When, Why, and How Much Does It Cost to Switch to a Professional eBay Account?
When to switch to a business account
You can sell on eBay as a private seller as long as your sales remain occasional or with limited volume.
Switching to a business account becomes recommended or required in the following cases:
- When sales become more frequent and organized.
- When eBay formally invites you to convert your account, based on your selling behavior.
Note:
It’s worth switching to a business account only once you have some experience and are able to manage more orders and higher costs, for example after starting to sell with Droopify.
Why switch to a business account
- Greater visibility: your listings are more likely to appear higher in search results.
- Greater credibility: buyers tend to trust business sellers more.
- Additional tools: access to advanced statistics, settings for returns and shipping, and the ability to open an eBay Store with promotional features.
- Potentially higher sales: more exposure and more tools can translate into more orders.
Note:
A business account comes with more responsibilities (shipping times, customer support, possible returns) and regulatory obligations if the activity becomes continuous.
How much does it cost
Switching to a business account has no direct activation fee: converting your account is free.
However, it involves additional costs and fees:
- Higher sales fees compared to a private account.
- Possible subscription fees if you decide to open an eBay Store (Basic, Premium, or Premium Plus, each with different monthly prices).
- Additional expenses for optional advertising tools (e.g., Promoted Listings).
In practice, selling as a business is more expensive, but in return you get more visibility, more tools, and potentially more sales.
Summary
- When: when sales become frequent or when eBay requires it.
- Why: more visibility, more tools, more trust, and more sales.
- How much does it cost: no fee to change account, but higher commissions and costs to bear.
Tip:
It’s recommended to start as a private seller, gain experience, and test with Droopify. Only when you can handle higher sales volume and are ready to face higher fees, switch to a business account.
Differences Between Private and Business eBay Accounts
| Feature | Private Account | Business Account |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | With tax code only | With tax code or VAT number |
| Activation cost | Free | Free (but with higher fees) |
| Fees | Lower | Higher than private |
| Listing visibility | Standard | Higher visibility in search results |
| Selling tools | Basic (manual listings, simple management) | Advanced (statistics, return/shipping policies, order management, ability to open eBay Store) |
| Products allowed | Used or new items in limited quantity | New or used items, also in large quantities |
| Buyer perception | Occasional seller | Reliable/professional seller |
| Legal obligations | None specific (between private individuals) | Growing obligations if activity is continuous (warranty, right of withdrawal, VAT number if a business) |
| When it makes sense | If you sell occasionally or want to test | If you sell continuously and handle higher volumes (e.g., with Droopify) |