posted on March 12, 2003 02:24:10 AM new
I would like to use the storefront themed auction, however it has some awkward problems which stop me. First is that the store log shows up with the default image blue outline (yuck). and second is that the store name and tagline next to the logo have no spacing / pad, and are awkwardly butted against the logo. I've noticed this is the case with all storefront themed auctions, so it's a problem with the original template. I think this could be a quick thing to fix. Also, if possible the store name and tagline should be in a larger font.
My fingers are crossed,
Laurie
posted on March 12, 2003 11:48:10 AM new
Hi. I'm not having that problem with my store template. All my custom colors and spacing etc are coming out fine as they were set up and I'm getting complements on it.
My question is that earlier in another thread someone mentioned that if an ebayer clicks on the store template logo it takes them to their store. It is my understanding that any direct/one click link to an offsite entity in the listing is a violation of ebay rules. The store templates could quickly be on thin ice if ebay decides to interpret its "text" (no link or text) rule as even visible mention of an outside entity.
The store templates are such fabulous marketing tools, I would hate to see their use bounced from ebay. Can I disable the link in my listings if there is one with my logo so I am more in compliance?
posted on March 12, 2003 12:37:23 PM new
Hi Passedtothepresent,
This issue has been addressed with eBay -- if you click on the link you'll see that the link takes you to your store page that lists your ebay items only, which is in compliance with eBay's rules for links in auctions. Since you have that link in there already, you don't need to insert the gallery banner in your listings. If you did, eBay would cancel it if they caught it because that would mean you have two links, which is a violation.
I hope this makes sense, let me know if you are confused.
posted on March 12, 2003 01:48:16 PM new
I want to switch to storefront themes. Does using this theme automatically supress the AW Gallery banner, and if not, where do I need to go to shut it off? Thank you !
posted on March 12, 2003 01:53:30 PM new
Hi Ddeva,
You would need to turn it off in the Store Manager tab -- using that template won't automatically override the insertion of the regular gallery banner. I hope this helps!
posted on March 13, 2003 08:56:51 AM new
Sonja: Regarding my question about storefront template logo links in this thread and your answer 2-4 posts ago---
I am well aware of the ebay rules and I am well aware of what I have in my listing (apparently you are also familiar with what I have in my listing). I understand how gallery icons work just fine. I asked you nothing about the AW gallery icon, I asked you about the the Store logo, because until the gentleman mentioned it earlier I was unaware the logo in the banner was an active icon. I asked how to have the link that goes with it shut off. While it is nice to know the store logo goes to ebay listings only instead of the store home page, your response confirmed even moreso that it needs to be shut off (because it's activity puts me in violation of ebay rules with 2 links, even if it is not in violation because the linking page has only ebay listings).
Here's the problem no one is really addressing yet: there is no way just by looking at the store template banner for ebayers to guess the logo is active unless they stumble upon that by clicking it--so as it stands, it is ineffective for reliable marketing as the only link to get the people to our other ebay auctions.
Meanwhile, if the storefront banner logo is active, it prevents us from having either the AW gallery icon or any other specific, effective, explicit marker/link inserted that does get the people to our other ebay auctions (because, as you say, that gives 2 links and is an ebay rule violation). It's only a matter of time until ebay picks up on that.
The link to the AW ebay listings associated with the storefront logo needs to be able to be turned off so for our one chance at direct marketing of our other auctions we can get an explicit, effective icon, text, or other obvious gallery marker in our listings and still use the store template. How do I arrange for the link underlying the storefront logo to be turned off ASAP!
Thanks.
posted on March 13, 2003 09:13:52 AM new
Hi Passedtothepresent,
I was confused on which store logo you were referring to -- it sounded like the little one that goes in the listing, hence my response. I will pass this thread on to product development for review regarding the link in the storefront template.
Ddeva -- you should be able to include that text, but make sure you don't make it a link since you already will have a link in there. You might want to doublecheck eBay's TOS to make sure it's okay to include that wording but I'm pretty sure it is. Also, you can have your dot com name in your title -- I don't think that would be a violation.
posted on March 13, 2003 09:46:04 AM new
Hi Sonja. Thanks for the quick response back. Sorry AW can't fix it. Fortunately I don't have many auctions running. I will either end my auctions early or edit my text marker as fast as I can.
Re: your response to DDEVA within your response to me-- I'm not sure her text that includes the word "store", even without an active link, can be used in the listings. I may be wrong on this, but when ebay tightened the listing rules they didn't just outlaw links, they outlawed any visible text that effectively directs the ebayer to an outside non-ebay source, hence functions like a link to a storefront (because the person can bypass the one click rule pages to auctions and go hunting for the storefront instead). I think the only overt text invitations that can be given to visit "stores" are to visit ebay stores.
If you have any insider tips on picky ways this rule by ebay is, or is not, being interpreted--- please post a general info mailer to the community. We are all out here scrambling to figure out how to maximally market our AW stuff and stay within the ebay rules, and ebay is making it very hard, indeed!
Thanks bunches.
posted on March 13, 2003 03:02:34 PM new
I purpose that the "Auction Gallery" button be put at the upper right hand corner of our storefront-themed auctions. (In the top border.)
It makes more sense than a "secret" logo link, and will look better too (no blue border).
posted on March 13, 2003 04:02:40 PM new
Most people's everyday browsers are not set up to scan more than the left 2/3 of the page. There are already complaints that the checkout button at the bottom of the listings is not seen, and one respondant a few days ago discontinued the use of checkout because his customers were not finding the button on the right.
Some of us store owners are attempting to begin an internet presence independent of ebay. When we all do auctions, with html we can put either a gallery icon, or prominently refer to the logo, or (if no storefront template for now) we can even put a huge animated flashing icon anywhere in the auction listings we want. I hope the design considerations for auction customers do not override the marketing needs of the store owners, because not all of us are at AW to major in auctions. I use the auctions only as a draw to the store.
But I do agree that a "secret" active Logo in the storefront template needs to be an option, not a requirement, so auction listers have more flexibility in how they present the precious one opportunity they get to do a gallery link!
Actually, now that I have hustled around to revise my html this afternoon so I am ebay compliant again, my inactive ad to the gallery is even bigger and more prominent than it was before Now every time they want to see my auctions they will have to go find and view my business logo and whole storefront theme. But I would still prefer to design my icon than be tied to the logo.
Thanks.
posted on March 16, 2003 11:41:30 AM new
The storefront-themed auctions gets a thumbs up from me. I noticed a significant jump in Buy-It-Now sales on my newer auctions that ended over the weekend. I used the split screen format with my photos to the left.
A few more tweaks, and I'll be very happy. Keep up the good work.
!