How to list on eBay: A step-by-step guide for sellers (2026)

If you don’t know how to list on eBay, you risk ruining visibility with bad photos and descriptions. To list on eBay, create an account, then add a title, category, quality photos, item details, description, pricing, and shipping settings before publishing. Present items accurately so buyers can easily find and trust your listing.

Here’s my 7-step guide that walks you through everything you need to know about creating eBay listings. 

What you’ll need before starting 

Before creating an eBay listing, you’ll need an eBay account. Once you’re signed up, the platform restricts new accounts to a specific number of listings and sales per month. 

These limits aren’t set in stone. They’re unique to every account. eBay typically shows your limits after you make your first sale on your eBay account overview page.

How to list on eBay: Step by step

You can create your first eBay listing by following these steps to help you avoid common mistakes and present your product more professionally to potential buyers:

Step 1: Choose your item and start a listing 

Check eBay’s prohibited and restricted items page to confirm that the platform allows what you want to sell and avoid listing anything that could be removed or put your account at risk. Follow these pointers to create a strong listing:

• Assess item condition honestly: Evaluate wear and flaws carefully, and describe them accurately to avoid returns and negative buyer feedback.
• Research recent sold prices: Review the prices of similarly listed items or sold listings to understand real buyer demand. Jot down prices, dates, and product quality. Consider using an eBay seller analysis tool for accurate pricing. 
• Choose listing creation method: Use catalog matches for faster setup, or start from scratch for unique or vintage items.

Step 2: Add title and category

Your eBay title gives you up to 80 characters, so it usually works best to front‑load the most critical keywords buyers actually search for. Always include item type, brand, and model instead of filler like “wow” or “amazing.” Writing informative titles can help your listings perform better in eBay’s search results.

For example, if you title your Nike shoes as “Nike Air Max 90 Men’s Size 10 White,” buyers are more likely to find and click your listing. Don’t use a fluff-filled title like “Gorgeous Nike Air Max Kicks,” as this title leaves out crucial information about your product.

Use a crosslisting and automation tool like Nifty, which includes an AI tool for generating SEO-optimized titles and listings. Simply upload up to 8 photos, and Nifty will create a title and listing description for you. 

Aim to include clear, specific information such as size, color, condition, model name or number, and any standout feature. Your title should be informative and provide buyers with enough detail to know they’ve found the right item.

Next, choose the most accurate category from eBay’s suggestions to help your listing appear where buyers expect to find it. Miscategorizing an item (for example, a laptop as a tablet) can confuse shoppers and limit visibility.

Step 3: Upload photos and video

eBay allows up to 24 pictures and one video per listing. Make each image as eye-catching as possible and choose a cover photo that stops buyers from scrolling.

Follow these tips to beautify your listing photos:

• Use multiple clear photos: Upload several high-quality images so buyers can fully evaluate the item and feel confident before purchasing.
• Optimize lighting and background: Use natural or soft lighting and neutral backgrounds to keep attention on the product, not distractions.
• Capture all key angles: Photograph front, back, sides, labels, and close-ups of wear or features to set accurate buyer expectations.
• Show flaws and details: Include close-ups of scratches, defects, or unique traits to reduce disputes and build buyer trust.
• Add a video for complex items: If you’re selling a complex item like a TV or computer, use a short video to clearly demonstrate its function, movement, or real-world scale. 
• Use quality photo-editing software: eBay does offer a simple photo-editing tool, but it doesn’t provide advanced filters or background removals. Get a professional photo-editing tool, like the one that comes with a Nifty subscription, and make your pictures stand out. 

Step 4: Fill out item specifics and description

Item specifics and descriptions are central to your listing’s visibility and how much buyers trust it. Here are some tips for writing a description that converts a browser into a buyer:

Tip #1: Disclose condition clearly and honestly

Describe all wear, flaws, repairs, or missing parts in both the condition field and description to prevent disputes and returns. Highlight brand, features, and use case first, then list defects clearly so buyers understand the full condition before buying.

Tip #2: Add helpful optional specifics

Go beyond required fields by adding measurements, fit, fabric, or compatibility details to help serious buyers find an exact match.

Tip #3: Use mobile-friendly formatting

Stick to short sentences, plain text, and bullet points so your description remains easy to read on mobile devices.

Step 5: Choose pricing format

Using the research you did during Step 1, set your item’s pricing. Then, decide between auction and Buy It Now based on demand and how fast you want to sell. 

Auctions often work best for unique, rare, or hard-to-price items, like trading cards, collectibles, and vintage items. If you’re using a fixed‑price or auction format, turn on Best Offer and use auto‑accept and auto‑decline settings to allow negotiation while protecting your minimum price.

On the other hand, Buy It Now works better for common products like household goods and day-to-day items with predictable pricing. 

If auctions go unsold, review pricing, photos, and keywords, or switch to Buy It Now instead of repeatedly relisting.

Step 6: Set shipping and returns

eBay lets you set your own shipping options provided they follow the platform’s terms, carrier rules, and any applicable legal requirements. Follow these pointers to set shipping options:

• Choose a shipping price method: Decide between calculated shipping based on buyer location or flat-rate pricing for predictable costs on lightweight items.
• Enter accurate package details: Input correct weight and dimensions to avoid carrier adjustments, extra fees, or shipping delays.
• Set competitive handling time: Use a short handling window to appeal to buyers who want fast shipping after purchase.
• Offer returns thoughtfully: Enable returns to build trust, choose an appropriate window, and clearly state return shipping responsibility and fees.
• Use saved business policies: Create reusable shipping and return templates to keep listings consistent and save time. 

Step 7: Review and publish your listing

Once you’ve filled out all the fields for your eBay listing, give it a careful review. Use this checklist so you don’t forget anything: 

1. Preview your listing carefully: Use the preview option to catch typos, missing photos, formatting issues, or required fields before publishing.
2. Fix errors and warnings: Address any red highlights or warning icons so the listing meets eBay’s requirements and can go live.
3. Review fees before publishing: Check insertion and selling fees near submission so you understand costs before the item sells. If you’re not sure how much eBay takes, read our guide on eBay fees and commissions.
4. Choose the right listing duration: Use Good ’Til Canceled for fixed-price listings or a set timeframe for auctions based on your strategy.
5. Edit cautiously after publishing: You can change most details later, but auctions with bids may require ending and relisting.

Common eBay listing mistakes to avoid 

Even experienced sellers make preventable errors that cost them sales, damage their reputation, or trigger unexpected fees. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1: Pricing from active listings only

Search completed and sold listings instead to see what buyers actually paid recently. This data reveals true demand and realistic pricing that leads to faster sales. Basing your price on what other sellers are currently asking ignores market value, as those listings may have been sitting unsold for months. 

Mistake #2: Skipping item specifics

Don’t leave optional item specifics blank. When you do, buyers who want to narrow down their search by size, color, brand, or material might miss your listing. Adding these details takes minutes but expands your visibility across eBay and external search engines. 

Mistake #3: Incorrect shipping weights

When you underestimate your package weight and dimensions, your carriers will likely charge you extra, which will cut into your profit. Always weigh items with packaging materials included and add a few ounces as a buffer.

Mistake #4: Low-quality photos

Buyers will question, and often pass on, listings with blurry images, poor lighting, or cluttered backgrounds. Use natural light, plain backgrounds, and multiple angles showing any flaws honestly. 

Advanced tips for better visibility and sales 

Here are some advanced techniques that can help you attract better buyers and accelerate sales velocity:

• Revise listings after publishing: Active listings allow edits to price, photos, description, and shipping terms without ending them. Adding better detail pictures or lowering prices on stagnant listings refreshes their appeal and can trigger renewed visibility in search results.
• Ending and relisting timing: Relisting unsold items resets their position in search results and gives them a visibility boost, as new listings often rank higher initially. Wait at least a few days after ending before relisting to avoid appearing desperate, and use the gap to refresh photos or adjust pricing. 
• Promoted listings usage: Paid promotion places your listing in priority search positions. For some campaign types, you pay per qualifying click on the ad, while others charge an ad fee only when a promoted item sells within the attribution window after a buyer interacts with the ad.
• Sell on multiple marketplaces: To increase your chances of making a sale and expose your listings to more buyers, list the same items on Poshmark, Etsy, or other selling platforms. Don’t crosslist manually — use a crosslisting tool like Nifty to manage your listings quickly and productively. 

Simplify listing on eBay with Nifty

Now that you know how to list on eBay step by step, it's time to speed up the process and multiply your reach by crosslisting. Nifty is the perfect crosslisting tool for reaching a wider audience. It provides a centralized command center where you can bulk upload, update, and edit your listings.

Here's why so many folks choose Nifty:

• AI listing: Snap a pic and let Nifty's AI build a complete listing with SEO-optimized titles and descriptions, and trending hashtags. Plus, it's cloud-based, mobile-friendly, and easy to use.
• Crosslist now: With a couple of clicks, post your items across Poshmark, eBay, Mercari, Depop, and Etsy. No copy-paste and no multi-tab juggling. (More marketplaces coming soon!)
• Automatic delisting? Handled: When you make a sale, Nifty's sales detection auto-delists that item from every marketplace. Say goodbye to double-selling disasters and “sorry, it's already gone” apology messages.
• Bulk tools = no busywork: Share and relist daily with just a few clicks. Update or discount dozens of items at once. You can even schedule drafts to go live while you sleep.
• Analytics and profits are real: Track sales, fees, top performers, and slow movers in one clean dashboard, so you can actually see what's working and what's just dead space.

See why over 10,000 sellers trust Nifty and start your 7-day free trial right now.

FAQs

1. How much does it cost to list an item on eBay?

Non‑store sellers receive 250 zero‑insertion‑fee listings per month (250 free listings). Store subscribers get higher free listing allowances based on their level. After you use your free listings, eBay charges about $0.35 per additional listing. The cost to list and sell an item on eBay in 2026 depends on whether you have a store subscription, your item’s category, and any optional listing upgrades.

2. Is it better to use auction or Buy It Now when listing on eBay?

Auctions work best for unique, rare, or hard-to-price collectibles where competitive bidding might drive higher prices. Buy It Now suits products with established market values and appeals to buyers wanting immediate purchase. So, using auction or Buy It Now when listing on eBay depends on your item and timeline.

3. How many photos and videos should I add to an eBay listing?

You should add multiple high‑quality photos (often 6–8 or more) to an eBay listing, and the platform allows up to 24 images per listing. Include multiple angles showing front, back, sides, labels, and any wear or defects. Adding one video is optional but particularly valuable for complex items like electronics, where demonstrating functionality builds buyer confidence.