Learn how to open your own eBay store, and join tons of other sellers who regularly sell any array of items normally listed in eBay auctions, and now benefit from an eBay Store. Store setup is a breeze. The eBay Store online video tutorial walks you through the concept and the process.

Start at www.ebaystores.com and then click on the Audio Tour link (in the right-hand column). Adjust your speakers and take notes - if you need to. Soon you’re ready to access the Basic Store Information form (click on “Open Your Store Now”), where you’ll establish your eBay Store. You must have a minimum feedback rating of 20 or be ID Verified in order to open an eBay Store.

As easy as it is to use, the form has some of those eBay-typical stodgy limitations. For example, your Store name can’t be longer than 35 characters, which isn’t a whole lot. Take the name “Abigail’s Precious Gifts and Collectibles.” This uses 37 characters - too many.

Conjure a concise name for your Store that gets right to the crux of your business. Know in advance that your Store name, sans spaces and punctuation, becomes the tail end of the URL that eBay assigns you. Whenever possible, URLs are best kept simple, especially if you plan to include a link in your auctions, signature lines, or on printed matter. The mantra: When naming your Store, less is more.

While you’re at it with concise composing, work up a summary of your business to entice eBay shoppers to your wares. Make the summary descriptive, creative, irresistible, and catchy. Oh, and make sure it doesn’t exceed 250 characters. Just how much text does that allow you? Barely enough, considering that in this paragraph alone, it took me 314 characters just to explain it.

Next, you’ll enter your payment information, business address, phone #, and Store specialties (in 200 characters or less).

Then you’ll enter your merchandise categories. These work just like standard eBay item categories except that you create and name them yourself. You’ll section your goods into your own categories as you build and add to your eBay Store inventory. You can update your categories and add listings at any time.

If you need it, online help isn’t hard to find. The discussion board for eBay Stores is a great resource of information for Newbies. Experienced Store owners volunteer their time to help others. I have found that they are very open about answering questions.

OK, so we know that setting up an eBay Store is fast and easy, and sellers are seeing results. But what about cost? It’s only 5 cents a listing, and a penny for a gallery picture, and they can run for a month. This is far less costly than regular eBay auctions, which start at thirty five cents plus optional image and enhancement features, but y.o.u will have to pay commissions and a monthly fee. A Basic Store costs $9.95/month.

For more information on eBay stores, visit the eBay stores website.