Ebay Capsules

1. 78

   LuisEGonzalezposted 11 years ago

   I think that HP should discontinue Ebay capsules. The earnings are pitiful at best. Instead of Ebay I am sure that HP could use another advertiser/provider in its place.

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   1. 58

      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You are not alone in that opinion.
      
      Randy went on a major rant about that sometime back. I, myself, have also quit using eBay capsules.

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   2. 83

      SimeyCposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      How much do you call pitiful? I've earned more than $150 this year - more than $15 in November and probably the same or more in December.
      
      While not a huge amount it is extra pocket change...

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2. 78

   LuisEGonzalezposted 11 years ago

   Well how about $13.00 for the year. There  just has to be a better option than Ebay!

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   1. 83

      SimeyCposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that HP should offer alternatives - but I'd still keep eBay - the more choice the better!

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      1. 78

         LuisEGonzalezposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         You know, you are right, the more the better.

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         1. 90

            Cardisaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I agree with SimeyC, while some people may not see much, there are those that are making something and that's better than nothing. I have had a few sales along with the little made from advertising and these are on hubs that are not 100% aged. The more traffic I get the more chances of making more.
            
            I say, offer more alternatives but keep ebay.

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            1. 86

               Marisa Wrightposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I agree they shouldn't be discontinued, but I also agree that the earnings rate could be better.  The important thing is for Hubbers to ask themselves, "which click is most likely to make most money on this Hub?"  If you can find an Amazon product which will give you better commission, use the Amazon capsule and ditch the eBay one.  If the eBay capsule is the only option, consider using it.

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               1. 83

                  SimeyCposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  I also have a couple of hubs where the product is only available on eBay - and that's my most successful seller...

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3. 75

   Wesman Todd Shawposted 11 years ago

   Yeah no thanks.  I'm making more than a buck a day from ebay.

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4. 87

   Stacie Lposted 11 years ago

   I have Viglink on other sites. How about looking into thsi one Hubpages?

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5. 76

   Kangaroo_Jaseposted 11 years ago

   Luis. Sit back and get ready for a review.
   
   You have some amazing hubs on photography, your style is highly informative. I see a consistent theme of information, technical detail, suggestions on what to do and your subjective strategies and style of taking photos within the photography field tells me you are long experienced as well.
   
   The issue I see is two fold.
   
   Firstly your eBay and Amazon items are tacked on the end of almost all of your hubs. Literally tacked on the end. Because your Hubs are informative I sense that the eBay or Amazon modules are provided on an ad hoc basis.
   
   Secondly, you have both Amazon and eBay modules side by side, so the sales aspect of these modules are competing against one another. It makes it hard for me as a reader of your hub, IF I was in a buying mood, to choose an eBay item to bid on, or purchase an item from Amazon. Your providing your readers a hard buying choice.
   
   The solution to this is may be to lead your readers into a buying decision. If your hub is informative, readers get their information and then move on. I may not have read through all of your Hubs, but I am surprised you don't have any review hubs on cameras, lenses and accessories, these would be perfect hubs for Amazon OR eBay modules as they are more sales orientated in style.
   
   I would make information or how-to hubs without Amazon or eBay modules and have more in depth hubs on specific cameras, styles of photography and product reviews with Amazon OR eBay modules for the more sales orientated hubs.

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   1. 78

      LuisEGonzalezposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent points. I will strongly consider them. Thanks!

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      1. 76

         Kangaroo_Jaseposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         My pleasure, more than happy to help out.

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6. 81

   GmaGoldieposted 11 years ago

   I would like the ability to link in a capsule form from some of the big boxes and earn money for the link. For instance, HomeDepot, Menards, WalMart - afterall we are giving them free advertising so why can't HubPages offer them optional affiliate capsules?

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   1. 68

      relacheposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If those companies don't have affiliate programs, there's no program to join...

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7. 64

   rodney southernposted 11 years ago

   Does anyone know if there are limits on the number of ebay modules you can place on a single hub. I know that you don't want to overdo it, but some of my hubs are rather large and could stand more than others and still work. Are there guidelines on this particular question that you guys are aware of? Thanks in advance!

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   1. 95

      wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Absolutely yes.  You are limited to 1 Amazon product (product not capsule) per 50 words of text in the hub.  Be aware that if you set a capsule to show 6 products but only give it 2 ASIN numbers that the empty 4 spots will count as products for purposes of the 50 word rule.
      
      The learning center is not clear about limits for eBay capsules - I personally limit the total number of eBay + Amazon products to the 50 word per product rule.  As far as I'm concerned, that means a 1,000 word hub (on the short side for me) can contain ads for 20 different products.  That's a lot of ads; any more and the hub becomes more advertisement than information.  I've only pushed the limit once or twice.

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      1. 90

         Cardisaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I agree with Wildeness, but while the 50 word rule stands, a hub, no matter the length should not have too many products. Google sees these hubs as overly promotional and may penalize them. I would not advise anyone to place 20 products per 1000 words. I say, choose specific products to promote and place maximum 8 products no matter the length. Some hubs only need 1 or 2 products.

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         1. 86

            Marisa Wrightposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I assume this is information you've learned as part of the HubPages apprenticeship program?  I'm not convinced, personally.
            
            When the "one product per 50 words" rule was introduced, the most successful Amazon Hubber of all time (Nelle Hoxie) deleted her Hubs and walked away from HubPages, because she felt the limitation was unnecessary and would destroy the earnings potential of her Hubs.  As far as I'm aware, she continued to use the same formula elsewhere with success, proving there was no need for the limitation.

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            1. 90

               Cardisaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I have learned that "too many products spoil the hub"...lol . I mentioned 8 hubs not as a rule but just my own suggestion based on what I have learned.

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8. 68

   relacheposted 11 years ago

   Having earned several hundred dollars just from eBay this year, I find eBay to be a very worthwhile option.
   
   Luis, you have to write a certain way and learn to incorporate retail facets if you want them to be more profitable.  Jase's review/response brings up some very important points.  Based on his description of how you are including retail in your Hubs, your results are not surprising.
   
   Utilizing the methodology you have now, changing vendors would not change your results.  You need to change how your Hubs offer products, and why they offer them.

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