Focus on selling

The new item page is coming, with bigger, better pictures, a real-time countdown timer for Auction-style listings, and much more.

To be sure that this works for everyone, we’re going to start testing the new item page soon.  We'll be looking carefully at the testing for the new item page to help us make sure that we've taken care of any issues before we introduce it fully in the summer.  We highly recommend you preview how your listings and listing templates will look in the new item page by early May to make sure they look great. 

Preview your listings now – four key things to look for:

Call-outs:

Here is how to preview your Listings in the new View Item Page

1. Upload good quality photos - 1000 pixels wide or larger
2. Check your item descriptions
3. Shops sellers: pick your top categories and upload your message
4. Boost exposure with cross-merchandising

To preview your listings, just click the 'Switch to the new version of this page' link at the top of your listing. 4 things to look for:

1. Photos: The new page puts your item front and centre with bigger, better pictures. Later this year, a special zoom function will let buyers roll over your picture for a close-up look. Make sure your item shines by uploading high quality pictures that are 1000 pixels or larger.

2. Item descriptions: For security reasons, the new page hosts the content you generate in a different location to eBay-generated content. In a few cases, this may cause some item descriptions to look ‘broken’. If you see a problem with your description, see the Frequently Asked Questions for tips on how to fix it.

3. Shops header:  The new page shows categories in the header and gives Shops sellers a space in the header for a customised marketing message. Go to Manage My Shop to configure your categories and message.

4. Cross merchandising: Sellers will also have the option to cross-merchandise on each others’ relevant item pages. You can choose not to have cross-merchandising on your item pages but your relevant items won’t appear on other sellers’ items pages. You’ll want to consider the trade-offs carefully.

To preview your listings, just click the 'Switch to the new version of this page' link at the top of your listing.

Why did eBay redesign the item page?
The new item page is more visually appealing with a more structured layout, larger pictures, a real-time countdown timer, easier bidding, and more.

When will this change take place?
The new design started with a small percentage of buyers in early 2009, and we're aiming for it to be available to all buyers by mid-2009.

Where can I see the new design?
If you have active listings, you can go to any of those listings now and click on the 'Switch to the new version of this page' link on the top right to see the listing in the new format.

What features did you change?

• We added the following new features at the top of the item page:
• Larger item pictures at the top of the listings
• Real-time countdown for auction-style listings that are ending in 24 hours
• Report This Item link
• Link to Postage & Packaging details
• Estimated dispatch and delivery time


• We enhanced or highlighted these existing features at the top of the page:
• Item condition
• Item location
  
• Payment methods accepted
• Buyer protection
• Return Policy
• Seller Feedback score


• We removed the following features/links from the item page:
• High bidder name
• Multiple Feedback information and links
• Listing start time
• Listing promotion type (Home page featured, Gallery featured or Featured Plus)
• Icons near seller name such as Top X reviewer, ID verify, New user and About Me
• Skype me buttons and related Skype functionality such as the download Skype link
• Get alerts


• We moved these links from the top of the item page to the P&P and Payments tab. The process for all remains the same:
• Immediate payment required
• Get it Fast
• PayPal account required
• Postage insurance

Why did you decide to remove things like High Bidder, Seller Location and Member Since?
This information is less important to buyers making a purchase decision than information such as item condition, pictures, payment options and return policy. Most of this information is still available just a click away. High bidder is available in the bid history page and Member Since is available in the user's My World or Feedback profile page.

How can I give feedback to eBay on the new design?
If you land on the redesigned page, you'll see a link at the top that says 'Send us your comments'. Click on this link to send us your feedback on the new experience.

Where are you showing other relevant merchandise?
If you see the new page, you might come across more merchandise—from the same seller or from other sellers—in three locations:

1. Below the description tab on open items
2. At the top of closed items
3. In a separate merchandising tab called Related Items

We're displaying merchandise in these areas to give shoppers more relevant results and help boost conversion and order size. If you offer postage discounts on multiple purchases, you'll give buyers added incentive to buy more from you.

Will you prioritise same seller items?
Yes. We will always prioritise same seller items in all our merchandising.

As a seller, can I opt out of this merchandising?
Yes, but if you do, your merchandise will not appear on other sellers item pages so it’s important to consider the tradeoffs.

 To change your cross-promotion settings, go to the new My eBay > Account > Marketing Tools > Items Promotion Summary.

You can also change your cross-promotion settings on My eBay > Account Tab > Site Preferences > Promoting Similar Items on eBay Pages and Emails > Marketing Tools > Items Promotion Summary.

As a seller, what do I need to do?
We have tried to answer as many of your likely questions as possible below.  We have also compiled a Sellers’ Checklist that will take you through the changes and what action you need to take.

Will this item page only be shown for Store Inventory items?
This new item page will be shown for all items from a Shop Seller, regardless of listing format.

Will the listing frame we are familiar with remain or not?
The vertical listing frame on the left side of the page is being replaced with a horizontal list of four categories in the Shop header itself.

Will our other categories be shown? How many?
In addition to the four categories that are shown in the header, another 10 categories will be shown as a dropdown menu.

How will I change the categories I want to display?
Categories will be configurable within Manage My Shop. A new tool will allow you to select your categories and add a personalised message. If you don’t select the categories, eBay will auto-populate the top four categories based on the number of listings in each category.

Will our logos be displayed? Do I need to make any changes to it?
Yes, your logo will appear in the Shop header - no changes to your existing logo are necessary.
I'm using a customised listing template - how will that be affected?
As of now, there will be no impact on customised listing templates.

Can I still use cross promotions?
No. Cross-promotions within Manage My Shop will no longer be available.

How can I configure the new personalised marketing message feature that is displayed in the Shop header?
This feature can be personalised in Manage My Shop.

Are descriptions going to be 710 pixels wide?
No. Although we did announce this in 2008, we decided to revisit this change. Descriptions will now be flexible width with no size constraint, the same way they are currently.

What is the impact on self-hosted pictures?
None. Self-hosted pictures will continue to work normally.

Will my holiday message display change?
Yes, this message is going to be displayed more prominently above the item itself, like a status message.

What other Shop-related changes are included with this redesign?
Shop sellers will now have a customisable marketing message that will be displayed in the Shop header to help display personalised messages or latest updates.

Why am I seeing scroll bars around my item description?
User-generated item descriptions are now being loaded inside an iFrame, which is a window set within the View Item page. If your description is larger than the iFrame, scroll bars will appear so that buyers are able to scroll up/down and left/right in the description.  This helps eBay separate user-generated content from eBay content and further protects you from certain types of content that may harm your computer.
     
Why is my listing description not loading?
eBay listings contain both standard eBay content as well as user-generated descriptions. We host the different content in two separate locations. Occasionally, due to slow internet connections, the user-generated description may not load right away. Try clicking the "Refresh" button on your browser to reload the page.

Why is eBay using iFrames?
Separating user-generated content, such as item descriptions, from eBay content enables us to provide an extra layer of security. The separation will prevent users from submitting HTML that may interfere with how eBay works.

Why are all my HTML links inside my item description opening in a new browser window?
In order to provide a consistent and easy experience for all users, all HTML links inside the item description will be opened in a new browser window. These are not the same as pop-ups and will not be blocked by pop-up blockers.

Will the iFrame in my item description affect my search engine standings and the marketing of my listings?
eBay will make sure that a non-iFrame version of your listings is shown to search bots and all non-browser based requests. The same non-iFrame version of your listings will be served to users with browsers that do not support JavaScript.

Why are my scripts only working inside the item description area?
User-generated item descriptions are now being loaded inside an iFrame. This helps eBay separate user content from eBay content and further protect you from certain types of content that may harm your computer. With this change, your scripts will only be allowed to modify and control your item description and the area it occupies.

Why isn't my content within the iFrame appearing properly?
There are some steps you can take to make sure your content appears as expected inside an iFrame.

File linking:

• Flash links should target a blank window and use full paths including the http:// prefix.
• HTML and form actions will automatically be set by eBay to target a blank window. You should use full paths including the http:// prefix on all URLs.
• Externally hosted images and other content references should point to valid existing content and use full paths including the http:// prefix.
• Externally hosted images and other content must have quick load speeds.
• Externally hosted style sheets and scripts must use full paths.

Content validity:

• HTML content should be well formed and preferably should comply with XHTML 1.0 standards.
• Script and other rich content should not depend on any elements in the eBay View Item page.
• Scripts must properly execute without any runtime warnings or errors.