In order to get the most out of using Ebay, you'll need to do more than simply create an account. Try some of the specific suggestions below, and let us know what works for you in the comment box at the bottom of the page. 

Organization Activity

Have your child gather all the necessary tools for running an Ebay store and set them up ahead of time. Create a stockpile of shipping supplies that your child should keep ready and organized for when items are purchased. He can also set up an e-mail address that is specific to the Ebay business. In this account, he can create folders to selling, purchasing, and archive folders to hold on to for later reference. Your child can also create folders on the computer to temporarily store images of items, and then delete them once the item has been listed.

Self-Awareness Activity

Your child will need to think about the way others will perceive his online storefront. Does he have featured items that will help draw in customers? Is the name of the store relevant or catchy? Does he have slogan or tag line? All of these questions relate back to good marketing skills, which requires sellers to think about how their items will be perceived by others. His goal should be to create an online storefront that looks appealing to a wide range of audiences, so he should have a variety of featured items that represent what the store is all about.

Planning Activity

Start out your Ebay store by creating an inventory list of all the items you want to put on your Ebay store. For each item, decide whether it will be listed Buy it Now or in an auction, and determine prices for each by researching what the item may be worth, or what it may be listed for by other sellers. Since customers will often be looking through many stores for specific products, putting an item at the incorrect price will mean that it may not be purchased at all.  From there, have your child can go through and take photos of the items in order and save them to specific folders on the computer. Once he has done this, he can simply go down the list and start listing items on Ebay; he will have all the information and photos he needs and the process will go much quicker.

Writing Activity

When writing descriptions, always have your child read them aloud. As he reads them, you should work together to change words to make the description more appealing without being deceptive or inaccurate. It is important your description is honest and presented in a way that people will like, but lying to customers and selling them items they aren't expecting will create real life consequences for your child. Remind him that Ebay isn't a game, but a business.

Whenever someone messages your store asking for more information, it is crucial that your child responds promptly and professionally. He must be sure to use good grammar, correct spelling, and be polite. Ask him how he would like to be spoken to or helped if he was at a store looking for an item. Editing and proofreading are essential before hitting the send button. He should also be careful with his tone and think about how his words can be interpreted by others he's speaking with online as he runs his business.

Mathematics Activity

Come up with a goal profit for each item. While you want to make as much as possible, many items will sit for months if they are not given some sort of a discounted price. For example, it may be worth selling an item for a minimum profit of 20%, rather than having that item sit in your home for months with no interest from buyers because of the high price.

Have your child complete a quarterly spreadsheet, with every item listed with the overhead cost and profit spelled out. He will see a visual representation of the profit he has made, and can even create a fun graph to show to money flowing in. However, because your child will be working with real-life money, not just on a game or a program, he will likely require help from an adult to make sure his spending and selling are managed appropriately.

Ebay is just one option for selling and purchasing items online. Below are a few similar alternatives that offer varying features.

Amazon:

Amazon is another online marketplace where users can buy and sell new and used goods, similar to Ebay. Find out more here.

Etsy:

Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade or antique goods. Many people here create their own items and operate a store through Etsy as their main business. Find out more here.

Craigslist:

Craigslist can be a great local option for listing and purchasing items. Craigslist works more like the classifieds section in the paper. However, because Craigslist includes more than purchasing and selling items, adult supervision is required. Find out more here.