eBay Project

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220506337826

In the creation of the eBay sale page, the item in question is an auto part. The book states, "principle #7 is to create rapport." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.18). While this is my first actual eBay sale, I have been selling through half.com, an eBay subsidiary, for quite some time. This has allowed me to build a perfect reputation among buyers display that I am trustworthy, reliable, and worth purchasing from. This helps in literally any buying decision as long as such a truthful rapport is perceived.

The item on sale, an auto part designed to prevent oil from entering particular engine components, is a highly beneficial component. However, showing this "hot benefit" isn't easy. "Web readers desire for hot benefits." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.46). I placed an image representing the product. The image had modest graphic design elements centered around text and readability over good design. It was not the most compelling way to drive someone to purchase the product, but it is straight-forward. Most car enthusiasts would appreciate that, as only a car enthusiast would purchase my item anyway.

"Never sell a wine before its time." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.59). This statement has a strange interpretation on my eBay page. I believe I "sold" the wine before and after its time. There are no other items like it on eBay, and yet there is no interest in it at all. There is no gain or loss from simply keeping the item, or selling it for any price. I believe it is simply not the right time to sell my item, or, clearly, the right place.

"Seduction starts by getting someone's attention and putting that someone in the proper frame of mind to know you better." (Success Secrets of the Online Marketing Superstars, p.60). By placing my image-type sales ad on my eBay page, I created something unique and attention-getting on eBay. It is not often there are actual graphics with designed layouts on eBay sales pages, so this created a unique experience. Higher-grade graphics chosen over the competition often prove advantageous.