A few changes have been made within the last twelve months to eBay. As a seller, use of these tools can establish you as an authority, efficient and trusted seller in your market, offering further exposure for your auctions above than other competing sellers.

Over the next week, I’ll be highlighting some of these tools and explaining the advantages they can offer as a seller on eBay.

Firstly 2006 was the year that introduced us to eBay Reviews.

Ebay Reviews allows members to write reviews of products or services, sharing your expertise and comments. Readers get to rate your review after they have read it. Reviews can not yet be written on every category, but are limited to Binoculars, Camcorder Accessories, Car Amplifiers, Car Audio / Video, Car Seats, Cots and Cribs, Digital Cameras, DVD Players & Recorders, CDs and DVDs, and other electrical appliances including mobile phones.

If your selling in one of these categories, this is a great opportunity for you to show your knowledge and expertise to potential bidders. Keeping in mind the phrase, “people buy off those who they know or think they know”, eBay Reviews gives members the opportunity to get to know you.

Normal ebay rules apply in regards to outgoing links, so it’s not possible to filter away traffic to your own websites.

However picture this scenario. Two similar sellers are offering identical digital cameras in their listings. However, one of these sellers has written several guides on the pros and cons of each model they sell.

Which seller will seem more credible?

Obviously, its the seller who has taken the time to research the items they’re selling and compiled the reviews. More credibility represents will in time come to represent more bids, and more sales.

Any eBay member can compile a review by logging into My ebay and searching for the item they’re hoping to review. Ebays guidelines on writing a review are:

• Descriptive information. Explain your reasons for the rating you gave the product
• Pros and cons. Write about both the things you like and dislike about the product
• Correct punctuation, spelling and grammar. Write clearly and concisely.

Don’t be scared to include negative information about a product your reviewing - for example if a item doesn’t include a certain feature that you feel it should include it in your review. Readers will respect & trust you more than a complete positive review.