It's no secret that automation increases productivity: fewer cycles spent on menial tasks is better for anybody.  But now that you have that new-found time, what do you do with it?  

Once onboard to our drop ship automation solution, our customers naturally gravitate towards increasing selection -- adding SKUs to their online presence. Our customers intuitively know what research confirms: there is a direct correlation between increasing listings and increasing sales.   

And the proof is in the results: on average, our customers see an increase in sales at least twice their baseline.  

​This is the fifth in a series of articles about how you can create effective eBay listings that help drive both sales and great customer experiences.

A well crafted listing will have everything a prospective buyer needs to make a purchasing decision.

In general, you want your listings to follow these guidelines:

• Place the item in the right category
• Create an descriptive title
• Include high-quality, accurate photos
• Utilize eBay's catalog when available, provide structured data when it's not
• Provide a brief, concise description

This article will focus on structured data.  

Probably the biggest difference between listing an item on eBay vs. the same item on Amazon is the listing process itself: Amazon is catalog based, so as long as the item is in their catalog (which it usually is) the seller only need provide quantities and prices.  eBay started out more free-form: you provide titles, categories, pictures, and descriptions.  

Now eBay does have a catalog -- and if it's available, you should list using the catalog -- but it's fairly limited.  

However, eBay is realizing that it has to change its ways to stay competitive.  So last year they announced a push (1) to improve their catalog, and (2) for sellers to include more structured data in their listings.  

This will help buyers more easily find the right products as they search on eBay.  In other words, be more like Amazon!

By structured data it is meant objective details about the product being sold:

• UPC
• Brand
• Manufacturer
• Part Number
• Model

Fortunately for CommerceESB customers, we make it easy to gather the structured data you need and provide it as part of the listing process (or add to existing listings).  

At CommerceESB, we have a long track record of helping sellers create effective listings.  Please contact your account manager if you want some advice -- we are happy to help our customers continue growing their business!