Mobile (is) First!

It is nothing new or controversial to say that e-commerce via mobile devices is increasingly important.  And now, the data is explicitly backing that statement: according to a report in Bloomberg, "Smartphones. accounted for 45.1% of web-shopping traffic..." finally surpassing web shopping via desktops. 

This serves as a good reminder to ensure your ecommerce listings are mobile-shopping optimized.  As eBay likes to say: Mobile First!

Here are some basic rules and guiding principles to follow, especially as it relates to eBay listings:

• Be efficient yet thorough: shopping via mobile phones presents the opportunity to enable a quick sale, but is limited by less screen real-estate.  Don't waste the opportunity by adding barriers (e.g. lack of sufficient info to drive a sale) or providing superfluous information (e.g. "Last one!")
• Keep titles crisp and factual: include key facts like brand, model, color.  Look at our article on title best practices for more specifics.
• Use high-quality pictures: eBay allows you to include up to 12 pictures: so use 'em if you've got 'em.  But be sure they are a minimum of 500 pixels on the longest side.  Better yet are pictures that are 1600 pixels on the longest side.  eBay is now recommending square pictures as well.  You can see more recommendations on our article on picture best practices.  
• Include structured data: structured data are objective details about the item you are listing.  This includes UPC, ISBN, Brand, Manufacturer, Model, and Part Number.  We cover more on that in our article about eBay listings and structured data. 
• Keep your descriptions simple: descriptions are section of the eBay listing reserved for sellers to provide any additional information the seller feels compelled to provide to help the buyer make a purchasing decision.  Our advice: minimize the info you provide.   Don't include more pictures, don't invest in additional graphics or web design -- all this extra stuff is just not going to help with the purchase (remember: the buyer is on a mobile phone -- create an easy buying experience, not cumbersome!).  We've written two articles on descriptions, one providing eBay description best practices and and another reinforcing our view on keeping descriptions simple.  

If you remember anything, remember these two things:

• Mobile first!
• Be efficient yet thorough

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!