eBay Listing Errors: A description is required.

Error Description

The "A description is required" error indicates that the product listing does not include a description, which is a critical component of any eBay listing. The description field allows sellers to provide detailed information about the product, including its features, specifications, condition, and any other relevant details. This helps potential buyers make informed purchasing decisions and can significantly impact the visibility and attractiveness of the listing.

Common Causes:

Omitted Description: Forgetting to include a description when creating the listing.
Bulk Upload Errors: Errors in bulk upload files where the description field is left blank.
Manual Entry Mistakes: Mistakes made during manual entry of the listing details, resulting in an empty description field.
Template Issues: Using listing templates that do not properly include or reference the description field.

Error Solution

To resolve the "A description is required" error on eBay, follow these steps:

Review eBay’s Listing Guidelines:
- Familiarize yourself with eBay’s guidelines for creating product descriptions. Understand the importance of providing a comprehensive and accurate description.
- Ensure your listing data complies with eBay’s standards.
Check Current Listings:
- Access your eBay seller dashboard and navigate to the listing with the error. Review the description field.
- Identify any missing descriptions or errors that need to be addressed.
Add a Detailed Description:
- Write a detailed and accurate description of the product. Include key information such as:
  - Product features and specifications.
  - Condition of the item (new, used, refurbished, etc.).
  - Any included accessories or components.
  - Dimensions, weight, and other physical characteristics.
  - Any defects or issues (if applicable).
- Use clear and concise language to ensure the description is easy to read and understand.
Ensure Proper Formatting:
- Format the description to enhance readability. Use bullet points, paragraphs, and headers to organize the information.
- Avoid using HTML or special characters that might not be supported by eBay’s description field.
Update Bulk Upload Files:
- If using bulk upload tools, review your CSV or Excel files to ensure all description fields are properly populated with accurate and detailed information.
- Use eBay’s bulk upload templates and validation tools to check for errors before submission.
Manual Entry Checks:
- For individual product listings, manually enter the descriptions accurately. Double-check for any typographical errors or incorrect entries.
- Ensure that the description is complete and provides all necessary information about the product.
Save and Verify Changes:
- After making the necessary adjustments, save the changes to the listing. Ensure that the new settings are reflected correctly in the eBay seller dashboard.
- Verify that the error has been resolved and that the listing is active with the correct description.
Clear Browser Cache and Cookies:
- Clear your browser’s cache and cookies to ensure you are viewing the most recent version of your listing.
- Try using an incognito or private browsing mode to rule out browser-specific problems.
Contact eBay Support:
- If you’ve tried all the above steps and still encounter issues, contact eBay support for assistance. Provide detailed information about the error and the steps you’ve taken to resolve it.
- Engage with eBay seller forums and communities to seek advice from other sellers who might have faced similar issues.

Pro Tip

Advanced Strategies for Managing Product Descriptions:

Implement Description Management Tools:
- Use description management tools to automate and streamline the process of creating and managing product descriptions. These tools can help ensure that descriptions are accurately specified and compliant with eBay’s guidelines before listings go live.
- Integrate these tools with your inventory management system to ensure seamless data synchronization and avoid conflicts.
Standardize Description Entry Procedures:
- Develop standardized procedures for entering and verifying product descriptions to ensure consistency across all listings. Use predefined templates and workflows for description management.
- Regularly update these procedures to reflect any changes in eBay’s requirements or your own data management practices.
Use Product Information Management (PIM) Systems:
- Implement a PIM system to centralize and manage all product data, including descriptions. PIM systems help ensure that data is accurate, complete, and consistently formatted across all platforms.
- Integrate your PIM system with eBay to synchronize data automatically and prevent errors.
Conduct Regular Data Audits:
- Perform regular audits of your product data to ensure descriptions are accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with eBay’s guidelines. Use audit reports to track compliance and address any recurring issues.
- Schedule periodic audits to identify and correct any issues with product descriptions.
Educate Your Team:
- Train your team on best practices for managing product descriptions and ensuring compliance with eBay’s guidelines. Ensure they understand the importance of accurate data entry and following listing procedures.
- Provide guidelines and checklists to help your team review and update descriptions effectively.
Monitor Competitor Listings:
- Analyze competitor listings to understand how they manage product descriptions within the platform’s limits. Use this insight to refine your own strategy and ensure compliance.
- Identify successful patterns and adapt them to your products.
Optimize Bulk Editing Tools:
- Use eBay’s bulk editing tools to update product descriptions for multiple listings simultaneously. Ensure that bulk updates are accurately configured and comply with platform guidelines.
- Validate bulk editing files before uploading to minimize the risk of errors.
Stay Updated with Platform Changes:
- Regularly review eBay’s guidelines and updates regarding product description management. Stay informed about any changes that might affect your listings.
- Participate in eBay seller forums and communities to learn from other sellers and share best practices.
Use Automation for Data Entry:
- Implement automation tools to manage data entry processes related to product descriptions. Automation reduces the risk of manual errors and ensures that descriptions are consistently accurate.
- Tools like Zapier or Integromat can integrate with your e-commerce systems to automate description management tasks.
Utilize Competitor Analysis:
- Analyze competitor listings to understand how they manage product descriptions within the platform’s limits. Use this insight to refine your own strategy.
- Identify successful patterns and adapt them to your products.

By following these strategies and maintaining a proactive approach to managing product descriptions, sellers can minimize the risk of "A description is required" errors on eBay, ensuring accurate and compliant product listings. Proper management of product descriptions not only helps in preventing errors but also enhances overall visibility, searchability, and sales performance on the platform.

View error on eBay

eBay Error: 106 A description is required.

Error Description

Error Solution

Pro Tip

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