HTML & Ebay Auction Design Guide
The Basics
Using basic HTML ( Hyper
Text Mark-up Language! ) on eBay can help grab your buyers
attention, make your auctions stand out over your competitors
and even make you look more professional!
To use HTML on eBay is a
very easy process, as this page is for beginners I will include
full instructions on how to use the codes on eBay, if you
already know how to do this just skip to the codes!
When selling on eBay you
have to enter an item description, at the top or bottom of this
box (depending which sell your item form you use) you will see 2
tabs, the first is standard and the second is HTML. Whenever you
insert any of the HTML codes from this page make sure you past
them in when you in the HTML box and not the normal description
editor.
If you want to add
pictures, animations, backgrounds or music to your listings you
will need a host, this is completely free and is very simple to
use, first of all if you are going to be adding pictures or
backgrounds click this link
www.photobucket.com here you can open a free hosting account
instantly which is simple to use.
once you have opened your
account go to 'my album and click 'browse' this will bring up a
window from which you need to choose the picture you want to
upload, the click 'submit', the picture will then appear in your
album, if you require the HTML code for your picture simply tick
the box and select 'generate HTML and img code' from the bottom
of the page, then the code will appear in the box on the next
page titled 'HTML code for eBay etc..', simply copy the code
from here. If you require the 'URL' of your image this is
located just under you picture on the main album page, this is
explained in further detail below when required.
Once you have finished part
or all of your auction certain codes won't be apparent until you
have submitted the listing, say for instance a hyperlink within
a picture won't be clickable in the description editor box. To
check you have done something correctly just click the 'preview
tab at the bottom of the description box and that will show you
the full working codes as they would be seen in your auction.
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How To Create A "Watch My Item" Link.
This is a great
way of getting your auctions to the eBay pulse and keeping buyers
interested in your auctions, you simply paste the following code
into your auction, replace xxxxxxxx with your item number (you will
have to submit your listing to get this then go to 'revise' your
item and add the number eBay has just given you, where it says
'click here' simply delete this and add your own text, if you would
like the link to be in a picture just add the HTML code instead of
text. |
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How To Create A Pre-Filled 'Email Me' Link.
This is the best way for your
buyers to ask any questions about your items, when clicked the link
will bring your email address for the buyers to send you a direct
email with your address and your chosen subject already filled in
for them, this can be a text link or a link in a picture, just
add your email address and either your text or the HTML code of your
picture: Example: EMAIL ME |
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How To Create Other Page
Links.
This is a good
way of promoting your other items, shop, feedback, or maybe your web
site, simply add the URL of the web site you want the link to lead
to and add the text or a picture which will become clickable.
Example:
YOUR TEXT |
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How To Add A Background To Your Auction.
I f you would like to add a
background to your auction page simply paste the first part of the
code right at the very top of your auction description and the
second part at the very end of your description, the only thing you
need to replace is 'YOUR URL' with the URL of your picture from
photobucket, remember this is the URL and not the HTML code, then
just click back to standard and the like magic the background will
appear behind your description! |
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How To Make Moving Text (Marquee)
This is a very simple but
effective code, simply paste the code into your listing and add what
you want it to say, there are a few variations of this, it may look
confusing but with a bit of practice is very simple, this will make
the text move back and forth between the margins
Example:
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How To Make Moving Pictures.
This is similar to the code
above,
just insert an image code instead of text, this is only recommended
with small images, and it can make pages slow loading.
Example:
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How To Change The Speed Or Direction Of A Marquee
Similar to the code above but
here you can change the speed and direction of the text, simply
change the your text in the code, then change the number, 1 being
the slowest, then you can change left or right to suit.
Example:
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How To Add Music In Your Auctions!
I rarely put sound in my
auctions as a lot of people browse eBay at work and don't want your
music suddenly blasting from their speakers, you have been warned!
If you want to add sound you must first of all host your song or
sound file in the same way as you host your pictures with
photobucket, free music hosts are very hard to come by but just try
a Google there's usually some special offers, then your host will
give you the URL address of your song which you just add below: |
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How do I add a form button link?
Add this code to your page, then simply add the
url you want the button to link to and the text you'd like to appear
on the button.
Example:
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How To Create A Drop Down Menu.
Cut and paste the following
code to make a drop down menu or a jump menu. Add your own links and
information ie. colour, font, font size, form name and menu name. If
you use the colour tags, please note, they won't be seen in
Netscape.
Example:
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Please Note that the
following codes are Java...
Although a lot of ebayers
do use the codes in auctions, ebay officially only allow html.
You Have Been Warned!
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How To Create Roller Coaster Text!
This is a very simple yet
funky little script, just copy the code and add whatever text you
like.
Example:
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How To Create A Cursor Image.
This is a cracking little
script, but can be annoying if you choose the wrong image, and be
warned that ebay do not like the use of this in auctions!
I presume you've already noticed the example :) |
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How To Stop People Stealing Your Images
There's no real way round this
but this code will sure help!
Paste this code at the top of your auctions and
when people right click to copy an image they will get an error
message saying whatever you like, again ebay aren't lovers of this
script. |
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