html-ebay

Copyright 2011

Published Design by Nur

How to use HTML? For eBay Guide

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Table of ContentsSelling on eBayWriting TitleAdding PhotosAdding Gallery PictureGallery Plus OptionAdding self-hosted pictureHow to copy and paste a textHow to copy and paste a link?How to copy images?Selling FormatPayment MethodsSpecify Shipping MethodHow to write a good description?How to describe listing item using HTML?What is a HTML anyway?Using Title, HeadersBasic simple HTML tagsText FormaIingUsing ParagraphsLine BreaksMaking Text BoldItalicize WordsUnderline WordsWhat do we need to know about Font Types?Special CharactersHorizontal LineMarqueeBulleted ListList TagsBackground and ColorsCreating TablesTable TagsFormaIing Links, Graphics and SoundsUsing Sound, Movie & FlashAn example HTML eBay template code


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Are you ready to sell your item on eBay?

To sell any item on eBay you have to register and become an eBay seller. First of all, you should collect information about your item, how much does it usually sell for, what are the features, how much would it cost to ship it, etc. Then you need to write a good title and description for your item. Do not forget to add good pictures. People like to see images of the item. Try to take good digital pictures of your item from several angles and close up to show all of its features. It is helpful if you sign up for a PayPal account, since most people use PayPal, to make quick payments. This allows buyers to pay you online with a credit or debit card. To learn more about using PayPal, go to www.paypal.com . Make sure you know your items packaging cost for shipping. When you list your item, you can enter the package size and weight to have eBay automatically calculate shipping costs for you and your buyers. Now you are ready to sell on eBay.

1. Selling on eBay Click on the Sell link at the top of any eBay page to start the process.


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After you write some descriptive words about your item, eBay displays categories where items like yours were often found. Once you have selected a category, check to make sure it is a good fit by clicking on See Sample Listings. This will display Completed listings in that category it is always worth it to check. Once you choose the best category for your item, click Save & Continue. eBay may suggest additional categories for your item. If you believe, your item fits into more than one category; you may add a second category. This enables more buyers to see your listing. However, though additional fees apply for listing in two categories.

2. Title A wellwritten Title will help to sell your item! You have total 55 characters, (about 10 words) to describe your item. That means choose the words carefully, think about the best way to describe your item. In a way, a Title is the summary of your long description that you will write it later.

Title Dos Use multiple, descriptive keywords that clearly convey what you are selling. Specify your items brand name, artist, or designer. Specify your items attributes such as: if you are selling a pair of boots; Example: Brand new, waterproof, black ,Totes boots, women size 7 You may specify your items country/location is it from. Example: New Italian Brown Leather Laptop Case

Title Donts Avoid using uncommon abbreviation when you write a title. eBay search usually brings exact matches as search result. Avoid using silly words, made up words, such as; wow, @@Look, or characters, ###cheappppp! ***Awesomeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Avoid misspelling the words especially brand name of your item. Such as; IVM Laptop, instead of writing IBM laptop. Avoid wasting space with prepositions. Using a single space is enough to separate words.


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Avoid squishing all the words too! Never write one endless title. Like this: brandnewcameracomeswithcase Avoid using all capital letters. Contain Web site addresses, email addresses or phone numbers. The only exception to this rule is the sale of domain names.

Do not use the following words in an attempt to market or advertise their item: prohibited, banned, illegal, outlawed or any other descriptive word which may bring into question the legality of an item by either governmental or eBay standards.

You can always add a subtitle if you like to explain your item in a longer title. It will be extra fee for that. If your item is digital delivery, in the title area you need to specify this. It is odd place to find digital delivery option in title. So remember to click on the add option link!


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If your item is digital delivery, in the title area you need to specify this. Now you need to add Item Specifics to your listing.

Enter specifics about your item here to help buyers find your listing. Such as; subject, category. You can also enter your custom subject or category. You can remove these options, if you do not want to enter.

Description The most important part of your listing is the item description. You will read detail information about this subject later. Meanwhile you can continue reading step by step eBay listing features.

3. Good Photos Sell After you choose a category, and wrote your title, it is time to add at least one picture of your item. Do not forget adding the first picture is free. So, do not skip this option if you like to sell your item quickly. Adding more pictures not only gives richness to your listing, it also shows the item specifications visually. If you use eBay Picture Services, each additional picture will cost you $0.15. The Basic form lets you browse for the pictures you saved on your computer, so you can upload them to eBay for your listing. Once you have selected the pictures, click Upload Pictures at the bottom of the page.


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You can display a small picture of your item in search results and category lists. Buyers can instantly see what you are selling without another click. In order to preview this feature, select or mouse over it and look at the How your listing will appear in search results section.


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Add Gallery Picture (usually apply a small fee) Display a picture in search results to help buyers find your item.

When buyers view search results or category lists, they see your Gallery picture next to the title of your listing. This feature has advantage of when buyers click the Gallery Items Only tab, they see a cataloglike page showing photos of Gallery items, including yours.

Gallery Plus Option (Display extra large pictures in search results, usually a fee applies) When eBay users mouse over your listing in search results, a large popup window will instantly open with a larger picture of your item. In order to preview this feature, select or mouse over it and look at the How your listing will appear in search results section. Do not forget selfhosted pictures cannot be used with the Gallery Plus feature.

Adding your selfhosted picture of the listing item


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You can always add photos of your item on your listing description area. All you have to do is host your image somewhere, (there are many free image hosting services, just google it!) then copy and paste the url of your image in description area. Such as: The tag and indicate the Web address (URL) for the picture. Your picture will appear in the Web browser at the spot where your tag is listed. * A URL is the place on the internet where your picture is stored. When someone brings up an eBay page the HTML codes will fetch the picture from where you stored it. If you look at the

top of your browser you will see the location of your web page whatever you are reading it. If you upload a picture to somewhere online, you have to write the full website URL. Example: http://www.photonur.com/images/120.gif. Make sure your picture ends in .jpg or .gif and that you have NO spaces in your URL. Remember, URLs are case sensitive, Abag is not the same as abag. Just copy and paste this URL address to description box area.

How to copy and paste a text First, you need to Highlight the text you want to copy. This is done by placing your mouse cursor at the beginning of the desired text and while holding the left mouse button depressed, and dragging the cursor across the text.

This shows how text highlighted will look like.

When you have the desired text highlighted, you then copy by using the key board short cut of pressing your Control key and the keyboards c key at the same time.

To copy ctrl + c. Or just highlight text, choose edit and then choose copy


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To Paste the item that is now on your clipboard, you need to open up the program where you want the text to be. Click where you want the text positioned. From your keyboard, press ctrl + v To paste ctrl + v. Your text will be pasted.

How to copy and paste a URL link?

First, highlight the URL. Then Right click of your mouse. Copy the URL address. Then paste it on your document.

How to copy images? You can save an image or graphic to a folder or your desktop easily.


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Position your mouse cursor on the graphic you would like to save and right Click on the graphic. A small box will pop up and you choose Save Picture As.

Then another box will popup and here at Save In you choose the folder where you want to store the graphic. Give the graphic a name of your choice. Save As Type of graphic. For example, GIF or JPEG.

When you copy and paste your image to eBay description box, you may add some attributes. Such as: align, border, hspace, vspace , height, width , alt, and title.

Alt: Defines a short description of the image Align: left, right, center Specifies how to align the image according to surrounding text. Height: Defines the height of an image vspace: Defines white space on the left and right side of the image. Border: Defines a border around an image.

Examples: Detail Picture

Linked Inline image with border

You can give an email link to your image


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4. Selling Format:

You need to select what selling format to use. You have three choices: Auctionstyle, Reserve, Buy It Now

If you choose auctionstyle, then decide what price to start the bidding. Low starting bids always encourage bidding.


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A reserve price is the minimum you are willing to accept for your item.

A reserve protects you, but it may also discourage bidders hoping for a bargain. You may also want to offer a Buy It Now price for a quicker sale. If you have a feedback score of at least 10, then you can choose the Fixed Price format, where you set the selling price. Then choose the duration of your listing. Five and sevenday listings let more people see your item. You can also choose 10 days listing for a fee.

5. Payment Methods:


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Have you thought about payment? Accepting PayPal payments is a common way to be paid for your item. Remember three out of four buyers prefer to pay with PayPal. You may accept money order, checks or credit card payments.

Specify Shipping Method

This is where you inform buyers how much they will pay for shipping. You can list a flat rate for everyone or you can provide the weight and size of the package so eBays calculator can automatically generate the shipping cost. You may also add a handling fee. Buyers wont see this number, but it will be added to the calculated shipping cost.


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Make sure to check that the item location is correct and tell buyers if you are willing to ship internationally. On some items, global shipping may increase sales.

At the bottom of the form, there is additional information to fill in. This includes whether there will be a charge for sales tax and what your return policy is.

Many buyer read about Return Policy . If you write about it, this will have a positive effect for many buyers. When youve finished filling out the form, click Save and Continue at the bottom.

Always check out the preview, to see how your listing will look in the search results. This gives you the chance to revise the listing to improve its appeal.

Click on Preview to take a final look at your listing before you are done. Click Edit Listing to make any revisions, and then click List Item for Sale.


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At the bottom of the page review, the fees charged for your listing. Remember: These are the fees for the listing alone. If your item sells, you will be charged a final value fee based on a percentage of the final sale price. More information about eBay seller fees visit:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/fees.html

How to write a good description? You need to think about your items features well. Such as: * What material is it made of? Leather, wood, glossy paper etc. When was it made? French antique, fine art oil painting 1826 What company/artist/designer/author made it?

Gucci Women Purse * What condition is it in? NIB (new in box) * Is the item new, used, or still under warranty? Genuine leather lifetime warranty! * Be sure to mention any flaws or repairs. Used carpet, at the left edge has a small tear. * What are its dimensions? Miniature Turkish Woven Rug 4X6 * What country/location is it from? This camera made in Germany, not Japan. * Does it have any notable features or markings? The coat has coffee stain. * Does it have a special background or history? It is important to write your version of the items story if you like to give personality. Buyers like to read these details. For instance, the purse you are selling used by your grandma. You may tell; Classic beaded 1920s black purse. My grandmother who only used this purse only at the weddings! She went only five weddings in her lifetime. She did not like much weddings anyway. It is much better way to say; this bag hardly ever used. * Highlighting the value and savings for buyers.


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Examples: I received this cell phone as Christmas gift, never used. Item almost new! I bought it 2 months ago...Selling for half price! CD Player, Original, Never Opened, Free Shipping! Blue cotton men shirt, new, I paid $80, buy now only $50. Low shipping. Kodak 5megapixel used digital camera comes with free leather case and extra battery.

How to describe listing item using HTML?

If you choose basic tab, you will be writing plain description in a paragraph. This is not too attractive for eBay visitors. You can use HTML to give better looking description at your eBay listing item page. When you are ready to describe your item click on the HTML tab.

What is a HTML anyway? A simple answer is a language that allow us to create the web pages.

HTML means HyperText Markup Language. It has codewords and syntax like any other language. You can format your eBay item description with HTML. In this tutorial, you will learn simple HTML tags. HTML is written with


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plain text. What you use to set certain sections apart by using tags, as headings , subtitles, bold text, underlined text, italic and so on. You may think of tags as making your structure. These are the words written between the . Different tags will perform different functions. For instance, you want a heading , bigger text, in your page. You will put a tag at the exact point you want the heading to start and another tag where you want the heading to stop.

Example: This is a big header

If you want just a word to be emphasized, you will place a start emphasis tag or at the beginning of the word and an end emphasis tag at the end of the word. All tags have the same format. They begin with a lessthan sign: < and end with a greaterthan sign: >. Always. No exceptions. What goes inside the < and > is the tag. Learning HTML is learning the tag to perform whatever command you want to do. Most html tags consist of a beginning tag and an ending tag.


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Examples: it means paragraph it means end of the paragraph.

How to use HTML Guide for eBay sellers

Pay attention to the / in the second tag. All ending tags contain a /. This slash is very important, it tells the browser that what you wanted done has ended.

You can use combination of tags too. Make sure to begin and end both. Strong and emphasis gives you Bold and Italic

Using Title, Headers When you write your description, item name, item specifications or shipping rates, you may like to use titles. To do so; you can use , , , , or titles. The heading tag comes with numbers, to . The numbers beside the H tell the browser how large the letters are to be, with 1 being the largest and 6 the smallest.

Examples: If you want to center something on the webpage you use these tags: This text will be in the middle of the page The text enclosed between these tags will be centered on your web page.

Information inside a meta element describes the web pages keywords. You can add to your item description some keywords, so search engines can find your item more easily.

Basic simple HTML tags: Defines the document type Document Type (beginning and end of file) Defines a comment Title (must be in header) Header (descriptive info, such as title) Body (beginning of the page coding)


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Text Formatting You can write your largest heading in the middle of the page this way. align=center>Brand New Leather Coat It will look like this:

Brand New Leather Coat

align=right>Handmade Blue Velvet Quilt It will look like this:

Handmade Blue Velvet Quilt

Cherry Wood Picture Frame, Double Matted It will look like this:

Cherry Wood Picture Frame, Double Matted

We combine shipping. We ship only to confirmed address!

This is a digital delivery, if you need help for downloading, please send us an email!

Using Paragraphs When you are ready to start a new paragraph you need to use beginning of your sentence. When you finish your sentence use tag at the end.

Example: This is a new sentence as a paragraph.

Line Breaks BR means go to the next line it is short for break the line now. Line break tag is used for getting some text into a line of its own.

Example:


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You should use line break in order to increase readability.

Making Text Bold If you like to change the way your text looks bold use or tags will make your text bolder.

Examples: Satisfaction guarantee, bid with confidence! Please leave a feedback! Thank you for looking at my auction! Thank you for looking at my auction!

Italicize Words You can italicize words by using or tags.

Get a free charger It will look like this: Get a free charger You can emphasis text using tag.

Underline Words You can underline words by using tag.

We have all positive feedback It will look like this: We have all positive feedback

Text Formatting ... Makes the enclosed text one size smaller.

Large Font Size Makes the enclosed text one size bigger.

Align Text Justify Text


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... Sets the font properties for the selected text.

Font Color name of the color or hexadecimal code. Such as: #dddddd (it means light grey) example: Select Font example:

What do we need to know about Font Types?

HTML supports a wide variety of fonts. Click to see common font types on the web. If your font is installed in the users computer, they can see the font as it is. If they do not have that font installed, they will see whatever their default font is. For instance; If you wrote a text with font Tahoma, if user has font Tahoma installed in their computer, the user will read your text as Tahoma. If the users computer does not have Tahoma, then the default font is used (such as Arial, Helvetica, Verdana). Another important issue is; each browser responds in its own way. Your text might look bolder on Microsoft Internet Explorer, and thinner look on Mozilla. Always be aware that what can be envisioned will not always work. With the small font sizes used in routine text for web pages, various font types may seem to be the same size. When using large fonts, size differences become obvious. A main point here: do not focus on too much fonts. You are trying to sell item on eBay, no one will care what font you use.

In order to show exact font that you are using, which can be use as graphic image, so it can be view it all same in very browser. Even though Internet


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Explorer users are dominant online,

but still you need to think about other browser users.


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Here is some fonts as graphic shown below;

Special Characters You may like to use some special characters on your eBay listing.

Please be aware that not all characters are supported by every browser. Some browsers may support the numeric reference without supporting the character entity reference.

For example, to display the symbol using the numeric character reference, enter: NonBreaking Space use:


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There is a long list includes the HTML codes for many of the special character symbols used on Web pages at my website, please check it out for more information.

http://www.designbynur.com/eng/specialcharacters.htm

Here is a picture of special character codes: http://www.designbynur.com/images/char1.gif

Horizontal Lines You may like to draw a line across the screen, then use for horizontal rule.

Horizontal line helps to separate sentences; it helps to show different section of the page. tag usually indicates a division in the page. You can also use these attributes:

width=500 would set the width to 500 pixels or percentage 40%. size=10 would set the height of the line to 10 pixels. align=center would center the line on the page (horizontally). You can also use LEFT or RIGHT.

noshade prevents the horizontal line from being shadowed. color=#FF0000 sets the color to red. (It works only Internet Explorer)

Example:

Marquee You may use a scrolling text marquee to give attention of a news, or discount, etc.

Example:


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Direction Attribute: Direction can be left, right, up or down. Free shipping for this item!

Slide Attribute: The marquee slides once and stops. Reload to see it in action again. Your marquee text slides from right Your marquee text bouncing here

Loop Attribute: The marquee will stop after the number of times looped. Please visit my other listings!

This looping marquee loops 5 times and stops. Reload the webpage to see it in action again.

Text and Image Attribute: The marquee can have an image and text together.

Example Marquee:

Visit my eBay store for more listings.

Example Marquee:

Thank for looking at my auction!

* Remember; always close your tags in the reverse order that you have opened them.

Bulleted List Using the and tags with or without the type attribute set. You may use disc, circle, square attributes.


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Durable Waterproof Long lasting

It will look like this:

Durable Waterproof Long lasting

You may use disc, circle, square attributes.

Pine wood Cheery wood

It may look like this:

Pine wood Cherry wood

List Tags

Unordered List (before each list item) Compact Bullet Type (for the whole list) Bullet Type (this & subsequent) Ordered List (before each list item) Compact Numbering Type (for the whole list) Numbering Type (this & subsequent)

Starting Number (for the whole list) Starting Number (this & subsequent)

Definition List (=term, =definition) Compact Menu List (before each list item)


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Compact Directory List (before each list item) Compact

Background and Colors

Tiled Bkground Watermark Bkground Color (order is red/green/blue) Text Color dark grey Link Color blue Visited Link orange Active Link pink

When adding color to your HTML description page, it is possible to simply type in the name of the color; however, you should use a hexadecimal code. The reason for wanting to use them instead of the names is fairly simple: not all browsers and computer setups, even popular ones, will always recognize the color name in the same way that yours does. For example, it may display lavender as orange. However, hexadecimal codes are universal, always telling any computer the same thing. Hexadecimal codes otherwise known as hex codes are series of numbers and letters, which indicate to the internet browser what colors should be displaying. The chart at the website shows a small sampling of hex codes (there are 16.7 million valid options).

(More info at http://www.designbynur.com/eng/webcolors.htm ) You may look at the big picture of a color chart with hex codes.

Here is the image of all web safe colors:

http://www.designbynur.com/images/bgchart.png

Creating Table

Use a table in order to organize your item listing better. You may like to add a table to your page. You can also give many attributes to your table. Try to give percentage as width. Since monitor sizes are so different, the table can be fit better as percentage in the page. If you give pixel as size in


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different browser and monitors may look odd. Such as: if you say table size 400pixel in a big screen monitor that area will look rather small.

Example:

This is a sample HTML table code covers most of the page (90%).

Table width=90% HTML code:

Table

Tags:

The tag defines a table. Inside a tag, you can put table headers, table rows, table cells, and other tables.

Define Table Table Alignment Table Border (either on or off) Table Border (you can set the value) Cell Spacing Cell Padding Desired Width (in pixels) Width Percent (percentage of page)


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Table Color (or use color name like yellow) Table Rules Border Color Dark Border Light Border Table Row Alignment Table Cell (must appear within table rows) Alignment No linebreaks Columns to Span Rows to Span Desired Width (in pixels) Width Percent (percentage of table) Cell Color Header Cell (same as data, except bold centered) Alignment No Linebreaks Columns to Span Rows to Span Desired Width (in pixels) Width Percent (percentage of table) Cell Color Table Body Table Footer (must come before THEAD> Table Header Table Caption

Alignment Column (groups column attributes) Columns Spanned Column Width Width Percent Group columns (groups column structure) Columns Spanned Group Width Width Percent


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Tables are good way to organize your page. You can add photo, description in a row, which can display in order. Tables are defined with the tag.

A table is divided into rows (with the tag), and each row is divided into data cells (with the tag).

The letters td stands for table data, which is the content of a data cell.

A data cell can contain text, images, lists, paragraphs, forms, horizontal rules, tables, etc.

If you do not specify a border attribute the table will be displayed without any borders.

To display a table with borders, you will have to use the border attribute.


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Example Table HTML code:

Formatting Links, Graphics and Sounds

Link Something To link something you need to write this code: HREF=URL> If you like to add a link to your About Me page simple add this code: This is my personal webpage Change the url address to yours.


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It is useful to give a target blank option; if you do not want your visitors leave from your eBay About Me, or eBay store page. Example: Design by Nur

Link to Location (if in another document) (if in current document) Target Window Link to Email Specify Subject (use a real question mark) Define Location

Using Images It is a good way adding a link to an image. For instance, you do not want to write your email address or phone number on the web to avoid spam. Search engines cannot read images.

Example: This image has a website link, goes to www.designbynur.com

Design by Nur

Display Image Alignment Alignment Alternate (if image not displayed) Dimensions (in pixels) (as percentage of page width/height) Border (in pixels) Runaround Space (in pixels) Imagemap (requires a script, which eBay might not allow)


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Image Example: Detail

Using Sound & Movie Sound files must be hosted online to be used in an auction. Sound can be hosted on your website, on a file host, or on some image hosting websites. This is a clickable link that gives the user the option to hear the sound. You may replace the URL for your own hosted file wherever we show in the example: Click to hear it

Or you might like to embed the sound clip to the page like this: This method calls the sound player that may be on the users computer.

* You should use this option carefully; most people do not like to hear loop sound repeatedly.

Adding Movies Movie Clip Background Sound Embed Object (insert object into page) Object Size Object 4.0 Parameters

Adding Flash eBay also approves of FLASH files for sound or images (Not for auction description). You can add a Flash banner or header to your eBay store or About Me pages. Here is a coding example of the OBJECT tag that automatically runs a Macromedia player from a remote site.


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Here is an example HTML template code to use on eBay Auction listing. Just copy and paste the text into item description box, you can modify the text anyway you want.

Item Specifications Lily Pond Detail view This photo taken in Oregon, 2007. Purple lily blooms covering the pond. This 8 x 10 inch photo is printed on Epson Professional photographic paper using K3 Ultra Chrome Archival Inks. This photo is printed on a highend professional Canon Printer. Archival rate is about a hundred plus years. Photo Details:

Title: Cheerful Blooming


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Size: 8 x 10 inches Matted 11x14

Payment

We accept: PayPal, and US Money Orders Payments only. Payment must be received within 6 days. We will contact eBay about any nonpayer bidders and will take appropriate

actions.

Shipping All packages shipped via UPS Ground to the 48 continental states only. This shipping price covers all shipping, insurance and handling charges. UPS Next Day Air Shipping is available at an additional charge.

Feedback Policy EBay Feedback Policy: If you are satisfied with the transaction, please leave a positive feedback and we will do same.

Return Policy This item is nonrefundable non exchangeable and all sales are final in downloads.

Thank you for looking at our auction, please come back frequently for newer items.

If you like to use HTML, and preview it online go to http://www.creatingonline.com/html_editor/editor.htm

This website allows you to create HTML page.


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This is simple HTML user guide, you can make much more effective changes by using inline CSS.

If you have any question, please visit www.designbynur.com has many web site tips.

Written by Nur Roy November 2007, updated 2011

Thanks for downloading!More goodies at my website: http://www.designbynur.com/eng/freebies.htm

Follow me on Twitter!TWITTER /DesignByNur


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html-ebay

Documents

listing item

ebay guide

item fits

ebay page

ebay seller

good title

good description

sell link