Karen Mills ©2004

If you have been a web surfer for a long time you will of noticed that when you click on a domain with .co.uk you are redirected to domain .com . The .co.uk is a mere link to main site .

eBay is different . ebay.com and eBay.co.uk are two total independent sites but which are interlinked . It can make a big difference to your auctions and fees you are charged depending on which site you use .

To Begin

Open two browser windows and in one type http://www.ebay.com and in other http://www.ebay.co.uk .

You will see them appear on your task bar at bottom of page and you can switch from one to other by clicking on either one or other .

eBay.com is US site and eBay.co.uk is UK site .

Homepage

The first noticeable difference you will be aware of is they look totally different . The homepage of US site eBay.com is a lot more basic than UK site . It gets straight down to business showing tips on how to buy and place a bid on an auction as well as bet way to pay for item won . The UK site leads you more into a browsing situation which suggest to me that ebay sees Uk citizens as more of a cautions bunch and unlikely to jump in with both feet first . If you go to eBay.com site , in top right hand corner you will see a button "eBay members click here" . Click this now you will notice that both sites now look more or less same .

Looking to left of screen you will see categories section . These are more or less same except for spelling and terminology differences between US and UK . Clicking on a category link will take you to section that interests you where you will find sub categories within that section . The only difference between two sites in this section are that US site provides extra information such as what most popular searches are . This could be helpful to sellers looking to categorise their goods in best section .

At top of categories section on eBay.com (US) you will see a separate box titled "specialty sites" . On eBay.co.uk (UK) you will find it at bottom titled "see also" .

This is where big differences occur .

Half.com (US)

First, let's look at what you SHOULD NOT do.

DON'T GIVE YOUR MONEY AWAY! - Too many people on internet are selling expensive products as a means of trying to create an income. This only brings you frustration while waiting for those big sales that never come.

Others are joining different business opportunities that are costing them more than they are making.

The three most important power keys you must use to make a sale are:

OFFER A GREAT PRODUCT - Offer a product that people want, and at an incredible price. Make an offer that just can't be refused.

OFFER A MONEY MAKING PRODUCT - Offer ways in which they can use product they have purchased to make money with.

OFFER SUPPORT - When entering a new territory people need someone to take them by hand and show them way. Be there for them.

Here are some other important factors you should consider when selling your products:

THE FREE FACTOR - Offer free stuff to your visitors. The more free stuff offered more visitors. But also remember you will never make money if you give everything away.