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Template Instructions
A NOTE ABOUT THE INSTRUCTIONS:
My templates are really as simple as "copy & paste" and "fill in the blanks". NO HTML KNOWLEDGE OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! I do, however, try to be thorough and detailed with my instructions to help all users succeed, from those attempting to use a custom template for the very first time to those who are more advanced and want to take their listings to the next level. Some instructions provided are very basic and some instructions are optional upgrades. Not all of the instructions will apply to every listing, or to the needs of every user.
If you have never used a custom auction template before, it does have a bit of a learning curve to it, but once you learn the process of using a custom template, it should become a simple and easy task for future uses. Trust me when I say that it is WELL worth the initial effort to make your auctions look more attractive and professional which will grab and keep the attention of your potential buyers. It has been proven that these types of auctions generate more sales and higher bids!
If after reading these instructions you need additional assistance, I encourage you to visit my Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). You may also use the Contact form to reach me with any further questions.
What the following instructions will help you learn about your template:
(Click the link if you wish to go directly to that section of the instructions.)
GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR TEMPLATE
However helpful, no HTML knowledge is required to use my custom templates. Basic knowledge of COPY & PASTE is required to personalize your template.
Hint: To copy text, simply click and drag to highlight the text you want to copy and press Ctrl+C (or Edit > Copy). To paste text, simply press Ctrl+V (or Edit > Paste).
REMINDER: Please do NOT alter the HTML code itself other than to add your pictures and text as agreed to in my TERMS OF USE with your purchase. HTML is very delicate and even a single character that you may feel is insignificant, when removed or changed, may cause your template to no longer work properly!
1. DOWNLOADING & SAVING YOUR TEMPLATE
Upon completion of payment, you will receive your download links. I have included your files in BOTH Word and Works format for your convenience, so you will receive two download links for each product purchased. Please choose the one labeled for the format you prefer.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE that your download links expire in THREE DAYS (72 hours) from purchase, so please download them as soon as possible. Once the links expire, your documents will no longer be available for download.
To download your document files, simply click the link and choose "Save". You will need to choose a location on your hard drive where you would like to save your documents. Please make note of this location so that you may easily recall your documents when needed.
IMPORTANT STEP: Always keep an backup copy of your auction template in the event that due to editing, the code no longer works properly. After you have initially downloaded and opened your new HTML template document, click FILE > SAVE AS > and SAVE a BACKUP copy of your original document. You can rename it anything you want, but choose a different name than the one given to the downloaded file you were sent with your purchase. (Example of new template name: "BACKUP Template Name"). Never edit the BACKUP copy. This is only saved in case you need to recover the original file at any time in the future. I also recommend that you save your files on disc, so that if you ever have any computer problems and lose any files, you will still have your backup CD.
Once you have saved a backup copy on your hard drive, close that document and then reopen the template document you received with your purchase. In this document you will see the HTML code (a combination of numbers, letters, and symbols) along with several "fill-in-the-blank" text comments that I have inserted (all in CAPITAL RED text) to help guide you through the process of personalizing your auction template. The RED TEXT is where you will edit your template with your choice of text and photos.
2. INSTALLING YOUR AUCTION TEMPLATE:
Begin by logging into your eBay account and start creating a new listing by clicking "Sell" on the tabs at the top of your screen, then the blue "Start Selling" button. If you are prompted to choose listing your item using the "More Listing Choices" or "Keep it simple" forms, choose "More Listing Choices" as this allows you to add your own customizations to the template such as your HTML. Then follow the steps to setting up your listing categories, title, item specifics, gallery image, etc. within eBay's "Sell Your Item Form" (SYIF) just as you would for any other listing. When you reach the description box where it says "Describe the item you are selling", it is time to insert your auction template.
Click to select the HTML tab on the description box before inserting your auction template code. With your auction template document open, copy the entire HTML code of your auction template and paste into the description box. You must copy and paste the ENTIRE code, as the template may not work properly if the HTML code is incomplete. The next step is adding your product photos.
Note to Mac Users Only: If you are using a Mac computer, there is a KNOWN GLITCH with eBay and Mac which does not allow you to view the HTML tab. If you cannot view the HTML tab, you should be able to successfully use your template by accessing eBay through another web browser such as Mozilla Firefox, which is free for download. Please contact eBay or Mac for any further assistance with this issue.
3. ADDING YOUR PRODUCT PHOTOS:
I have FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about using photos with my templates, probably more than all other questions combined, therefore this section will contain more instruction than other sections.
PHOTO HOSTING: In order to utilize the part of the template that allows for unlimited photos with no additional pay-per-picture fees, you will need to have your product photos hosted with a photo hosting service.
I recommend Photobucket for photo hosting, found at http://www.photobucket.com/, with a free account option. You can also do a search on the web by simply typing in IMAGE HOST or FREE IMAGE HOST and find several other free to low cost photo hosting services. If you do not currently have a photo hosting service, you will need to sign up for an account in order to use the photo portion of this template. Since there are so many different host services available on the web, I do not offer technical help with these services, so please make yourself familiar with your hosting account, and use their help and support services where available for any questions on resizing photos, link options, albums, etc.
Once you upload your photos to the host of your choice, you should easily be able to locate a unique URL (location on the web) for each photo. You will need to access the unique URL when it comes time to enter your photos into your template. *Keep reading for further information about how to properly insert your photos in the template.
IMPORTANT URL INFORMATION: The correct URL starts with http:// and ends with something like .jpg (or .gif, .png, etc.).
Example of a correct direct URL:
http://www.yourimagehost.com/folder/sub-folder/titleofpicture.jpg
IMPORTANT: If you are using Photobucket, please select the DIRECT LINK ONLY when choosing your photo URL.
INSERTING YOUR PHOTOS: Once you have pasted your auction template HTML code into the description box, it is time to add your product photos!
I highly recommend that you add your photo URL(s) while still viewing your template code in the HMTL tab of the Sell Your Item Form (SYIF). (Or insert them into your auction template code prior to pasting your template into the description box.) In the template code, locate the RED text that says URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE and REPLACE that text with the URL of your product image. Be sure that there is a SPACE between the ending of your photo URL and the word BORDER, or your photo will appear as just a box with a red "x" in it.
Below is an example of proper URL placement.
BEFORE:
<!-- INSERT PHOTO URL BELOW THIS LINE -->
<img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE border="0">
<!-- INSERT PHOTO URL ABOVE THIS LINE -->
AFTER:
<!-- INSERT PHOTO URL BELOW THIS LINE -->
<img src= http://www.yourimagehost.com/folder/sub-folder/titleofpicture.jpg border="0">
<!-- INSERT PHOTO URL ABOVE THIS LINE -->
ADDING MULTIPLE PHOTOS: To add multiple photos, simply copy and paste the image code below into your template, after the previous one, for as many pictures as you want to include and follow the instructions above for entering each photo URL.
Example (for 3 photos):
<img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE BORDER="0"><br><br>
<img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE BORDER="0"><br><br>
<img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE BORDER="0"><br><br>
*Notice the <br><br> code after the IMG code when adding multiple photos, not in the original single photo code. This <br><br> code adds line "breaks" or spaces between the photos.
PHOTO BORDERS: My templates do not include a border around your product photos. The borders you see in my sample photos are for demonstration purposes only, as noted in my auctions, and are not included with your template purchases. You may use your own photo editing software add borders to your photos prior to uploading them to your hosting service. Be sure to check out the editing features that Photobucket provides, such as borders, stickers and more! I also offer digi frames for purchase in my store that are made to match any of my auction templates, which can be used with your photo editing software program.
RESIZING YOUR PHOTOS: I am often asked why my templates are so large once listed and requires scrolling over to view the entire template. This would be because of the LARGE FILE SIZE of your PRODUCT PHOTO. Your photos will need to be resized prior to uploading them to your photo hosting service. Photobucket allows for resizing within your account after you have uploaded your photos. I recommend that your photos not be any larger than 500-600 pixels wide. Depending on your photo editing software options, resizing by 50% or a "best for web" setting may produce a similar result. Once your photos have been resized properly, follow instructions provided by your photo hosting service to upload and store your photos prior to using them with your template.
Please Note: You still may have a small amount of scrolling over if you have your eBay Stores left navigation menu (eBay store categories) active within your auction listings. This is an eBay Stores setting and can be turned off to minimize scrolling within your auction listings. Please check your eBay settings or eBay Help menu for further information on turning off your left navigation within your auctions.
NOTE ON PREINSTALLED TEMPLATES: If you are inserting a photo using a PREINSTALLED templates (you have installed it into your eBay templates and want to use it again) or you are using an active listing to "sell similar", you may edit your text on the Standard tab within eBay’s Sell Your Item Form description box, but you will need to switch over to the HTML tab to enter your photo URL in the proper location. You may have to search for it just a bit (as the code is now manipulated by eBay and doesn’t look the same as the original file) but I have included text to help you locate the photo. It will appear after the INSERT PHOTO URL BELOW THIS LINE and above the INSERT PHOTO URL ABOVE THIS LINE, as shown below.
<!-- INSERT PHOTO URL BELOW THIS LINE --> <img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE border="0"> <!-- INSERT PHOTO URL ABOVE THIS LINE -->
ADDING A CAPTION UNDER YOUR PHOTOS: If you would like to add a small caption under each photo, the photo code must be changed from the previous code to the new code, as show below. Replace the BOLD GREEN TEXT that reads PHOTO CAPTION with your choice of text. This code below defaults to black text. (If you are using a template that has a black background already, change the color code to #FFFFFF which is white text. Otherwise, your text will not show up on your black background.) Tip: Find other color codes for your text by doing a search on the web for a Hex Color Code Chart. Or you may copy and paste the six digit color code used in your template to the location of your photo caption code so that the text colors match.
PREVIOUS CODE:
<img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE border="0">
NEW CODE:
<img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE border="0"><br>
<font face=Georgia size=5 color="#000000"> PHOTO CAPTION </br></font>
ADDING ADDITIONAL PHOTOS WITH CAPTIONS: To add multiple photos with captions, simply copy and paste the image code below into your template, after the previous one, for as many pictures as you want to include.
Example (for 3 photos):
<img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE border="0"><br>
<font face=Georgia size=5 color="#000000"> PHOTO CAPTION </br></font><br><br>
<img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE border="0"><br>
<font face=Georgia size=5 color="#000000"> PHOTO CAPTION </br></font><br><br>
<img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE border="0"><br>
<font face=Georgia size=5 color="#000000"> PHOTO CAPTION </br></font><br><br>
*Notice the <br><br> code after the IMG code when adding multiple photos, not in the original single photo code. This <br><br> code adds line "breaks" or spaces between the photos.
PLEASE NOTE: The photos you have just inserted into your auction template code will be displayed within your eBay auction, but does NOT automatically provide your auction listing with an eBay gallery image. To include a gallery image in your eBay auction you will have to utilize eBay's free picture service to include your one free photo, which will be shown at the top left corner and very bottom of your auction page.
ADDING A PHOTOBUCKET SLIDESHOW: To add a Photobucket slideshow, you will need to copy the HTML CODE link for your completed slideshow within your Photobucket account and REPLACE the picture code in the template with the new slideshow code. This should work similar with other slideshow accounts.
REMOVE THE PICTURE CODE:
<img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE border="0">
REPLACE Picture Code with ENTIRE SLIDESHOW HTML CODE:
Example:
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="URL TO YOUR SLIDESHOW" height="360" width="480">
IMPORTANT TIP: Once you have uploaded and inserted your photo or slideshow URL into your listing template, DO NOT MOVE THE ITEM TO A DIFFERENT FOLDER within your photo hosting program. It will delete the photos or slideshow and they will not display in your listing.
4. PERSONALIZING YOUR AUCTION TEMPLATE:
Once you have installed your template code and inserted your photos while accessing view in the HTML Tab, you can switch over to the STANDARD TAB to begin personalizing your template with your choice of text!
You will now need to personalize your template in FOUR areas: TITLE, DESCRIPTION, PAYMENT, SHIPPING. (However, most of your auctions will require the same payment and shipping instructions per your general policies, and will not need to be revised with each listing.) After typing in your choice of text, feel free to add line and paragraph spaces with your spacebar, and use the toolbar provided by eBay at the top of the description box to edit your text, such as to change the font style, size, color, etc.
TITLE
This template provides 2 lines of title description text by default. In the body of your html code, locate the RED text where it says LINE 1 TITLE DESCRIPTION and simply delete this text and replace with your own text. Line 2 of the title description is optional, but provided in this template, as most sellers like to utilize this option. Follow the same instructions for LINE 2 as with LINE 1. If you do not wish to utilize line 2 of the title description, simply delete the red text and leave it blank.
DESCRIPTION
Again, delete the RED text that says ITEM DESCRIPTION GOES HEREand simply type in your description of the item you are selling in your auction. The amount of text you enter is unlimited. The auction template will resize to fit the amount of text you enter.
PAYMENT
Again, delete the REDtext that says PAYMENT INFORMATION GOES HERE and simply type in your payment terms and instructions. The amount of text you enter is unlimited. The auction template will resize to fit the amount of text you enter.
SHIPPING
Again, delete the RED text that says SHIPPING INFORMATION GOES HEREand simply type in your shipping terms and policies. The amount of text you enter is unlimited. The auction template will resize to fit the amount of text you enter.
TESTING YOUR TEMPLATE CODE: Since eBay’s Sell Your Item Form (SYIF) only offers a small viewing area of the template, you can preview your template in full view of the screen prior to listing it on eBay, by using a free html tester such as the one found at http://leprofesseur.tripod.com/html-testbed.htm. Simply switch back over to the HTML Tab within the description box of the SYIF and copy and paste your entire template code into the html tester and click the "PREVIEW" button. Your auction template will appear in a new window for you to review it's accuracy. What you see is what your auction template will look like once you have listed your item to eBay.
Complete the rest of eBay's "Sell Your Item Form" by including all necessary information such as gallery photo, price, shipping, return policy, handling time, etc. Review your listing before submitting your auction. Once you have completed the rest of eBay’s SYIF and clicked "List Your Item" to submit your auction, you are finished!
5. SAVING YOUR TEMPLATE:
If you would like to save your template within your eBay account for ease of future use on additional listings, be sure to CHECK the box that says "Save this listing as a template and use it to sell similar items" prior to submitting your listing. Saving templates within your eBay account is NOT a requirement for using my templates, since they are as simple as COPY & PASTE and FILL IN THE "BLANKS".... however, some may find this very useful for templates they use often. Please Note: At this time, eBay only allows for saving a maximum of 10 custom templates within your account. If you have reached your maximum, you must delete one before installing a new one.
USING A SAVED TEMPLATE FOR FUTURE LISTINGS: If you installed your auction template into your saved eBay templates, and you want to list using the same template for another auction, simply click "Sell" within your "My eBay" and choose your template (by title of your last auction listing) from the drop down menu under "Sell again with a template you've saved". You can click "Manage Templates" and rename the template whatever you would like, such as the name of the template design. Please see eBay’s help tutorials for more assistance with managing your saved templates. Once you have selected the template you want to use from the drop down menu, click the blue "Start Selling" button. Be SURE as you are listing your new item that you make appropriate changes to reflect the new item you are selling…. such as category, title, description, photo, shipping options, etc. as this will be pre-filled with the information from your last listing.
To use a template again that you have already listed an auction with, you may also simply click "Sell Similar" within an auction which contains the template you‘d like to use. You’re template will already display in the description box within the new auction. Follow the same steps as directed above for making appropriate changes to your listing to reflect the new item you are selling, rather than the pre-filled information from the previous listing.
You may edit your text under the STANDARD TAB, but you will need to insert your photo URL under the HTML tab. You may have to search for it just a bit, but I have included text to help you locate the photo. It will appear after the INSERT PHOTO URL BELOW THIS LINE and above the INSERT PHOTO URL ABOVE THIS LINE, as shown below.
<!-- INSERT PHOTO URL BELOW THIS LINE --> <img src= URL TO YOUR PRODUCT PHOTO GOES HERE border="0"> <!-- INSERT PHOTO URL ABOVE THIS LINE -->
Please Note: Your template may APPEAR somewhat different in the Standard Tab view, but it should look just fine once it is listed. (Such as wider top or bottom borders, borders not lining up correctly, etc.)
6. DO-IT-YOURSELF TEMPLATES & BACKGROUND SETS:
You can follow the same guidelines as provided with the general auction template instructions, for the Do-it-Yourself templates and background sets, with some additional steps that I will explain here. With the purchase of any background set, you ONLY receive the backgrounds. They are created for use with my "Do-it-Yourself" auction template or auction templates that are your own personal creations. The "Do-it-Yourself" template is sold separately in the Background Sets category, for your convenience. Please see my TERMS OF USE link located on the left navigation menu on my home page for more information how these backgrounds and auction templates can and cannot be used. Once you have purchased the background images, downloaded and saved the files to your hard drive, you will be responsible for hosting your images to use as backgrounds in an auction template. First, start by uploading the background images to your photo host. Just like the auction template instructions explain with regards to inserting your product photos, you will follow the same procedure with the color coded insertion. While you would replace your text and product photos with the RED TEXT, to insert your backgrounds, you are going to replace the GREEN TEXT with your background URL image. So, copy and paste the URL to your hosted background to replace the GREEN TEXT where it says "PLACE URL TO BORDER BACKGROUND HERE". For further information, it is a good point of reference to begin by reading through the entire Auction Template Instructions, but specifically the ADDING YOUR PRODUCT PHOTOS section of the instructions.
Congratulations on listing your auction using a custom template!
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