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Creating an eBay Item Listing in HTML

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Creating an eBay Item Listing in HTML

Creating an item listing for eBay using HTML and CSS is surprisingly similar to creating any other web page. In fact, it's a good idea to first create the listing as a normal web page, and then incorporate it into the eBay item description when you list the item for auction.

Did you Know?

eBay allows you to create test auction listings if you just want to test the layout of an item page. Unfortunately, eBay listing fees still apply to test auctions, so don't get too carried away with them. To create a test auction, select Everything Else, Test Auctions, General as the category for the item, and then be sure to clearly indicate that the listing is a test in both the title and the description.


Listing 20.1 contains the code for an eBay item skeleton web page that you can use to create and test item pages for eBay.

Listing 20.1. The HTML Code for an eBay Item Skeleton Web Page
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN"
  "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd">

<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en">
<head><title></title></head>

<body>
<!-- EBAY HTML CODE STARTS HERE -->

<!-- EBAY HTML CODE ENDS HERE -->
</body>
</html>

As you can see, this code is extremely minimal, consisting only of a couple of comments in the body of the page that are used to help call out where the eBay item code goes. When you develop a page using this template, be sure never to place any code outside of these comments because you won't be allowed to do so in the actual eBay listing page. This is a good way to simulate the limitations of an actual eBay listing.

Listing 20.2 contains the code for a web page that contains a suitable item description for a pair of ice hockey skates that I listed for sale on eBay.

Listing 20.2. A Very Basic Example of Using HTML and CSS to Describe an eBay Item
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.1//EN"
  "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml11/DTD/xhtml11.dtd">

<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en">
<head><title></title></head>

<body>
<!-- EBAY HTML CODE STARTS HERE -->
<h2 style="text-align:center">Mission Amp Fly Men's Ice Hockey Skates - Size 12
</h2>
<div>
  This size 12 pair of Mission Amp Fly men's ice hockey skates is used but in
  very good condition. These suckers have plenty of life in them, not to
  mention a few goals and assists. Following are the details of the skate
  features, along with a picture. Thanks for bidding!
  <ul>
    <li>Carbon outsole stiffer, lighter and thinner</li>
    <li>Split Throat&#153; pattern design for improved flexibility and
    minimized creasing</li>
    <li>Indy Foam&#174; ankle chambers with multiple foam layers provide
    superior ankle lock and increased comfort</li>
    <li>Interior Material - Clarino&#153; moisture wicking lining</li>
    <li>Sensory&#153; footbed</li>
    <li>Stiffness Rating - 7.3 Surlin&#153;</li>
    <li>Leather quarters</li>
    <li>Improved Formula&#153; Bladeholder with DriveShaft technology. Single
    allen key bolt system</li>
    <li>Laser-cut stainless steel runner from Sweden, with superior grain</li>
  </ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align:center">
  <img src="http://www.michaelmorrison.com/ebay/skates1.jpg" alt="Mission Amp
  Fly Ice Hockey Skates" style="border:5px solid black" /><br />
  <div style="text-align:center; font-size:16pt; font-weight:bold">Side view of
  skates, some scuffs but overall good shape.</div>
</div>
<!-- EBAY HTML CODE ENDS HERE -->
</body>
</html>

This code uses HTML and CSS to improve on the plain-text version of the same item that was shown in Figure 20.2. Figure 20.3 shows the item description in Listing 20.2 as it appears in an actual eBay listing page.

Figure 20.3. HTML and CSS are used to improve the layout and appearance of the eBay item listing.

Creating an eBay Item Listing in HTML


By the Way

You will typically host your auction images yourself and then reference them in the eBay HTML code directly from your own Web site. Be sure to change the URL of the auction image in the sample code to reference the location of the image file on your Web serveryou'll also need to upload the image file to your Web server. You may also be able to host auction images directly on eBay, but you'll still need to find out the full URL of each image to reference in your HTML code.


Admittedly, this is a fairly tame example of using HTML and CSS to jazz up the look of an eBay auction. Don't worry, upcoming sections build on this code to make the item listing considerably more compelling to potential buyers.

Figure 20.4 shows the hockey skates eBay listing as it appears in my list of eBay items for sale.

Figure 20.4. The hockey skates eBay item listing appearance in my list of items for sale.

Creating an eBay Item Listing in HTML


Figure 20.4 reveals how any HTML and CSS code that you inject into an eBay listing has no visible effect on anything but the item description. In other words, a potential buyer has to click the item and view its detailed listing in order to see your code. This means that it's still very important to do a good job of coming up with a catchy and accurate item description, as well as using pertinent eBay listing features such as a gallery image or bold title.

By the Way

Try as you may, it's unlikely that you'll be able to stir up a bidding frenzy anywhere near what took place when NASCAR driver Robby Gordon put his storied helmet up for auction in September of 2005. Gordon threw the helmet at Michael Waltrip after a race in which they were both involved in an accident. Gordon then placed the helmet up for auction on eBay with the proceeds set to go to charity, but after the bidding topped the $10 million mark, eBay halted the auction. It seems the auction was inflated by "bogus bids" from excited NASCAR fans.



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