marketing tab on Seller Hub, click "Edit Store" under "Manage Your Store" section.
- Click "Custom Pages" link on left navigation bar. If you do not see "Custom Pages" link, you can skip the rest.
- If you have any "Active Pages," select "deactivate" for each.
- Under Store Homepage section, select 'all your listings' and select apply.
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Where can I find Store Features?
Store features can continue to be found using the "Manage my Store" section found on the Stores account subscriptions page, as well as in Seller Hub under the Marketing Tab. Once you are on the Marketing tab, click either the "Edit Store" or the "Manage categories" link. Both will provide you access to the "Manage my Store" functions currently available.
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Will the removal of Search Engine Keywords functionality impact my Store’s SEO?
The Search Engine Keywords no longer provides any benefits as the rules for SEO have changed. We have embedded the best practices of SEO directly into the new Stores experience, so sellers no longer need to take any separate actions to improve SEO, it's automatic.
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I don't use Seller Hub. Will I be able to access my Store management pages?
Yes. You can continue to access your Store management pages from the Store Summary page.
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Do any of the benefits and discounts programs require a contract or other long-term commitment?
No. You can opt out of any of Gusto™ Built payroll, benefits and HR solution and Bench Accounting services at any time after the free trials.
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How can I opt in to Seller Hub?
Go here to opt in to Seller Hub.
New markdown sale event requirement
Starting June 25, 2018, you must list your item for 14 calendar days at the same price before you can create a markdown sale event with Promotions Manager.
We recommend that you list your item at a competitive price before you create a markdown sale event. For many products, pricing recommendations are provided as you list and under the Growth tab in Seller Hub.
Learn more about pricing strategies.
New markdown sale event requirement FAQs
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Why is eBay making this change?
To ensure price transparency to eBay shoppers, you will be required to list your item for 14 calendar days at the same price before you create a markdown sale event with Promotions Manager.
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What are best practices for a markdown sale event?
When you list an item:
- List the item at a competitive price using pricing guidance in the Seller Hub growth tab to help you determine the market price for the item.
- List using Good 'Til Cancelled so that listings that renew during the sale remain on sale.
- Use markdown sale events for discounting older items.
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Where can I find pricing guidance for my item?
You can find pricing guidance under the Growth tab in Seller Hub. Use the "Analyze" listing option for more detailed information about individual items.
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What is the benefit of using Good 'Til Cancelled listings for my sale events?
Instead of relisting your item every seven days, we recommend that you list just once using Good 'Til Cancelled. That way, the item history, including the number of days listed, will be retained each time the item renews.
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Do I have to do anything different when I create markdown sale events after the change?
No. Just list your item as you normally would. When the sale begins, each item will be checked before it is marked down. Any items that don't qualify when the sale starts will be automatically re-checked for potential inclusion throughout the lifetime of the sale once they qualify.
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What will happen if I try to create a markdown sale event for an item within the first 14 days?
The item will not be included in the sale event when the sale goes live. Your items are re-checked periodically and if the sale is still live when the item becomes eligible it will be included.
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Is the length of time for a markdown sale event changing?
No. The maximum duration for a markdown sale event is 45 days.
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After my listing expires, will I have to wait 14 days to mark it down again if I relist?
Yes. You will be required to list your item for 14 days before you can mark it down again.
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If an item has automation rules that relists it after 30 days, do I have to wait another 14 days before I can mark down my price again?
Yes. A new item ID will be assigned to your item and you will need to wait 14 days before you can mark it down. If you create a Good 'Til Cancelled listing, the item ID will not change and there will be no waiting period.
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If I change my shipping price, would the 14-day waiting period be affected?
The 14-day waiting period will only be affected if you change to free shipping.
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Which eBay sites does the 14-day waiting period apply to?
The 14-day waiting period applies to the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and Ireland. The waiting period in Australia is 7 days.
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Does this affect Good 'Til Cancelled renewals?
No.
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How do I create a markdown sale event?
You can create a markdown sale event in Promotions Manager.