Diversify or focus on one category?

[nare4550]

So this is probably a dumb question but... I'm a new seller and trying to figure out life here on EBAY. I'm trying to decide how to best optimize my work. Is it better to diversify or focus on one category? I mostly sell household things like dishes but then I also do some shoes and outerwear and vintage items. Should I just stick to one thing for better sales. Recently I started posting at least 3 things, trying for 5, per day to see if I can increase my sales. Any advice you guys have would be appreciated. Thanks!

[kensgiftshop]

I list whatever I have avaliable.

I think if you have a good mix of items, you have a better chance of making a sale or two.

[b86fiero]

I don't know that focusing on one category will increase your sales. Unless maybe you list in eBay Motors as that gets all of the tv, radio and internet advertising. 

I have a variety of merchandise and today my dashboard shows my sales are down 24.4% in the last month. Crashing sales has been evident over the past three months with 20 - 25% down each month over the previous month. (Lots of sellers in the same sinking ship).

That is after adding over 100 new listings, lowering some prices and giving eBay more in promoted listing percentage fees. 

I have over 800 items listed, many with multiples available. I was allowed to sell 6 items Friday afternoon - Sunday, 2 items Monday and right now a big fat 0 for Tuesday. This pattern of being allowed to sell only 2 - 3 items per day has been going on since last March. (I've been a seller here for over 22 years and have never seen it so bad).

Lots of theories out there in net-land including something about sellers being assigned to Tiers last Spring which limits the amount of sales per month per seller. Too many sellers, not enough buyers, the economy, offshore sellers flooding the site, shipping cost too high, prices too high, prices too low so buyers think something is wrong with the item, more sites to buy from, whatever. Don't know if any of them are true but all of them together is plausible and makes for interesting reading.  

One theory is the more you list for sale the better chance you have of selling something. (Unless nobody wants what you're selling as some will tell you on here).

Give it a shot. You won't know unless you try.  Hope for the best. If you have free listings at worst you will have wasted some time. 

Sending you best wishes for your success.

[gloryglorygifts]

Personally, I like to diversify. Yes, I'm in a niche market but I like to give my customers a variety with everything from artwork to jewelry to key chains and magnets. Adding things keeps the followers engaged I think. 

Welcome and good luck to you! 

[a_c_green]

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@nare4550 wrote:

So this is probably a dumb question but... I'm a new seller and trying to figure out life here on EBAY. I'm trying to decide how to best optimize my work. Is it better to diversify or focus on one category? I mostly sell household things like dishes but then I also do some shoes and outerwear and vintage items. Should I just stick to one thing for better sales.

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Not unless you're, I dunno, a master of that category, meaning that you have great sales and little competition. 

Buyers aren't going to be all that aware of your specific ID; they're looking for a product. I would sell whatever you're comfortable with and knowledgeable about. Write your own description, no AI or ChatGPT silliness, and your knowledge and details will come through.

I skimmed a few of your listings and they look fine. (I would question your "Vintage White Milk Glass Grape & Leaves Pattern Carafe/Pitcher" which you describe as 8" tall and 15" in diameter; I think those dimensions should be the other way around.) I don't think I would use Make Offer on every listing, though, unless you like haggling every sale, because Make Offer can be interpreted as a sign that you are willing to take less than whatever price you have set. If that's the price you think is fair, then leave it there, and take off the Make Offer button.

I would try diversifying as you described, unless or until you find some area of specialization that works for you. If you're specializing in one area, you'll find that you can do Sell Similar a lot more when making new listings from your previous ones, and you'll get used to Shipping techniques for whatever you're selling, as opposed to having to improvise a new packing method whenever you get into a new area of sales. Good luck and you should be fine.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

You are close to being able to be a category specialist.

List what you have that stands a change of selling at a profit.

[m60driver]

Six of one, half dozen of the other.  Focusing on one category encourages window shopping in a store and encourages repeat business.  Being a shameless reseller like myself who will sell anything for a small profit tends to even out sales over the longer term but it does make one's sale susceptible to broader economic downturns such as what my sales are experiencing at the moment.  But even I have begun to focus more on some categories more than others.

[chapeau-noir]

I list everything under one ID, but concentrate on three or four markets.

Hit 'post' too soon - I have found that sometimes people will purchase items from a couple of different categories - a book and a shirt, or a bike part and a DVD, etc.

(and NOT a dumb question!)

[ed8108]

Diversify is your friend

[reallynicestamps]

@a_c_green  said:

Buyers aren't going to be all that aware of your specific ID; they're looking for a product.

If they see your  mixing bowl and it isn't quite what they wanted,if you specialize in kitchen stuff they may also look at your products and find the corningware lid they need.

if you are all over the place, they may not want Christmas ornaments or a used John Deere cap or the complete DVD set of Buffy the Vampire Killer.

Few of us have repeat customers, unless we are selling very specific things. I buy shipping supplies from a specific seller for example.

A mix of products in a category encourages browsing.

That being said, as a new seller, list everything you can until you find the sweet spot.

One of my accounts used to sell primarily vintage science fiction paperbacks and now sell sewing patterns.

[nare4550]

Thank you so much for your reply. I appreciate the insight..  pro's and cons of specializing vs diversify. I have a question if you don't mind. You stated 'one of my accounts' makes me think you have multiple accounts. Do u use different accounts to sell different things? I've kind of tossed that idea around, but it seems like a lot of work. Thanks!

[nare4550]

Thanks so much for your reply. If you don't mind a question.... you said 'your close to being a cetagory specialist ' what does that mean exactly. Lol I'm intrigued. Thanks!

[wastingtime101]

It's not a dumb question @nare4550 .

As a new seller I'd suggest listing what you have, learning different categories and seeing what you like best and where you want to end up.

In the end, if you can focus on a single category, you'll get a search boost from consistently listing in the same category.

If you love both household and clothing, you can split it up between two selling accounts. But for now, establish yourself first and don't worry about the split. You're too new and there is a lot to learn around here. Focus on building one account with a strong history and see where you are a year from now.

[12345jamesstamps]

Depends on your business plan. 

I sell mostly one category....why I do?... "Repeat Buyers".

Those days which we have where we have no new buyers...those repeat buyers really help.

[nare4550]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply. I appreciate the advice on the milk glass pitcher 👍. Also I agree with the write your own description... the AI writing just seems odd.  I think I'll probably try different things until I find what works best... but I agree shipping similar items would simply listing and shipping. Thanks!