by Peejaydee

Created on: June 05, 2008

Using a picture in your Ebay auction is one of the most powerful ways of ensuring your buyer knows what they're looking at. Ask yourself whether you would bid on an auction that had no picture; most people wouldn't. I certainly would not.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Don't just slap in any old picture though, that can do you even more harm than having no photo at all! Your pictures need to be relevant. By relevant, I mean it should be a picture of the actual article for sale. This is very important and will often dictate whether people even click into your auction to look at it, let alone bid on it. How many auctions have you looked at where someone has just used a stock picture of the product or even of a different model or version of what they're selling? It happens surprisingly often and many Ebayers will not bid on auctions that don't show the actual item for sale. State that the photo shows the actual item in your description as well, for added comfort. Remember that pictures are subject to copyright restrictions, just as written text is. Many people are blissfully unaware that using a picture from another website or from a manufacturer without permission is actually a copyright violation. Ebay is stuffed with auctions where sellers have quite obviously taken pictures from elsewhere and used them willy nilly. The best way to be sure that your picture is relevant and legal, is to take it yourself and to make sure it's a picture of the actual item you're trying to sell. Think also about the quality of the photo. What good will a blurred or poorly lit picture be? None whatsoever - it may even be putting bidders off. Take your time. Get a picture which does your item justice and will allow potential bidders to see what they're bidding on. You never know, it might just cut the number of questions you get as well. While, as you're sick of hearing by now, using a picture of the actual article for sale is vital, just as vital is making sure you show the right things in the picture. Ebay allows you to put more than one picture in the auction. Make use of this feature. Generally, the larger, or more expensive the item, the more pictures you should be putting on. For high value items, is it not worth the small investment you make in extra photos to be sure that your item sells? If the item comes with accessories or additional items, make sure you show them in the photo as well. If the item has minor damage, how about shoing the damage in a photo? Bidders can then make their minds up about whether it's a problem before bidding. It'll save on negative feedback when they get the item and see damage that they either didn't expect or misunderstood from your description. In summary, your Ebay auction will not be the success you want it to be without a photo. Remember to: - use as many pictures as it takes to show the bidder the items properly - use a picture of the actual article for sale - use a good quality, well-lit, well-focussed picture - use your own picture, and not one from another website!

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