In addition to the critical need to select the appropriate category in which to list your item(s), you need to use care when writing your item’s title.  The title is the principal means for prospective buyers to search eBay–hopefully for your specific item(s).  You may spend more time dealing with this element of your listing than with finding the best category. Here are some tips to help you in writing your Auction Titles:

DO’s:

1. Be as specific as you possibly can in the space allotted–this will be a real challenge.  Don’t copy someone the title someone else has used.  Unless your item is exactly the same it may not be of value to you.  Also, just because someone else has used a title, it may not be the best.  Be realistic, thorough and as specific as you can be.
2. eBay’s search feature is a dynamic tool to you and to your prospective buyers, but has limitations.  You need to be sure you use as many Key Words as space allows that best describes your item(s).  This aids in buyer’s search process. Your goal is to direct as many  interested buyers to your item(s) as possible.
3. Consider what potential buyers may enter as search words and add them to your title . . . including misspelled words (usually from brand name items that have spelled the name of their product a little different, but sounds the same.  Xtra vs Extra.  Use the actual title first, and if enough room is available add the other misspelled word.
4. Use all 55 character spaces allowed with as many key words as you can insert.  Filler words are not necessary, but you can add extra spaces between words.  This helps in the ease of reading.
5. Use the Sub-title opportunity (located just below the Title), when additional information would help the buyer make their selections.  This area is not eBay search sensitive, so key words are not necessary.  Defining added benefits or features could be noted here: Additional items that come with their purchase not noted in the main Title, Free Shipping, etc. (REMEMBER:  Sub-Titles carry an additional listing fee–be sure you need the sub-title, and that the extra money spent is worth it.)
6. Use Abbreviations and Acronyms sparingly.  There are many abbreviations and acronyms you can find using eBay’s glossary.  While they may help save space (your 55 character limitation for titles), they can leave the potential buyer wondering what you’re talking about if they don’t know what they stand for.  There are some commonly used abbreviations and acronyms that can work for you:  NIB (New in Box); B&W (Black and White); BIN (Buy It Now), etc. USE THEM SPARINGLY!

 

DONT’s:

1. Don’t rely exclusively on the listing titles others may have used on similar items.  Your own ideas may be much better and productive.
2. Don’t try to be to inventive or cute.  Use the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle.  Be direct and brief, but do your best to focus on your item(s) true identity.
3. Stay a way from using “L@@K” in the title.  WOW and RARE are also terms buyers tend not to use in their searches, and thus become wasted valuable space for your Title.  Stick with significant KEY words to aid your prospective buyers find your wares.
4. Avoid, where you can using KEY words from similar items that may be a little better than yours.  Honesty is the best policy.  If you disappoint buyers by trying to dupe them, they won’t buy, and most likely won’t place you on their “favored sellers list,”  a place where you really want to be.

As important as writing a good auction title is, you don’t need to spend your life’s work on it.  With a little research, some common sense, and honesty will get your title created that will direct buyers to your wares.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, June 13th, 2009 at 6:06 pm and is filed under eBay. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.