Since eBay's recent announcement regarding the delivery of eBooks, I've been doing some fact-finding regarding classified ads. Here is the scoop.
(Keep in mind that eBay has not banned eBooks. eBay has prohibited the electronic delivery of digital products such as MP3 music files, eBooks, and photos. These products may still be sold but delivery must take place via snail mail as a CD or printed copy.)
Classified ads are different than a regular listing on eBay. The ad simply directs interested buyers to a website, or provides contact information so that the buyer may contact the seller for more information, just like a classified ad in the newspaper. If a transaction occurs between a buyer and seller, it does not occur on eBay.
Classified ads show up in searches.
Classified ads show up in your store along with auctions and store inventory items.
Outside links to a website, Paypal payment page, or other URL are allowed.
Sellers may advertise multiple items in one classified ad. For example, if you sell a lot of recipes, you can run classified ad titled, "Recipes - Instant Download eBooks" and direct buyers to a website to purchase and download the eBooks. You could list out all of your recipe eBooks in one ad.
Classified ads cost $9.95 a month (plus upgrade fees if you choose them). Sellers are not charged a final value fee - since the sale does not take place on eBay. This may actually be a better deal for those who sell many eBooks. I did the math on my own sales, and realized that $9.95 per month is significantly cheaper than all the individual listing and FVFs I was paying. Getting traffic to my website to buy the books will now be the challenge.
I converted one of my ebook listings to a classified ad today. I am interested to see how many hits I receive on my website that are referred from the eBay ad. (Thank goodness for site trackers!) Keep in mind that I write and sell my own eBooks about eBay selling, so eBay was the best place to sell them. I'll be interested to see how this change will play out for my book sales.
Read the article in eBay's Chatter for more information on downloadable goods - and the new policies that begin on April 1.
3 comments:
Great info, thanks. One significant element of the classified ad is that no feedback is generated at all from ads, of course, since there is no sale.
Yes, that is correct, however, if classified ads are the only way to reach the millions of users on eBay to sell digital items from your own website, I am ok with the "no feedback" part! Thanks for visiting.
I also write guides on ebay and affiliates and what not. I think the classified ads are horrible. Its just like craigslist but you have to pay and people are more cautious because ebay has 2 sides, normal listings with feedback and now classifieds without feedback and normal buyers do not understand that ALL digital items have been pushed to classifieds. So they are very cautious about going to external websites from ebay and many of them think its odd and keep their distance. I have about 12 websites and have made my income on the internet for 5 years now. As far as ebay, I normally made about $100 each day (I sell guides in the range of $5.99-10.99). I have not made a single penny from ebay since this classified thing was introduced about a week ago. I dont trust ebay now since they have shown that they can change policies and rules at the drop of a hat.
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