Do you ever care about
your online reputation? Well, if you don’t, it’s time you reconsider your
standpoint. Reputation is everything in online auctions. It is based on how
long you have been a member of that auction, but particularly your feedback
score. And guess what? …the more you bid or sell, the more your reputation is
subject to change.
Here are several
simple rules you have to follow in order to boost your reputation and improve
your online visibility.
First of all, clarity
and effective communication. According to ebay, many of the bad feedback occur
because of a lack of proper communication between buyer and seller. Hence, make
sure you manage your customer relationship in a properly manner.
The terms of sale are
the most important aspect you should consider in this regard. You should state
them clearly, explaining the time and forms of payment, international shipping,
free local pick-up, return and refund policies, etc. If you state everything
clearly in the beginning, you make sure that the buyer won’t guess at any
detail.
You should adhere to
the three-element rule when listing items. This implies: a) a detailed
description; b) a clear photograph; c) and, finally, an effective headline. Don’t
be ambiguous, but as honest as possible.
What about pictures?
Well, try to imagine how poor an offer would appear without a visual element.
Clear and detailed photos of your items help you generate interest and
curiosity. Avoid the common mistakes to place washed-out or low-quality images.
Above all, follow the rule of posting enough pictures to properly show all the
details – from every angle – that make your products interesting.
At a certain point, it
will be time to set your price. This is a hard task, as you need to offer a
competitive price. The best thing to do is to look for other similar items and
make a reasonable average of what they’re listed for. If you want to sell at a
fixed price, use the “Buy it Now” option.
Otherwise, it is recommendable to start with a very low price and no
reserve.
Once your auction is
online, make sure to develop a reasonable communication strategy. This implies
posting feedback and reply to emails promptly and in an agreeable manner.
Remember: always
adhere to the terms of sale you establish initially!
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