Use as eBay HTML or a plain coin site? (big image)

Darkhorse

I've been in the coin collecting blahs the past year or so. Maybe I should be doing something more marketable, selling my coins then buying new prettier ones and selling them (repeat)... that is if I make a profit. Considering my photography abilities I may be able to do this.
I have an ebay account but not a seller account so I don't know where to begin there.

But I could just make a plain site for my coins that'll look something like it does below:



Imagine this adjusted for my ebay auctions (if I set up an account or something).

SYRACUSIAN

Given your standards, I'd say redesign it from the start.

edit:if it's supposed to be heavy and rich, it's not good enough :have a look at a George V halfcrown's reverse to get the picture ; plus there's no DH humour in it

cosmicdebris

I like it. What would it look like with a gold border? As for selling on eBay If I remember they want a credit card or bank account on record.

trozau

Phil,

Selling coins (and other collectibles) via eBay or your own website would be a good and effective way for supplemental income in the beginning and if it takes off could become a full time endeavor (can't beat that, making a living for something you enjoy doing - like they say: work is not supposed to be fun, that is why they pay you for it). Before you choose your venue, consider all the alternatives and then list out the pros and cons of each before settling on the final choice. BTW, you can also consider selling via eBay with a link to your web site (combination of both - best exposure). Best of luck.

MacCrimmon

I myself need to revisit eBay's rules on this, but I don't think you can link directly from an Auction page, but you can (I believe) if you maintain the 'About Me' link with the eBay Store. I know NEN does this.

All you need to be a seller is the CC on file so eBay can, of course, bill you monthly. Good Luck on the endeavour.

cosmicdebris

Gold border for your consideration.

Darkhorse

thanks for the input. I was thinking of taking one of two courses: have a nice serious looking site or html, or an irreverant one. Since my user feedback is low I initially opted for the serious one and whipped something together with the images and coins I could get a hold of (I don't have a nice enough George V obverse to include).

But then again my ebay name is 'crazyphilarnold' so I could make weird humours auctions like 'CrazyPhilArnold's Conniption of Coins!" or something like that.

theboz11

That is a Nice Page ,,but it does not go with your Screen name. Maybe, since you have a low number you could change ebay name to a more serious tone.

elverno

Nice design, as I would have expected!

My main comment from personal experience is to lose the "under construction" line and don't put links on that go to "under construction" pages. Industry studies have shown that people will return to a site that has something nicely done down a single link and will write off a site that frustrated them with blank pages. When they return to your simple site and see that you've improved it they're pleasantly surprised. Also, "UC" just sounds like an excuse or an apology and people want to come to your site and be reassured about your competence. Just IMHO...

Darkhorse

I just wanted to show that text was there. I make sure a site is done before I upload everything to the web.

silvereaglecoins

Phil,

I like your web template... very nice starting point. I did exactly what you are considering a few years ago and am happy to share my experiences here.

First of all, start small and target an area of coin collecting you would like to specialize in. You don't want to be a full service Internet coin dealer offering everything under the sun. World silver crowns, national bank notes or some other "niche" market is a good way to start. I started with silver eagles only in 1999 offering only three items for sale on my original website - 1998 silver eagles, 1999 silver eagles, and a plastic gift case. After my sales started to pick up, I added additional items and eventually added world silver bullion. I went from 3 items to almost 100 items today. Another critical step is to get your website listed high on the search engines such as Google or Yahoo. Specializing in a "niche area" and targeting these keywords in your web HTML is the most important step in starting a successful web business. An excellent resource for search engine optimization is Market Position. To succeed, you must accept credit cards on your website and PayPal is the best way to go when starting out since they offer a free shopping cart and relatively low fees (2.2% for business accounts). Merchant credit card accounts and toll-free numbers are much more difficult to implement but can always be considered later.

Also, eBay is good for selling rare coins but not so good for selling common items like Morgan dollars, U.S. proof sets, or state quarters. There are simply too many sellers and dealers on eBay selling common coins. I use eBay mainly to sell any rare coins or notes I come across but use my website to sell silver eagles and world silver dollars. Another key to a successful Internet website is exceptional customer service. This is obvious to most people but harder to find than you might think.

With your excellent coin imaging skills and graphic artist background, I am sure you could start a very successful "side-business" selling coins on the Internet. I still run my website as a side-business but at my present rate of growth, could be selling coins "full time" in the near future.

I wish you the best of luck with your new venture!

Darkhorse

My main issue is that I don't have a credit card or paypal account. So I'll have to put things on hold until I do.But I would like to have experience with some rare coins.

I see Jeremy has started his own coin photography business and he has shot some impressive looking coins. I like that Texas commem, but for me getting into US coins may be difficult.

But I really can't stand to buy the odd cheap coin every month anymore and may sell most of my stuff and buy a more extravagant item.

Askari

I love your design, Phil, and frankly, I would go with the original border. It matches the text better and gives it a "royal" flavor that complements the major design elements. I would, however, look for a Canadian map to serve as a similar background since that's more in line with your listed specialty area.

John has offered some real pearls of wisdom ... so don't play the swine! You'll not get better, more insightful suggestions anywhere else.

Darkhorse

was my comment rude? it wasn't really meant to be in any way.

I'm actually not much of a Canadian collector and I just have lots of world coins, mainly UK, France, Germany, Canada, Australian, a couple US coins too.

SYRACUSIAN

Phil,

you've received some great tips on how to start what you have in mind and I have every reason to believe that you'll be successfull in it. My comment was on the graphic aspect of the webpage, which I still don't like but that's just me (check our PMs and you'll understand). I don't agree with the selection of the coins either; I'd expect the obverse of the Canadian toner along with the 2 reverse pics (just to put an emphasis on Canadians and the toners anyway) and the choice to the upper right isn't exactly the most appropriate (next to George VI). The letters can benefit from a change and as for the font







I'll leave it for later