Your item's title and description are your advertisement—an opportunity to both inform and excite buyers. Writing a good title and description will significantly increase your chances of your listing being found and sold.

Writing an effective title

Make a clear, compelling first impression by writing a great title for your item.

Start with these tips:

• Use up to 80 descriptive keywords to clearly and accurately convey what you’re selling. You don’t have to use all 80 characters.

• Include the item's brand name, artist, or designer.

• Include item-specific attributes. For example, include size, color, condition, and item number. 

• State exactly what your item is, even if your title repeats the category name.  

• Don’t use multiple synonyms or plurals. It’s not needed for search and may make your title less attractive to buyers.

• Omit punctuation marks and asterisks.  

• Don’t include "wow" or "look." Buyers don't search for words like these.

• Use correct spelling.

• Don't worry about creating a grammatically correct sentence.  

• Don't overuse acronyms.

• Don't use all caps.

What to avoid in your title

Follow eBay's rules by avoiding titles that:

• Fail to state the nature of the item.

• Contain false or misleading information.

• Contain website addresses, email addresses, or phone numbers. The exception is the sale of domain names.

• Contain profane or obscene language.

• Use the following words in an attempt to market or advertise their item:

  • Prohibited

  • Banned

  • Illegal

  • Outlawed

• Use any other descriptive word that may bring into question the legality of an item by either governmental or eBay standards.

• Include brand names other than the specific brand name used by the company that manufactured or produced the item you're listing. This is called keyword spamming and isn't allowed on eBay. These types of listings will be ended and the insertion fee for the listing automatically credited.

Learn more about eBay's search and browse manipulation policy.

Writing a great description

The description is your opportunity to provide buyers with more information about the item. Be sure to use complete sentences and correct spelling and grammar.

Organize information in paragraphs with similar information grouped together.

• Start with the most important details that buyers need first, like item specifics.

  • Include specific item details like size, shape, color, age, manufacture date, company/artist/author, and notable features or markings.  

  • Clearly state the item’s condition, such as new, used, or still under warranty. Be sure to mention any flaws or repairs.

  • Be clear about what’s included and the type of packaging.

  • Make the description as readable as possible.

• In a separate short paragraph, consider including a story about the item, or why the item is appealing. Many sellers have found that adding a creative, human approach to their descriptions boosts bids and sales.

What to avoid in your description

Avoid the following:

• Anything that isn't true.

• • Embedding pictures in your description. Instead, upload pictures to your listing.

  • Anything unrelated to the item for sale.

  • All caps, multiple fonts and font colors, and HTML, which can make your listing unreadable on mobile devices.

  • Negative comments.

  • Prohibited and restricted content (see eBay's prohibited and restricted items).

  • Repeating information provided in other sections of your listing in your item description.

  • Email addresses and some links (see eBay’s links policy).

  • Item descriptions copied word-for-word from other sources (for example, ecommerce websites, other eBay listings, manufacturer websites, etc.)

  • Lengthy descriptions, fine print, and surprises, which buyers may not read.

  Trademarked logos, unless you have permission to use them.

Examples

Example 1

Hand Phone with SIM Card. New in Box!

Item completely new! I bought it 2 months ago...

• 250 hours battery duration

• Vibracall agenda of 100 contacts

• Weight: 80 gr.

• Call duration: 300 minutes

• 32 different tones of calls (SPN) SIM

• Screen of 96x64 pixels with 4 gray tones and TFT screen

Postage costs are paid by the buyer, payment by money order only. Thanks, and enjoy bidding!

Example 2

STIKFAS

Stikfas II, Alpha Male Samurai Warrior. Very well preserved.

• Arms and legs are OK, slight scratch on left arm

• Height of 3 inches

• The action figure is in the original box

Please contact me within 3 days after the listing ends. You can see your postage cost in the payment details. Please don't forget to leave me feedback after you get your item!

Example 3

SUPERBIKE FOR PC - ORIGINAL, NEVER OPENED!

• Great and exciting race of motorbikes across 10 different countries

• Video game has original box + instructions

• Minimal requirements: Windows 95-98-2000, Pentium 2000, 200Mhz, 32 Mb RAM, 100 Mb available in the hardware, 4 Mb Graphics card

• The item is new and was a gift, I'm selling it because I already have it!

Please see my other video games by clicking in View Other Items. Thanks for your interest!