How to Create an eBay Storefront and Start a Business with Minimal Effort

When you search ‘how to create an eBay storefront’ we understand how eager you are to access a marketplace where $74 billion worth of products are sold annually. 

Lucky for you, standing out might be easier than you think if you take each step with utter consideration. eBay doesn’t limit itself to offering diverse opportunities but supports sellers with tools and solutions to help them succeed. 

In this article, we will take you through each step of the process highlighting points you need to consider when joining eBay as a seller. Additionally, we have shared the different eBay storefront subscription plans and eBay insider tips to maximize visibility and optimize your items according to sellers’ needs. 

We will prepare you to carve out a space for yourself in the eBay marketplace. If you’re aiming to make it big, keep reading.

Get to know eBay

eBay, a former online auction platform, initially served as a virtual garage sale. This Ecommerce marketplace was the best place to sell unwanted objects or used objects to the highest bidder. It gradually transformed with time. People eventually started selling all kinds of things on the platform including collectibles and became a significantly more streamlined and popular marketplace.

Most importantly, the platform had to adapt to this change and began introducing customer service and seller ratings, which were initially nonexistent. eBay is currently far more regulated as they have introduced set requirements for listing products and proper registration (with verification). So, there is a particular step-by-step process for setting up an eBay store.

Now, the B2B-B2C marketplace acts as a hybrid model connecting third-party sellers and buyers with dual listing options. 

• Fixed-price
• Auction-style

Ebay has not completely let go of its digital-auction house status but simply introduced an option, which sellers can choose during the listing process. The options are not just limited to price setting, users can choose from various shipping options. Understanding how to create an eBay storefront is the first step to making the best use of these features. Thus, almost every seller on eBay must create a custom eBay storefront. There are 5 types of eBay stores for sellers to choose from, which we will elaborate on in our next segments.

What is an eBay Store?

By eBay store, we mean the individual storefront on eBay marketplace. When you are registered under eBay as a seller, you are assigned a storefront under which all your products are displayed. This dedicated space for each seller is customizable, which means you can add and divide products among categories, decorate the storefront with eye-catching banners and visuals, and make it more appealing to potential customers. 

Sellers get a particular URL for their eBay stores, an eBay Discounts Manager access (formerly known as Promotion Manager) to increase traffic into their storefront, and Terapeak, an eBay exclusive solution suite to gain data insights into their custom eBay storefront. 

Note: An eBay storefront is accessible to sellers only when they subscribe to an eBay store plan. 

Can I sell on eBay without a store?

Yes, it is possible to sell without an eBay storefront or a store subscription. If you’re planning to sell with a minimal listing count, we recommend you not opt for a store subscription.

On eBay, sellers can get up to 250 free listings in a month. But you’ll have to pay the final value fees (selling fee) on each sale. However, branding becomes impossible for your business without an eBay storefront. You also get little to no access to the dedicated marketing tools on eBay without a store subscription.

Can I sell on eBay without a business license?

In a word, no. You do not need a business license to start selling on eBay. 

While learning how to sell on eBay, you might also be curious to learn if a business license is mandatory. So, let us explain.

If you are casually selling on eBay, maybe to declutter your space and sell items you don’t need. Of course, if your goal is to make a profit occasionally by reselling rare finds, you can carry on without a business license. But if you are aiming to scale and have a proper brand presence, we recommend getting your brand registered for government recognition and obtaining a license for your business.

What are the Different Types of eBay Stores?

There are a total of 5 types of eBay stores, which you’ll have to make a note of while understanding how to create an eBay storefront. 

Remember, only a subscription can get you a storefront on eBay. Otherwise, you can sell but without a custom storefront.

Starter Store

What’s included in this package?

• An eBay storefront
• Access to eBay Discounts Manager
• Restricted access to Terapeak

Ideal for:

• Beginners
• Sellers making sales in smaller volumes
• Sellers listing a smaller number of items 
• Sellers selling limited quantities of expensive products. 

Basic Store

What’s included in this package?

• Zero insertion fee (listing fee) for the auction of 250 listings in selected categories
• Zero insertion fee (listing fee) for 1,000 fixed-price listings,
• limited discount on Final Value Fees (commission calculated as a percentage of the total sale price)
• Quarterly discount on eBay shipping supplies (such as packaging boxes, labels, stickers, poly mailers, etc.

Ideal for:

• Sellers making sales in higher volumes 
• Sellers willing to extend product listings on eBay. 

Premium Store

What’s included in this package?

• All the benefits of Basic Store
• Zero insertion fee (listing fee) for the auction of 500 listings in selected categories
• Zero insertion fee (listing fee) for 10,000 fixed-price listings
• Quarterly discount of $50 on eBay shipping supplies 

Ideal for:

• Established sellers making sales in higher volumes
• Sellers with higher listing count.

Anchor Store

What’s included in this package?

• Dedicated customer support from eBay 
• Zero insertion fee (listing fee) for the auction of 1000 listings in selected categories
• Zero insertion fee (listing fee) for 25,000 fixed-price listings

Ideal for:

• Professional sellers who require customer support features
• Sellers with extensive product catalogs.

Enterprise Store

What’s included in this package?

• Dedicated customer support from eBay 
• Zero insertion fee (listing fee) for the auction of 2500 listings in selected categories
• Zero insertion fee (listing fee) for 100,000 fixed-price listings 

Ideal for:

• Enterprise-level sellers who need tailored support for business modules. 

We will elaborate on the subscription plans in our next segment. 

How much does it cost to sell on eBay? 

Another important aspect of learning how to create an eBay storefront is keeping track of the total expenses incurred to sell your items on the platform. In this next segment, we will break down all the mandatory eBay storefront costs:

Listing insertion eBay storefront fees

The insertion fee is the listing fee eBay charges to register your product to be displayed within the search results. These are compulsory eBay storefront fees that every seller has to pay every time you list a new item. 

It is calculated as a tiny percentage of the profit garnered by selling each item of a particular listing. Sellers who are not availing of a store subscription automatically qualify for a zero-insertion fee for 250 listings every month. Sellers with a larger product portfolio will have to pay a nominal fee of $0.35 (non-refundable) for each additional listing.

The free listing count grows as you move up in your choice of eBay store subscription. Beyond that, store subscribers are subjected to an insertion fee of $0.25 per listing instead of $0.35 (which non-subscribers pay).

Final value eBay storefront fees

The final value fee for an eBay storefront is levied upon each sale that takes place. It is calculated as a percentage of the selling price and it is charged to you as soon as a transaction is converted. 

The platform calculates this as a percentage of the total sum. This percentage varies according to category. However, in most cases, sellers pay around about 10% of the selling price. Find the category-wise breakdown below.

Subscription fee 

A quick look at the store subscription:

Subscriptions	Monthly Subscription Fee	Yearly Subscription Fee
Starter Store	$7.95	$4.95/month ($59.40 annually)
Basic Store	$27.95	$21.95/month ($263.40 annually)
Premium Store	$74.95	$59.95/month ($719.40 annually)
Anchor Store	$349.95	$299.95/month ($3,599.40 annually)
Enterprise Store	Not available monthly	$2,999.95 annually

Considering the subscription fees and aligning them with your business goals is a major aspect of knowing how to create a storefront on eBay. If you’re planning to grow your business on eBay, definitely check out the prices and offerings of the store subscription plans. Any plan you choose will be between $4.95 to $2999.95/month. The most popular plans range from $4.95 to $299.95/month.

Payment processing eBay storefront fees

The payments that take place on the platform are enabled by an eBay-managed payment system, an in-house solution for payment processing, for which you pay a fixed $0.30 per transaction. 

Note: The payment processing fee and the final value fee are charged together as a single deductible amount by the platform. 

Points to note Before Setting Up an eBay Storefront

• Be certain about the niche and the products that you’re about to list in your eBay storefront.

• Set clear goals to help you choose between eBay storefront subscriptions. We recommend if you’re just getting to know how to make a store on eBay, chances are that you’re a beginner. So, do not subscribe to a store right away. Monitor sales volume and overall performance for a few months before joining a subscription program (Starter, Basic, Premium, Anchor, Enterprise). You can always upgrade when you need to.

• Competitor research is important to gauge the product demand, understand the pricing trends and the product listing optimization tactics for best results.

• To win over the audience in a particular category, adjust the prices of your products with competitors’ pricing. For example, don’t overshoot the pricing if your competitors are sticking to a price range. 

• Apart from optimizing listings with high-quality images, keyword-optimized product descriptions, and titles, leverage eBay’s Promoted Listings Feature to maximize the exposure of these products.

• Thanks to the multiple shipping options available for customers on eBay. It shares partnerships with global shipping partners such as USPS, FedEx, and UPS, which allows you to use the standard services at a cheaper rate through eBay’s discounted shipping label perks.

• One of the most important aspects of product listing on eBay is to choose the return policy. Simple return policies generate trust in people, letting you build a reputation and improving your shop ratings. 

• As a seller, you can obtain return labels at a cheaper rate with shipping labels from eBay. This also comes with seller protection which acts like insurance for your deliverable items.

• Even if you’re just starting out, you need eBay’s Markdown Manager discount planning feature to plan seasonal sales and strategize offers. 

Setting Up Your eBay Store

Before learning how to create an eBay storefront, there are a few inventory-level decisions you’ll have to make to be able to sell on eBay. 

• We are attaching a list of categories under which you can list your items.

You can choose products that belong to any of these categories to start off with.

• Finalize the sources from which you are going to derive these products and the initial phase of your journey is covered.
• Next comes identifying your business goals, thus finalizing your account type. We recommend getting a business seller account that will help you sell in larger volumes. 

Now, get ready to set up an eBay store by making a seller account.

Steps to sign up for an eBay seller account

eBay allows sellers to have either one of the two types of accounts— personal seller account and business seller account. If you are setting up an eBay account for personal use, choose a personal seller account. If you are planning to sell professionally on eBay, choose the business account. 

Note: If your goal is to set up an eBay storefront, you’ll have to get a subscription for a business seller account. 

At this point, you need to make another decision— if you are willing to receive your payouts via a Payoneer account. Alternatively, you can also link your bank account with your eBay account to receive payouts.

Somewhere in the process of signing up, eBay will prompt you to link your eBay account with your Payoneer account. So in case you do not already have a Payoneer account, we recommend you create one and proceed with the following steps. Start from HERE. If you don’t have a Payoneer account, linking your bank account will be sufficient; opting for Payoneer is completely optional.

Note: eBay sellers can draw payouts directly into their bank account but in a few countries, eBay does not support direct bank transfers. There Payoneer comes in handy and enables cross-border payments seamlessly. eBay does not avail payments via PayPal any longer. It only allows bank transfers or debit card transactions (such as Visa, Mastercard, etc.) in countries.

To sign up for your eBay selling account, 

1. Go to https://www.ebay.com/
2. Tap Sign in or Register at the top left corner of the homepage. (we’ll proceed with Register because we are creating an account.)

3. Now, on the Create an Account page, choose your account type. Click on Business.

4. Fill in all the necessary details shown in the above image and tap ‘Create business account’.

Note: Do not tick the box as you’re proceeding with the intention of selling.

5. At this point, you’ll be sent an OTP to your email address for verification.

After the verification process, your account creation will be confirmed, along with a suggestion to add a username. So, enter your username and Continue. 

6. From the given options, choose your business type and click on Continue.

7. Now, add these personal details shown below. To proceed, tap Continue. (you can also choose to do it later.)

8. Fill in the personal information sheet and tap Continue.

9. Similarly, add your payout information and Review and Submit. 

That’s all to create a seller account on eBay. Now, you’ll be redirected to the eBay homepage. However, to open an eBay store, you’ll have to create a draft for a sellable item. 

Choose a Subscription for a storefront on eBay

At this point, you have to opt for a store subscription.

We have already shared a basic comparison of the subscription plans to help you understand your requirements. But now you can make a decision by learning more about it.

However, we suggest you start with the basic or starter plan, then have access to your eBay storefront, and see how it fits with your business plans. You can upgrade your plan anytime as per requirement.

Tips and Advice from eBay Sellers

We’ve discussed the high-level information on how to open a custom eBay storefront considering all the necessary aspects and creating a roadmap for you. Now, we believe sharing some tips regarding how to outperform your competitors on the platform is going to bring value to your journey. 

Keep reading as we bring you the best-kept tips from the horse’s mouth.

Best practices for product listing

eBay’s algorithm Cassini responds best to consistency. Consistency in the form of adding listings can keep the algorithm agile towards your presence on eBay. Seasoned sellers often prefer ending listings and relisting the same items to boost their visibility. 

Consider 3 months as a buffer time. If you don’t find expected results or ranking, you can relist it for better visibility. However, you can increase the buffer time according to your preference in case you want to test it for a little longer. 

If you opt for the ‘Sell similar’ feature, eBay considers it as a new listing. It enables you to choose a previously listed product (identical or similar to the new listing) and copy the listing details for your new item. 

In this way, you can escape the hassle of relisting the procedure, replicating the description, title, pricing, etc, from the previous listing, and adding a few tweaks accordingly. Thus, you can get the benefits of relisting items to your eBay storefront without having to undergo the effort to relist them. 

The one with the best picture takes the cake 

A picture is worth a thousand words, they say. But on eBay 12 pictures could mean a thousand sales.

You get 12 free slots to upload your product images. The more pictures or the more descriptive the pictures, the better the chances of conversion. Customers can visualize and understand the products better when you meticulously focus on them from all possible angles and highlight their purpose in infographics. Not only does it boost sales, but it reduces the chances of returns.

Moreover, it prevents your chances of losing your reputation. In case of any complaint, you will have the proof to back you up in your business, preserving your reputation.

For example, your customer wants to return a vase that he bought, claiming your images and listings look different from the product he received. If the pictures in your eBay storefront are detailed enough, you can dismiss these claims of inauthentic portrayal and foster transparency.

“Item Not as Described” returns

Since we’re on the topic of returns, it’s important to note that the fewer the returns the happier the eBay algorithm. It promotes your eBay storefront listings better when there are fewer returns, especially due to the visual clarity of the product. Reputation determines your ranking on the eBay search results. These are more advanced best practices that go beyond the basics of how to make a store on eBay.

Keyword-smart algorithm 

The position of keywords on your listings (from your eBay storefront) matters more than what you think. Use the most important (rather relevant) keywords within the title, apart from the product descriptions. eBay picks up on similar words, such as synonyms & abbreviations. This means it has broader search visibility and, thus, greater reach. 

So, if you’re selling satin pillowcases, it will also be visible to people searching for ‘satin pillocovers’. 

Paid promotions to fast forward your success

eBay promotions are an added push for you to rank better and gain the initial traction that you need to boost sales eventually. Promotions can be as low as 2% commission, and it can be adjusted according to promotional requirements. However, we recommend not to go aggressive when it comes to paid ads. Otherwise, it may exhaust your budget, which will affect overall ROI. 

Shipping & return related best practices

Based on your logistics capabilities, choose same-day delivery or next-day delivery as it helps organically boost your ranking. Of course, free shipping of products from your eBay storefront not only attracts eyeballs but also gets an edge from eBay’s algorithm. 

Offer a minimum 30-day return policy to gain the preference of customers; otherwise, if you can allow a 60-day return period, it will attract more buyers and improve your ranking within the eBay search results.

Best-kept pricing strategy

If an item has a high conversion rate, the eBay algorithm will prioritize it. Initially, when you enter the market, offer a lower price compared to others in your category. This will bring customers to your eBay storefront to try out your products while fueling the initial momentum. Both of these practices organically increases ranking, hence boosting visibility of your product. 

Final thoughts

The ones who have gained real success on eBay know how to maintain a sweet balance between strategy, listing, and conversion potential. But there is a world beyond just the eBay marketplace. 

If you’re serious about creating a sustainable business, there’ll be a point where you’ll consider opting for other marketplaces such as Amazon as a part of your multichannel strategy. 
In a broad marketplace such as Amazon, you need a PPC marketing tool to succeed. Check out SellerApp’s PPC management software to boost your visibility, and optimize products and ads to make success inevitable.

Additional Read:

Selling On Amazon FBA Vs eBay: Which Is Better For Sellers?

Starting an Ecommerce Business? Tips for Beginners

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