Ebay is the easiest way to sell your items online. It has a large number of registered users wherein many buyers are becoming familiar and comfortable in sourcing whatever they want to. It maybe easy for buyers but sellers often find it harder because of competition and the safety nets involved. It is important to know the important aspects on selling through Ebay before diving into it. Here is a step-by-step guide to becoming a successful Ebay seller.

1.) Register on Ebay. It’s free and a pretty simple process but what is important is creating a name and the appropriate profile to reflect what you are selling. It is advisable to make a generic profile if you don’t plan to become a “specialized seller” someday. But if you have a fair idea on what you are trying to do, you can create the most appropriate profile.

2.) Research. Your initial registered account grants you access to most facilities on Ebay including research tools. You can use the “search" and "advance search” options to scout completed auctions or consummated sales. This allows you to see the historical pricing trends of the item(s) you plan to sell. You can refine your searches according to whatever specifics you want to know.

You can also monitor the current items on sale according to the specific category you want to search. This includes different selling options like “Buy it now”, “Best offers” with stipulated prices and those items which start out at $1 (or even less) as minimum bids. It is also prudent to monitor preferred sellers on how they conduct their businesses. Research is what makes you comfortable on being a successful Ebay seller.

3.) Create a Seller's Account. Your initial registration allows you to be a buyer on Ebay. If you plan to sell, you need to open a Seller’s Account. It is also free and a very simple process. Buyers don’t pay fees to Ebay as it is the sellers responsibility to pay for transaction fees on Ebay. You can familiarize yourself with Ebay rules and guidelines on selling by going to the Help section which is located at the top-right portion of the Ebay’s front page. Go to the “Selling and Sellers Fee” subcategory to find specific relevant subtopics like “Selling Basic”, “Seller fees & Invoices”, “Using seller tools” etc.

In almost all cases, you’ll be charged with a “listing fee” when you post an item for sale. Ebay also charges you for using “special tools” which further improves your selling presentations and this includes more detailed photos. Charges take effect after commencement of a sale. Add up all of these charges and fees so that together with other costs like shipping/insurance, packaging and transaction charges (including currency conversions if ever and Paypal fees) are incorporated with the selling price. The total costs could go to as much as 20% of the selling price.

4.) Open a Paypal Account. There is no cost in opening a PayPal account. Paypal is the most widely form of payment scheme on Ebay and other online trading platforms. This is especially necessary since Ebay has disallowed using other payment schemes such paying by cheques and money orders.

There some other forms of electronic payment services but refusing to open a Paypal account is disadvantageous to you since most buyers prefer the protection and familiarity that goes with Paypal transactions. It is very helpful to read Paypal terms and conditions on receiving money as there are charges involved and other advisable preferences like opening a business/premier account. Get familiar with Paypal terms and conditions including buyers/sellers protection clauses.

5.) Packaging. As a seller, you are partly responsible in insuring the safety of bought items. Although mailing, shipping and forwarding companies share the bulk of the responsibility (with insurance as the ultimate assurance), the seller must ensure that items are packaged with optimum safety and protection.

Items could be small but delicate such as valuable gold coins or bulky as in household appliances but they must be package with safety in mind. Presentation is also important to buyers and they can make or break your reputation and image if you disappoint your buyers with shabby packaging.

6.) Shipping and Insurance. It is good if your buyer is just a few block from your place but in most cases they come from other states and countries. Shipping and insurance costs are important items wherein rates must be heavily considered. You can easily ask for shipping and insurance quotes online from shippers. UPS for example has an online shipping calculator you can use to estimate domestic, international and business shipping cost.

It is easy to know the exact shipping and insurance rates if you know the total weight of your package. If you really plan to sell on Ebay as a living or on a constant basis, it is necessary that you buy a digital scale. Minute differences in ounces of weight could mean huge differences in overall cost especially if you are selling items of lesser value. You can also contact your country's postal services and ask for rates on priority and registered mail in cases wherein the buyer prefers it or when it is prudent to do so.

7.) Presentation and Reputation. Trading on Ebay and anywhere online makes buyers wary of the many risks involved. You can ease buyer's apprehension by providing “professional presentation” on your items for sale. You can study how preferred Ebay sellers and Ebay stores package their overall presentations.

However, the basic principle is that you provide as much detail or description on every item you sell. This includes item background (with links to manufacturers – if ever), proofs of purchase like invoices and certificates of authenticit and item photos with different angle shots. Your accessibility is also very important to buyers so that you can provide prompt and professional responses to additional queries.

For photos, you need to have digital images which you can upload to free photo hosting sites like Photobucket. Reputation is the key to success on Ebay. It is also for this reason that most sellers start out as buyers to have a track record with Ebay. It also gets you the feel of Ebay's trading platform while accumulating transaction records for buyers to see.

8.) Start Selling. Now you can go to the Sell Hub and start listing your items. Familiarize first on how to go about “short or long forms of listing” and some other details. You can always go to the help section to ask for further clarifications or to the Discussion Boards for advice from experts. Lastly, just like in the real world, customer relations are important. Be a seller who puts himself/herself at his/her buyer’s shoes!