(by 50 people)
Creating Easy Ebay Commission From RSS Feeds
Creating RSS Feeds of items on ebay is a great way of adding custom content for your lens, blog or website. The advice here is aimed at squidoo users but can be applied anywhere you place a RSS Feed.
The great advantage of creating a feed this way is that you can set very specific conditions for what items will show in the feed, whilst embedding your own affiliate id. Also, as it is an RSS feed it's constantly updated and the number of items you can include is quite large. Though I'd recommend not using more than 15, as more than this number can take a while to load, 5 being an ideal number to display in most cases.
You can even use ebay RSS feeds and RSS Widgets to 'Build A Niche Store' (BANS) without having to rely on the rather clumsy ebay API system, though this isn't covered here as we're trying to keep it basic and accessible to all.
The 7 Simple Steps To Creating Your RSS Feed
- Sign up with the ebay partner network Further Info Here
- Using your affiliate program, create a campaign. You can add just one campaign for ebay and use individual ID's for each add unit you create Further Info Here
- Go to ebay's Advanced Search, in the country you want items to appear from.Further Info Here
- Refine your advanced Search to achieve the results you require in the order you wish them to display Further Info Here
- Getting your RSS feed link Further Info Here
- Check your affiliate ID is present Further Info Here
- Add the RSS Feed to your RSS Module - Further Info Here
Examples of Using The Ebay RSS Feed
Including your affiliate code!
On Squidoo
New Size 10 Ladies Ugg Footwear in the USA available on a Buy-It-Now, listed in order of most recently added to ebay.
Canon Digital Zoom Lens in the USA on Ebay, ordered in cheapest first
JCB Equipment within 500miles of Washington DC, nearest first
Cannondale Bikes complete bikes, no components, accessories or parts. Try this with a simple ebay module!
On Niche Websites -
Bristol Car Auctions is a small site where I'm playing with using Ebay RSS Feeds and Widgets to provide listings of locally available cars on ebay. Still very much a playground and will be adding more to this in the near future
Which Affiliate?
Somewhat redundant now due to ebay runing there own program, but it's worth keeping this for historic reasons!
If you feel strongly that your choice is best, take part in the debate below - Commission Junction Vs Mediaplex
Ebay Partner Network
Fully Operational, all the previous tools and better commission rates!
Step 1 Signing up to the Ebay Partner Network
The program application was quite simple and I had signed up and been approved within 5 minutes of logging in via the above link!
If you do not wish to sign up, youcan still use your squidoo details to have squidoo collect the commission and share it with you! See below the tutorial for details on how to get the info required.
Step 2 Getting Your Affiliate Code / Partner ID / Campaign ID
Ebay also now allow you to create unique identifiers so you can track sales from each feed you create! These are called Custom ID's.
I use the Campaign ID to identify each site I publish ads on, and the Custom ID to identify each ad. More about this further down.
Step 3 Advanced Search
It is important at this stage to use a search term, such as 'Ipod' in search field, then select the relevent category for that product.
You then have a large selection of refinements where you can select, location, number of bids, buy it nows, etc. Have a play with this to discover what can be achieved, if you are too restrictive no results will show.
Including your Campaign ID is part of this process and must be done here.
You can also add a unique identifier, often called a SID though ebay call this a Custom ID. This will provide tracking info for each rss feed you create, without the need to go and create a separate 'campaign' for each feed. Users of the squidoo ebay module will not that their custom id is that of the lens url after the squidoo.com/
The next bit is pretty simple to those familiar with ebays Advanced Search Tool. (If not familiar please read the next module). You can create a search from scratch which will give you general results, though the trick is to refine this further using the options available. So you can select pretty precise search parameters, whether you want the results showing JCB Equipment within 500miles of Washington DC (example 4) or Cannondale Bicycles (example 5)
Step 4 Refining Your Search
This bit is where you can really have fun tweaking and customising your search results.
The first search results page can provide rather a lot of results, though it is simple to refine these by selecting further search options from the yellow box on the left In the example here, the search term was 'Diesel', then I selected Menswear, then Jeans, and finally you can select size, style, new, pre-worn as shown from the options on the left here.
These options can be fantastic for searching within ebay categories that have details of items specifics, have a play and see how easy it is!
It has been reported that although getting the search results from a particular seller will provide results on the ebay search page and what can seem to be a valid RSS feed, if a search term isn't specified the feed will show no results.
Also, it is worth noting that having started the advanced search, by clicking on the specifics in the left panel your campaign and custom id are preserved in the RSS feed. Though I'd always encourage you to check this yourself, instructions on doing this are below
Step 5 Getting Your RSS Feed Link
The next stage is to grab the rss feed and paste it into your RSS module. Easy?
Pretty much, all you need do is find the RSS button on the search results page. You will find this as a little orange button, labelled RSS, this appears in the Tools bar near the bottom of the page.
Simply right click this button and select 'copy link location' (careful you do not select copy image location!)
You are now ready to add this RSS feed to the RSS module.
No RSS Button Visible
You get all the way to the search result you want and no RSS Button?
You need to include a search term at the first stage of the advanced search!
Step 6 Adding to The RSS Module
You can add more RSS modules by selecting the add modules, selecting 'Add Unique Content', then select page 2 to find the rss module at the top of the available modules.The choices available in this module are fairly self explanatory. You will need to select the number of results to show, 5 is a good number per module, the more modules you use the longer it will take to load the page, so if it is the only module on your lens 10-15 is ok, though 5 modules with this much content will slow down the page and the feeds may time out giving no results.
For the feed to display correctly you will need to allow html, and display everything available. Setting the refresh rate is entirely personal, though if you have selected the results to show items ending soon you will need to set the refresh at it's highest rate. If selecting newly listed items, a 12hour or daily refresh rate is adequate.
You can also add your RSS feed to websites and blogs. Blogs like Blogger have a module you can add that is simple and you can just stick the URL of the feed to this module. If you wish to display it differently on your blog, or your webiste you will have to use a Widget and have access to editing the HTML and a basic understanding of it's use and implementation. Widgets allow a lot more customisation and can be displayed in more places, there are some examples of popular RSS Widgets below.
Step 7 How to check your affiliate code is present in the links
It may seem that the RSS link code you copy from the ebay search results is huge and makes little sense, which may make you think that it's not easy to check your affiliate code is there, especially after a few refinements of the search.The RSS Link you add to your module will look something like this -
http://rss.api.ebay.com/ws/rssapi?FeedName=
SearchResults&siteId=3&language=en-GB&output=RSS20&catref=
C5&sacqy=&sacur=0&saslt=2&from=R6&saobfmts=exsif&dfsp=1&
afepn=5335817097&sacqyop=ge&saslc=0&floc=1&sabfmts=
0&ga10244=10425&saprclo=&saprchi=&saaff=afepn&ftrv=1&ftrt=
&fcl=3&frpp=50&customid=sq1&nojspr=y&
satitle=nikken&afmp=&sacat=-1&saslop=1&fss=0
In bold you will see my Campaign ID & Custom ID, so if you make a note of these and then check they are present in the rss feed you create, you can be sure it will appear in your links to ebay.
Also, once you have published the feed, you can check again for it's presence, by right clicking on the link, select 'copy link' and pasting into notepad. These links are much shorter and easier to check, the campaign ID and custom ID will appear like this.
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?
campid=5335817097&customid=sq1&toolid=10005&mpre=
http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.co.uk%2FNIKKEN-5AX-2MT-105-
Twin-spindle-CNC-TILTING-TABLE_W0QQitem
Z380009771227QQcmdZViewItem
QQssPageNameZRSS%3AB%3ASRCH%3AGB%3A101
*both these links have been broken by line breaks to allow for easier analysis
Commission Junction Ebay now producing Invalid Links
If you haven't yet changed over all your previous links from Commission Junction, you will start to see 'Invalid Click Reports'. These are found on your CJ home page, on the right hand column in the same box as pending advertisers, quick tasks, todays tasks, as shown below. Just click through this link for a list of all URL's sending invalid traffic to ebay, then go to the pages listed and update the links!
Where Will You Use Your Ebay RSS Feed?
Using Feedburner to manage your RSS feeds
Feedburner is a feed management service that allows the user to easily manage a number of RSS feeds from one location and provides statistics for users.It is also a good method of ensuring that your feed is valid and will show if it is not a valid feed. This invalidity may be caused by you not inputting a custom id.
I'd highly recommend taking the few extra steps required to publish your feed via feedburner.
You don't need to complicate this process by using any of the advanced options available so I won't cover these here I'll just list why you should consider this extra step.
Wouldn't it be great to be able to edit all your RSS feeds this way? No more having to edit each lens and each module that you have placed a feed in. Quick stats for your feeds in one place.
You can name the feed with something relevant to the lens and or module you will be using it in. This will make it easy to see reports on this and for adapting or editing the feed at a later date.
Is This Too difficult?
Hopefully it isn't, though if you have any suggestions to improve these instructions please include them in the suggestions module.The hardest part is using the advanced search on ebay, if you start on the advanced search page and select a search term and category, you only need to remember to click on the 'Affiliate Tracking Information' show button and to select your affliate and add your publisher id, PID(Mediaplex rotation id). On subsequent pages on the same seacrh by refining the options available, location, condition, etc your tracking id will remain in the rss feed.
If this is still too much for you to take in you can use a very simple Ebay RSS tool made by Captain Squid, though customisation of results is limited and 2 out of every 5 links will have the captains publisher id instead of yours, though this said it is a simple intro to using RSS ebay feeds.
Suggestions Box
Please feel free to suggest anyway that you can think that may make this tutorial easier to understand.
Or even vote on those already suggested!
RSS Video Tutorial
Also only covers putting the RSS feed into a browser feed reader.
Worth watching but you may need some strong coffee.
EBAY RSS Feed Video Review
No Need to Fork Out Cash For a BANS site!
So, What Do You Think?
Was This Easy?
Will You be using this?
How can I improve it?
Share Your Thoughts!
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paulryburn
Thanks for a great tutorial! I was able to get signed up as an eBay affiliate in minutes. Then I was able to create a very specific lens focused on pool/billiards training aids and add it to a tutorial I wrote on shooting pool. It was very easy and your instructions made me realize how far I could drill down to pull specific items for my feeds. Five stars for sure! Posted June 24, 2008 |
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AnnaVeraWilliams
This is great - I was trying to figure out how to make Affiliate RSS Feeds for Amazon a while ago. I gave up. But Ebay is a great alternative! Great lens, I will come back when I am ready to make an Ebay RSS Feed! Posted June 20, 2008 |
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Underdog
Great info will have to try some of your suggestions. Posted June 17, 2008 |
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Gigglesoup
I just put an eBay module on one of my lenses! Thank you so much for the step-by-step assistance. Definite 5 stars! Posted June 16, 2008 |
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kulla
Thanks for such a prompt response with clarification for my question. Now I know why your lenses are so popular. Keep up the good work. Posted June 15, 2008 |
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Include Your Squidoo Affiliate Code
There are many reasons a squidoo lensmaster may want to use the 'official' squidoo affiliate code. Two that spring to mind are - you want squidoo to benefit as well, after all it is their site! And,you may wish to donate your lens profits to one of the squidoo charities. There's also the well known effect of earned commission = lensrank boost!Well, if you are a generous squid this bit will show you how to include squidoo id's so that any ebay sales will show up on your lens stats and be paid via squidoo.
It is really quite simple, all you have to do is find the squidoo campaign id and find out what the custom id associated to your lens. The squidoo campaign id I found was - 5335806952 & the custom id for this lens is ebay-RSS-feeds . Usually the same as your squidoo url! Now you may wish to check these for your lens yourself as I would not want to be responsible for you not getting your earnings!
Simply create an ebay module, get it to display an auction, then right click to copy the Link Location, then paste into notepad or any text editor. I have highlighted the codes below and also broken the link to make it a little tidier on the page.
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1
?campid=5335806952&toolid=10001&customid=ebay-RSS-feeds&mpre=
http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dll%3FViewItem%26
item%3D150260608433%26ih%3D005%26category%3D378%26ss
PageName%3DWDVW%26rd%3D1
If anyone can find an example where 5335806952 isn't the squidoo campaign id, please let me know!
A Squidoo eBay Module
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Will You Share Your Earnings With Squidoo?
There have been quite a few debates about whether you should use squidoo affiliate modules so they can share the revenue you earn from squidoo. It can be argued that they share the adsense and glam revenue with you, so you should share with them!
To Share or Not!
html links are stripped from this lens and comments are moderated. This discussion is only relevant to squidoo lensmasters, and only they can take part in this. For general comments, use the guestbook above.
What do you think about sharing revenue?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byI Want It All!
alicesy says:
Excellent Lens. I like the quality insight you have provided here about Easy Ebay RSS Feeds - Step By Step Tutorial. Keep up the good work.
Please check out my Police Jobs Blog.
Posted June 25, 2008
I Like To Share
RSS Widgets
Widgets allowing you to create an eBay RSS feed to display on your website
These widgets allow you to display an RSS feed on a webpage.
These Widgets are all quite plain and simple to set up and only require the most basic html knowledge as you will be given the code for the widget in html or/and javascript.
Again it's highly recommended to use a service like feedburner to manage your feeds in one place then you can create the widget and forget about having to edit the code, just edit the feed on feedreader to change the content.
Please feel free to vote up your favorite widget. Also, if you know of an RSS widget that can be used not listed here, please feel free to add to this list.
Most widgets just provide a simple text list of the links in the feed and do not provide additional features like the squidoo RSS module.
#1
SpringWidgets - Widget Gallery - RSS Reader Widget
This widget is one of the best, it shows a great interface, details and pictures!1 point
#2
Widgetbox RSS Widget
Extremely simple, stylish RSS for your website. Fits in with most themes. No Images.0 points
#3
yourminis - RSS widget
yourminis.com rss container - looks very simple, slightly cumbersome to use, single line text links only0 points
#4
Widgets.cc - RSS Scrollbox Widget
Nice scrolling list of links from your RSS feed. No images0 points
Springwidget RSS Widget
Other Places to Submit Your RSS Feed
Commission Junction or .......
This was a debate about the previous ebay affiliate schemes on Commission Junction and Mediaplex.
Now it's an opportunity for you to praise your favorite affiliate company!
Please note that html is stripped from these comments
Which Is Your Preffered Affiliate Company?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byCommission Junction
says:
Commission Junction!
Posted March 24, 2008
Another ....
My Lenses Using Ebay RSS Feeds
Some examples of my usage of ebay RSS feeds
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Used Cars In Bristol
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When searching online for a used car it's not always easy to find what you are looking for. Here I hope to showcase a new way of searching online for used cars allowing you to choose easily from a number of simple selections. All cars shown here are...
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Slendertone Toning Belts
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The Slendertone System is the newest range of products, for the toning of abs, buttocks, thighs and arms. All Slendertone products offer safe, convenient and powerful stimulation of nerves to exercise your muscles. Most people will recognise the ab b...
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Reborn Baby Dolls - A Guide
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If you have ever seen a professionally made Reborn Baby and wanted to own or make one we hope to provide the necessary information here. With advice taken from Professionals Reborn Baby Artists and some professional guidance you too can own,or even m...
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Green Office Chairs
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Is your desk chair good for your back? Is it recyclable at the end of it's life? Is it made from Recycled components? Anyone spending day in, day out sat at a desk or workstation knows the importance of something good to sit on. For years I've sat on...
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Discworld Giftshop - Presents for the Terry Pratchett Fan
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Shopping for a discworld fan? Looking for your own unique Discworld shirt? You have come to the right place! T-shirts, Posters, Postcards, Stickers. We have on display here dozens of Unique Gifts which will amaze and astound all fans of Terry Pratche...
Screenshot of Clicks vs Earnings
click for larger image
Size 10 Ugg Boots
Example 1
Size 10 Ugg boots available on a Buy It Now
Items displayed in the order of newest listed, very handy for niche high demand items!
Only displaying 5 results here to save space, many more are available if they would suit your use better.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byThe 7 Essential Steps to Successful eBay Marketing
This e-book also is very worthwhile for those promoting ebay through affiliate links
In this must-have book for eBay entreprenuers, eBay experts reveal how to reach the more than 100 million registered users and catapult your sales. Learn how to make listings stand out, inspire buyer confidence, close a sale, and keep customers coming back. An eBay University Instructor, a Fortune 100 marketing specialist, and an eBay PowerSeller offer valuable marketing insights and tried-and-true techniques for propelling eBay sales to the next level.
Canon Digital Zoom Lens
example 2
Canon Digital Zoom Lens on a Buy-It-Now in New condition in the USA on Ebay, order cheapest first.
Only displaying 5 results here to save space, many more are available if they would suit your use better.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byeBay Secrets
Download the eBook!
Do you want to make more money on eBay (or any other Internet auction site)? Or, are you looking for an easy second income? eBay Secrets will walk you though the steps to getting your Internet auction business rolling. It is packed full of tips and secrets that will get you more money for your auction listings. eBay Secrets is based on the techniques that Steve White has been teaching students in his exclusive seminars on making money on eBay. These powerful money-making secrets have never before been available in book format.
JCB Equipment within 500miles of Washington DC
Example 4
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by99 of the weirdest auctions on ebay
This ebook will have you astounded asto what has sold on ebay!
The Grilled Cheese Madonna and 99 Other of the Weirdest, Wackiest, Most Famous eBay Auctions Ever
There is only one place you can get all of these under one roof.
The state of West Virginia
Britney Spears's Pregnancy Test
A Spare Kidney
Bob Dylan's Childhood Home
The World's Longest French Fry
Black Betsy
The Meaning of Life
Complete Cannondale Bikes on Ebay.com
Example 5
It may take a few clicks and selection of the advanced search, but doing so allows you to provide pretty accurate and tailored results.
Only displaying 5 results here to save space, many more are available if they would suit your use better.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by