Author: Ina Steiner

Ina Steiner is co-founder and Editor of EcommerceBytes and has been reporting on ecommerce since 1999. She's a widely cited authority on marketplace selling and is author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). Her blog was featured in the book, "Blogging Heroes" (Wiley 2008). She is a member of the Online News Association (Sep 2005 - present) and Investigative Reporters and Editors (Mar 2006 - present). Follow her on Twitter at @ecommercebytes and send news tips to ina@ecommercebytes.com. See disclosure at EcommerceBytes.com/disclosure/.

Amazon Says Get that HTML Out of Our Catalog

May 19, 2021May 19, 2021 Ina Steiner

Amazon informed sellers they will no longer support HTML in product descriptions. It cited security concerns “as well as versatility to list products on non-HTML devices.” The announcement resulted in consternation and calls for clarification from sellers. The crux of Read more

Google Gives Shopify Merchants a Leg Up across Its Properties

May 18, 2021 Ina Steiner

Google is giving merchants who use the Shopify ecommerce platform a leg up in search results, not only on Google and Google Shopping, but on YouTube, Google Images, and more. Bill Ready said a new simplified process will let Shopify’s Read more

Bonanza Sellers Reap Sales from Recent Spring Promo

May 18, 2021May 18, 2021 Ina Steiner

Online marketplace Bonanza said 40% of sellers who participated in the site’s recent Spring Community Sale received sales from buyers using the shared coupon code. Participating sellers added the special coupon code to their booths and marketed the sale, and Read more

eBay Wants to Etch Its Name in Personalization Space

May 18, 2021May 18, 2021 Ina Steiner

If you want to buy a personalized item, Etsy is more likely to come to mind than eBay, but that perception is something the latter wants to change. Today, eBay announced a new tool to help sellers in certain geographies Read more

eBay Finally Names Permanent CFO following 2019 Shakeup

May 17, 2021May 17, 2021 Ina Steiner

Andy Cring has been interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at eBay since a reshuffling in September 2019 following Devin Wenig’s abrupt departure as CEO. Twenty months later, eBay finally named a permanent CFO. Steve Priest will join eBay on June Read more

Amazon Is Hung Up on the Problem of Drop Shipping

May 16, 2021May 16, 2021 Ina Steiner

Sellers be warned, Amazon seems really peeved by those who violate its drop-shipping policy. It issued another reminder to sellers about its policy on Friday. In January, Amazon updated its drop-shipping policy page, and as we noted at the time, Read more

eBay to Let Canadian Sellers Opt for US Dollars

May 16, 2021 Ina Steiner

eBay will begin letting sellers in Canada receive payouts in US dollars. It’s a big deal, since many Canadian eBay sellers do a majority of their business on eBay.com. The change impacts sellers enrolled in Managed Payments. “We are pleased Read more

Etsy Wants to Furnish Your Outdoor Spaces

May 16, 2021 Ina Steiner

Etsy said searches for items related to outdoor goods are way up compared to last year as it kicks off what it’s calling the first-ever Outdoor Sales Event on its marketplace. Searches for outdoor bars and accessories were up 234% Read more

Amazon Shareholders to Vote on Packaging Materials

May 16, 2021May 16, 2021 Ina Steiner

Amazon shareholders will vote on a matter relating to the company’s use of packaging materials at this year’s annual meeting on May 26. Shareholder advocacy firm As You Sow submitted a proposal requesting shareholders vote to have Amazon issue a Read more

Sendle Runs $1 Shipping Promo for New Shippers

May 16, 2021September 10, 2021 Ina Steiner

Sendle says small businesses can ship packages for $1 this week as part of a special promotion. Obviously there are restrictions with which sellers should familiarize themselves. Sendle is an Australian shipping service that has expanded to the US. It Read more