Writing Better Bullet Points

Practical strategies for resellers

When selling online, bullet points are often more impactful than long product descriptions. Buyers scan instead of reading, so clear, concise bullets directly influence conversion rates. Weak bullet points bury your listing in a wall of text, while strong ones highlight the key details buyers care about most: features, condition, size, and usability.

Why Bullet Points Matter in Resale Listings

Shoppers trust well-structured product data. Neat bullet points suggest professionalism and reduce uncertainty. A cluttered headline or rambling description might scare away a buyer worried about hidden flaws, but bullet points that clearly list the essentials improve both trust and speed of decision-making.

Best Practices for Writing Effective Bullet Points

• Lead with the essentials: Always include size, model, and condition before anything else. Example: “Size 10 | Excellent Condition | Minimal Wear.”

• Keep them short: Aim for 5–10 words. Long lines slow scanning and risk confusing buyers.

• Be consistent: Use the same order every time (e.g., Brand → Size → Condition → Key Feature). This helps buyers instantly parse your listings.

• Use templates: Shared templates across your team keep listings uniform, which matters if you manage multiple sellers or platforms.

• Be specific: Replace vague claims with measurable details, e.g., “15-inch screen” instead of “large screen.”

• Note condition honestly: Buyers are more likely to trust you when imperfections are disclosed up front.

Example Template for Bullet Points

Here’s a reusable framework for resale listings:

• Brand / Model

• Size / Dimensions

• Condition (New, Like New, Gently Used, Fair)

• Key Feature 1 (material, color, edition)

• Key Feature 2 (compatibility, year, collection)

Example:
- Nike Air Max 270
- Size 11 Men’s
- Gently Used (Light Sole Wear)
- White / Blue Colorway
- 2021 Release

How to Standardize Bullets Across a Reseller Team

If multiple people are creating listings, inconsistency can weaken brand credibility. Encourage your team to use shared templates stored in a central document or inventory management tool. This ensures every listing looks professional without requiring micromanagement.

Some resellers find success using spreadsheet-driven listing preparation: each row has product attributes (Brand, Size, Condition, etc.), and formulas or export scripts generate bullet points automatically. Tools like Google Sheets, Airtable, or Notion help maintain clean formatting.

Tools That Can Help

While you can manage templates manually, certain platforms streamline this further. For example, Gavelbase provides structured data fields that can auto-generate clean bullet points. If you’re working at scale, this ensures that size, condition, and features flow consistently without repeated manual entry. Outside resale-specific tools, text-expander apps and template managers (like TextExpander) can also save time by making it easy to drop in template bullets and keep formatting uniform.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Paragraph-style bullets: Don’t write full sentences in bullet points. Keep them direct.

• Missing condition: Never skip disclosing wear or flaws. Buyers will notice when they receive the item.

• Overstuffing with keywords: Keywords are important, but don’t sacrifice readability. Each bullet should be skimmable in seconds.

• Random order: Switching between different formatting or ordering makes buyers think listings were rushed.

Actionable Workflow

1. Create 2–3 standardized bullet point templates (for apparel, electronics, collectibles, etc.).

2. Store them in a shared reference document or template tool.

3. As you draft listings, fill in attributes consistently (Brand → Size → Condition → Features).

4. Use automation tools if your volume justifies it.

5. Review weekly for consistency and accuracy.

Final Thoughts

Better bullet points don’t just make listings clearer—they reduce returns, boost buyer trust, and improve conversion. By standardizing across your inventory and team, you establish reliability in the eyes of your customers. Template-driven workflows and structured tools like Gavelbase or text expansion software can make this easy, even at scale. The more buyers feel a listing was thoughtfully created, the more likely they are to purchase with confidence.