Variations are ideal when you have a product that has different versions to choose from, but they are essentially the same product. There are a wide variety of different option types that qualify as variations, with the most common being color and size. When you list products like these using variations you can have one listing that encompasses all of the different choices. If you do this correctly it can save you a great deal of time and money.
Your Buyers Will Thank You
Have you ever shopped for a product where you’ve almost found exactly what you want, but it isn’t quite what you are looking for? Maybe the size is too small, or the color is too bold. Maybe you are looking for a cinnamon scented candle and all you can find is vanilla. You can either keep looking and hope you eventually find what you really want, you can settle for a product that isn’t quite right (and possibly return it later), or you can give up and not buy the product at all.
If the product is set up with variations you’ll know if the seller has what you are looking for. That candle might not come in cinnamon, but might be available in pumpkin, peppermint, pine, and twenty other scents. You can easily choose the one that you prefer. The seller gets an immediate sale that is much less likely to end up as a return. The buyer didn’t have to navigate through a cluttered product list, was able to compare what was offered quickly, and made a purchase that might not have happened at all if the listing wasn’t using variations. If the buyer is browsing on eBay the seller didn’t give them a reason to keep scrolling and possibly buy from someone else instead.
When You Should Use Variations on eBay
In short, if you have a product that has multiple different versions, then you should use variations whenever possible! eBay doesn’t support variations in all categories, though, so the first thing to do is to check and see if they are supported for your product. There are two different ways to figure this out.
The easiest way to tell if a category supports variations is to start the process of creating a listing through Auctiva. Once you’ve added the eBay category to the Auctiva listing form you’ll know that the category supports variations because a variation option will be displayed on the page showing you what variant attributes eBay allows.
Another way to tell if a specific type of product can use variations on eBay is to search for that product on eBay’s site. If you find a listing of the product that gives you a price range (such as $10.00 - $15.00 instead of just $10.00) then the listing is likely using variations. Check the eBay category for the listing to see what category the other seller is listing in for the product.
Get The Most Out Of Your Variations
It is important to be sure your attributes (for example, if you have different sizes available your attributes might be small, medium, and large) align with eBay’s search refiners. If you are using “Men’s Large” for one of your attributes, but eBay shows only “Large” when a buyer refines their search, then you should use “Large” for your attribute instead. This can get much more complex with some types of variations (like color). A good way to determine how you should enter your variations is to pretend you are a buyer shopping for a similar product and see what options you are given by eBay when you refine your search.
Using Variations Is A Benefit For Both Buyers And Sellers
There are benefits of using variations for both buyers and sellers. Buyers have a better shopping experience by putting all of their options in one listing, making it easy to compare products without digging through clutter. Sellers are able to consolidate their inventory by creating one listing instead of many listings for qualifying products. This leads to lower listing fees (the fewer listings the lower the fees) and higher conversion rates. Implementing variations effectively can optimize your eBay listings and improve your overall sales performance.
Auctiva staff writers constantly monitor trends and best practices of those selling on eBay and elsewhere online. They attend relevant training seminars and trade shows and regularly discuss the market with PowerSellers and other market experts.
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