I‘ve heard it a few times before that Ebay can actually serve a good purpose for bloggers - aside from its addictive auctions, that is.
Considering how many millions of people visit Ebay on a daily basis, tapping into that traffic source would be incredible!
That’s how an idea was born to see if the rumors hold any truth and if Ebay can be indeed used for great link building or even targeted traffic generation.
This morning I recorded a video on how I acquired a few one way dofollow links from Ebay… and then some!
What I did in this video:
Step 1:
I went to http://pages.ebay.com/community/aboutme.html to see if I could create an AboutMe page with links and an opt-in form.
Step 2:
I added some general information about my blog, including some HTML coded links in paragraphs.
If you don’t know what an HTML link looks like, use this template (obviously, insert your own URL and keywords - although I wouldn’t terribly mind if you start building links back to MY blog for me 
):
<a href=”https://trafficgenerationcafe.online/”>Traffic Generation Cafe</a>
Step 3:
Create a form in your Aweber account (or whatever other autoresponder you use) to use on your new page. Copy the HTML code - NOT the Javascript code!
Insert the code in one of the paragraphs on your new Ebay AboutMe page.
Step 4:
Save and bask in the light of your new Dofollow links as well as the potential for lead generation.
Marketing Takeaway:
It’ll take you about 5 minutes of less to create your own page, so do it right now. If you put it off “till I have more time”, you and I both know it’ll never happen.
In one of my next posts, I will try to figure out a way to drive Ebay traffic to my About Me page to see if I can actually generate some leads. I will let you know either way, so stay tuned!
Love it or hate it? Comment to show me that you’re alive!
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Ana is the founder of Traffic Generation Cafe and wants you to know that her 7 Steps to Complete Search Engine Domination free SEO report = SEO Made Simple. Don't forget to pick up your own copy today - just click on the link above!
Ana has written 230 great posts for Traffic Generation Cafe.
I am a wife to a great husband of 14 years (here ya go, now I have to make changes to this sentence once a year), a mother to a beautiful and, no doubt, genius little girl, and a successful internet entrepreneur. I also devoted my life to Jesus Christ many years ago, and He remains my true priority, focus, and hope.
{ 78 comments… read them below or add one }
I haven’t used eBay since it started imposing those fees for practically everything! Though, I would have also never picked it for link-building; that’s an interesting twist. Do you know if sites like Amazon also do the same, or is it a one-sided field of build?
I haven’t explored any other sites yet.
Ana invites you to read…Search Engine Ranking Tip- How to Search Google Incognito
Hey Anna, great tips for all of us. Thanks so much. I am having an issue with the dofollow HTML text I added into my about me page as you instructed. When I preview the page I do not see the links in the preview page on E-Bay like I saw with your’s in the video. Any thoughts as to why ???
Thanks very much for the great tips,
~Mike.
I don’t mean to sound condescending, Mike, but have you double-checked your HTML? That’s the only thing that comes to my mind.
I had not trouble setting up the page and no one else who followed my instructions did. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
Ana
Hi Ana
Some excellent and informative posting Ana, thanks!
You are very welcome, Rusty.
An easy answer is that you can be more visible from an online source like ebay or an external source like Google; that only means more traffic that may transform to profit. That is if you know how to use relevant keywords to your online business.
John from Electricians in Paddington invites you to read…Electricians Paddington – Great Local Electricians Vs Average Local Electricians
True and true, John.
So much information about SEO and building backlinks.Thank you so much anna!
MediaMacro invites you to read…Open Source anti-theft Solution for Laptop
You are very welcome!
Your comment was in moderation since you are a first-time commentator; that’s why you couldn’t see it right away.
Ana
Oh this is it! Ebay can truly make traffic for your sites! I must really run and try it away. Ana, you are great for discovering and making a tutorial for it. A big help indeed, keep it up.
Lee from Electricians Isleworth invites you to read…Electricians Isleworth – Reasons to Hire Licensed Electricians
Hello Lee,
You’re very much welcome. It’s my pleasure to share my ideas.
Glad to be of help,
Ana
Ana, Ebay is really awesome. It is user friendly and well I get along with the ebay very well. Thanks again!
Lee from Electricians Isleworth invites you to read…Electricians Isleworth – Reasons to Hire Licensed Electricians
That’s good to hear Lee.
Keep doing what you are doing with Ebay.
Have a great day,
Ana
That’s pure genious… thinking out side of box makes sure you are ahead of the rest I’ll give this a try, anyone else have had success with it already?
Hi, Soren - thinking out of the box is my specialty.
I’ve had a few of my readers create their About Me page; it worked for everybody.
It’s been some time since I created mine and it’s still up and running. Ebay doesn’t seem to mind that I have my opt-in form there.
By the way, I am ready with my second post on the topic; will publish this week or early next week.
Ana
Hi Ana,
Great video. I never would have thought of using ebay as a list building + backlink tool. What a terrfic idea. Thanks
Benin invites you to read…After the Jump – Optimizing the Customer Journey
Hello Benin,
Yes we can definitely use ebay for that purpose. I also find it really incredible.
Thanks for dropping by,
Ana
Ditto. I used eBay for list building in the past, but it hadn’t even occurred to me that it was an opportunity for a couple of links - and links from eBay are going to be pretty good quality too I guess.
Alex @ seo stoke invites you to read…seo leicester
Hi Alex,
Well I think it’s time to use Ebay again knowing that you can fully utilize it for generating more traffic.
Carry on,
Ana
Hi Ana
having no interest in buying/selling stuff online, I have never bothered with eBay but from what you say here, I should check it out.
regards
Charlie Holles
Charlie Holles invites you to read…MLM Success – key pillars you need in place- pt 3
Yes I think you must Charlie. I’m sure you’ll find Ebay useful from now on.
Carry on,
Ana
Hadn’t updated this page in ages. Hadn’t even looked at it. It was so outdated it was an embarrassment!
Now it’s much better and it just took a few minutes:
http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=alphasmith
Alison Moore Smith@Amazing Life Blog invites you to read…Cleaning Granite Countertops
Hello Alison,
Yes, that’s the beauty of it, Just few clicks away and you can now use ebay for link building.
Keep it up,
Ana
Ana!
I’ve done it in 5 minutes. Just like what you said, no excuses no procrastinating, just go do it after reading this post. I’d love to see if there will be a traffic difference from this and I will stay tune to you next post
bryan invites you to read…Being An Entrepreneur- Abandon Myths- Be The Master Of Change
Hello Bryan,
Wow, that’s great. I’m glad you decided to give it a try. Update me of any progress.
Cheers,
Ana
I didn’t look through all the comments so i apologize in advance if this has been brought up. Is your personal ebay page indexed? Do you they put any restrictions in their robots.txt or meta robots to disallow indexing? Obviously the search engine value is zero if the page doesn’t get indexed. However there is obviously value from a direct traffic stand point and the opt in form is a huge bonus too.
Very good question, Nick - I can’t believe no one asked me this before and it didn’t occur to me to check it out!
As of right now, the page is not indexed. However, I briefly took a look at the page source and didn’t see a “noindex” tag; of course, there’s a possibility I simply missed it.
Of course, the presence of an opt-in form and so many ways to drive traffic to that page still makes it worthwhile.
By the way, I just published my second post on the topic: https://trafficgenerationcafe.online/ebay-traffic-generation/
Ana
It seems that the people commenting above are not or can not create a proper link within their comments for their own benefit. All of the keyword links point to traficgenerationcafe ??
I’ve followed your instructions carefully below the comment box to see if its folk or the site which have got this comment luv set up wrong !
Martin:
If you are to click on any of the links in the comments, you will see that each commentator on my blog has a page “dedicated” to them. That page leads back to their site.
By the way, comment luv links still lead directly to the sites.
Hey Ana,
Another great idea from out of left field. Would have never thought of it myself. Thanks for sharing the abundance.
Ebay is a high authority website, so the DoFollow links there would provide you with quite a bit of SEO juice, I’d imagine. And as I’ve seen here, they make it quite easy.
Take care,
Wayne
Wayne Wu invites you to read…A System for Creating Real Duplication
this may be a very good way to get traffic to your website
Yes, that’s what I think.
Thanks,
Ana
This is totally perfect Ana! I’ve watched your video and yeah right away I will totally go to ebay and make this one. It’s a very good idea! Thanks for sharing your wonderful knowledge to your readers. I just really appreciate it. I will come back for more. See you!
Love and peace,
TIA
Hello Tia,
Glad to hear that. I’m certain that it can truly help you.
Feel free to come back anytime.
Take care,
Ana
There you go Ana, I’ve tried it and I saw it’s effect when I checked my status this week. It is awesome!
My God you’re a wealth of knowledge! I just want to thank you for all of your help and excellent tips!
Lisa invites you to read…4 Tips to Build Your TwitShips
Thanks Lisa. I truly appreciate your comment.
Take care,
Ana
Ana, you know why I am happy? Because you added that sentence at the end of the post telling me to do the ebay about me page now because it would only take me 5 minutes and if I didn’t do it now I never would. Thank you! I did it and it really did take only 5 minutes. Looks like I have 3 anchor text links with my top 3 keyword phrases! Yeah!
Susan@HomeWorkout invites you to read…Fitness Challenge Of The Week
Wow Susan, I like your spirit. That’s what I’m looking for. Why do it later if we can do it now, right? Update me with your progress.
Have a wonderful day,
Ana
Hi Ana,
Wow, I’m thrilled to learn about this and I will be trying it (as soon as I get all the awesome changes you suggested for me done!)
Thanks for the clever link building tip!
Heather
Heather C Stephens@internet network marketing mlm blog invites you to read…My MLM Blog SEO Audit by Ana Hoffman and My Profectionism
Hello Heather,
I guess with you, the “do it right now” is not applicable since you have lots of things to do first.:-) Let me know if you need more help. I’m just a message away.
Take care,
Ana
What a great idea Ana and here I was thinking that Ebay was only ever going to be useful for flogging my well used, 3 legged dining room chair!
I like your thinking and will give this a go. Thank you..
~Marcus
Marcus Baker@network marketing Internet business invites you to read…5 Ways to Help you Crack Your own Whip to Success
Hi Marcus,
Glad to see you again. Yes go give it a try. We will never know if it really works if we will not try.
All the best,
Ana
Great find Ana, and a very easy to understand video (although you were a touch faster then your computer
).
I bet not many knew that ebay was dofollow
Alex@Jocuri invites you to read…Ricoseu Jocuri amuzante
Hey Alex,
Thanks for dropping by. Yes I think only a few know that, in fact I just learned about it last week.
Glad to share it with you guys,
Ana
Wow Ana,awesome tip! Never thought of adding ebay to my link building strategy.
Thank you so much for sharing golden nuggets!
Look forward to your follow up post
All the best,
Mavis Nong
Mavis Nong @ Attraction Marketing Online invites you to read…Affiliate Marketing- How To Get It Right And Cash In
Nice to see you again Mavis. I am hoping to deliver a more informative follow up post.
Stay tuned,
Ana
Hi Ana,
An uber creative way to acquire backlinks while spreading the word about your opportunity.
I had heard of using ebay to drive traffic but didn’t see how it could be effective until your easy to follow tutorial.
And yes….heading over to write my About Me page NOW, for exactly the reason that you indicate. Later, becomes later, becomes never.
Thanks for sharing the technique and your inspiration!
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph invites you to read…What Do I Mean By Saying &8220Everything Comes Out of Nothing&8221
Hi Ryan,
I’m glad you decided to do it now. That’s the spirit. If we keep on delaying things, we end up with no accomplishment.
Great,
Ana
Hey Ana, I gotta say, you have given me so many great link building ideas. I’m actually composing a strategy that I can put into place and follow each week, all from the great ideas and info you’ve provided over this past year.
Thanks so much!
Liz invites you to read…Looking for the Best Web Hosting for Small Business – Hostgator Gets My Thumbs Up!
Wow that’s a nice idea Liz. I’m glad you find all my ideas valuable. You made my day!
All the best,
Ana
Great tip, does it also work without the aweber html code and with a different form code?
Hello Ana,
Very creative post. You really give valuable information.
Thanks!
Samuel invites you to read…Finalmente- fuera de Google sites
Hey Samuel,
Thanks for coming. I’m glad you did.
Have a nice day,
Ana
Gee whiz Ana, where do come up with this stuff from? This is certainly very interesting indeed & I will be waiting with bated breath to hear if you find a way to drive traffic to your “About Me” page.
I would never have imagined that eBay was good for anything other than selling unwanted junk!
Stay inspired - we need to to be!
Michael
Michael B Wilbraham@Network Marketing Insights invites you to read…How To Assess An MLM-Network Marketing Opportunity – 7 Criteria
Hi Michael,
Me too, I was also amazed with what we can do with Ebay. I’m so excited with what the result might be.
Take care,
Ana
I too have never thought of this, great idea! Thanks for the tip Ana.
Daniel Snyder invites you to read…Brand Your blog- “Above the Fold”
Very welcome, Daniel.
Have I told you in the past how much I love the name of your site? Well… Love it!
Ana
Thanks Ana! I’ve struggled with the name, I like it, but it’s horrible for keywords… oh well, I’m stuck with it now!
I’ll make the best of it. I appreciate the compliment, it’s encouraging.
Daniel Snyder invites you to read…Brand Your blog- “Above the Fold”
Nice tutorial Ana!
I have a question though
Do you think having an opt-in box on your page may be pushing the Ebay guidelines a bit?
Peter
Peter Fuller MBA invites you to read…Long Term Unemployed on 60 Minutes - Are you feeling desperate
Good point, Peter.
My answer is I don’t really know. And to be honest, I don’t really care too much either.
Not planning on investing time into this, just figure out how to put this on a back burner.
If I get somehow shut down by Ebay, won’t be too big of a loss.
Hi Ana,
I agree with Mark that you always come up with something new, that is awesome and very powerful. I wouldn’t have thought of ebay as a traffic source.
Thanks for sharing.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend invites you to read…Oliver Tausend’s Blog- Thanks To Top Commentators In October
As always my pleasure, Oliver.
Have a great week!
Hi Ana,
I did as I was told…yet the “about me” page won’t show up. Any idea ?
Thank you
Oliver
Oliver Tausend invites you to read…Oliver Tausend’s Blog- Thanks To Top Commentators In October
Hi Ana
What a great idea. Thanks for putting the required html code in as I have no idea about such things lol Will have to investigate this one further and look forward to your next post on how you are doing with this new venture.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia@lavenderuses invites you to read…Lavender Product Review-The Truth- The Whole Truth…
Thanks for coming by, Patricia - look forward to my next post on the topic as well!
Ana
Now that was nice, who woulda thunk it? Ebay??
Ana You are something else, which is why You
are still My queen… of value that is.
What else can I say,Who can hate on this stuff?
You Keep bringing the pain with all this value,
Jonathan
Jonathan Sweeting invites you to read…Give Me Free MLM Leads Online or Give Me Death
Thanks, Jonathan.
That’s a nice find. The follow up will be even better. Getting some traffic to that About Me or getting that page some link equity. That could prove really beneficial. I’m looking forward to it
I have no idea how the follow-up post will turn out, since I haven’t tried out the technique yet…
I suppose I am looking forward to it as well!
Thanks for coming by, Alastair.
What I love about your posts Ana, is that you don’t just recycle old stuff and that each post comes up with new ideas and methods.
In fact I liked this one so much I went and set up an ebay page straight away
http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=mmmeir
What do you think? Maybe I should change the picture lol
Mark Meir invites you to read…Why affiliate programs should form part of your strategy but not be it
Awesome page, Mark, and I bet didn’t take long to set up.
One suggestion: I would break it into more paragraphs - using white space is extremely important for readability!
I like the picture.
Ana
Thanks Ana, took a few minutes to set up, easy peasy.
Mark Meir invites you to read…Why affiliate programs should form part of your strategy but not be it
Nice technique Ana. Never knew Ebay could be used for this. Cant wait for the followup post
Edwin invites you to read…How To Make Email Signature
Anytime, Edwin.
I had no idea until last week either; glad to share it.
Ana
Brilliant Ana!
Love the title first off, I think that’s my favourite so far
Great video, easy to understand - brilliant initiative on this one girl.
Respect.
Alex@sydney seo services invites you to read…Backlinks and Breadcrumbs
Thanks, Alex!!!
I see you are offering SEO services now - good for you!
Ana