What is a template?

A template is a tool that you use to list your products.  You enter certain fixed information (eBay site, eBay account, listing type, etc) into the template, and it will pull other information (title, description, price, etc) from the products.  Depending how you set things up, the templates can be used for a specific product, line or products, manufacturer, etc, or they can be made to be extremely flexible allowing you to utilize one or two templates to list hundreds or thousands of products in your catalog at one time.

NOTE: Some fields are optional and may involve additional eBay listing fees.  These are designates with “$” on the input field.  Other items are required by eBay are as designated with “*” by the field.

 

How do you use the template?

This is a bit more difficult to answer since there is no simple answer here.  It depends on personal preference as well as how much data you can easily access, and how much work you may want to put into your products.

The "Easy" way to set them up, and what I would recommend for newer users until they get the hang of things is to create a template for each type of product or more specifically per eBay Category you will list in.  This allows you to set most of the basic eBay information in the template, and use basic Macros to pull in the basic product information.  For instance, if you sold shoes you'd have one template for Girls Children Shoes, another for Boys Children Shoes, another for Men's Shoes, and one for Women's Shoes.  This also allows you to customize the HTML, shipping, return options, etc to that particular category.

For Advanced users, I would recommend using the eBay Fields tab on the products.  The eBay Fields tab allows you to set eBay specific details at the product level.  This includes title, description, category, shipping etc.  You can then use the eBay Macros to fill the template with the eBay specific details for your products.  If you populate the eBay Category field you can utilize a single template to list across multiple categories without issue.  Populating the eBay Fields can be time consuming, or a bit technical, so I would recommend reviewing our article on the eBay Fields.

We will walk through each section of the eBay template below to help you better understand each section, how it's used, and what information should go into it.

 

Can I use eBay's Business Policies?

Absolutely!  Once you have set up Business Policies in your eBay account we will import those policies into your Sellware account.  The Shipping, Payment, and Return sections all have an option you can select to use the Business Policies.  You will select the corresponding option, and then select the Business Policy that you would like to use for that particular section.

 

Controls

When editing a template across the top you will see several buttons on the left, and a [Macros] link in the right corner.

Save - Saves all changes to the template. No other action is taken.

Preview - Allows you to view a sample listing based on the current template.  This is good for verifying everything looks correct for using it with listings.

Cancel - Cancels any changes and returns you to the Template List page

[Macros] - Macros are a placeholders for your product data.  They are key to creating truely flexible templates.  Please review our Macros article for more details.

 

If the template you are editing has active listing associated with it, it will tell you how many there are above the buttons.  This is useful so you know the potential impact your changes may have.  You will also see the Save and Update Listings button.

 Save and Update Listings - Saves all changes to the template and updates all active listings utilizing the new template.

 

Label

The label field is simply a title you designate for future reference.  It has no bearing on the template processing.  We recommend that you include the key factors making this template unique such as the eBay site, listing type etc.

 

 

 

Listings Basics

The Listing Basics are the most basic information required for the listing.  All of these fields are required, and are set / hardcoded / fixed per template and cannot be populated with a macro.

 

 Country: The country is used by eBay to denote the origin of the sale.

 eBay Site: This selection will designate which eBay site your listing will appear on.  Only one eBay site can be selected for each template.

 Listing Type: Allows you to designate the desired format for your listing.

 Duration: Allows you to select the listing period.

 eBay User ID: Specify the eBay account the listings will posted to.  Only one eBay User ID can be selected for each template.

 Location: User to further refine the item location, used with eBay's Item Location filter, and to determine shipping costs (if not provided in listing).

 

Macros

Macros are placeholders for your product data in the Sellware Templates.  Using macros allows you to create flexible templates for listing products as a single template can then be used to list dozens, hundreds or even thousands of products at one time.

If a field is left blank the eBay Template will try to pull the data from the eBay Fields, or General product information.  Macros can be used to force the template to use a particular field such as a custom field, or can be used to import custom information into the template.  You can view a list of macros by clicking the [Macros] link in the upper right corner of the template edit screen.

NOTE: Macro case does not matter, you can enter in upper, lower, or mixed case

In general - leaving the product details blank will pull in the anticipated values from the Item General tab, or Marketplace specific tab.  Therefore, in most cases, macros are NOT required.

Please review our Macros article for more details.

 

Product Details

Formatting the product details is an essential step in marketing your products on eBay.  Effective images and descriptions can improve your chances of attracting customers and completing the sale.  Sellware provides a full range of listing capabilities, including macros and HTML formatting allowing you to be very creative in your listings.  Macros can be used in any text field.

The example below is a template that contains basic formatting for eBay using a combination of HTML, text, macros and formulas.  Below the image is a breakdown of each field and it's purpose.

 

 

Item Condition:  Designate the condition of the inventory you are listing.  The item condition options will change based on the category selected.

Title: When listing multiple products through a template, we recommend using the Macro {@Products_Name@}  to use your title from the shopping cart database.  You can combine this with text at additional macros to create a unique title for your products.

Subtitle: If you choose to use the sub-title, you can select a field from the Macros or insert text.

Description:  This section provides full HTML formatting capabilities.  The example illustrates how you can combine Macro fields with text titles to generate a custom description area of the eBay listing.  We recommend you utilize this section to get creative in your generation of eBay listings.  Review other listings on eBay to get ideas for the format and content.

Quantity and Lot: You can enter either a fixed amount or use the {@Product_Quantity@} macro.  If you are selling in lots, click on the Sell in Lots link and you can enter your lot amount or macro.

eBay Category:  Enter the eBay category code for your products.  If you need assistance locating the proper eBay category, you can use the Sellware category finder tool.  You can list in multiple categories by using both category fields.

eBay Store Category: Select the optional store category for your listing.  These are either selected from the drop-down list of options or stored in the Sellware database and referenced using the Macro {EBAY_STORE_CATEGORY_1}

Gallery Option and Images:  Select the gallery image option from the drop down box and specify the image files from your shopping cart database using the Macro function

Manufacturer/Part#: Enter the Manufacturer and Part Number to be displayed on the listing.

UPC: Enter the UPC (Universal Product Code) to be displayed on the listing.  Entering a UPC will allow eBay to pre-fill item information.

EAN: Enter the EAN (European Article Number) to be displayed on the listing.  Entering a EAN will allow eBay to pre-fill item information.

 

Pricing

In the pricing section you will set the proper pricing based on the listing format selected.  The usage of formulas for the pricing can be extremely useful, particularly for the Buy It Now price.

Starting Price: You have a choice in entering a fixed price or using the Macros.  If you choose the Macros, you have the option to enter the price as a formula to automatically adjust the pricing before listing on eBay.  If you are listing a price for an auction in eBay, Sellware prides three custom fields allowing you to designate the start, bin or reserve price for your listing.

Buy It Now Price: This is the price that you will sell a product will for immediately.  Must be at least 30% more than Starting Price.  Allows you to have multiple quantity for Auction format. Only valid on Auction format listings.

Reserve Price: The Reserve Price is the minimum that you will allow a product to sell for.  If the listing does not reach the Reserve price, it will not be sold.  Only valid on Auction format listings.

Sales Tax: You have a choice of entering the tax location and rate or using the tax table setup in you have configured within eBay.  To use the eBay tax table, simply enter the tax location and click the box for the eBay calculation. 

Pricing Treatment: Select one of the pricing treatment options for your listing, "Strike-Thru Retail Price (MSRP)" or "Show Minimum Advertised Price (MAP)"

MAP Preference: Select to display the MAP before checkoug ("Pre-Checkout") or "During Checkout"

NOTE: MSRP and MAP are automatically pulled from the General tab of your product.  Advance features like MAP and Strike-Thru pricing need to be approved and setup in your direct eBay account.

 

Shipping

If you wish to use eBay Business Policies that you have set up, select the  'List using the specified eBay Shipping Profile' option, and select the eBay Shipping Profile that you wish to use for this listing.  Otherwise you will need to fill out the shipping information to establish shipping parameters for your listing.

In here you can specify the shipping methods, as well as the locations that you will ship to, and their associated costs.  Alternately you can select the Calculated option to have eBay determine costs for you.

Postal Code: Postal code the product will ship from.  This is used for shipping calculations when Calculated Shipping is selected.  (Required Field)

Handling Time: The handling time required to prepare the product for shipping.  (Required Field)

Package Type: Specify the package type that will be used for the product(s) in the listing.  (Required Field)

eBay Shipping Profile: If you have set up eBay Shipping profiles you can select this option and select one of your shipping profiles to use.  (Required Field)

Ship To: Designate the shipping / pickup-up option for the listing.  (Required Field)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic Shipping Type: Specify the Domestic Shipping Type for your listing.  If Fixed Shipping or Freight Shipping is selected you will need to provide shipping charge amounts.

Shipping Discount:

Handling Fee: If you are using Calculated Shipping you will need to provide a handling fee cost.

Free Shipping: If you offer Free Shipping check the 'Offer free domestic shipping?' box to apply it to your listing.

Domestic Shipping Method: Sellware supports all of the shipping methods in the box on the right.  You can offer multiple methods by selecting the method you wish to offer on each of the lines.

First Item Cost: The cost of shipping for the first item of the listing the buyer purchases.

Each Additional Cost: The cost for each additional item from the same listing the buyer purchases.

NOTE: Applies when buyer purchases multiples of the same listing.  If a buyer purchases one item from two different listings, they will be charged the First Item Cost for each one.

Surcharge: Enter any surcharge cost you may charge for shipping to HI, AK or PR (for UPS shipping methods only).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Shipping Type: Specify the International Shipping Type for your listing.  If Fixed Shipping or Freight Shipping is selected you will need to provide shipping charge amounts.

Shipping Discount:

eBay Global Shipping: If you wish to participate in eBay's Global Shipping Program then check the 'Participate in eBay Global Shipping Program?' box

Location: By selecting 'Worldwide' your listing will searchable from all eBay sites and allow shipping anywhere in the world.  If you select 'Custom' you can use the checkboxes to specify which countries you will ship to.

International Shipping Method: Sellware supports all of the shipping methods in the box on the right.  You can offer multiple methods by selecting the method you wish to offer on each of the lines.

First Item Cost: The cost of shipping for the first item of the listing the buyer purchases.

Each Additional Cost: The cost for each additional item from the same listing the buyer purchases.
NOTE: Applies when buyer purchases multiples of the same listing.  If a buyer purchases one item from two different listings, they will be charged the First Item Cost for each one.

 

Payment Options

Sellware supports the use eBay Business Policies, to use a payment profile you have created, please select the 'List using the specified eBay Payment Profile' option, and select the appropriate payment profile from the dropdown.

Otherwise, establishing the payment options for your listing is very straightforward.  Simply select the options you support for payments and enter the PayPal email address for payment and related communications.  You may include payment terms or special instructions in the Payment Instructions field.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Sellware does not interact directly with your payment gateway and/or merchant account.  These payment transactions are handled directly between the buyer and either the marketplace (e.g. eBay)  or your Shopping Cart.

 

Return Policy

Sellware supports the use eBay Business Policies, to use a return profile you have created, please select the 'List using the specified eBay Return Profile' option, and select the appropriate return profile from the dropdown.

Otherwise, your return policy is established by selecting the merchandise policy type from the drop down menu and designating the number of days allowed.   You may also enter a description of your policy to ensure any special instruction or conditions are available to your customers.