How to Find the Best Selling Items on Ebay
Before you start seling, it's crucial to research your competitors with product trends to have an idea of the best selling items on eBay. In this guide you'll find out about all the needed details to start your business.
Do you know that some product categories bring thousands of dollars monthly to eBay sellers? But, some items remain in the 'watch lists' for months.
I've been running my shop on eBay for more than four years. There were no sales during the first few months until I found and listed one product category that sells. I know how crucial it is to choose the right product category, especially at the beginning. You can experiment in selling various products, but it's great to know what products will bring you profit for sure.
In one of our previous articles, we talked about top-selling product categories for the Amazon marketplace. But what about eBay? What kind of products are in high demand today? What are the best selling items on eBay at the moment?
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Why Sell on eBay?
According to Statista, "the number of eBay's total active buyers from the 1st quarter 2010 to 4th quarter 2020 reached 185 million, and ~1.3 billion product listings on any given day."
To compare the most popular marketplaces for sellers, eBay is something between Amazon and Etsy. eBay reaches large and diverse audiences like Amazon. At the same time, eBay is easy to set up and manage product listings like Etsy.
Compared to Etsy, where you need to pay for product listings straight away, you can add them for free on eBay for at least a limited time. Amazon, in my experience, is rather suitable for pro-grade sellers and requires more effort to run it.
As for the registration process it really is pretty complicated on Amazon, whereas on eBay, you can easily set up your store's account in less than five minutes.
In my opinion, eBay is the best choice for sellers who wish to launch an online store and have sales quicker with less effort. This marketplace has a broad audience and easy setup, with diverse promotion opportunities. I would say eBay is a middle ground among popular marketplaces.
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Top Selling Categories on eBay (with their Best Selling Items)
1. Mobile Phones & Accessories
The market size of mobile accessories is forecasted to grow to 74.43 billion U.S. dollars by 2026, according to Statista.
According to the latest reviews, one of the top-selling product categories on eBay is "Mobile phones and accessories". Buyers are chasing the used phones and accessories, and this product category is in high demand.
The top items and brands in this category:
- The top selling brands in the phones subcategory are Apple and Samsung
- Top-selling accessories are: silicone cases, in-car holders, headsets, covers & skins
Make sure you add unedited images of your items showing all possible scratches. It's ok if your phone has some damages or scratches but you need to be honest about it from the start, otherwise your buyers may ask for a refund if they receive a used item in a condition that does not correspond to the photo or description in your store.
2. Video Games
The entire video gaming market is expected to be worth over 200 billion U.S. dollars by 2023 – Statista.
Video games are popular among buyers, especially at the time of lockdowns and isolation. Buyers are looking for vintage or used games on eBay first, as eBay has the biggest 'vintage seekers' community among all marketplaces.
The most popular brands and items in this category:
- Video games (for the top popular consoles as Sony, Nintendo, & Microsoft Xbox);
- Console accessories (controllers & attachments) ;
- Video games merchandise.
The vintage video games from the 80s or 90s, are a big trend now, as many of us are 80s-90s kids. And, the cyberpunk trend also plays a significant role in a high demand for products from the 80s.
Why don't you add even more retro vibe when sending a purchased item to your buyer? You can send your buyer a gift like a postcard from that era, for example.
3. Health & Beauty
The leading health and beauty care product categories in the United States in 2020 based on sales was soap – Statista.
The same as being one of the top-selling items on Amazon, products in the health & beauty category are in high demand on eBay. Skincare is the most significant trend in the beauty industry, but not only. People are chasing magic products that help them to avoid aging and improve their appearance. eBay is an excellent place to get a wide variety of brands, from indie to large ones or well-known brands.
The most popular items in this category:
- Fragrances, especially for men (the most popular brands are Calvin Klein, Versace, Creed);
- Make-up products;
- Skincare and anti-aging products;
- Haircare, especially hair loss treatments;
- Soaps, items for bathroom.
In this product category, you must include an expiration date as this information is valuable for buyers. Some may return your products because they are not happy with the expiration date.
Another issue is being transparent about ingredients included in your products, along with terms of use and possible side effects.
4. Home & Garden
Steady growth was predicted for the global market for garden equipment and supplies, with a sales value of nearly 130 billion U.S. dollars in 2024 – Statista.
eBay is an excellent place for looking for home and garden items. You can find vintage or used items or buy new units from the recognized brands.
The top popular items in this category:
- Tools & workshop equipment (the most popular brands are DeWalt, Milwaukee)
- Water filters, kitchen, dining & bar products
If you are selling garden items, don't forget about the season. Garden products are more in demand during the summer. If you sell vintage home goods or antiques, include the year of its creation, current condition, and maybe even the story behind the item.
5. Computers & Tablets
"In 2020, 218 million laptops were forecasted to be shipped, with nearly 160 million tablet units shipped in the same year too. According to forecasts, in 2024, laptop shipments will decrease slightly to 217 million units" – Statista.
Computers and tablets, the same as mobile phones, generate high sales on eBay.
eBay is a great place to sell your laptop and buy a used one at a lower price. However, under this category, you may sell a wide range of computer equipment like printers, scanners, and so on.
The most popular items in this category:
- Laptops & netbooks;
- Desktop computers;
- Ultra Mobile PCs;
- Networking equipment;
- Printers, scanners & supplies;
- Drives, burners, and memory;
- Monitors;
- Networking equipment;
- Software.
Buyers are looking for a lower price on eBay, so monitor your competitors' pricing. To avoid negative feedback and refunds, show all existing damages and scratches on the images.
6. Musical Instruments
"Revenue in the Musical Instruments segment is forecasted to increase to US$41 billion in 2023, from approximately US$33 billion in 2019." – Statista.
Musicians often resell their musical instruments, as it's convenient to buy used ones at a lower price. Some consumers are interested in vintage musical instruments, and eBay is a good place to sell in this product category.
The most popular items in this category:
- Pro audio equipment like microphones (the most popular brands are Shure, Pyle, etc.), cables or interconnects;
- Guitars & basses.
Be creative while adding images but honest at the same time. You are selling magic, as music is magic. So, don't add pictures of your guitar with a broken door background. Add as many details as you can, and do not hide any possible damages.
7. Cameras & Photo
"The global action camera market is forecasted to be worth 10.25 billion U.S. dollars by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 12.6 percent between 2018 and 2026."– Statista.
This product category is one of the top-selling on many marketplaces, including eBay. People love photographing and digital art, and selling items or equipment related to the Camera & Photo category is the right choice.
The most popular products in this category:
- Digital Cameras (the most popular brands are Canon, Nikon, Sony);
- Drone cameras, Camcorders & Photo Accessories.
Describe your item's condition cosmetically and mechanically correctly, and be very detailed. Show and describe all scratches or damages but at the same time highlight positive sides.
8. Clothing, Shoes & Accessories
"Worldwide, the apparel and footwear market reached a value of $1.9 trillion in 2019. This impressive figure is projected to grow by more than 70 percent by 2030." – Statista.
It's not a surprise that consumers are still interested in fashion items. eBay offers a diverse variety of brands, from Puma and Nike to Kors and Zara. As eBay is more vintage-focused, many fashion products are either handmade, vintage or used. Hoodies and printed t-shirts are in high demand, as buyers are always looking for some outstanding prints. For example, it's hard to find an Artsy t-shirt with a "Van Gogh" print in mass-market stores, while eBay can offer the whole list.
Top popular products in this category:
- Hair accessories for women;
- Male t-shirts;
- Male hats;
- Bags (especially luxury segment).
Research eBay's articles and guides and check its community forums to know what to sell in this product category. Fashion is fast-changing, and you should monitor trends to be competitive. Do you know the color of the year, for example? Or have you watched the latest Versace or Chanel shows? You should if you sell clothing on eBay.
9. Jewelry & Watches
"Revenue in the Luxury Watches & Jewelry segment amounts to US$59,346m in 2021. The market is expected to grow annually by 4.35% (CAGR 2021-2025)" – Statista.
This is a very good niche for sellers. First, such products are less likely to damage while shipping. And, shipping itself may cost less (than sending bags, for example). Jewelry is a popular product category, where eBay's buyers mostly prefer searching for used jewelry items.
The most popular products and brands in this category:
- Watches,
- Beads & jewelry making (the most popular brand is Swarovski, but most items are unbranded though),
- Handmade jewelry and accessories,
- Engagement and other rings,
- Necklaces, earrings & pendants jewelry.
Read this eBay guide on selling jewelry and continually research new trends and check Instagram for some ideas. Add high-quality pictures, as your consumers should see any minor scratches on your products. eBay jewelry images differ from Instagram images, where on eBay you should show your items from different angles and no-filter.
10. Toys & Hobbies
According to Statista, in 2020, U.S. retail sales of toys in the United States amounted to 25.14 billion U.S. dollars.
The products for kids are always in high demand. Another top-selling category on eBay is mainly related to kids' choice. Under this category, you can sell Disney toys, which are very popular among kids. But, in this category, buyers also search for collectible toys.
The most popular products and brands in this category:
- TV & Movie Character Toys (the most popular brands are Disney, Mattel, & Hot Wheels),
- Action Figures,
- Diecast & Toy Vehicles,
- Building Toys,
- McDonald's Happy Meal Endgame toys.
You can pick Star Wars, Disney, and Hot Wheel items to make a profit for sure. Another big trend on eBay is McDonald's Happy Meal Endgame toys.
11. Vintage, Collectibles & Antiques
Total sales in the online art and antiques market worldwide roughly doubled in 2020 over the previous year, as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forced auction houses and dealers to find alternatives to in-person events – Statista.
eBay is a top marketplace for selling vintage, collectible items and antiques. And, thanks to bidding on auction you will get the Sotheby's vibe or buy the item at a very good price. On eBay, buyers can get not only used Chanel bags but collectible 1940s dresses or authentic sunglasses from the Soviet Union.
The most popular products in this category:
- Vintage accessories,
- Vintage jewelry,
- Vintage bags,
- 60s/70s clothing,
- Vintage gifts.
Having experience with running my vintage store on different platforms, eBay is the first marketplace I would suggest for selling vintage goods. If this is your hobby or additional income, you can place some products and wait. Still, it's also possible to drastically increase sales if you promote, spend more time on SEO optimization for product listings, and offer excellent customer service.
Top Selling Items on eBay During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The worldwide pandemic has shifted the best selling items to some new categories. Most of the top selling products remain the same like beauty products, but some items have been added to the list. First, people started buying more hygiene items, but also items related to any home entertainment are in huge demand. And, as we are 'locked' in our homes, consumers buy more food products online than ever before.
The following chart shows what kind of food products are in higher demand during the pandemic.
The top-selling products on eBay during the coronavirus pandemic:
- Masks and disinfectants,
- Home and garden decor,
- Cardio equipment,
- Laptop docking stations and power adapters,
- Wireless routers and mobile hotspots,
- VR headsets,
- Webcams,
- Artsy items,
- Jigsaw puzzles.
These product categories will be in demand for the nearest couple of years, so put them on your sellers' list. Since COVID entered our society people spend more time at home buying new decor for rooms, making home renovations or just doing some upgrades to their backyards or garage. As a result, people buy items for the home. The same with home entertainment, so such products as board games or VR are in high demand. I think there is no need to comment on why consumers buy webcams.
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Basic tips for selling on eBay
- Spend time on adding proper product listings and SEO. It is crucial to add proper product descriptions with relevant SEO keywords. Make sure you keep these descriptions unique (not copy-pasted from the other shops), short but informative.
- Create unique, well-written (not too long) descriptions. And provide as much information as you can to ensure that your products are ranked higher, and their sales will increase eBay sales.
- Add good quality images that attract attention. Place product listings with creative images but realistic at the same time. Don't take pictures too professionally for eBay.
- Feedbacks are crucial. I started my shop with the first negative feedback and was blocked for two weeks. After a few more sales and positive feedbacks, my shop has come back to life. Feedback is essential, and after the store reaches 100% positive feedback rate, sales will grow faster.
- Provide excellent customer service. To get a good rating on eBay, you should provide professional customer support. Make sure you reply fast, and your messages are friendly and helpful. Solve buyers' issues, and read eBay's policies on what can or can't be included in messages sent on eBay.
- Proper packaging. I had some issues when sent sunglasses were broken because of bad packaging. Keep this in mind, as I had to refund that order.
- Promotions can work. What you will definitely get if you start paying for ads or advertising on eBay is the views of potential buyers.
Bottom Line
"If I believe in something, I sell it, and I sell it hard." РEst̩e Lauder
You may sell out your unique antique vase quickly, but if you want to make sure your store will have regular sales, choosing the right niche and top-selling products is a good way to succeed. Constant product research is an essential part of the selling process, and it always is a good idea to have a how to sell on eBay detailed guide at hand!
Regular sales also depend on the visibility of your products on eBay. If the description is according to all the rules of SEO, then you will be in the top search of this marketplace. our company Sellbery has made the necessary functionality to ensure that your goods are ranked as high as possible on eBae.
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Mary S. A content creator, marketer and eCommerce fan. Owner of a vintage store (100% positive rating and 400 products) on eBay and Etsy - Vintage &GoodGoods and Art Shop @t.art.s on Woocommerce and marketplaces, so understands the sellers' pain points and needs.
How to Find the Best Selling Items on Ebay
Source: https://sellbery.com/blog/best-selling-items-on-ebay/