tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-270703742015-09-17T03:34:15.687+10:00Auction Design : Free Auction Listing Templates for eBay, Oztion...Leannenoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27070374.post-72757159261032776232008-06-25T21:55:00.012+10:002011-09-08T12:35:52.403+10:00Four Free Auction Templates "Furry Fun"!G'day auction sellers! Just dropping in to excitedly post the links to four new auction templates I've whipped up while relieving some frustration with some older template designs I had hoped to upload instead by now.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">So here is a preview of my first quick and very simple offering:</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/lc6/blogger_auctiondesign/freeTemplates/Fur/Screenshot_Templates_Fur_PinkPurpleOrangeBlue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/lc6/blogger_auctiondesign/freeTemplates/Fur/Screenshot_Templates_Fur_PinkPurpleOrangeBlue.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>They are very simple, nothing too fancy as far as features, but look nice and neat, and are really easy to set up too. No crazy stuff to distract your potential buyer's attention away from your item, or slow your listing pages down which is really annoying when you just want to check out an item.<br /><br />These auction templates are very general use, add or change whatever you like, if you like! They are suitable for use in any place where HTML is accepted (including emails). Also, there's no need to worry about all the template images etc. they are hosted for you. :)<br /><br /><span style="color: #666666; font-style: italic;">If you know how, please feel free to upload the images to your own Photo hosting service, or web site (just in case the files, server, my account etc. disappear for any reason in the future). Just be sure to update the HTML code with your own URL's.</span><br /><br />As this post was unplanned and kinda spontaneous, please note that in the templates it says to refer to the included instructions if you need help using the templates. Well it lies because I haven't actually created any official file yet - but I'm about to tell you what you need to do, so please read on!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Okay, simply follow these steps to template usage success:</span><br /><br />1. Firstly, <span style="font-weight: bold;">to view each template</span> in a new Tab or Window, click one of the following links. There are four colours to choose from, so you can download one or all individually:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://auctiondesignblogspotdownloads.googlepages.com/Template_Fur_Blue.html" target="_blank">Template ~ Fur_Blue</a></li><li><a href="http://auctiondesignblogspotdownloads.googlepages.com/Template_Fur_Orange.html" target="_blank">Template ~ Fur_Orange</a></li><li><a href="http://auctiondesignblogspotdownloads.googlepages.com/Template_Fur_Pink.html" target="_blank">Template ~ Fur_Pink</a></li><li><a href="http://auctiondesignblogspotdownloads.googlepages.com/Template_Fur_Purple.html" target="_blank">Template ~ Fur_Purple</a></li></ul>2. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To save the file to your computer</span>, go to the Tab or window with the open template, click <span style="font-family: courier new;">"File > Save page as"</span> (in browser toolbar). Alternatively, you can also right click each link above, and select "<span style="font-family: courier new;">Save target/link as</span>".<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">To view the code so you can Copy/Paste into your listing editor</span> (either online or in listing software such as Express Lister, Turbo Lister etc), simply locate the file on your computer where you saved it, right click the file and select "Open With..." and select your text editor (most likely Notepad). You can also copy the code directly from your browser by right-clicking on the page where you are viewing the template (ie click above link to view the template), and selecting "<span style="font-family: courier new;">View Source</span>" or "<span style="font-family: courier new;">View Page Source</span>".<br /><br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Select all</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> the code</span> (<span style="font-family: courier new;">Edit > Select All)</span> or <span style="font-family: courier new;">(ctrl+a</span>)<br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Copy</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> the code</span> (<span style="font-family: courier new;">Edit > Copy)</span> or (<span style="font-family: courier new;">ctrl+c</span>)<br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Paste the code:</span> Make sure you are in <span style="font-weight: bold;">HTML editing view</span> in the listing editor, then <span style="font-weight: bold;">Paste</span> into your Description section (<span style="font-family: courier new;">Edit > Paste</span>) or (<span style="font-family: courier new;">ctrl+v</span>). Once you've done this, choose the usual (WYSIWYG) design view in the listing editor and you should see the template before you.<br /><br />7. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Change / create your description details</span> ie Title and description, add your terms if you like etc. For the photo, you can either delete it (click it and delete in the editor), or, replace and add your own photos if you upload them to your own image host (eg Photobucket etc).<br /><br />Well I hope it's all made sense. If not, please leave a comment below and I'll reply ASAP.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please leave a comment to let me know what you think of these first templates, and to post your auction link to show off your new furry-filled listing! I'd love to see them in action. :)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">By Annie at www.auctiondesign.blogspot.com</div>Leannenoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27070374.post-21851369053179826172007-04-11T18:16:00.000+10:002008-06-25T13:45:28.242+10:00Five Ways You Can Build Auction Buyer Trust and ConfidenceWhen you sell an item on eBay or any other auction site, or even anywhere on the web for that matter, you are a complete stranger to your first time visitors. <br /><br />Most auction buyers are concerned about and even expect to get scammed unless they can somehow convince themselves you are the real deal and will look after them if anything goes wrong. <br /><br />Help them feel positive about their buying decision by implementing the following ideas. Can you think of more ways to help your buyer feel confident about buying from you?<br /><br /> 1. Have your own well-designed unique logo, banner, auction template that fits in with you, your items and your business.<br /><br />2. Include information about you, your business and your items... make use of the About Me page!<br /><br />3. Include a happy smiley photo of yourself and your office etc.<br /><br />4. Offer a money back guarantee and stick to it!<br /><br />5. Talk to your buyers in a friendly manner, in listings, emails and any other communications.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Do you know of other ways to help build buyer confidence online? Please leave a comment with your ideas from a buyer or seller's point of view!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">By Annie at www.auctiondesign.blogspot.com</div>Leannenoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27070374.post-82698352975069906712007-04-11T17:17:00.000+10:002008-06-25T13:45:34.703+10:00Five Annoying Auction Design Mistakes1. Too many graphics, animations and backgrounds that make page loading slow.<br /><br />2. Too many colours with no <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colour_scheme">colour scheme</a> making everything hard to read and making nothing stand out.<br /><br />3. Content too wide for the majority of screen sizes causing an annoying horizontal scroll.<br /><br />4. Font style, size and colour not consistent making it hard to read and again, making nothing in particular stand out.<br /><br />5. No particular design that sets you apart from all the other same-looking listings.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Do you know any more ghastly and annoying design mistakes sellers make? Please leave a comment and tell us about them. I'd love to hear from buyers too!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">By Annie at www.auctiondesign.blogspot.com</div>Leannenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27070374.post-14434194718448844552007-04-11T17:02:00.000+10:002008-06-25T13:46:42.833+10:00Why use an Auction Template?An auction template, particularly one that is custom-designed especially for you, provides a unique and consistent image for your online business or hobby. This is important as it shows the buyer you take pride in your image and presentation, which helps build buyer trust and confidence.<br /><br />Your unique listing design will set you apart from other sellers who sell same or similar items as you, and help buyers remember you as well as enhancing the buyer's bidding and buying experience.<br /><br />An auction template can make a part-time hobby seller look like a huge successful company! A unique, well designed and consistent listing presentation builds your brand so that when buyers have a particular need or desire, they will think of you first!<br /><br />Having your own auction template can make you feel more professional too, as well as making listing more enjoyable! It's like the difference between getting around the house in your pyjamas all day, compared to getting dressed up in nice new clothes and putting on your makeup. It's still you, but because you look better, you feel better and have more confidence, and, other's perception about you is more positive.<br /><br />Realise that in each listing being viewed by others, you are making an impression!<br /><br />Of course, as with real life, what you say and how you say it, can disappoint or even destroy any great first visual impression you made - so always do your best to be friendly and professional in every form of communication with your buyers. This is so important as a great experience will be remembered both good and bad!<br /><br />The difference between a plain text item description with a small blurry item photo, and a professionally designed auction listing with clear item photos can mean low, slow or no sale, and quicker, higher, more sales. Consider using a custom auction template to show your buyers you mean business, and see if improves your sales... Let us know how you go!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Stay tuned for more great tips on making your auctions impress!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">If you would like a custom auction template created just for you with care and attention to detail, please contact me and I'll be delighted to serve you! For just $49.95 you can look like big business regardless of what you sell, and I'll be here to help you with any questions you have.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">By Annie at www.auctiondesign.blogspot.com</div>Leannenoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27070374.post-40982059658197873022007-04-11T16:11:00.000+10:002008-06-25T13:46:42.834+10:00What is an Auction Template?An auction listing template is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_page">web page</a> (.html or .htm) document that a seller can use to present an item for sale on an auction site. The template consists of text and images in a specified layout, basically just like any other web page!<br /><br />A seller can use the same auction template for each new item listing. With all the design and default information already in place, the seller only has to add or change the item details and photographs to create a new item description.<br /><br />An auction template is created with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Html">HTML</a> code. This code can be easily copied and pasted into the HTML view of your listing software (such as eBay's Turbo Lister program) or the auction site's online sell form.<br /><br />Once pasted, you can switch the view from HTML to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wysiwyg">WYSIWYG</a> (what you see is what you get) to edit or insert your item details, with everything showing up as it will in the listing.<br /><br />HTML is very easy to learn and if you are willing to do so, you can create your own auction template even with some basic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_design">web design</a> knowledge.<br /><br />Here at Auction Design, you can learn these basics plus more, and I'll be posting some auction template tutorials in future.<br /><br />If you would rather leave the designing to someone else, and stay focused on selling, I'll be offering a great collection of free auction templates for you to use in your auctions plus easy step by step instructions for using them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Do you know about any great resources for designing great auctions? Please share them with us by leaving a comment - and don't hesitate to also include a link to your auctions for some self promotion!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">By Annie at www.auctiondesign.blogspot.com</div>Leannenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27070374.post-26485779037176040982007-04-02T02:58:00.001+10:002008-07-04T01:20:23.333+10:00Introducing OZTION - Australia's Second Largest Auction SiteIf you're looking to sell your goodies for more profit, and pick up heaps of amazing bargains between sales, be sure to visit <a href="http://www.oztion.com.au/?r=826">Oztion</a>, Australia's No.2 and fastest growing auction site!<br /><br />The more I visit and participate at this auction site, the more I fall in love with it. It's free to list unlimited items and the sale fee is cheaper than eBay!<br /><br />Membership has climbed rapidly since eBay's last fee increase and removal of store items from browse and search, and everyone seems to be doing well with sales.<br /><br />The forums are always buzzing with friendly helpful chatter, and you can post twice a day in "Sellers Pick of the Day" to promote your items and specials, or browse the Wanted section to see what people are looking to buy.<br /><br />The thing I love most about <a href="http://www.oztion.com.au/?r=826">Oztion</a> is how fast and easy it is to list items compared to eBay. Oztion has it's own listing software too to make things even faster and easier.<br /><br />If you want your very own online store, you can have your own vShop for just $5 AU a month - and all your listings show up in regular search and browse yay! You can set up a shop Sale any time plus a random list of vShops are displayed in the forum section, all for some extra exposure.<br /><br />I've been having fun designing banners and templates to match the vShop colour schemes, so if you happen to have a vShop I'd be honored to help you create a fab looking online store with matching auction listing templates, all to match perfectly with your vShop colours, and help buyers remember you and your items.<br /><br />Well enough about it from me, go check out <a href="http://www.oztion.com.au/?r=826">Oztion</a> yourself then come back and let me know what <span style="font-weight: bold;">you</span> think!<br /><p><a href="http://www.oztion.com.au/?r=826"><img src="http://www.oztion.com.au/pic/banner/oztion/oztion_468x60.gif" border="0" /><br /></a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">By Annie at www.auctiondesign.blogspot.com</div>Leannenoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27070374.post-33138314813964863132007-03-31T03:50:00.000+10:002008-06-25T13:43:52.788+10:00Welcome to Auction DesignThanks for dropping in! My name is Annie, and this is my first blog, and website for that matter! I'm having fun learning about blogging, and look forward to posting all my ideas and thoughts, creations and discoveries relating to selling on auction sites. I hope you find something interesting and useful here, whether you are already a long-time seller or considering starting out on your auction addiction journey!<br /><br />My main obsession is designing auction listing templates and I will be posting freebies for you to use as you like, along with easy instructions on how to use them. I'm no expert in web design, but I have an eternal flow of new design ideas and enjoy learning everything I can about web and graphic design which I hope to pass on to other sellers who may wonder how they can make their listings fabulous, without making a big mess!<br /><br />In my daily surfing adventures I always seem to come across really cool resources, tools, software and sites that make auction selling more productive and of course fun! I will be sharing everything I feel worthy of sharing with you too.<br /><br />I think that's about it for now! Please feel free to contact me by commenting on any of my posts, if you have any questions, design requests, complaints (eek) etc. It will be fun to connect with others who enjoy selling online, and very rewarding for me to be able to help others while creating my own personal reference of auction design goodies!<br /><br />Annie :)<div class="blogger-post-footer">By Annie at www.auctiondesign.blogspot.com</div>Leannenoreply@blogger.com0