eBay 2000 Annual Report Download - page 10

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Broaden the eBay Trading Platform. eBay has pursued a multi-pronged strategy for growing the eBay
platform in several dimensions: within existing product categories, across new product categories, through
geographic expansion, both local and international, and through introduction of additional pricing formats
such as Ñxed price sales. eBay targeted key product categories in its user programs and marketing activities.
eBay has expanded and developed existing product categories by introducing category-speciÑc bulletin boards
and chat rooms, integrating category-speciÑc content, advertising its service in targeted publications and
participating in targeted trade shows. In addition, eBay broadened the range of users and added product
categories, content, features and other services to meet this new user demand. The increasing number and
importance of practical (as opposed to collectible) items on the site is illustrative of this broadened range.
eBay has also broadened the range of products that it oÅers to facilitate trading on the site, including payment
services, shipping services, authentication, appraisal, vehicle inspection and escrow services. In addition, eBay
has successful introduced two Ñxed-price formats through Half.com and the ""Buy It Now'' feature.
During 2000, a number of improvements intended to broaden the eBay trading platform were introduced,
including:
‚ the acquisition of Half.com, a Ñxed-price, person-to-person trading website where buyers and sellers
can trade used books, CDs, movies and video games at Ñxed prices that are less than the list price;
‚ the launch of eBay Motors in association with AutoTrader.com, which created the Internet's largest
auction-style website for consumers and dealers to buy and sell used cars;
‚ the launch of additional eBay Regional sites. In 2000, eBay launched eight regional sites to encourage
the sale of items that are too bulky or expensive to ship, items of local interest and items that people
prefer to view before purchasing;
‚ the launch of over 5,000 new categories that make it easier to Ñnd items in diverse categories;
‚ the launch of the eBay ""Application Program Interface (API) and Developers Program'', which allows
other companies to use eBay content to drive their own businesses. The API provides three basic
beneÑts. First, it allows eBay to be fully integrated into independent sites across the Internet. A new
site will be able to use the eBay commerce engine to power its business, eliminating time and expense
from the start-up process. As a second beneÑt, the API will allow eBay and its commercial partners to
more easily and rapidly add eBay's services to new devices, such as wireless telephones and handheld
computers. Finally, the new platform interface will improve the user experience by allowing more
companies to provide services to eBay users;
‚ the introduction of Live Auctions technology on eBay Premier. Providing real-time bidding via the
Internet, this new feature allows individuals to participate in the excitement of traditional live sales
from auction house Öoors anywhere in the world;
‚ the launch of Electronic Checks as a new payment option. Electronic Check is the latest innovation in
Internet-based payments, providing buyers and sellers with a means for faster transactions without
returned checks, with no paperwork and no charge back risk. For eBay buyers, Electronic Check
combines the convenience of paper checks with the safety, convenience and speed of electronic
payments. For eBay sellers, Electronic Check is a cost-eÅective alternative to paper checks and credit
cards where payment is guaranteed;
‚ the launch of eBay Anywhere, a comprehensive mobile strategy that aims to make eBay accessible
from any Internet-enabled mobile device. From WAP mobile phones to the latest PDAs, eBay
Anywhere brings together leading technology companies, mobile carriers, portals and hardware vendors
with the goal of making eBay accessible to any user's choice of handheld Internet device;
‚ the launch of a new category called eBay Real Estate, intended to make property transactions on eBay
easier for buyers and sellers, and to provide a dedicated home for eBay's emerging real estate
marketplace.
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