eBay.com introduces new Item Page

10 Permanent link to eBay.com introduces new Item Page eBay.com introduces new Item Page

FEATURED POSTRichard Brewer-Hay / Monday, May 11th, 2009

eBay.com introduces new Item Page

I don’t typically write about AB posts regarding changes to the marketplace unless they’re of the high-profile nature. However, I have seen a few folks on Twitter talking about this today and I thought I’d bring it up here on the blog. Essentially, starting next week, whenever you see your own listings, you’ll see them in the new item page.

From the AB Post:

The new eBay item page includes:

* Bigger, better pictures, with photo zoom coming later this summer
* Real-time countdown timer for Auction-style listings
* Key information right upfront
* Cross-merchandising: Sellers’ relevant listings show up on other each other’s item pages. (You can opt out of cross-merchandising with other sellers, but consider the trade-offs carefully—this is a great opportunity to boost exposure.)

You can see the AB post from Renee VonBergen here. Learn more about the New item page here.

Like I said, I’ve seen some “Tweets” out there in Twitter land saying that this is a welcome change. What do you think? Good / bad? Do you care?

On an unrelated note, I must spend a few minutes with Renee soon so I can profile her for a “5 Minutes with…” interview for Ink. She and I worked together years ago (1997) at WebTV. Would love to speak with her soon.. A lot to catch up on after a 12-year break.

Cheers,
RBH
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Cliff Aliperti / May 11th, 2009 at 10:47 pm

We shall see. I’m still not crazy about the tabs, I think they’re going to lead to confusion.

Big question: in the example you link to here I see the eBay stores listing frame shows up (the list of store categories to the left of the item description) – when I preview my own items in the new view that frame is missing. Will I have to do something to make it appear or is the example not correct?

As long as that image is accurate and the listing frames are an option I’ll likely be very happy!

Thanks, Cliff

Concert Posters / May 12th, 2009 at 11:13 am

This new item page is AWFUL! There is no link to relist from the item page. UH hey ebay, don’t you think that would be important?

– I also looked into page source code, these will die a quick death in the serps, They serve the item desription remotely from a javascript. So the spiders will not see the words of the item description.

DEATH in the search engines.

— Also the item does not display correctly if you have javascript turned off in your browser.

— UH ebay, 20 30 % of all internet users have turned javascript off, you are telling that ebay sellers do not want their business.

Mark my words, this new item page, will really harm ebay sellers.

Donna / May 12th, 2009 at 12:33 pm

Hi there, I’m a powerseller on ebay. I absolutely hate it. No offense…I find it confusing and overwhelming. I really hope they don’t stick with this. I prefer when things are just right there…such as end listing…send to online auction, etc. I think its attractive, I just think it needs to be a little more user friendly. I don’t like having to search for what I’m trying to accomplish.

Tony / May 13th, 2009 at 8:22 am

Yesterday I posted a comment on the “new ebay item page”. You you deleted the comment. The coment was by “Concert Posters” and it laid out the critical reasons why the enay item is a failure. The comment was civil but critical and it did not contain profanity.

The fact that you censor substantial dissenting opinions on your blog proves that you do not engage in an open debate about ebay. You blog is nothing more than a regurgiation of the coprporate PR line and you have lost all credibility with me.

I will blog and comment about this on as many forums as I can.

I dare you to respond.

Richard Brewer-Hay / May 13th, 2009 at 9:02 am

Tony,
I haven’t deleted any comments that have come into Ink over the past 48 hours that weren’t obvious spam (viagra ads and the like). I’ll go back in the filter queue to see if your comment is still there. Otherwise, please feel free to comment here on Ink.

I believe I have been one of the most open corporate blogs out there since launch when it comes to comments. My rule of thumb is that if I can read your comment out loud to my oldest daughter, and it doesn’t contain hate speech or name calling, then it will go up. Plain and simple.

Sorry for any perceived censorship.

-RBH

Richard Brewer-Hay / May 13th, 2009 at 9:10 am

T – your comment had been caught in the filter because it was your first time posting to the site. I had to dig through a lot of porn invitations to approve your comment (it should now show up above).

Again, apologies that your comment didn’t go up immediately. Now that your first one has been approved, your comments will go up without any fear of being held up.

Cheers,
RBH

Cliff Aliperti / May 13th, 2009 at 10:12 am

Unfortunately I see my worry was correct. Still no store listing frame despite its inclusion on the page Richard linked to introducing the page:

http://pages.ebay.com/sell/newitempage/index.html

Related items and services is an empty tab for me, which scares me too–will that tab fill with my own related items, items belonging to other sellers, or even worse, third party advertisers.

There’s too much above the fold and not enough below it.

I still don’t understand why eBay’s fixing something that was never broken here. Especially when the “fix” feels like a break.

Cliff

Tony / May 13th, 2009 at 1:44 pm

Thank you for allowing that comment. Obviously you have restored your credibility with me, and many others, I think.

All the best,

Henrietta / May 13th, 2009 at 10:15 pm

As a buyer/browser I do not like the tabs. I do not like them on Target or Walmart either. Tabs add another click between the item and information essential to taking the step to checkout.

This translates to another opportunity to abandon the process and avoid conversion.

TheBrewsNews / May 14th, 2009 at 12:35 am

Where is the About Me icon on the new item page?

We were told by eBay that the final version of the page would have the About Me icon. However, despite the assurances from eBay I was skeptical at the time. And, given eBay’s recent comments in the last Town Hall about the About Me page, I have concerns that the About Me page is going away…. quietly, of course, and without any advance notice from eBay.

Ra Zenla / May 17th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

The new lsiting form doesn’t give promo to other items formerly given at the bottom; but killing off people who only have money orders and checks is the stupidest thing I can imagine other than having some guy with a disconnect behind his eys running and ruining ebay worst than Cobb ever could. (The must stupid and unconstitutional are companies that don’t accept cash…that’s illegal. Stop those corporations and credit card connected companies now!) Tell Obama. While there is time.

Ra Zenla / May 17th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

I think I’ll talk to a lawyer this week about suing Ebay they break all the moral and “legal laws” they can and because they have money think they can get away with it forever. The worsening of ebay is great this time cause it’s all being done in a more subtle way. Only Democracies should sell in and to American’s. Period.