# How to Sell on eBay: A Complete Beginner's Guide in 2026

Canonical URL: https://www.sellraze.com/blog/blog-how-to-sell-on-ebay-2026
Markdown URL: https://www.sellraze.com/blog/blog-how-to-sell-on-ebay-2026.md
Published: 2026-03-19T23:00:16.000+00:00
Updated: 2026-03-19T23:00:15.000+00:00
Authors: Jasmin Mipaña
Reading time: 9 min

> Learn how to sell on eBay step by step. Covers account setup, listing tips, fees, shipping, and how to get your first sale in 2026.

![The eBay logo on a computer screen](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/2c/e92c0268-0a3c-45b5-8c3a-b81ee6ef33fd/content/images/2026/03/freepik__talk__2973.png)

eBay is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to reselling websites. Why? It’s one of the oldest online marketplaces. It’s still going strong today, with a whopping [**134 million active buyers**](https://investors.ebayinc.com/investor-news/press-release-details/2025/eBay-Inc.-Reports-Fourth-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2024-Results/default.aspx?ref=sellraze.ghost.io). So if you’re a newbie in the resale business, you’ll naturally ask yourself how to sell on eBay.

eBay is one of the places to go if you’re looking where to sell clothes online, both brand-new and secondhand. While this marketplace giant is particularly famous as an electronics and tech store, secondhand clothing is actually one of the best things to sell on eBay.

Doing a closet cleanout or trying your hand with reselling? We’ll be guiding you on how to set up your eBay account for your first sale and everything in between.

## Step 1: Create Your eBay account

The first step in how to sell on eBay is by creating an account. eBay lets you create your account in four ways: via email, or through Google, Facebook, or Apple. You can also sign up either by web or via the app.

### Creating an account via email

1. Click the **My eBay**tab on the website.
2. Click “**Create account**”.
3. Choose “**Personal**” or “**Business”.**

(_Note: a Personal account works if you’re a casual seller; otherwise, choose Business if you have plenty of inventory._

1. Enter your first name, last name, email and password if you chose Personal. For Business, enter your business name, email, password, and choose the country where your business is registered.

### Creating an eBay account using Google, Facebook, and Apple

![eBay signup page](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/2c/e92c0268-0a3c-45b5-8c3a-b81ee6ef33fd/content/images/2026/03/ebay-signup-page.png)

_Image from eBay_

1. Click on **My eBay**tab.
2. You will see “Continue with Google/Facebook/Apple.
3. Follow the prompts and enter the needed data.

(Note: For Google and Facebook, you’ll be asked to allow access to your public profile and email address, while Apple needs you to input your Apple ID and password, plus the 6-digit Apple verification code).

1. Enter your contact address and telephone number.

Creating an account via Google and Facebook is faster when the email you use for these accounts is the same email you’ll be using for eBay. Linking accounts is also easier when using your Apple ID.

eBay knows that setting up an account is for the first time might be a challenge to some, so expect a welcome email with links to helpful articles from Customer Service.

## Step 2: Set up Your Profile

A complete profile = higher buyer trust. To customize your profile, find your username in the topmost portion of eBay when using the web. If using the mobile app, click on **My eBay,** then click your username. You’ll be redirected to your profile page. Click **Edit Profile**.

You can make changes to the following:

- **Profile picture -**By tapping the pencil icon, you can add or change your profile picture.
- **Description -**This part tells about your store.

**Note:** _While adding links in the description to your accounts in other marketplaces is common, eBay does not allow this._

Some tips in customizing your profile include **using a professional logo** if you’re not keen on using a photo of yourself. Use the description to upsell your store; tell them about your products and why buying from you is a good thing.

Should you skip the description, eBay will display when you started selling on the platform and your current rating. As a new seller, it’s also important to share your eBay store link, especially on social media. You’ll find this unique link in your profile.

After you register, you’ll need to complete an **identity check** before you can sell.

### Identity confirmation

Important: You’ll need to submit more information when you register as a Business seller. As an individual seller, you’ll only need to provide your full name, address and country of residence, date of birth, and Social Security Number.

For registered businesses, LLCs and similar business setups, this is the information you need to submit to eBay:

- Legal business name
- Doing Business As name, if any
- Employer Identification Number,
- Business addresses including country of residence
- Identification for stakeholders like CEOs, COOs, Directors, etc.
- Stock Exchange and Stock Symbol for publicly traded companies

Individuals need to provide documentation like a US passport, or a US Residence Permit. Businesses, depending on the kind, may need to submit more (see the full list [**here**](https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/registering-seller?id=4792&ref=sellraze.ghost.io)).

**Note**: _PO Boxes are not accepted as addresses on eBay, whether you’re registering as an individual or a business._

## Step 3: Listing Your First Item on eBay

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/2c/e92c0268-0a3c-45b5-8c3a-b81ee6ef33fd/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-20-033337.png)

_eBay Quick Link landing page_

How to list on eBay for beginners? First, identify what you want to resell. As for listing, eBay has several listing tools and methods that cater to every seller’s preference. There are three ways to get your listings up and going:

- Through the [**Quick Link**](https://www.ebay.com/sl/prelist/suggest?ref=sellraze.ghost.io)
- Via the **Seller Hub Listings,** or
- Via the **Create your listing**button from [**export.ebay.com**](http://export.ebay.com/?ref=sellraze.ghost.io)

You can also choose the Bulk Listing Tool. eBay also lets you create multiple listings from photos with its AI-powered tool. These can be accessed through the Seller Hub.

Here’s how to list on eBay 2026:

### Using the Quick Link

1. In the search bar, type the brand or keyword for what you’re selling (e.g., Carhartt jacket)
2. You will be taken to a page that says “Find a Match”. Add details using the dropdown menus, or scroll down to find a match from their product library. Otherwise, click “Continue without match” at the bottom.
3. If you choose a product from their product library, a pop-up window will appear. This shows a similar listing from another seller, and will help you draft your first listing. Click “Continue”
4. You’ll be prompted to select the condition. Condition will depend on the kind of item you are listing. For example, searching for “Canmake eyeliner” will bring you to choose from “New with Box” and “New without Box”, while choosing an existing listing for “Carhartt jacket” will generate “[**New with Tags**](https://www.sellraze.com/blog/blog-nwt-meaning-reselling?ref=sellraze.ghost.io)”, “New Without Tags”, “New with Imperfections”, “Pre-owned - Excellent”, and so on.
5. You’ll then be taken to the “Complete Listings Page” where you can add photos. eBay lets you upload 6-24 photos for one listing
6. Next, you’ll be taken to the page where you can put the item title, category and specifics. There are also choices provided in the “Additional” section. Further down the page is the box for the description. Being thorough with the description helps a lot, as well as with the title.
7. Scroll down further and you’ll see the “Pricing” section, which has the Format, Price and Quantity. There’s also the option to allow offers, where you can set the minimum and maximum price.
8. Update shipping details and payment preferences.
9. You can choose to promote your listing by clicking the options, so your item would be seen more in searches
10. You’ll find the “List it”, “Save for later” and “Preview” options at the bottom. Choose which one works for you at the moment.

You can also access this method of listing from the Seller Hub. This is the easiest way of listing on eBay.

To make good-quality listings, you need to have very specific, searchable titles. For example, “ Carhartt bomber jacket” is kind of generic, but then you write it down as “Carhartt Work in Progress Bomber Jacket in navy blue” appeals more to buyers since it has a detailed title description. The same goes for item description.

_**Note**: One of the best items to resell in eBay is clothing, aside from electronics and collectibles._

For pricing, check similar items to learn how to price your item right. Try to find the lowest and the highest price for your item; check the sales results for the items and see how many have been sold, what’s the average price for your item, so you can price it with a good profit margin.

## Step 4: Price it Right

![Concept art of pricing on eBay](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/2c/e92c0268-0a3c-45b5-8c3a-b81ee6ef33fd/content/images/2026/03/notebook-mockup.jpg)

_[Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik](https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/notebook-mockup_3218170.htm?ref=sellraze.ghost.io#fromView=search&page=1&position=18&uuid=129a1531-24b9-4ae8-a15e-17a017817705&query=pricing)_

Still related to pricing: always check sold listings, not active listings. The reason? Sold listings already have a track record of being sold. It’s proven that people are likely to buy that item for that price. Active listings are just items waiting to be sold. Join the bandwagon and price your item within the price range of many items sold.

For example, there are 150 active listings for a Lululemon jacket, and there were 150 sold in the last 90 days, then it’s sell-through rate is 100% (meaning it sells fast). To sell items well, price them in the bottom 20%-30% of the average price, so your inventory would keep moving.

Pricing calculations do not end there, though. You need to consider eBay’s fee structure to price your items right and factor in the seller fees so you’ll still have a good profit.

## Step 5: Shipping

eBay supports domestic shipping (in the US) and international shipping. For US sellers shipping within the country, you have the option to choose standard shipping, freight, or local pickup only. For shipping services, you can choose from the following economy services:

- USPS Parcel Select Ground
- USPS Media Mail
- FedEx Ground Economy
- Economy Shipping
- USPS Surepost

For US sellers shipping internationally, you may use the following:

- eBay International Standard Delivery
- USPS Priority Mail International
- USPS Priority Mail International Medium/Large Flat Rate Box
- USPS Priority Mail Express International

There’s also eBay International Standard Shipping and Economy International Shipping available when you click on “**Ships worldwide”.**

Each of these shipping options has different delivery dates, so make sure you and the buyer have discussed which shipping and delivery services to choose.

Shipping fees vary for each order, depending on its weight and other dimensions. You can choose to offer free shipping (seller will pay for the shipping) or the buyer will handle it.

## Tips for Selling Faster on eBay

![Concept of eBay sales](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e9/2c/e92c0268-0a3c-45b5-8c3a-b81ee6ef33fd/content/images/2026/03/cyber-monday-shopping-sales.jpg)

_[Image by freepik](https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/cyber-monday-shopping-sales_10297459.htm?ref=sellraze.ghost.io#fromView=search&page=1&position=6&uuid=9fa06114-553a-45f4-9a94-c31bb129d508&query=online+sales)_

Selling on eBay is competitive; you need to stand out. Here are a few tips that will help you land your first sale, and followed by many more sales:

- **Keywords, keywords, keywords.** Look at the title and descriptions of the best-selling items. See what keywords they are using and use them in your own descriptions and titles.
- **Photos are gold.**Buyers can’t see the items physically, so photograph the item completely—top, bottom, side, flaws, preferably under good natural lighting preferably. It’s the best way to showcase what you sell online.
- **Use bulleted descriptions.**Easier to read than long-winded paragraphs.
- **Fill in specifics and categories correctly.**No one wants yoga pants lumped in together with pajamas and snow gear.
- **Update old listings regularly.**Item not selling? Take new photos, describe with keywords, or set a marked-down price. This works too with other apps like eBay e.g., [Poshmark,](https://www.sellraze.com/blog/blog-is-poshmark-legit-review?ref=sellraze.ghost.io) [Depop](http://depop.com/?ref=sellraze.ghost.io), and others.

## eBay Fees

There are two main types of selling fees eBay charges its sellers, which are the insertion fee and a final value fee. The insertion fee is for listings that exceed eBay's 250 zero–fee listings monthly. Basically, you are given 250 free listings per month.

Final value fees are calculated when your item sells. It’s made up of a percentage of the total sales amount plus an additional per order fee. Per - order fee is $0.30 if the order costs less than $10 and $0.40 for items above $10.

To be honest, eBay has a rather complicated fee structure, with varying insertion fees for different categories, sales brackets, and formats. Other add-on fees may also be calculated into your final fees, along with taxes. But once you understand it, you'll be able to set a proper price for your inventory.

Here's a sample computation of a $50 item with zero insertion fee:

Item: Lululemon jacket

| Price/Fees | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Sale price | $50.00 |
| Insertion fee | $0.00 |
| Final value fee (15% of $50) for women’s clothing | $7.50 |
| Per-order fee | $0.40 |
| Total eBay fees | $7.90 |
| Final payout (before shipping cost) | $42.10 |

For a better understanding of eBay’s seller fees, take a look at their [**help page.**](https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/fees-credits-invoices/selling-fees?id=4822&ref=sellraze.ghost.io#section3)

## Sell Faster Across Multiple Platforms

As a new eBay seller, it’s normal to have doubts when truing to sell online on eBay. Learning how to sell on eBay, making optimized listing on eBay and all the other important steps are just the beginning. Soon, you’ll be finding the best items to resell online and become a proficient eBay seller.

Once you’ve got the hang of how to sell on eBay, the next step is crosslisting to reach more buyers. SellRaze lets you manage your listings effortlessly from multiple platforms in one place. No need to open all your resale apps and check what’s being sold—SellRaze handles it all, so you can spend less time listing, and more time selling.