eBay listing description writing services

What you supply

Agreeing condition wording

Before writing, agree a short set of condition phrases and what each means, such as 'light wear: small marks visible close up'. Using them consistently helps buyers understand your listings and makes descriptions quicker to write. The wording should match the condition option chosen on eBay and never soften what the inspection notes say. Write the definitions down.

How the service runs

1. 01

   Template

   Headings and condition wording agreed per product type.

   Output: Templates

2. 02

   Notes in

   You supply notes and photos for each item.

   Output: Item notes

3. 03

   Write

   Descriptions written from the notes only.

   Output: Drafts

4. 04

   Review

   You check drafts for accuracy.

   Output: Approved descriptions

5. 05

   Improve

   Buyer questions logged and templates updated.

   Output: Questions log

Warning signs in a description service

• Flaws softened or left out

  Descriptions must match the inspection notes.

• The same text on every listing

  Templates should be filled from each item.

• Claims not in your notes

  Nothing should be added that you did not supply.

• Long blocks of text

  Hard to read on a phone.

Example: a used tools seller

Using buyer questions

Keep a log of questions buyers send about described items. If the same question comes up repeatedly, the template is missing something. Review the log every month or two and update the template so future descriptions answer it. Share the log with whoever inspects items, since some questions point to details that should be checked during inspection rather than added to the text afterwards. That way the inspection form, the template and the descriptions improve together.

What you should receive

Following eBay UK's guidance

eBay UK suggests descriptions include brand name, style, model numbers and unique qualities. Templates should open with those details, then cover condition, testing and contents.

An inspection form that matches the template

Descriptions are only as good as the notes behind them. Ask the service to provide a short inspection form with the same headings as the description template: what the item is, condition by area, what was tested, what is included and measurements. Whoever inspects the item fills it in; the service turns it into description text. The form also helps new staff inspect items consistently, and makes it easy to see when something important has been missed before the listing goes live.

New products

For new products, the service can work from your product data and packaging. The template may be shorter, focusing on use, contents, care and compatibility from the manufacturer's information. Ask for a sample of descriptions for each product type before the full batch, so the format can be adjusted early.

Phone-friendly writing

Descriptions should use short paragraphs and simple lines that read well on a phone. Ask the service to check a few published descriptions on a phone before completing the batch, since layouts can display differently from drafts.

Access

Descriptions can be supplied in a file for your team to publish, or entered by the service using separate access where eBay offers it. Remove any access when the work ends, and keep templates and the questions log with your records.