Ebay is the perfect Home Based Online Business for the Practically Anyone from 18 to 80. The Start up costs for Ebay is very low. You do not need your own web page. You don't even need to know anything about Ebay. You can take classes online at Ebay University.

1 - Register for as an Ebay Buyer

Yes Buyer, think of this as research. Buy something you like and need on Ebay. I have purchased everything from Buck Wheat pillows to Timeshares on Ebay. Being an Ebay Shopper has 2 benefits it allows you to learn about Ebay in a non threatening environment. It allows you to gain positive feedback which is so important to any Ebay Seller.

2 - Learn

Ebay offers online classes at Ebay university, You can also take classes at many community colleges around the country.

3 - Register as a Seller

Go to Ebay and register as a seller. It is an easy process and it's free.

4 - Get Your Feet Wet

For your first sale find something around the house that you no longer need or want. By selling garage sale items from your house you can practice Steps 5 - 9 on 1 or more auctions until you are comfortable.

5 - Create Your Ad

Use Keyword rich text in your ads so they will be picked up by search engines. Make sure your text is people Friendly and People Readable

6 - Take a Picture

You need a Picture with your ad. If you are serious about selling on Ebay you will need a good Digital Camera, All things being Equal between 2 Ads the one with the best pictures will get the Best Bids.

7 - Payment Options

It is always best to have lot's of Payment Options, Paypal, Credit Cards, Money Orders. If 2 Auctions are the same the one with the most flexible payment options will get the best bids

8 - Shipping

Make sure you pack your items well. Research shipping options and pricing and list them in your Auction, Offer insurance as an Option and charge the actual cost. Package store like 'The UPS Store' and 'Fedex Kinkos' will actually pack and ship for you. Since the buyer pays the cost of shipping and handling let the experts do it and save headaches

9 - Feedback

Always give your Buyers Feedback especially if it is positive. Always request positive feedback from your buyers. If you deliver as promised positive feedback will follow.

After you have practiced steps 4-9 a few times you will be ready to move to Step 10

10 - What to Sell

Sell something you enjoy. If you enjoy what you are doing you more then likely will be more successful. Sell what you know. If you couldn't spot a Rolex from a Timex you don't want to be selling watches.

You can Find Items to sell at Flea Markets, Garage Sales and Store Close-Outs. One strategy that works well is buying garage sale close outs. Go to a garage sale at the end of the day and offer to buy up what is left over. You can pay as little as $20 for garage sale leftovers and turn around and sell them on Ebay Separately for $500 or more. You can work with drop shippers and sell everything from toys to high-end electronics.

If you currently have a wholesale or retail business consider selling your returns, 2nds and off season merchandise on Ebay.