Create great listings
Create listings that help buyers find your items and feel confident buying. Think of your listing as a window display - every detail matters. From the title to the photos can influence your buyer's decision to view and purchase what you’re selling. Step into your buyer’s shoes and ask yourself what would attract you to an item.
Why great listings matter
Your listing is often the first impression buyers have of your item. Every part of your listing helps buyers decide whether to click, compare or buy. A complete listing can also improve how easily your item appears in search results. The strongest listings are:
- Easy to find
- Easy to understand
- Honest and accurate
- Complete
- Competitively priced
Step 1: Write a title buyers will search for
Your title is one of the most important parts of your listing. A good title helps buyers find your item when they search. Include the words buyers are most likely to use, starting with the most important information. Be as specific and detailed as you can.
Tips for better titles:
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Longer titles (65-80 characters) are more likely to sell.
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Double check your spelling, especially brand names
- Lead with the keywords buyers search for
- Use accurate, descriptive language
- Avoid unnecessary words or repeated keywords
Learn about the best practices for listing on eBay to maximise search visibility and sales conversion.
What should I include in my title?
- Brand
- Product type
- Model
- Size
- Colour
- Material (e.g. silk, wool, clay)
- Style
- Key features
- The model number, if possible
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Other important details (e.g. handmade,limited edition)
A good structure to follow is: [Condition] [Brand] [Product Name] [Model No.] [Variants – Size, Colour] [Additional Keywords]
Step 2: Add high-quality photos and video
Photos help buyers understand exactly what they're purchasing. Use clear, well-lit images that show the item from multiple angles. If there's damage or wear, show it clearly. Buyers appreciate honesty, and it can help reduce returns. Try our background removal tool to create cleaner product images.
We recommend including 3-12 good quality product images per listing. Listings with more photos have higher conversion. Include photos that show:
- Front and back
- Both sides
- Close-up details
- Labels or branding
- Packaging (if included)
- Any flaws or damage
Photo Tips
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Photograph your item in front of a white background. Our background remover tool removes any unnecessary content in the background of your image and replaces it with a white back drop.
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Show different angles and close-ups. You can add up to 24 photos!
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Do not place any text or borders on the images. Removing stickers & watermarks from your first gallery image on your listings could increase sales and increase chances of getting picked up by Google Shopping.
Video Tips
You can add one video to your listing. Be creative, inspirational and informative. Video can give buyers a better understanding of your item by showing:
- A full 360-degree view of the item.
- Step-by-step instructions and installation guides.
- Inspirational content on how your items solves their problem.
- Unique product qualities and features such as Size, Movement, Functionality, Texture and Condition
*All video content must comply with our Images, Videos and Text policy.
Learn how you can bring your listings to life with video.
Step 3: Complete your item details
Item details includes Category, Condition and Item Specifics. Item specifics help buyers filter search results and find exactly what they're looking for. The more relevant information you provide, the easier it is for buyers to discover your item. Depending on the category, this may include:
- Brand
- Size
- Colour
- Material
- Style
- Model
- Compatibility
Complete as many item specifics as possible. Learn more about how item specifics enhance your listings
Your condition selection helps set buyer expectations before they purchase. Choose the condition that best matches your item and explain any signs of use in your description. Being accurate builds trust and helps reduce returns or questions.
Step 4: Write a detailed description
Item descriptions are important to the buyer's purchasing decision. Your description should answer the questions buyers still have after looking at your title and photos. Focus on useful information rather than repeating your title.
Include:
- Item condition
- Measurements
- Features
- What's included
- Any defects
- Care instructions (where relevant)
For example:
- Constructed from a breathable performance mesh upper with supportive synthetic overlays for lightweight comfort.
- 10mm innovative midsole provides superior cushioning for a cloud-like feel.
- Smart rubber spikeless outsole for great traction.
- Molded CUSH+ insole for added comfort.
- Welded forefoot water-guard for extra protection.
- Regular fit.
Step 5: Price competitively
Pricing plays a key role in demand, influencing buyer clicks and how quickly your item sells. Here are three recommendations to help you price your item effectively:
Use product research tools
Pro Sellers have access to a powerful tool called Product Research, which provides data-driven insights into pricing guidelines for your items.
Search ‘sold items’ on eBay
Enter your product name in the search bar. Then scroll down to ‘show only’ on the filter menu and select 'Sold Items'. This will display the recent sales history of items like yours.
Compare prices of similar items
Search all current listings that match your item. Once you’ve done the above pricing research, you’ll be able to effectively price your items competitively.
Tip: By factoring shipping costs into the price of your item, you can offer buyers free shipping! Buyers are more likely to purchase items with free shipping over those that require an extra payment for shipping.
You'll also need to choose your selling format.
- Auction is best for: Collectables, Rare items, High-demand products where buyers may bid against each other.
- Buy It Now is best for: Everyday items, Multiple quantities, Fixed-price products, Faster purchases
Step 6: Improve your search visibility
A great listing gets your item discovered in search and gives buyers the confidence to buy. To improve your visibility:
- Use clear, descriptive keywords in your title
- Upload multiple, high-quality photos
- Include video where it adds value
- Complete all relevant item specifics and select the correct condition
- Write a detailed description
- Keep your pricing and postage costs competitive
- Update listings when information changes
Over time, as you build your sales history, you'll also improve your search visibility.
What gets a listing demoted:
- Keyword spamming
- Listing or policy violations, e.g. duplicate listings etc.
- Poor listing conversion (or similar)
- Unproductive listings
- Poor seller performance
Listings with multiple items in stock
When you list an item on eBay, you can specify the quantity of that item available. The listing will end when you've run out of inventory, unless you've turned on the 'out of stock' option.
When you set up the out-of-stock option:
- All of your existing and future bulk fixed price listings use the out-of-stock option until you disable it.
- When the quantity of the listing reaches zero (either because all the items were sold, or you adjusted the quantity), your listing stays active but hidden from search results.
- The listing will reappear in search results when you increase the quantity of items available.
Optimising your listings
Creating a great listing doesn't stop after you publish. Review your listings regularly to make sure your information is accurate, your pricing stays competitive and your items remain easy for buyers to find.
The more complete and relevant your listings are, the more confidence buyers have when shopping.
Now you’ve got the basics covered, you can start optimising your listings. Boost your visibility in the eBay search, reach more buyers and increase sales conversion.
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