Most buyers use the Search Box to find items on eBay, so make sure your item is easy to find and stands out in search results:

• Write a great title – make a list of keywords that your buyers might use to find the item you're selling and use as many as you can in your title, up to a maximum of 55 characters. Don't waste space by using words like "l@@k!" - buyers don't search for them. (Note that all the words in the title must be relevant to the item you're selling as it's against eBay rules to include keywords for similar items in the title. Find out more about Keyword spamming.)
  
  
• Use the Gallery feature. The gallery feature displays a picture of your item in search results. This gives your item a chance to stand out in the list and allows buyers to compare your item with the others on offer.
  
  
• Use features like Subtitle and Bold (for a small fee) to draw more attention to some of your items. For example subtitle lets you add interesting information about your item that buyers wouldn't necessarily search for, such as age, condition or extras like free delivery. Find out about other ways to make your listing stand out.
  
  

Write an accurate item description to reassure buyers and minimise the number of questions you'll receive during the listing:

• Include as much detail as possible and be truthful about the product's condition. Making everything clear reduces the risk of confusing or disappointing your buyers. Include the product type, brand, condition, attributes, model number, size, style, measurements, colour, details of compatibility with other items and anything else you can think of. If these details are long or complicated, place them after more interesting information.
  
  
• Highlight great value - for example, if your Buy It Now price is half the manufacturer's recommended price, tell buyers they're saving 50%.
  
  
• Make the description easy to read - use bullet points for the product specification and remove unnecessary information. Don't add flashing text or animations. And use a spellchecker!
  
  
• Use good quality, clear pictures - photograph the item in a well-lit place in front of a plain background. Take pictures from all angles and highlight any damage. Remember that buyers can't inspect the item in person. Make sure the best picture appears at the top of the listing. As a general rule, picture files should be no bigger than 50 KB if you want the item page to download quickly. Remember that you can't use other people's photos without getting their permission first.
  
  
• Put yourself in a buyer’s shoes – would you bid on or purchase the item? Does your listing look professional? Does it create confidence? Have you answered all likely buyer questions? Is it positive enough (e.g. do your policies come across as too restrictive)?
  
  

Clearly state your policies in every item description:

• Postage policy – where you post to and how much you charge, how quickly you will post, postage times, carriers you use and any other relevant information.
  
  
• Payment methods - state details of the payment methods you accept. Try not to be negative about the payment methods you don't accept.
  
  
• Return policy - all business sellers should accept returns by law. Add details of your policy to the item description and the Return Policy section. See Returns & the law.
  
  
• VAT information - If you've added VAT to the price of the item, state this clearly in the description. We recommend that you incorporate VAT into the item price rather than adding it on at the point of transaction.
  
  
• Warranty information - your warranty could be the deciding factor in whether a buyer purchases from you. If you choose to offer one, clearly describe your warranty in a prominent position in your listing. Remember that if you do offer a warranty, it will be legally binding.
  
  
• Customer service – set buyers’ expectations on how long it will take you to respond to emails. If you only answer questions in office hours, make this clear. Try using an autoresponder (you can look up how to do this in your email program's Help pages) when you're not available to answer questions.
  
  

Communicate, communicate and communicate with your buyers and prospective buyers:

• Answer questions about your listings promptly - Use a polite, friendly tone to show the human face of your online business.
• Use Skype to communicate - Skype is a free way to talk to other people via the internet. Adding Skype to your listings will make it quick and easy for buyers to get answers to pre- and post-order questions.
• Write some seller Frequently Asked Questions for the Ask Seller a Question page. You can create up to fifteen questions and answers which buyers will see when they click Ask Seller a Question on your listings. Use this feature to answer common queries you receive about your items and policies so buyers don't need to email you.
• Check your junkmail folder on your email account from time to time to make sure customer emails aren't being filtered into it.

Promote your listings:

• Cross-promote your other items - every listing is an opportunity to promote your other eBay items. Always encourage potential buyers to visit your eBay Shop if you have one, so they can look at your other items. You could link to your eBay Shop categories using linkable photos. Learn more about cross-promoting your items. Remember that it's against eBay policy to put your own website's URL in an eBay item listing; however you can include links to your own website on your About Me page (see below).
  
  
• Use About Me and My World to tell the eBay community about you and your items. About Me is a great place to write frequently-asked questions about your business. You can add a picture of yourself or a logo of your business to My World and tell the eBay community a bit more about you and your business. Buyers see your My World page when they click on your User ID on the eBay website.
  
  
• Write a review or a guide - share your knowledge and expertise on the items you're selling and drive buyers to your listings via eBay and internet search engines. Writing a review is easy, effective and free. Find out more.