WatchCount.com, a unique marketplace search tool for eBay shoppers and sellers, today announced the launch of its free WordPress plugin that enables bloggers to easily display eBay items within, or alongside, their posts. Designed for the eBay community, the plugin enables bloggers to display eBay’s expansive product selection to their readers.
Niche bloggers, who are always seeking to provide interesting content to their followers, can now easily display in their blogs eBay items that have been voted on in real-time by eBay users as being most popular. Triggered by blog post tags or preselected keywords and categories, automatically displayed items are ranked as “Most Watched” on eBay and thus reflect an actual, cumulative interest by registered eBay shoppers and sellers.
eBay sellers who also blog on WordPress will be able to showcase their own items using WatchCount.com’s new plugin. Items can be tacitly displayed in the blog’s sidebar, or the seller-blogger can easily specify certain items to appear in-post by easily embedding just a few keywords as they type their posts.
“eBay sellers continue to explore new ways to market their products; some are even developing an audience via their WordPress blogs. We’re happy to offer a solid, no-cost solution to those looking for a simple way to display their items to their readers,” said Jake Becker, owner of WatchCount.com.
The plugin includes other conveniences such as options for sourcing keywords and a selection of skins. International site support, several text customization options, an inline search box, and a community “mini-forum” are also available. As an almost-pure HTML display bereft of weighty Javascript components, the plugin was designed with fundamental SEO principles in mind. Moreover, the plugin offers additional item selection options, giving bloggers the choice to also display any singular eBay item, or eBay’s featured Daily Deals — steeply discounted, limited-quantity items with free shipping. eBay Partner Network account holders can include their tracking codes in the plugin and potentially earn commissions if visitors click through to eBay and make purchases.
Recently approved for inclusion in the official WordPress.org Plugin Directory, WatchCount.com’s plugin can be easily located and installed with just a few clicks, right from within a blog’s admin pages. Plugin upgrades are even simpler, and bloggers can easily contact WatchCount.com by email with any concerns, support requests, or feedback.
“A lot of effort was invested into trying to make it as easy as possible for bloggers to display items from eBay’s extensive marketplace that may be of interest to their readers,” said Becker.
The plugin was created, and is actively powered, by WatchCount.com. Both the plugin and site itself are built upon the API platform available from the eBay Developers Program. The Developers Program enables third party providers to tap into eBay’s massive infrastructure and create innovative applications that further extend eBay’s services beyond its own marketplace.
WatchCount.com (http://www.WatchCount.com/) offers a collection of helpful tools and services for eBay users, including unique marketplace search capabilities unavailable on the eBay site. Their new WordPress plugin enables bloggers to easily showcase compelling eBay items, and both buyers and sellers find it useful to lookup Most Watched eBay items in real-time to better help them frame their buying and selling activities. eBay has certified WatchCount.com as an ‘eBay Compatible Application’, approving its use with the eBay platform. WatchCount.com’s creator, Jake Becker, is also a recipient of the prestigious 2009 eBay Star Developer Award. All of the site’s services are currently offered free of charge.