An introduction to ebay search
The power of ebay's auction item category database
In our opinion, the absolute, single most powerful feature that elevated ebay to 800 pound gorilla status is this: it had the most detailed search process of all the other auction sites which enabled it to crunch through that always growing numbers of categories and listings we mentioned before.
Initially the ebay search function was powered by a Thunderstone engine; it's now currently driven by IBM.
This amazing search process supercharged ebay's phenomenal growth- Buyers were able to find items for sale much more easily on ebay than on some early competitor's sites, many of whom have now gone belly up.
Plus, the search feature evolved over time, allowing advanced searches, and more importantly, searches of completed auctions or active Items. With the ability to search completed auctions, ebay is like a giant antique price guide for every auction addict of every collectible on the planet!
This is the formula that so many auction sites were unable to figure out early on and are struggling to compete with this at this point: Bidders won't bid if they can't find the items they're looking for, and they won't come back to the site either.
It seems ebay knew how to get buyers and sellers alike to visit their site and keep them coming back for more: have lots of listings, a powerful search index of those listings, an intuitive user interface enabling it all, and charging low fees for all of it.
Of course, ebay fees have risen slightly over the years, especially if you use many of the premium listing features. But they're still far less than a classified ad would cost in your hometown paper.
Plus, when you sell that rusty old pocketknife on ebay, you will be putting in front of tens of thousands if not millions of viewers around the world. Can your local classified ad claim that?
See auction fees for more info, or refer to our auction fee chart.
Ebay knew these formulas for building a user base and a brand name early on. They are such a success, because they are in the success business.
Online auctions enable ordinary, average people to list their stuff for sale and become internet store managers- many of these same people have quit their own day jobs because their "hobby" has suddenly turned them into successful online business owners... and in some cases instant millionaires!
Perhaps this is why the company's current CEO, Meg Whitman, was recently able to describe ebay as a 'self-regulating economy' ¹.
Ebay's annual gross revenues rival that of many small countries... You can't bid on foreign nations, yet, can you?
Well... we'll keep you posted. And when the first planet goes up for bid, we have a pretty good idea where it will be listed. A galaxy sold with Buy it Now? Hmmmm... imagine those final value fees- not to mention the order fulfillment required.
*See auction fees for more info, or refer to our auction fee chart.
Read more:
Page 1: ebay auctions: An Introduction
Page 2: How do I use ebay?
Page 3: What kind of stuff can I find on ebay?
Page 4: Auction Feedback: Earning Trust Online
Page 5: ebay Beginners Guide to Avoiding Auction Fraud
Page 6: Why are ebay online auctions so popular?
Page 7: Intro to Ebay stores
Page 8: The Power of Ebay Search
Expert search tips:
Bidlab.com article: Auction Searches
Search tips at ebay
New to ebay auctions? Register for FREE
