Or, if you have an eCommerce Web site, are you using eBay to drive traffic into your Web site?
This article came out this week:
You too can strike it rich by opening an online store
I found the headline funny because a lot of people really believe this!
Before I became an Online Editor, I was a Web Designer. I did it for 10 years. I met with small business owners and independent entrepreneurs regularly. The time spent with them was equally valuable to me because I was on the receiving end of a multitude of marketing concepts — some I thought were ingenious and others I felt compelled to seriously question.
While I could set up appealing and functional Web sites for my clients, it’s getting buyers to actually find the site and walk through the virtual doorway that’s the tricky part! Just because “you built it” does not mean “they will come.”
Everyone selling something online is looking for a way to generate targeted Web site traffic. If you’re going to have a Web site to sell something, you’ll need to actively market it. It takes effort, creativity and time.
I have many ideas and suggestions. Here’s something to consider...
eBay is by far the largest and most exciting selling environment on the Internet. Potential buyers are swarming to the site every day in need of something — quite possibly, it’s something you are selling.
Why not utilize eBay to drive traffic to your own eCommerce Web site?
Ebay has rules against straightforward advertising and blatant efforts to lead visitors away from their site. However, there are effective strategies you can use that are allowable.
No matter who you are or what you sell, you’ll get a LOT more browsers than actual buyers on your eBay auction listing pages. You might get 6 bids on an item, but it’s quite possible that 300 visitors took a look. Don’t let the exposure go to waste.
Here are 10 steps you can take to enhance your chances of driving eBay traffic to your own eCommerce Web site:
1. Sell complimentary products
Your auction and eBay store listings should be related to what you sell on your own Web site. At least be sure to target a similar buying market.
For example, if you sell toe rings and fancy socks on eBay, you might sell pink flip-flops on your Web site. Maximize the chances that your eBay traffic will provide qualified leads to your site — those already interested in what you’re selling.
2. Have an effective Web site address
If you don’t already have your own Web site, make sure you obtain a memorable domain name, using words that clearly relate to your products. Secure a dot-com if you can.
3. Use an email link in your auctions
In your auction pages, make sure you tell visitors that if they have any questions about your listing, products, or policies, they can email you. Make it simple by having a live email link on the page, like this one: info@avenuestosold.com
Say -- as an example -- your domain name indicates that you carry pink flip-flops, and you have someone who is interested in purchasing a toe ring looking over your eBay auction page: Although in email format, and it will be seen with an “@” in front of it, they may be interested enough to check out “PinkFlipFlops.com.”
4. About Me page
Set up an “About Me” page on eBay. It’s completely free, and that’s the one place where you are freely allowed to link.
If you want to make the most of the opportunity here, offer an information product (eBook, insider tips, how-to video, etc.) that can be downloaded on your Web site. Your topic should be directly related to your product line. That will provide incentive for potential buyers to click through to visit your Web site.
Additionally, once the customer makes contact with you, you've acquired a targeted lead. Start building on that relationship. Encourage them to sign up on your mailing list, direct them to your Web site, and start selling.
5. Email Signature
Set up a signature file to automatically display at the bottom of every email you send. The signature should include your Web site address and a line of text emphasizing why the recipient of the email should visit your Web site right away.
Now, every time you are asked a question from an eBayer about an item you have up for auction, reply with your signature line in place.
6. Participate in eBay discussion groups
If the topic is related to your product line, you can link to an auction as an example.
7. Write!
Create an article about your niche selling area and submit it to article directories. Write press releases. Always include a link to your Web site.
8. Participate in Social Networking
Post links to your eBay auctions and eCommerce Web site on MySpace and FaceBook sites. Use eBay selling widgets to attract interest in what your selling.
9. Get profiled on my blog
If you live in Eastern Connecticut or Rhode Island, send me an email and tell me about yourself! I’ll write up a profile and link to your auction listings AND your Web site. Please send me a photo of yourself, tell me what you sell, and share with us how you got started selling online.
10. Submit a video to YouTube
Have a friend film a video of you talking about your product. Demonstrate it and and explain why what you’re selling is better than other similar items. Be sure to mention your Web site address and eBay user name. Upload it to YouTube and social networking sites. Plug that video into your actual auction listing page too.
Please click to digg this article if you think it's helpful!
While I could set up appealing and functional Web sites for my clients, it’s getting buyers to actually find the site and walk through the virtual doorway that’s the tricky part! Just because “you built it” does not mean “they will come.”
Everyone selling something online is looking for a way to generate targeted Web site traffic. If you’re going to have a Web site to sell something, you’ll need to actively market it. It takes effort, creativity and time.
I have many ideas and suggestions. Here’s something to consider...
eBay is by far the largest and most exciting selling environment on the Internet. Potential buyers are swarming to the site every day in need of something — quite possibly, it’s something you are selling.
Why not utilize eBay to drive traffic to your own eCommerce Web site?
Ebay has rules against straightforward advertising and blatant efforts to lead visitors away from their site. However, there are effective strategies you can use that are allowable.
No matter who you are or what you sell, you’ll get a LOT more browsers than actual buyers on your eBay auction listing pages. You might get 6 bids on an item, but it’s quite possible that 300 visitors took a look. Don’t let the exposure go to waste.
Here are 10 steps you can take to enhance your chances of driving eBay traffic to your own eCommerce Web site:
1. Sell complimentary products
Your auction and eBay store listings should be related to what you sell on your own Web site. At least be sure to target a similar buying market.
For example, if you sell toe rings and fancy socks on eBay, you might sell pink flip-flops on your Web site. Maximize the chances that your eBay traffic will provide qualified leads to your site — those already interested in what you’re selling.
2. Have an effective Web site address
If you don’t already have your own Web site, make sure you obtain a memorable domain name, using words that clearly relate to your products. Secure a dot-com if you can.
3. Use an email link in your auctions
In your auction pages, make sure you tell visitors that if they have any questions about your listing, products, or policies, they can email you. Make it simple by having a live email link on the page, like this one: info@avenuestosold.com
Say -- as an example -- your domain name indicates that you carry pink flip-flops, and you have someone who is interested in purchasing a toe ring looking over your eBay auction page: Although in email format, and it will be seen with an “@” in front of it, they may be interested enough to check out “PinkFlipFlops.com.”
4. About Me page
Set up an “About Me” page on eBay. It’s completely free, and that’s the one place where you are freely allowed to link.
If you want to make the most of the opportunity here, offer an information product (eBook, insider tips, how-to video, etc.) that can be downloaded on your Web site. Your topic should be directly related to your product line. That will provide incentive for potential buyers to click through to visit your Web site.
Additionally, once the customer makes contact with you, you've acquired a targeted lead. Start building on that relationship. Encourage them to sign up on your mailing list, direct them to your Web site, and start selling.
5. Email Signature
Set up a signature file to automatically display at the bottom of every email you send. The signature should include your Web site address and a line of text emphasizing why the recipient of the email should visit your Web site right away.
Now, every time you are asked a question from an eBayer about an item you have up for auction, reply with your signature line in place.
6. Participate in eBay discussion groups
If the topic is related to your product line, you can link to an auction as an example.
7. Write!
Create an article about your niche selling area and submit it to article directories. Write press releases. Always include a link to your Web site.
8. Participate in Social Networking
Post links to your eBay auctions and eCommerce Web site on MySpace and FaceBook sites. Use eBay selling widgets to attract interest in what your selling.
9. Get profiled on my blog
If you live in Eastern Connecticut or Rhode Island, send me an email and tell me about yourself! I’ll write up a profile and link to your auction listings AND your Web site. Please send me a photo of yourself, tell me what you sell, and share with us how you got started selling online.
10. Submit a video to YouTube
Have a friend film a video of you talking about your product. Demonstrate it and and explain why what you’re selling is better than other similar items. Be sure to mention your Web site address and eBay user name. Upload it to YouTube and social networking sites. Plug that video into your actual auction listing page too.
Please click to digg this article if you think it's helpful!
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3 comments:
Great post with some great tips. I agree- networking with other eBayers is the key.
http://www.misterzippy.com/blog
To be a successful business person first you need to understand the concept of ebay strategies and nearly 10 ways of using ebay traffic to send qualified leads to your own website. This is indeed a great achievement on Ebay.
One of the ways I integrate my eBay, Etsy, and eBid shops is by including a business card or two in each package I send out to my customers. This does not break the auction and crafts sites' rules at all, and promotes the shop in a professional and friendly way.
I have had other sellers promote their shops a little differently, but I appreciate a concise business card at the very least - and a few good sellers have even included promotional sales coupons in with their business cards and packing lists, too.
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