How do I set up my store's eBay Listing Templates?

eBay Listing Templates

By now, you should have your Shift4Shop store connected to the eBay API (Sandbox or Production) and your basic settings configured.

The next portion of the process involves setting up your eBay product's listing template which is a set of variables that will be used by the eBay listing. During this process, you will configure a series of settings that allow you to control how the product will be viewed on the eBay site, the purchasing and shipping options it uses and several other factors. When designating products to be included on eBay, you will use the created template to display it on eBay's pages.

Some of the configurable items on the eBay Listing Template include:

For the purposes of this article, we will outline the basic settings used when creating one eBay Listing Template. For your store however, you will likely need to create several eBay Listing Templates. For example, one listing may be for items you wish to make available for Auction pricing only and another listing will be needed for Buy Now pricing. Or perhaps you will create one eBay Listing Template for refurbished condition items, one for eBay Motors items, etc.

To begin creating an eBay listing template, follow these steps.

From your Shift4Shop Online Store Manager:

1. Use the left hand navigation menu and go to Modules
2. Use the search bar at the top and search for "eBay" to locate and view the module.
3. Click on the "Listing Templates" link
4. Click "+ Add New" at the top right of the page to begin creating a new eBay Listing template.
5. Name your template (this will be a name that is easily referenced for when you assign it to individual products)
6. Select the eBay Web Site that the product listing will be used on

General Tab

When selecting the eBay web site to use for the template, some additional settings will appear below the name and web site selectors. These settings are:

• Hide the bidder's user id on list
  Marking the "Yes" checkbox will hide bidder usernames from being listed on the item when bids are placed.
• Make this the default template
  Select this checkbox if you'd like to make this the default template selection for all of your products when it comes time to list them.

Below these two checkboxes, you will see a section where you can set the eBay categories where your products (using this listing) can be found.

• Primary eBay Category
  Click the "Change" link to specify the primary eBay Category taxonomy that the products using this template will use. 
  This will help eBay users find your products easier.
• Secondary eBay Category
  (optional) Click the "Change" link to specify the secondary eBay Category taxonomy that the products using this template will use.
  (If using eBay Motors, only the primary eBay category will be allowed.)

• Use eBay variations
  This setting will only come up for certain eBay categories and it will affect the way products with Advanced Options are listed on eBay.
  • If marked "Yes" then the product will be listed as one product with each advanced option related to a variation on eBay
  • If not marked, each advanced option will be listed as its own individual product on eBay.
• Product Identifier
  Most new and manufacturer refurbished items will have unique product identifiers assigned to them. Selecting the Product Identifier that eBay uses for products using this template will help boost the product's visibility.
  Your choices here are:
  • GTIN
    The Global Trade Item Number of the products
  • MPN
    Manufacturer Part Numbers of the products
  • Does not apply
    If the products do not have any known identifiers, select this option.
• Listing Duration
  Select the number of days the listing will be active on eBay.
• Measurement System (Only if listing on ebay.ca or ebay.co.uk)
  Select whether product measurements will reflect Metric or Standard measurement units.

After setting and selecting the above configuration option, you will be done with the general settings of the listing template. You should also see a series of tabs at the top of the page for Specifics, Pricing, Payment, etc.

Next we'll describe these tabs and the settings found within them.

Specifics Tab

This tab will contain a series of item specifics and variantions that you can select for the eBay listing.

The Specifics Tab will be split into two halves. At the top you will set Item Specifics and at the bototm you will set Variations.

Item Specifics will usually be things like Brand and country of manufacturer.

For Specifics, your selection choices will be either specifics from eBay or those present on the product in your Shift4Shop store from the various custom fields.

Variations will typically be things like options and features of the item.

For Variations, your selection choices will be either variants directly from eBay or those present on the product in your Shift4Shop store from your store's product option tables.

Note that the Shift4Shop store variations will be based on options set for all products on your store - meaning that all of your store's option sets will be listed when selecting variations from your Shift4Shop store. In other words, if you have some products that use color option sets as well as other products that use size option sets, they will all be listed in the "Use Cart" set of variations.

When it comes time to list the actual items however, you will have the ability to specify which option sets are used for the product.

Pricing Tab

The Pricing Tab will let you set how the template will list pricing for its assigned items when listing them on eBay.

The drop down labeled "Select the pricing method" will let you select whether products using this template will be available for "Auction" or "Buy it Now" purchase.

Auction

The following configuration options will be listed when selecting the "Auction" method.

• Starting Price
  These settings are available to set the Starting Bid price on items using this template.
• Reserve Price
  Settings in this section are available to set the bidding's Reserve price which is a minimum bid amount you can designate on products using this template. If the item's reserve is not met during bidding, the seller is under no obligation to sell the item. Buyers will not see the reserve price. Rather, they will see if/when the reserve is met.
• Buy it Now Price
  As part of the Auction pricing method, you can also designate "Buy it Now" pricing options which allow eBay users to purchase the item outright instead of bidding on it.

Each of the pricing methods listed above will have the following options available:

• Same Price
  This will set the product's price to the same as the product's current pricing on your Shift4Shop store (at the time of listing).
  If the item is on sale, it will be listed with the sale price.  However, this does not update the price back and forth if a price change is made on your store
• Product Price
  The product's current price on your Shift4Shop store with variables (plus or minus) a specific amount or percent.
• Product Cost
  The product's current cost on your Shift4Shop store with variables (plus or minus) a specific amount or percent.
• This Price
  Use this to designate a specific price.

Buy it Now:

The Buy it Now pricing method is available if you'd like to have the eBay product listing available for only direct purchase instead of bidding/auction. The settings for this method are the same as listed for the "Buy it Now option under Auction.

Payment Tab

This Payment tab will let you specify which payment methods will be available to the eBay user when bidding on or purchasing your item

Payment Methods
Pleace a mark in each method you'd like to use on the product listing.

• PayPal
• ProPay
• Moneybookers
• Visa or Master Card
• Discover Card
• American Express

Payment Description
Here you can enter a description of your Payment Methods or details for eBay users as to how payment/ordering will be handled.

Shipping Tab

Use the Shipping tab to specify your shipping options for the eBay listing of products using this template.

First, at the top of the page you will have these options:

• Handling Time
  Select your average order handling time. 
  This information will be factored into the eBay listing's order delivery estimates.
• Don't Ship To
  This checkbox is used to designate locations that you do NOT wish to ship to. When marking the checkbox, you will be given the options of selecting regions and individual locations within those regions which your listing will not ship to. If the eBay purchaser has a primary shipping address to any of the selected locations, eBay will block the sale.

Next you will have your Domestic Shipping Options:

• Domestic Shipping
  Select your Domestic Shipping calculation methods.
  • Flat - same cost to all buyers
    Using this method you can select various shipping methods that will be used for the order and specify a flat rate for each - regardless of where the domestic destination is.
  • Calculated - Cost Varies by Buyer Location: Using this method, you can select services that will be used and the shipping calculation will be handled by eBay depending on where the domestic destination is.
    • Package Type
      When selecting a calculated shipping cost, an additional drop down mindow will appear beneath your "Handling time" option above. Use this to select the type of packaging the order will use when calculated by eBay. For example, Large Envelope, Package, Large Package, etc.
• Handling Cost
  Enter your domestic handling costs. This field is an eBay requirement.

• International Shipping
  If you are willing to accept international orders, select the method you would like to use for product using this template.
  • No International Shipping
    Disables orders to International Addresses.
  • eBay's Global Shipping Program
    Calculation is done by eBay using their international methods
  • Flat - same cost to all buyers
    Using this method you can select various shipping methods that will be used for the order and specify a flat rate for each - regardless of where the international destination is.
  • Calculated - Cost Varies by Buyer Location
    Using this method, shipping calculation will be handled by eBay depending on where the international destination is.

• Handling Cost
  If setting up for International Shipping, you will also have the field where you will need to enter your international shipping handling costs. This field is an eBay requirement.

Other Tab

In the Other Tab, you will have the ability to specify additional settings for the eBay product listing(s).

Item Condition
Set the condition of the items you will be listing with this template. Your choices are:

• New
  Items are brand new in original packaging.
• New other (See details)
  Items are new with other conditional specifications. 
  The details of which can be included in the text box below this section.
• Manufacturer Refurbished
  Items have been refurbished or repaired by their respective manufacturers.
• Seller Refurbished
  Items have been refurbished or repoaried by the merchant selling the items.
• Used
  Items are being sold in used condition.
• For parts or not working
  Items are not functional and only being sold for spare parts or other details.

As mentioned above, the area beneath the item condition area is an open text box in which details of the product's condition can be listed and displayed.

Return Policy
Specify your eBay seller return policy. Your choices are:

• Returns accepted
  You are willing to accept returns and exchanges
  If selected, you will then have the following options to configure for returns:
  • Return Period
    • 14 Days
    • 30 Days
    • 60 Days
  • Refund details
    • Money Back
    • Money Back or Replacement (Buyer's Choice)
    • Money Back or Exchange (Buyer's Choice)
  • Return Shipping Paid by
    • Buyer
    • Seller
  • Restocking Fees
    • No
    • 10%
    • 15%
    • 20%
  • Additional Return Policy Details
    • Open Text box for additional details as needed.
      eBay will require that your Additional Return Policy Details match information on your listing description for the template.
• No returns accepted
  All sales are final and no returns or exchanges will be honored

Block Buyers Who
This last section allows you to block buyers who meet certain ineligibility requirements. Your options here are:

• Don't have a PayPal Account
  Check this box to prevent non-PayPal account holders from bidding or purchasing the eBay listed item(s) using this template:
• Have received [x] unpaid item case(s) within [y] month(s)
  Use the provided drop down menus to set your variables.
• Have [x] policy violation report(s) within [y]
  Use the provided drop down menus to set your variables.
• Have a feedback score equal to or lower than [x]
  Use the provided drop down menus to set your variable.
• Have bid on or bought my items within the last 10 days and met my limit of [x]
  Use the provided drop down menus to set your variable.
• Only apply this block to buyers who have a feedback score equal to or lower than [x]
  Use the provided drop down menus to set your variable.

Listing Enhancement Tab

This Listing Enhancement tab will allow you to enhance the eBay listing product by allowing you to select the following options:

• Use Sub-Title
  Include the item's short description on the listing (Short description must be up to 53 characters.)
• BoldTitle
  Take the title of the page (product name) and display it in Bold text.

Once you are done with your Listing Template Settings, click "Save" at the top right to store the information. If there are any missing parameters, the store will warn you of what may be missing, so you can correct it and save the template fully.

Now that your Listing Template Variables are set, the next steps in our process will be to select individual items for listing on eBay.

Now that your Listing Template Variables are set, you can proceed to our next Article where we will discuss listing your items on eBay followed by additional articles on managing your eBay generated orders.