Hammoq
5 min read

eBay selling can get very competitive, with many sellers offering identical products. In such a competitive environment, one needs to devise ways of shining above their competitors and maximizing the possibilities of sales. Two major means through which this is achieved are cross-promotions and product bundling. These methods help you increase average order value, clear your inventory faster, and attract more customers with value-added deals.

In this tutorial, we will look at cross-promoting and product bundling-the boosters of your sales strategy on eBay. We will discuss a smattering of real-life tips on how to effectively make use of these techniques.

What is Cross-Promotion on eBay?


Cross-selling in marketing is an invitation to customers to buy more or to purchase items related to what they are buying from your store. On eBay, this means offering other complementary items to buyers who are already viewing one of your products. This simply means exposing probable buyers to more of your inventory and therefore increasing the order values and repeat business.

Benefits of Cross-Promotion


Increased Exposure: By cross-selling related products, you are exposing your buyers to other products they may not have noticed in your store.
Increased Average Order Value: Upselling items that complement what is already in their cart will encourage customers to add more to their cart, which increases the total value of what the customer is buying.
Moving Inventory On eBay, cross-selling less popular or older items with best-sellers can help you rid your inventory of the stale products much faster.

What is Product Bundling on eBay?


Product bundling involves putting two or more related products in a single package and then selling them together at a discounted price. Suppose you are selling a camera. You can offer it along with a memory card, tripod, and camera bag. Such a strategy gives the perceived value deal to the buyer while it helps you in selling many products in a single transaction.

Benefits of Product Bundling


Perceived Value: Buyers perceive a better value when they are presented with an offered bundle, which increases the odds they might make a purchase.
Increased Conversion Rate: It can improve conversion rates because it makes the buying decision easier and it does offer a complete solution in one bundle of goods.
Inventory Control: You can bundle slow-moving products with best-sellers to clear out inventory a lot faster.
How to Cross-Promote on eBay
Cross-promoting on eBay is quite easy to set up, and it already has built-in tools that you can use to cross-promote your listings for your products. Here's how you can set up cross-promotions in detail:

1. Utilize eBay's Cross-Promotion Tools


In eBay, there is allowance to be able to include other related products within the description area or even at the bottom of the page. Related item recommendations can be added so that customers can locate easily more of your products.

Promote Related Listings: You can include links to other of your store's items in your active listing that would complement what the buyer viewed. Suppose you are selling a mobile phone, and you want to suggest chargers or covers.
Use "Shop with Confidence" Box. Present at the bottom of your listing, it also allows showing extra items from your store.


2. Create Complementary Product Groups


In your product list, find those that complement each other. You may be into selling electrical appliances in the kitchen; you can cross-sell some accessories like cookbooks, utensils, cleaning apparatus, etc.

Examples:
A customer buying a printer will need ink cartridges and paper.
A customer who buys a video game playing console can be cross-sold a set of games or even controllers to connect with.


3. Give Special Discounts for Cross-Sold Products


Make the cross-promotions more enticing to your customers by giving them a discount for buying more than one item. For example, you can give a discount for purchasing both main item and complementary item together.

Volume Discounts: A certain percentage off can be made available to the customer for buying more than two items from your store. This will encourage customers to buy complementary items in one go.
Free Shipping for Bundled Products: Entice customers with free shipping once they attain buying a combination of their products. This encourages them to add more to their orders.


4. Cross-Promotions in Your Listings Should Be Highlighted


Allow buyers to note extra products that you are offering by stating cross-promotion messages in your product description.

Example of Update in Description: "Looking for the perfect camera accessories? Check our selection of camera bags, tripods, and memory cards for a complete photography kit!"
How to Bundle Products on eBay
Product bundling is all about making prudent plans to ensure that what goes together will be worth the price a customer is willing to pay yet make economic sense to your bottom line. Here's how you can successfully effect product bundling:

1. Identify Complementary Products


Successful bundling, on the other hand, is an art of choosing what goes together. You gotta give your customers items that add value when bought together-so the decision to buy would not be that difficult after all.

Examples include:

Electronics: Screen protector, case, and charger to complement a smartphone.
Clothing: Offer an outfit with shirt, pants, and jacket.
Home Goods: Provide a kitchen starter kit with pots, pans, and utensils included.


2. Price Bundles Competitively


When you go to price your bundles, you want to make sure that the overall price is enticing to buyers versus purchasing items separately. This discount should be large enough to encourage a customer to buy over purchasing items, but it shouldn't be too deep to shave off from your bottom line profit margin.

Sample Pricing Strategy: If the items would cost $100 if bought individually, then the bundle should be offered for $85. That gives the buyer a 15% saving, and hence the bundle becomes more attractive.


3. Create Appealing Bundle Listings


Bundle items should be marked as being sold together. You will need to make distinct listings for your bundles. Your title should include keywords like "bundle deal," "complete set," or "all-in-one package."

Example Title: "Camera Starter Kit: Camera, Memory Card, Tripod and Case - Bundle Deal!"
Descriptive Details: Clearly explain what the bundle encompasses and why it is a better deal than buying the products separately. Use bullet points to list each item included in the bundle.


4. Visual Display Bundles


When you have a product for sale that encompasses multiple items, ensure that in your shots all items included in the package can be seen so customers get an idea of what they will receive.

Use Group Photos: Take clear, high-quality shots of the items together to show the customer what they get with one photo taken.

Highlight Key Features: Make use of close-up photography to bring in the important details of such features as material quality and other product features.

Cross-Promotion and Bundling Best Practices


Other best practices which can be pursued with a view to full maximization of cross-promotion and bundling include:

1. Test Different Combinations


Try an assortment of product combinations in order to discern which cross-promotions and bundles reap the best rewards. Some products sell much better while being sold with other items; some may initiate more sales when cross-promoted with other products.

2. Track Sales Performance


Utilize eBay analytics tools and keep cross-promotions and bundles in check. Follow through on the conversion rate, order values, and total volumes to know whether the strategy will work out or need some reconsideration.

3. Take advantage of seasonal sales.


It tends to pay especially good dividends with cross-selling and bundling during peak shopping seasons, such as Black Friday, Christmas sales, and Back-to-School sales. Make the most out of this and nudge the user with bundled deals or promote related products likely to be bought along with the purchase.

4. Offer Lenient Return Policies


Being clear with your return policy and as flexible as possible is important for bundled products. A buyer will be more comfortable knowing they can return the whole bundle if they are not happy.

Conclusion


Cross-selling and product bundling are some of the most powerful techniques to maximize revenue and drive sales on eBay. By upselling your customers with complementary items, you add value to them, not only increasing your average order value but also lowering inventory turnover. All of these strategies effectively encompass planning, competitive pricing, and clear communication with buyers.

Whether you are clearing out your inventory, pushing complementary products, or creating attractive bundled deals, cross-promotion and bundling is a most influential activity to improve your eBay business and will set you apart in a competitive marketplace.