As more and more people look for ways to make money from home, e-commerce platforms like Amazon and eBay are becoming top contenders. They allow people to list their products in front of a wide audience for a nominal fee. I’m sure you’d agree that it’s certainly worth it, given the sheer volume of users on both sites. But not everybody can find success in selling on these platforms. Competition is rife, and it’s difficult to get ahead of your rivals.

It’s true that both sites are littered with underhanded tactics for appearing higher in the search rankings. But, in the end, violators will be punished. Amazon, in particular, are very measured in the way they deal with their policy violations. If you’re going to beat these tactics, you’re going to have to do it smart. Here’s how.

Create Rich and Compelling Product Descriptions
Write to sell. If you aren’t a good writer, don’t be afraid to reach out to somebody that is. You need to be persuasive. E-commerce sites are notorious for sellers being able to undercut their competition. But, they aren’t exactly renowned for their quality listings. Make sure that you buck that trend, and you’ll attract more visitors and buyers. Your listings and titles should be dense with relevant keywords. These can be found in the search suggestions of both sites and with tools such as the Amazing Selling Machine.

Upload High-Quality Photos
Don’t settle for generic stock photos by any means. There are more than enough sellers that don’t put any effort into their photography without you joining the list. Your photos are going to help you stand out amid a litany of similar products. The better your photos are, the more clicks you’re going to get. And, logic would dictate, more clicks lead to more buys. As such, more buys leads to a higher ranking. It’s a cycle that can be hard to break into, but once you’ve cracked it, you should remain there for the duration.

Good Customer Service
E-commerce sites put a lot of stock in customer reviews. They’re a massive factor in deciding where your items get ranked. Perhaps even the most important factor. That’s why it’s crucial that you are able to provide an excellent service. Negative feedback will haunt your listing for life. Positive feedback will help you soar up the rankings quicker than you could have ever imagined. Don’t fall into the trap of leaving fake reviews. Amazon has started a far-reaching mission to crack down on fake reviews, even prosecuting some offenders. It’s just not worth it. Stick to the high brow techniques and you’ll prevail in the end.

It’s certainly not easy to get ranked higher on Amazon, eBay and other such sites, but it’s doable. It’s important that you keep all your practices strictly white label, as repercussions could undo all your hard work. With enough time and dedication, you could carve out a nice little business for yourself and make a nice profit from the comfort of your own home.

This post has been contributed by Ryan Gatt, it may contain affiliate links.