As of 2022, eBay has over 159 million active users, primarily based in the United States, and over 19 million seller accounts. There was a 5.8% rise in income for the platform between 2020 and 2021. These numbers show that eBay is still among the top e-commerce sites, making it a good choice for anybody hoping to launch a business of their own online. The first step in becoming a successful eBay seller is selecting the correct account type. You can choose between personal and business accounts when selling items on eBay.
Your account type might affect your platform usage and income. For the best account for your eBay store, we will compare and contrast personal and business accounts’ features, benefits, and downsides.
eBay Personal Account vs Business Account: Why it is needed?
If you want to use eBay as a pastime, sign up for a personal account. But, if you don’t intend to run a company on it, this account is perfect because it lets you list a few products.
A business account is needed to generate money consistently from an eBay store. It suits individuals committed to running a serious shop or store.
Unlike a personal account, a business account allows users to sell products in large quantities rather than just for casual selling purposes. Thus, people who plan to establish an online store and sell several items should create a business account on eBay.
What are the Differences Between Personal and Business Accounts?
One major factor is the fees associated with each account type. eBay charges insertion and final value fees to account holders. This fee can be avoided with a personal account if you have a low sales volume.
However, a business or eBay seller account may be better if you plan to sell regularly or in large quantities. With a seller account, you can use your earnings to cover the fees and take advantage of additional benefits such as setting up a legal business and registering with eBay. When determining which sort of account to create, it’s crucial to consider the pros and cons of each.
Pros of the personal account
- Save money by avoiding business account double tax costs.
- Work full-time because it’s easy.
- Reduce spending on advertisements.
Cons of the personal account
- You can only post ten items.
- You’ll be fined for listing too many.
- Low visibility.
Pros of business account
- Access to subscriptions that boost sales.
- Access to better resources like Selling Manager Pro and Promotion Manager.
- Enables more than 10 goods to be listed.
- Friendly and efficient customer service.
- Legal safeguards exist for business bank accounts.
- The store’s or brand’s profile will be boosted as a result.
- There is a more likely chance of successful negotiations.
- Users will have access to discounts and special offers to boost sales.
Cons of business account
- Paying taxes twice is a waste of money.
- Without a sustainable business model, a store may have difficulty turning a profit.
- Substantial sums spent on advertising.
- Profits are made slowly.
- It is not guaranteed that all platform features will be available immediately.
eBay Personal Account Selling Limits
As a precaution against fraud, eBay limits the number of items sold and the total sales value for personal accounts. Factors like account history, item category, and seller rating determine these limits. New eBay sellers may have lower limits initially.
Still, they can request an increase by contacting customer service or meeting certain criteria like maintaining high seller performance or completing a specific number of sales.
Log in to your eBay account and choose the “Selling” option from the “My eBay” page to discover your current selling limitations. The limits will be displayed in the “Overview” section.
Remember that some item categories, such as electronics or designer clothing, may have additional requirements, such as proof of authenticity before you can sell them. For this, you can use our free eBay selling fee calculator tool to calculate fees and profit on various items.
It’s important to remember that reaching your selling limits will prevent you from listing any more items until your limits are increased.
Fees for eBay Personal and Business Accounts
| Fee Type | Personal Account | Business Account |
| Insertion Fee | Differ by category of the item sold | Free up to a certain number/month, then varies by category of the item sold |
| Final Value Fee | Differ by category of the item sold | Differ by category of an item sold |
| Store Subscription Fee | Not applicable | Different depending on the level of store |
FAQs
- Can I convert my account to a business account?
Certainly, you can switch to a business account if you have a personal eBay account and wish to create a storefront. Follow these steps to change your eBay account type: click “My eBay,” then “Personal Details,” and finally, “My Account.” Choose “Business” and then type in your company’s name. After clicking “Continue” and reviewing your information, finalize the switch by clicking the “Change to Business Account” button.
2. How much is the fee for a business account?
The regular price of an eBay Business Account is $19.95 per month, but you may save money by signing up for a full year at once. This account allows thousands of free monthly listings, depending on the chosen subscription plan. However, in addition to the subscription fee, other fees are also applied based on the eBay store option selected. It is important to familiarize oneself with the various fees to run a successful eBay business.
3. How many items can you list on eBay for free?
eBay allows account owners to list up to 50 items for free. However, if you plan on selling a large volume of products, you can upgrade to a business account to receive higher selling limits on your account.A monthly limit of 10 listings per seller account is imposed on newly registered vendors. Additionally, their total sales value cannot exceed $500 per month.
4. Is it better to sell on eBay as a business?
Creating a business account for your online store can be highly advantageous if you aim to maximize your earnings. A business account grants you entry into various features and functions that can help you maximize your earnings and launch a successful business.
Conclusion
eBay’s business accounts offer superior benefits, such as increased selling limits and access to valuable tools. Compared to personal accounts, business accounts provide more opportunities for growth and expansion.
If you’re still using a personal account or need help deciding between the two, opting for a business account on eBay is highly recommended. The only instance where it may suffice is if you sell infrequently and have yet to make plans to scale your operations.
In light of eBay’s great potential, it isn’t easy to understand why someone would restrict themselves this way.
