Ebay store: Hobby vs Business

So, you are considering opening up your own eBay store, but the $14.95 monthly fee for basic sounds like a lot of money, forget the $49.95 for featured. This does sound like alot to shell out each month, especially if you are only running a dozen or so auctions at a time and maybe only grossing $50-$100 a month.

Can money be made with eBay Stores? Of course it can!

Well, you make alot of money-- only if you work it. You're earnings are directly proportional to the amoutn if time invested and the amount of listings in your store and the quality and demand of the products your offer for sale in your store.

Running a successful eBay business requires a committment of time, energy, financial investment and storage ( usually your home!). I think the most difficult part is training oneself to sit for hours at the computer and stay focused on the listings and not get distracted with the housecleaning or the discussion boards.

I would recommend writing a business plan or at least an outline of your goals and visions and really figure out how much money a month you want to pocket. This will enable you to focus and have a clear vision of the direction you want to take. This will help you run a successful online business.

Some store owners get frustrated when the sales drop (don't we all?) and they still are paying the monthly fees to eBay. However, consider how cheap this is compared to if you had a brick and morter store and paid a high monthly rent, plus utilities, plus advertising, plus employees..... Well maybe the store fees, should be higher, so they will be treated more like a business.

Now, check your inventory. What? Only 12-30 items listed. Now imagine yourself going into your favorite hallmark store, gift store or clothing store to find what you need. How can you with only a couple dozen of choices to choose from? What one shelf of merchandise does not appeal to you, well what about your shoppers that enter your Ebay store to find only a few listed items. Now imagine yourself going into a successful retail store, Cabela's, Walmart, if you please, what about your choices now? Think you will find at least one item that pleases you? Probably so. Wow!

Now consider the amount of time you spend, adding listings, tweaking the store, sending newsletters, improving your store, advertising, What? about 10-15 hours a week?  The serious lister may list 20-40 hours a week. Now run down to your favorite store again. What? no one open, well its not the 10-15 hours you are working in your store. Ok come back tomorrow. How inconvenient? However, your eBay store is open 24/7 and holidays even, when you are not home, and you spent the day running the kids to school, making their concerts and still come home to sales! Awesome, but what about a brick and morter store? you close the doors, you lose the sales, or you pay for employees to keep it open for you. Ouch, money out the pocket.

Therefore, in  my humble opinion, I feel that an Ebay store is a fantastic way to enter online ecommerce. Take the time for sure to plan your vision and be honest with yourself what you want from your business..... or is it a hobby???