Selling Manager for eBay. (Click for larger image.)

To help sellers better manage all aspects of their eBay business, several all-in-one auction applications are available that help with both listings and seller management issues. Here we take a look at three different eBay auction management applications and overview the services, highlight features and provide you, the seller, with the important details on how to use them.

Auctiva; Free
Auctiva is a hosted service in which sellers access the free auction tools from within their own Web browser. Auctiva is a Certified eBay Solutions Provider, and once sellers have created an account and linked it to their eBay account, the service lets them customize shipping, feedback and eBay settings, as well as manage images and listings. Sellers can also create an Auctiva store for free. Starting out with Auctiva is as simple as registering on the Web site and then setting a token to enable Auctiva to communicate with eBay on your behalf.

Auctioneers can save time and money with Auctiva. (Click for larger image.)

Auctiva provides sellers with the ability to save commonly used descriptions and information in profiles that can easily be inserted into any listing. Sellers can choose to set standard shipping details that can be kept as a profile or can set up a checkout profile with standard payment options and instructions to buyers. The clean and well-presented interface allows e-tailers to create and save listings faster than when using eBay's own listing tools. (Unfortunately, this Canada-based reviewer could not evaluate many of the checkout and shipping options because of the lack of international eBay support in Auctiva's service.)

The Good
The most surprising thing about Auctiva is that it looks and feels like a professional service that one would expect to pay for. Auctiva's format and organizational structure is similar enough to the eBay interface that most will master it quickly.

One unique feature of Auctiva is its Secure Checkout that supports eBay eXpress, handles combined invoices and works with an Authorize.Net payment gateway for those with a merchant account. Sellers can still choose to use eBay's checkout instead of the Auctiva Secure Checkout.

Along with the easy-to-use auction and item listings interface, the free Auctiva Store is an added bonus for sellers who want to customize displays of active auctions, fixed price and store listings. It is freely hosted on auctiva.com at its own unique URL.

The Bad
Like many other all-in-one eBay services, most international eBay sites are not supported. Auctiva does support eBay United States, United Kingdom, Australia, eBay Motors (US) and eBay Motors Parts & Accessories (US). If you use the eBay Canada site like I do, for example, you are out of luck with support. Several months ago I joined Auctiva and when I realized I couldn't use this solution I contacted their technical support group. They did e-mail back saying they were working to make Auctiva available in other countries, however there are no notable changes yet. However, if your location is not supported, you may still use some of the tools such as the free image hosting and display.

AuctionSplash; Free
AuctionSplash is an eBay compatible application that provides sellers with tools for eBay auction and fixed-price selling formats. AuctionSplash is downloadable software that you need to install and run on your desktop; it's not a hosted service you access online with a browser. It was developed by AuctionSplash Ltd., a small British software company, and was officially released in April.

AuctionSplash, arriving here from across the pond, makes it easy to manage eBay sales. (Click for larger image.)

To use AuctionSplash, sellers first need to download and install the application, then initiate the service by allowing AuctionSplash to communicate with eBay. This is done by providing your eBay username and password through the installed software. The initial information you need to provide to get AuctionSplash up and running is standard fanfare; location, name, address, eBay name and your eBay account information (which is provided by logging into eBay). Once this information is submitted, AuctionSplash will request to update, which will synchronize any eBay category changes and other attributes with your version of AuctionSplash. From there it is a matter of choosing templates and setting default preferences that you will want included in your listings through the selling and administrative tools in the program.

The Good
The fact that AuctionSplash is free naturally boosted our opinion of the software, and so did the ease of installation and set-up. Sellers who choose AuctionSplash can manage their auction listings, create and schedule new listings and also access eBay feedback through the software. Features sellers will be most interested in are the free auction templates you can use for listings, the free pictures hosting service (which includes free image super-size) and the built-in tools for printing shipping labels, leaving feedback and receiving system notifications. One of the best features of AuctionSplash is the single-page listing screen where your item description, shipping, images and payment details options are located in one central spot.

The Bad
The GUI (define) of AuctionSplash really doesn't do the software justice. It has a somewhat basic, outdated look that makes the tools feel clumsy in places where it shouldn't. Compared to eBay's own text-based interface, it may take some sellers awhile to get the hang of using the application. Additionally, one thing I noticed right away is that AuctionSplash supports only auction and fixed price (Buy It Now) eBay listings. Also, AuctionSplash is definitely geared toward UK sellers, despite being able to choose other country locations in your initial preferences.

MarketBlast; Free to try for 45 days. $399 to buy (Mac or Windows)
MarketBlast is a software solution with a free 45-day trial period, after which you have to purchase it for $399. Version 2.0 of MarketBlast was released last May and includes new support for PayPal, Endicia and AuctionAssist. It also features a new automation center along with a host of other options. MarketBlast is an eBay Compatible Application that enables sellers to track and manage inventory, orders and transactions, disputes, listings, photos, shipping, consignments, e-mail and contacts.

MarketBlast keeps you organized and ready for sales to lift-off. (Click for larger image.)

To start your free trial, sellers must first register on the MarketBlast Web site then use a link sent via e-mail to download the software. Once MarketBlast is installed, you begin by setting up your preferences. Here sellers will need to login with an eBay username and password (required for authentication with eBay) and continue by entering in contact information. From there, you set up your e-mail options if you want to receive both eBay and PayPal e-mail communications through MarketBlast.

The Good
MarketBlast, while it comes with a price tag of $399, does offer sellers an uncluttered, well organized interface that is easy to use. Also, in regard to price, sometimes an outright software purchase, rather than an ongoing monthly subscription fee, is cheaper in the long run.

Once you set your preferences, you can then synchronize the software with your listings, and also refresh your eBay store categories for use when listing new items. One feature that is a great time-saver for sellers is the MarketBlast automation Center that enables e-tailers to automate common eBay tasks such as sending a winning buyer notification, scheduling automated sales, or even automating the feedback process for specific listings. MarketBlast offers wizards for most of its features (such as listings, automation and more) that really help beginners get up and running quickly.

The Bad
Like the other management packages we looked at, MarketBlast is limited in the locations it supports. Currently, MarketBlast is available for use by those sellers registered on the US eBay auction site. Another drawback, in direct contrast to the single-page listing screen found in AuctionSplash, if you use the MarketBlast software, you'll need to go through eight screens to get an item listed. Until sellers get profiles and templates saved for reuse in their listings, it might be a bit time consuming.

Key Considerations for Choosing an Auction Management Service
One thing I noticed while trying these solutions is that eBay sellers who are registered on any of the non-US eBay sites need to check that the service will support their eBay auction and store listings. Currently ebay.com (US) and also ebay.co.uk (UK) are the most commonly supported countries. Other things to look for include eBay store support for those sellers with an eBay storefront as the service may be compatible only with those items in auction-style listings only.

Also, remember that if you choose to use an auction service, it doesn't mean you cannot still use the eBay listing and seller tools. Even after using a third-party application, sellers can always log into the eBay Web site at any time to create item listings, send invoices, or complete other tasks. Some sellers may actually prefer to use a combination of eBay listing tools and some of the free aspects of third-party auction management applications.

Lastly, before installing and using a third-party service, sellers should check for an eBay authorized compatibility logo to ensure the application is at least known to eBay and approved for usage. These icons display the eBay logo and may be an eBay Compatible Application (define) or Certified eBay Solutions Provider (define). This eBay certification means the application has been tested and works with the eBay platform. When you access your eBay account through these auction management applications the eBay information that gives permission for the application to log in and out of eBay on your behalf is stored locally. While you authorize eBay to share your eBay transaction information with the third-party, you want to ensure that the eBay Web site verifies that your eBay password and credit card information is not shared with the service or application itself.