In this article I am going to review sites that offer free eBay templates. All sites I have included had to pass two basic tests; they had to be easy to use and most importantly, look good.

In my opinion you just cannot underestimate the importance of making your eBay listing look professional. People generally have more confidence in putting a bid on an item that is well presented. Just as your photo should show your item to its best advantage, so should your listing design.

If you use the eBay Sell Your Item form or Turbo Lister you will know that eBay offers you a range of templates that cost you 10cents to use. These templates are generally boring and overused, and in my opinion do not set your item off to its best advantage. You can do a lot better and for free as well.

Finding good quality free eBay templates on the net can be a chore, frankly there is a lot of rubbish out there. Many offer you just a basic border, or some ridiculous background picture that just makes your listing garish. A good auction template will be well set out with clearly defined areas for your information. Ideally it should offer you the choice to add more than one picture. Graphics and use of colour backgrounds are not always required to make a good looking listing, if used they should not overwhelm or detract from what you are trying to sell. Often a nice, clean design will do just as well.

I have divided the free auction template sites into two categories:

• those that offer “ready to use” templates, ie choose from their list of set designs, and
• those that offer a template “generator”, where you get to customise the colours and background pictures to suit you.

Except for Auctiva, all templates require you to copy the HTML code that is generated and paste it into the HTML tab of the Item Description area of your eBay auction listing. This is usually the only time you need to deal with HTML.

Free eBay templates that are “ready to use”:

Auctiva: www.auctiva.com

I highly recommend Auctiva because:

• they have literally hundreds of professionally designed templates to choose from.
• easy to use.
• no HTML experience required though you can customise.
• offer up to 24 pics per listing, with free on-site hosting.
• getting started video tutorials are available on this very blog.
• offers a full auction management system all for free.
• create listing and post directly to eBay, no copy and paste required.

Share your Design: www.shareyourdesign.com

If you are not after a fully fledged service and just want free “ready to use” templates, then Share your Design offers you just that:

• brings together templates from a number of different designers.
• copy HTML and paste into the HTML editor on the eBay SYI form or TurboLister, then add and format your item description via the standard editor.
• some changing of HTML is required to add images, full instructions are provided.

List Tailor: www.listtailor.com

There are no bells and whistles with this site but you do get well spaced templates.

• choose from 6 clean design templates.
• up to 2 pictures per listing, hosted on-site for up to 3 months.
• easy to use data entry and photo uploader.
• cut and paste resulting HTML straight into the HTML editor of your auction listing, no further editing is required.
• no HTML experience required.
• templates are free to use but donation appreciated.

Free “create your own” eBay template generator:

KD Web Design: www.kdwebdesign.com

This is a nice well designed site that offers lots of information and tutorials on HTML (if you want to learn). You can purchase custom designed eBay templates and logos or use the free eBay template generator.

• use up to 3 photos, which must be externally hosted.
• template is designed for a thumbnail image and a enlarged (mouse-over) image.
• choose between two professional looking template designs that can be customised with different colour schemes and backgrounds.
• very easy to use interface with lots of helpful tips and information.
• encouraged to provide links to your eBay Store, About Me page and feedback page that will show on listing.
• simply cut and paste resulting code into the HTML editor of your auction listing, no further editing will be required.
• templates are free to use but donation is appreciated.

DeSaCS: www.desacs.com

Create your template, copy and paste into your eBay HTML editor and then use the standard editor to add your item description text.

• offers free templates on site and at www.shareyourdesign.com
• easy to use “create your own” template. Choose from 5 layout styles and customise with available background pictures or import your own.
• well written tutorials in case you get stuck.

Nucite: www.nucite.com

Offers you a two week trial period to trial their full service package which includes templates and unlimited image hosting for a low monthly fee. However, there are three templates they offer which you can use free of charge.

• 3 well designed templates, no customisation available.
• takes up to 7 photos, free templates require external hosting.
• no HTML experience required.
• copy code and paste directly into the HTML editor of the auction listing, no further editing is required.

I hope you find this list useful and find some nice templates to jazz up your listings and increase your sales.

Happy eBaying!

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