{"id":220178,"date":"2025-05-03T04:10:34","date_gmt":"2025-05-03T04:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/accounting\/how-to-set-up-an-ebay-business\/"},"modified":"2025-05-03T04:10:34","modified_gmt":"2025-05-03T04:10:34","slug":"how-to-set-up-an-ebay-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=220178","title":{"rendered":"How to set up an eBay business"},"content":{"rendered":"


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1000s of UK small business count eBay as their primary source of income, with some even becoming millionaires through the platform.<\/p>\n

While eBay still has a reputation as a website people use to flog their unwanted items, there are now hundreds of successful eBay businesses. And while the auction element is still at the heart of eBay, over 80% of items are now sold via the \u201cBuy It Now\u201d option.<\/p>\n

So how do you set up an eBay business?<\/p>\n

Before you start<\/h2>\n

If you haven\u2019t already, you need to work out what you\u2019re going to sell. As eBay is such a big platform, and customers tend to look for unique or hard-to-find products, the more niche your range is, the better.<\/p>\n

You might decide to create your own products, or source a wholesale supplier and sell the products on. You\u2019ll also have to create an appropriate pricing plan for your products.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll need to register as self-employed<\/a>, because an eBay business is classed in the same way as any other business when it comes to tax. If you think you\u2019re going to need to register for VAT too, you can learn how to do that here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re ready behind the scenes, you can build your eBay shopfront.<\/p>\n

How an eBay shop works<\/h2>\n

On eBay, you set up an online shop within the site. This shop allows you to display your products in a customisable online \u201cstorefront\u201d. eBay\u2019s pages are built using HTML, so if you know how to code then you can build your own website. If not, then you can use eBay\u2019s free page templates<\/a> and build your storefront from there.<\/p>\n

If your business is registered with eBay, then you\u2019ll be able to list your items for a longer period of time than other customers, and you\u2019ll receive discounts too.<\/p>\n

To set up a business account with eBay start trading under your business name, you\u2019ll need a UK address to receive your confirmation letter, and bank account details for a direct debit.<\/p>\n

Types of eBay shop and eBay shop costs<\/h2>\n

There are three main types of eBay shop, which one you choose will depend on the projected size and goals of your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Basic Shop<\/u><\/strong><\/td>\nFeatured Shop<\/u><\/strong><\/td>\nAnchor Shop<\/u><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost<\/strong>: \u00a325 per month.<\/td>\nCost<\/strong>: \u00a369.99 per month.<\/td>\nCost<\/strong>: \u00a3269.99 per month.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Number of fixed price listings<\/strong>: 250 products.<\/td>\nNumber<\/strong> of<\/strong> fixed<\/strong> price<\/strong> listings<\/strong>: 1,500 products.<\/td>\nNumber<\/strong> of<\/strong> fixed<\/strong> price<\/strong> listings<\/strong>: Unlimited.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cost to insert new product<\/strong>: 10p for fixed-price, 15p for auction-style listing.<\/td>\nCost<\/strong> to<\/strong> insert<\/strong> new<\/strong> product<\/strong>: 5p for fixed-price, 15p for auction-style listing.<\/td>\nCost<\/strong> to<\/strong> insert<\/strong> new<\/strong> product<\/strong>: Fixed-price listings are free, auction-style listings are 15p.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Suitable for<\/strong>: newcomers and those with a limited product range looking for an affordable, easy-to-use introduction to the site. You get your own URL within eBay and a one-month minimum contract.<\/td>\nSuitable<\/strong> for<\/strong>: small-to-medium businesses with a wider product range, and higher volume sellers. You\u2019ll get free access to Selling Manager Pro tools, and free international listings.<\/td>\nSuitable<\/strong> for<\/strong>: high volume sellers looking for maximum exposure on eBay. Comes with increased benefits across the board including dedicated customer care and more.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

These details are based on eBay\u2019s <\/em>March 2017 price update<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

Setting up an eBay shop<\/h2>\n

To register your eBay shop, you\u2019ll ideally need a PayPal account with a minimum feedback score of 10 positive reviews.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have a PayPal account, you\u2019ll need a minimum feedback review score of 5. You\u2019ll also need to file an automatic payment method with eBay (such as a credit or debit card, or bank account) so that you can pay your seller fees.<\/p>\n

There are also minimum criteria for each type of eBay store, and you\u2019ll have to meet them to open your shop.<\/p>\n