own website v ebay

[wheeler-dealer]

i have been selling staircases on ebay for a few years now quote successfully but have been looking into selling my goods via my website instead(its just an information wesite at the moment). if its promoted effectively could i get as much if not more interest from the amount of people that view ebay for my goods.

 

[Websitehandyman]

Believe it or not the are far more people that don't use ebay then do but the benefit of ebay is the constant traffic though the site. This is what you feed off and why ebay charges are so high.

Having your own site you'll need to do some calculations. Add up how much you are paying ebay and then try to estimate if that same amount will bring the same traffic (the part of the traffic you get on ebay).

The benefit of having your own site is you probably will be able to sell for an higher price or sell more of a types of goods.

But I don't see why you can't do both.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Pm me a link to your ebay listings, as I am in the market for a staircase

Anyhow the answer is maybe. I use ebay i also search outside a lot.

 

[Kellyman]

I would say do both

Have a link to the website and hope they checkout there to avoid the fees, and once your own website gets enough traffic then make a decision depending on your ROI from the website

 

[pete.mcal]

Most people try and "wean" their customers off of ebay and onto their own site over time. A good way to do this is to include a 5% off discount code voucher for your own site with every ebay order (printed vouchers packed with goods not sent by email).

The beauty of this is you have given the buyer an incentive to shop with you off of ebay and you are still at a net gain because you're saving that 8-12% commission - 5% discount at own store.

 

[Big Pete]

Both would be my call.
If you have good business on ebay already then don`t rock the boat ,, but lots dismiss ebay so your own website can capture them customers and gives your Company a tad more status ...

Also if you ever have a fall out at ebay its not the end of the world so to speak..

 

[pete.mcal]

I would say do both

Have a link to the website and hope they checkout there to avoid the fees, and once your own website gets enough traffic then make a decision depending on your ROI from the website

Just for others information this is not advisable. You are not allowed to place a link to your website in eBay's listings. You are however allowed to list an email address that you can be contacted on. Therefore creating an ebay at yourdomain email address will let people know the address of your website without breaking any rules.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

I was about to post the same with regard not posting links as it breaches the rules of Ebay. good tip about the email though..

 

[SEO Lady]

Just for others information this is not advisable. You are not allowed to place a link to your website in eBay's listings.

- But you are able to enter outbound 3 links on the 'About Me' page

If you can rank your website of course it's going to be much cheaper selling your products online with an ecommerce website, one thing to bear in mind are the prices - will you make the prices different on your website than eBay, for example?