I have created this visual tutorial to better serve my valued customers. All template purchases will include a copy of my auction template instructions in greater detail. Please refer to those instructions for additional information. I am available for assistance for any further questions you may have about using my templates, however, I do not provide assistance with many other eBay related questions since eBay provides their own helpful tutorials and customer support. Please allow 24 hours for responses to submitted questions, and be sure to check your spam folder for responses that might have been misdirected. It is helpful to add my email address (BlessMyDesigns@aol.com) to your address book to ensure proper delivery of all correspondence.
Please be sure you have read my Frequently Asked Questions prior to submitting your question, as you just may find the answer to your question right there!
HELPFUL INFORMATION
If you have never used a custom auction template, it does have a bit of a learning curve to it, however, I try to be thorough and detailed with my instructions, keeping the newest of users in mind, to make the process as easy as possible. Once you get the hang of using a custom template, it should become a simple and easy task for future uses. Trust me when I say that it is WELL worth the initial effort to make your auctions look more attractive and professional which will grab and keep the attention of your potential buyers.
GETTING STARTED
When you open your auction template document, you will see a code that appears as a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols: this is your template HTML Code, similar to the visual sample below. However helpful, no HTML knowledge is required to use my templates. Only a basic knowledge of COPY & PASTE is required to use my templates. To copy text, simply click and drag to highlight the text you want to copy and press Ctrl+C (or Edit > Copy). To paste text, simply press Ctrl+V (or Edit > Paste). Documents are sent in Word format by default since most of my customers use this program. My second preferred choice format is Works. If you need another format or have any trouble opening the documents, please feel free to contact me.
SAMPLE TEMPLATE - HTML CODE DOCUMENT
INSERTING YOUR CUSTOM AUCTION TEMPLATE
Begin by logging into your eBay account and start creating a new listing by clicking "Sell" at the top of your screen, then the blue "Start Selling" button, and follow the steps to setting up your listing categories, title, item specifics, gallery photo, etc. within eBay's "Sell Your Item Form" just as you would for any other listing. When you reach the description box where it says "Describe the item you are selling", it is time to insert your auction template.
Click to select the HTML tab before inserting your auction template code. Copy the entire HTML code of your auction template and paste into the description box.
Note to Mac Users: If you are using a Mac computer, there is a KNOWN GLITCH with eBay and Mac which does not allow you to view the HTML tab. If you cannot view the HTML tab, you should be able to successfully use your template by accessing eBay through another web browser such as Mozilla Firefox, which is free for download. Please contact eBay or Mac for any further assistance.
ADDING YOUR PRODUCT PHOTOS
Now, it's time to add your product photos! Once you have inserted your auction template HTML code into the description box, it is best to add your photo URL(s) while still viewing your template in the HMTL tab. (Or insert them into your auction template code prior to pasting your template into the description box.) You will need to use an online photo host to take advantage of the part of the template that allows for unlimited photos. I recommend Photobucket, and it's FREE at www.photobucket.com. Log into your photo host account, and upload and save your product photos. The visual sample below shows photos being uploaded to Photobucket. If you are using Photobucket, click to select the DIRECT LINK only when choosing the photo URL you will use in your template. The correct URL starts with http:// and ends in your picture format extension, such as .jpg, .gif, etc.
Scroll down and locate the RED TEXT in the portion of the template that says URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE. This is where you place your product photo URL. Replace that text by pasting your product photo URL in it's place. You can easily locate where the picture goes by looking for the BOLD text that says, "INSERT PHOTO URL BELOW THIS LINE" and "INSERT YOUR PHOTO URL ABOVE THIS LINE".
Below is what your photo URL should look like when properly inserted. Please note that there MUST be a SPACE between the URL and the word "border" or you will end up having a box with a red "x" in it, and no photo will display in your listing.
If you do not wish to utilize the photo portion of the template, simply REMOVE the photo code starting at "INSERT PHOTO URL BELOW THIS LINE" and ending at "INSERT YOUR PHOTO URL ABOVE THIS LINE". You can still upload your free gallery photo through eBay which will be displayed at the top and bottom of your listing page, but not within the template itself.
ADDING MULTIPLE PHOTOS
When you want to add multiple photos, simply copy and paste the photo code into your template, over and over, after the previous one, for as many pictures as you want to include and follow the instructions above for entering each photo URL. The visual sample below shows five photos. Include the html code <br><br> (break) after each photo code to vertically align your pictures with a space in between each photo. Please see auction template instructions that will accompany your purchase for more information on adding multiple photos.
Switch back to the Standard tab to view your auction template. Here you can edit the text in your TITLE, DESCRIPTION, and PAYMENT and SHIPPING details. Simply scroll down to view the rest of the template and REPLACE the RED TEXT with your choice of text in these areas. You can also change the font style, size, color, etc. right from this screen using the toolbar provided by eBay at the top of the description box if you wish, however, the template's font style, size and color are preset in the HTML coding to match your template.
Complete the rest of eBay's "Sell Your Item Form" by including all necessary information such as gallery photo, price, shipping, return policy, etc. Review your listing before submitting your auction.
SAVING YOUR TEMPLATE
If you would like to save your template within your eBay account for ease of future use on additional listings, be sure to CHECK the box that says "Save this listing as a template and use it to sell similar items" prior to submitting your listing. Saving templates within your eBay account is NOT a requirement for using my templates, since they are as simple as COPY & PASTE and FILL IN THE "BLANKS".... however, some may find this very useful for templates they use often. Please Note: At this time, eBay only allows for saving a maximum of 10 custom templates within your account.
You can locate your saved template and create a new listing using the same template by clicking "Sell" at the top of your screen, then the blue "Start Selling" button, which brings you to a screen similar to the visual image below. Choose the auction template of your choice by the title of your saved template and click "Go" to start a new auction using the same template. Be SURE to make any appropriate changes to item specifics for your new product, such as categories, title, gallery image, price, shipping, insurance, etc.
Once you have saved a single template within your account, you can create more saved templates by following the same instructions, or simply click "Create templates" below the existing templates drop down menu. You can also locate any active auction that is currently using the desired template and simply click "Sell similar" to create a new listing using the same auction template. Again, you will need to change any appropriate item specifics to accurately describe the new product you are listing, as it will be prefilled with information from the previous listing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional instructions on how to add photo captions, slideshows and other additional options, please see the detailed template instructions that will accompany your auction template upon purchase. If after reading all instructions, you have further questions, be sure to first view my Frequently Asked Questions, and feel free to Contact Me for additional assistance if needed!
It is NOT required to have a hosting service host your template for you! However, you certainly MAY use a third party hosting service if you wish, with your OWN knowledge of use of these programs. This is not a service I provide. Some paid services offer free installation of custom templates. Other free services will require you to upload them yourself. But, neither are needed, since all my auction templates require is a simple copy and paste method.
TERMS OF USE
Thank you for taking the time to read and respect the terms of use agreement. Purchase of my auction templates signifies that you have read and agreed to the terms of use. Auction template codes and graphic images and designs will remain property of Blessed by Designs. You are being granted a limited license agreement that allows you permission to use the copyrighted graphics and template within your eBay auctions. Template code and graphic images may NOT be altered or modified in any way, and may not be shared, distributed, duplicated, or offered for sale in whole or part. Credits, including an active link to my store, located at the bottom of the template must remain attached to all templates, and may not be altered or removed. Template contains a ‘no right click’ script to protect copyrighted graphics and images, and may not be altered or removed. Templates are for your personal use ONLY, and is to be used only by the eBay User ID associated with auction purchase. Auction templates are to be used ONLY within your auction listings. About Me pages and eBay store designs must be purchased separately. These graphics may NOT be used for any web design, blogs, or other such sites, and are not to be used outside of eBay in whole or part without specific written permission from Blessed by Designs. I do actively pursue copyright infringement and defend my intellectual property rights when needed. ALL of my designs are permitted for use within FAMILY FRIENDLY AUCTIONS ONLY. All Rights Reserved, Copyright © Blessed by Designs.
As always, your business is appreciated! Have a blessed day!
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