Create an EBay Auction Template in Photoshop

It isn't likely that the popularity and success of eBay will slow down any time soon. In fact, the number of users eBay sees on a daily basis grows almost daily. Buyers like the great deals, sellers like being able to earn some cash off of their un-needed items.

One of the major selling points of most of the best auctions is the fact that it features a clean, professional layout. The graphics, backgrounds, and general placement of items on the eBay auction page comes from an eBay template - an html file that the seller uses over and over, making listing their auctions easier than ever.

Look at it this way ... buyers are naturally cautious of purchasing an item from someone they don't know (you). If they went to a website that didn't look very professional, they'd run the other direction. They're only slightly less prone to run the other direction on eBay. You can improve your selling success tenfold (seriously) by having a clean, professional layout in your auctions.

The good news is that it's supremely easy. This guide will take you through all the steps from designing to slicing to adjusting the html. It's painless, I promise. All that you will need is Photoshop 7 or above and a little bit of patience.

Part One: Designing the Auction Template

One - Gather Resources: Before you even begin, do yourself a favor and find a graphic or three that you think would make a good centerpiece in your layout. Almost all of the "design" work will be in the header of your auction, but you want that header to make a nice impression. Make sure that the graphics you choose are royalty-free or copyright-free and that the creator doesn't mind them being used commercially.

I'll be using a couple graphics I found at Outlaw by Design and converted from PSP. I want to focus on a layout that is totally suitable for baby and children's items, and that just by looking at the page a potential buyer will know they've found the right auction.