7. To find out how to design your web site to fit your visitors needs and wants. This will increase time your visitors spend on your web site.

8. To find out what kind of non-related products or services your customers would buy. This will help your business easily move into a different market.

9. To find out how to better price your products. This will help you sell your products or services at at a price that will pull most orders.

10. To find out where your potential customers spend their time while online.. This will inform you where to market and promote your products.

Sell by Lots

If you have two or more of one item, you can list it as a "lot.” For example, if you had five bottles of suntan lotion purchased from a salvage store for .50 each, and you decided to list them on eBay for $1.00 each, rather than list each one separately, another option is to sell them as a lot. Often times, people perform their search based on lots. However, if you had one bottle of suntan lotion, one bottle of regular lotion, and one bottle of aloe vera, you would want to list them as their own item.

Photographs

While auctions without photographs can and do sell, auctions with photographs sell much better. People like visualizations and want to see what their money is getting them. Make sure your photograph is clear, focused, and depending on item (such as rings, shoes, etc.), offers more than just a straight view.

Size and Weight

If possible, stay with items that are smaller and lightweight. Remember that whatever you sell, you have to ship. Items such as furniture, lawnmowers, etc. are generally sold through a manufacturer or wholesaler. As an independent seller, you want to sell items that are easy to manage.

Shipping Options

Set up accounts with several overnight couriers such as Federal Express and UPS. Once again, more options offered, better your auction will be received.

Location

It is important to list city and state where you are located. Not only does this help buyer determine shipping to make sure you are not overcharging them but if you are selling larger items such as furniture, automobiles, or appliances where buyer would have to pick items up, it would let them know if they want to bid based on location. As an example, if you have a refrigerator for sale and you live in New York, someone from California is not going to drive clear across country just to pick up appliance whereas on East Coast might.

Accessories

Some people fail to include information about accessories. This is very important since many times people are looking specifically for accessories/attachments that go along with items. What if you were buying a weed eater but had a bad back? You need one that has a good shoulder strap. If buyer visits your auction and finds weed eater, you are selling to be exactly what they are looking for and price is right but there is no strap, you have lost a sale. Include all accessory/attachment information even if you think it has no value.

Collectibles

When selling antiques or collectibles, you should provide a history of items. If you have artwork for sale in your auction, provide buyer with its origin. People love to have history, especially when it comes to collectibles, which is part of what adds to its value. Without embellishing, make story a good one.

Keeping Good Records

You need to establish a sound recording system. This system would consist of item name, any associated reserve price (although not recommended for your auction), description, flaws, buyer’s name, price sold for, payment received date, etc. This helps to ensure entire transaction for that item is complete from beginning to end and provides you with information should you need to list that same item or a similar item. Additionally, record will help you know what your income was, based solely on your specific auctions.

Checkout

If you choose to use eBay’s checkout system, make sure every box is checked when you list your items. This option can be helpful when used correctly, but can also be confusing.