ShipScript has been an eBay Community volunteer since 2003, specializing in HTML, CSS, Scripts, Photos, Active Content, Technical Solutions, and online Seller Tools.
You must always use "absolute" links, which means the link must always contain the full URL to the destination. Relative links leave off the front part of the address, and the browser will assume the destination is on the same server as the rest of the page. However, eBay puts the seller's item description on a server that is entirely separate from other eBay pages (to prevent malicious interference), so a full URL is required to make the link work.
eBay also requires that all links include the attribute target="_blank" . This will ensure that the link opens in a new page. While this is not so much an issue on mobile devices, where the description is on a page of its own already, it is imperative on a desktop where the description is displayed in its own window that is embedded directly within eBay's page. Because the description is in it's own embedded window, the target attribute is required so that the new page will target a new blank window. If that attribute is missing, the link could open the new page right there inside the middle of the listing. And then the Active Content filter might actually block the new page from displaying.
Links to your other eBay pages are allowed, and it is best to use https: rather then http: since eBay will eventually deliver all pages over the https: protocol and will redirect appropriately before and after.
Note that the issue of "secure content" associated with item descriptions does not apply to links that leave the page. So your description will not be affected by a link that is http instead of https. The "secure content" mandate only applies to embedded content like images and stylesheets, or to new pages that happen to accidentally open inside the same page when the target attribute is missing.
Your question about links within the eBay App is very appropriate. Currently, eBay is experiencing issues with linked pages opening within the App because not all pages will display in the App. Previously, such links escaped the App and displayed in "classic" view on mobile devices, but there have been reports that links are not escaping and are not displaying in the App either. I don't have a lot of specifics here because I don't have the Apps, but there are special eBay forums devoted to resolving issues with the Apps.
This page will generate buttons and links to various eBay pages.
http://www.isdntek.com/tagbot/qbutton.htm
Over time, as eBay further integrates its desktop pages into mobile views, eBay may develop different links for some of those features. So keep in mind that you may need to review and update your embedded links every six or 12 months.
I would recommend that you keep an eye on links that include "cgi" or "dll", as eBay seems to be slowly retiring those links in favor of more streamlined versions.
To point to a specific listing, the most direct url includes only the item number:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/000000000000
@itisvintage wrote:
On the same note, is there a way to get the item number to auto-populate in the window that opens from the "Contact" link inside the listing description?
No, that was previously possible on the "Ask Me" button using a script, but scripts are no longer allowed.
The only way to do that now is to hard-code the item number into each contact link within each listing, and you can imagine the sell-similar and relist problems that could create, so it is not recommended.
