eBay categories or store categories

[davenportpm1]

 Hello all fellow sellers with eBay stores.  I am curious if choosing one or the other, eBay categories versus store categories makes any difference.  Or does it matter which one you choose?  I do have store categories set up in my store so when a buyer goes to my store they are able to see all the items under that category but curious if it makes any difference if you choose one or the other.  I would appreciate any thoughts or insights you may have when you have time.

Thank you!

[katzrul15]

Used to have e-Bay categories, but they lumped so many together that make no sense - Changed to Store categories to aid the Buyer once the land at the Store.

I have categories that say Deals, Sale Items and of course, actual categories, etc.

[lamber9347]

@davenportpm1 When you list an item, any item, you are forced to select a category on eBay in which to list it. So that is a requirement. For your own store, just as you said, your categories are for people who actually visit your store. 

I am a doll collector and many times when I see a seller is listing more than one outfit, I will go to their store. If they have categories, then I will browse for more doll items. If they don't have a category that fits what I am looking for, I hit the back button. Usually, I am looking to purchase more than one item, so a seller's store categories are important to me as a buyer. Hope that helps you out with another perspective. Best of luck to you....

[chevymontecarlo88 · Accepted solution]

I like using store categories because i tend to have similar items i generally sell over time. This way i can sort my store better with category names i feel best fit my items instead of the generic ebay category. Not sure if it really makes a difference but that is how i look at it 

[714ricki]

The store category path is cleaner & allows the buyer to focus on what they want to see once they landed in your store.

[mightymouse]

I sell dinnerware replacements and use my store categories because Ebay's new system lists all dinnerware as cookware or barware. When I list new items saw 20 different items in a pattern It all goes under cookware-pottery, glassware, plates. I try to make it easy for my buyers BUT NOT EBAY.

[allthingssurplus]

This much I can tell you.  We found that some of our fast moving product was only searchable if the Buyer had the entire listing title, almost impossible or the listing ID, only possible if they were already looking at the listing.  What we found is we were listing product in the correct category and eBay's big computer in the sky was changing it to what it felt was the correct category.  This effected around 15% of our 4000+ listings.  I had a CS rep that worked on this problem and confirmed that that is exactly what happened.  So now when we come across a non performing listing we check what other peoples listing for the same item have used as a category.  The result is we are listing product incorrectly which could open us up to defects and returns.  All this due to the platforms attempt to streamline everything in order to adapt it to the cell phone.  Really a sad state of affairs.  So check to see if eBay has moved your categories without you knowing.

[knifeaholic]

It really depends on what you sell.  When it comes to eBay categories, for what I sell everything is lumped into mostly one category, but a maximum of about 2-3 categories.

So with the number of different items I have listed (very brand specific), having store categories is essential.  I have maybe 60 to 70 store categories, adding more as I go along.

[inhawaii]

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@katzrul15 wrote:

Used to have e-Bay categories, but they lumped so many together that make no sense - Changed to Store categories to aid the Buyer once the land at the Store.

I have categories that say Deals, Sale Items and of course, actual categories, etc.

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A sale category.   That's a great idea!  You are a genius.   😃

[simply-the-best-for-you]

I prefer store categories & have always done them vs eBay categories.  My reasons have to do with eBay not using industry standard terminology in my category.   

I don't think it really matters from a search perspective, it's just a choice of which you prefer. 

[davenportpm1]

Thank you so much! 😄

[davenportpm1]

Thank you so much! 😄

[davenportpm1]

Thank you to everyone that responded. I tried to reply to each one of you but would not let me. Your insight was very helpful. 😄

[findadeal89]

This is very helpful to me and I was wondering if you could tell me, do you have to have paid store with Ebay to be able to have things by category?

Thanks in advance!

[anjofak]

 The forsale on ebay category..could work, the what sells on eBay category 🤔