Did you know that there is more than one type of eBay store? Most aspiring store owners have this misconception that all you need to start your eBay shops is to create an account.
But selling on eBay is more complex than it seems, and you have to know about the different store subscription levels to maximize selling on eBay and reach your sales target!
You can use your free eBay account to sell. But once you see your sales add up, you’ll naturally want to keep up with the demand. Adding more auction and fixed price listings to your eBay store increases your chances of making sales.
And as your sales increase over time, you’re wondering if it’s time to scale your business. The next viable step is to buy an eBay store subscription.
But what is an eBay store subscription and how do you level up your store?
A high-performing eBay store is your ticket to generating more sales and earning higher profits. Choosing the right seller level is an important part of your sales strategy.
Your choice of subscription level determines the amount of free listings you can have in your store. And the more free listings you have in your eBay account, the more you’re likely to generate sales.
Excited to start selling on eBay?
Let’s explore the different eBay store subscription levels!
Article Overview
When to Upgrade Your Store Subscription?
Selling on eBay in a Nutshell
If you want to start your own online store on eBay, the process goes like this:
Step 1: Create an eBay account.
Step 2: Choose the eBay store subscription level.
Step 3: Build your store name and use eBay tools to maximize sales.
For this guide, I’ll walk you through that second – and most critical – step.
Choosing the right store subscription level could determine how much money you make by selling on eBay, or how much you could lose if you’re not maximizing your monthly subscription (or annual subscription, whichever applies).
So, it’s important to understand the right store level so that sellers can break even faster and ensure you’re not losing money in the process.
eBay Store Subscription Guide
There are up to five different store subscription services available when selling on eBay. You can choose the appropriate level for your eBay store depending on your budget, sales goals, and the number of items you wish to sell.
1. Starter Store
The first level for your store subscription is the Starter Store. The monthly renewal plan for this store level is $7.95 per month.
But if you opt for the annual subscription, the monthly fee is $4.95.
The Starter Store level offers a maximum of 250 listings per month for either auction or fixed price listings. The insertion fee for the Starter Store level is $0.30 per listing.
Therefore, if you choose to list more items beyond the allowed 250 listings under this subscription, you must pay $0.30 each, regardless if the item sells or not.
The Starter Store is the ideal starting point for new eBay sellers, or a casual seller (such as those with full-time jobs and wanted to start an eBay store as a side hustle). Before you set up your eBay store, you can use this as an opportunity to get a hang of how things work on eBay.
It is also the recommended subscription level for eBay sellers who only have a handful of products to sell and simply want an eBay storefront where you can showcase your products to potential buyers.
2. Basic Store
The Basic Store subscription is available for a monthly renewal fee of $27.95. But if you have the annual subscription, you will only be paying $21.95 per month for the Basic Store package.
The Basic Store level provides up to 1,000 free listings under your account. However, the listings are only for fixed price listings and you get 250 free auction style listings for select categories.
You will be paying $0.25 on insertion fees for additional listings beyond the allowed 1,250 listings.
This store level is the ideal choice for someone who is already growing their business and have multiple items to sell.
This seller level on eBay is recommended for anyone with an extensive product catalog. All their listings are available on the storefront, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the eBay store benefits.
3. Premium Store
The Premium Store level is recommended for anyone with an extensive product assortment because you can get up to 10,000 fixed price listings on your eBay store. You will be paying $0.10 insertion fee per additional listings on your store.
Meanwhile, you will get 500 free auction listings on select categories. The insertion fee for auction listings is $0.15 per listing.
The monthly subscription fee for the Premium Store level is $74.95. Meanwhile, you’ll be paying $59.95 monthly if you have the annual subscription.
It’s the ideal store level for sellers who want zero insertion fee due to the extensive free listings available under your eBay account.
You can opt for this store level if you want more zero insertion fee listings, especially for high volume sellers. It’s the ideal option on eBay for those sellers who make a living out of eBay selling.
4. Anchor Store
The Anchor Store on eBay is another excellent choice for the high volume sellers on eBay. It is available for $349.95 a month, or $299.95 a month if you subscribe annually.
This store level offers 25,000 fixed price listings to your store, with $0.05 insertion fee on additional listings. You can also get 1,000 auction listings available in your eBay account for select categories with a $0.10 insertion fee on additional listings.
The Anchor Store level is the suitable choice for sellers with an extensive product catalog, or large retailers. It is also recommended for store owners that would benefit from a dedicated customer support.
Due to the volume of orders from customers and multiple listings, it’s a full-time job managing your eBay store. Therefore, you can benefit from all the support you can get on your listings.
5. Enterprise Store
The Enterprise Store is a level that is dedicated for large retailers, or those dealing with high volume of orders on a daily basis. The annual subscription is $2,995 with a maximum allowed listings of 100,000 fixed price listings.
Additional insertion fees for fixed price listings is $0.05 per item. Meanwhile, you can get 2,500 auction listings with an insertion fee of $0.10 per additional listing.
When to Upgrade Your Store Subscription?
As mentioned earlier, joining on eBay is free. You can get 10 free listings per month on your eBay account without paying anything upfront, except for the sales tax and final value fees once your item sells.
But if you are serious about eBay selling and want to turn this side hustle into a full-time business, you need to think about buying an eBay store subscription so you can scale things up.
So, how and when do you determine it is time for an upgrade?
There are two factors you must consider before upgrading your store subscription:
1) your expenses for running the eBay store, and 2) at which point you want to break even.
For example, you want to break even in 3-6 months, you have to decide how many items you are listing (and selling) per month in your existing seller level.
Consider the total cost involved, including the subscription fees, insertion fees (if applicable), sales tax, final value fees, and other eBay fees.
However, it’s worth noting that subscribing to any of the store plans would give you the benefit of having lower final value fees (up to 50% compared to free eBay sellers).
Taking the eBay fees into account, you will be able to determine how much profit you’re earning for every item you sell. Multiply that with the total number of items sold per month.
If you reach an average of your total sales per month, you can determine when you’re able to break even. Therefore, you need to calculate everything using the eBay fee calculator.
This tool makes it easy to determine when it’s time to upgrade your store and to set realistic sales goals for your eBay shops.
What is the Best eBay Store Subscription Plan?
The best store subscription plan when selling on eBay boils down to two things:
- The monthly volume of free listings
- Your sales target and timeline
Your chosen store subscription also gives you access to various marketing and sales tools, which enables you to grow and promote your business. Consider these tools in deciding the right subscription for your store, but it also goes back to what your goals are.
Casual sellers or those looking at setting up an eBay store for an extra income source will have a different plan suited to them, versus those who are managing multiple eBay stores with an extensive product assortment.
Whichever plan you choose, there are eBay store benefits that you can get according to which stage you are in your eBay journey.
Conclusion
How do you choose the right store subscription when setting up an eBay store? You need to answer two questions to help you decide:
- How many items do you plan on listing each month?
- What is your goal for selling on eBay?
Whether you’re a hobbyist seller or a small business seeking growth, it’s important to pick the right store level that fits into your short- and long-term goals on eBay. It will ensure that you have the right plan that allows you to grow and access the tools you need, while also making sure that you’re making profits!
