| business strives to expand its market share and | | | | 3. Increased communication between sellers and |
| grow. Many businesses diversify as well – | | | | buyers – eBay is attempting to bridge the gap |
| eBay is no exception. Over the last few years eBay | | | | between sellers and buyers. The company has |
| has implemented many new features and these | | | | introduced a Skype feature within the listings that |
| upgrades have benefited both the buyers and sellers. | | | | enables the buyer and seller to communicate during |
| One may ask what futures trends and/or upgrades | | | | the auction process. Skype is easy to learn and is |
| sellers, buyers and affiliates can expect from eBay. | | | | familiar to most people – it’s just like |
| You might see changes in the four below areas: | | | | talking on the telephone at home. Another feature of |
| 1. Increase in costs – eBay, along with sites | | | | Skype is a virtual chat window that many eBay users |
| and/or services owned by eBay, such as PayPal, | | | | seem to enjoy. Instant communication can help |
| eBay Stores, and ProStores, may increase their | | | | buyers clear all doubts that they have in their minds |
| prices over the next few months. This will | | | | about an auction and this leads to a faster sale and |
| undoubtedly increase eBay seller fees and will require | | | | increased customer satisfaction. |
| these sellers to re-evaluate their selling strategies. | | | | 4. Selling from your own site – eBay has an |
| These cost changes are currently being debated all | | | | option that enables webmasters to place code on |
| over the Internet – go find an eBay Sellers | | | | their own sites and feature, or advertise, products or |
| auction board and you can easily find someone that is | | | | services that are currently being auctioned. It is |
| upset about these increases in fees. eBay’s | | | | estimated that 20 percent of eBay sellers place |
| goal is to of course make itself the ultimate online | | | | these links and sell merchandise via their websites |
| marketplace for online buyers and sellers. To | | | | utilizing this methodology. Expect this number to |
| accomplish this feat, they will need to add additional | | | | increase over the next few months. Webmasters |
| functionalities to the site and sellers will have to help | | | | can place any category, or all categories if they wish, |
| foot the bill. | | | | on their sites and this enables potential buyers to |
| 2. Establish a market for charity listings – At | | | | browse eBay items without actually visiting eBay! |
| times, like many other notable businesses, eBay puts | | | | Some may argue that the above trends and/or |
| a portion of its profit to good use. The company has | | | | upgrades are helping the buyer and leaving the sellers |
| raised over $34 million so far for charitable purposes. | | | | in the poorhouse. However, these changes will |
| eBay makes great efforts to contribute as much as | | | | ultimately bring more traffic to the site. More traffic |
| it can and support charity listings. The Giving Works | | | | to the site means more visits to your auction. More |
| icon next to a product is one-way eBay increases | | | | visits to your auction means more sales. Remain |
| charitable auction traffic. Expect to see more of | | | | competitive and as eBay matures your profit will |
| these types of programs at eBay. If able, you might | | | | increase. |
| even be able to participate in these events. | | | | |