This sample description demonstrates most of the features available in FreeForm including those in the Advanced version. If you are viewing in the older version you will not see some of the effects.
You will be able to do much better! I am not artistically inclined and I've used only graphics available in FreeForm's libraries.
Because FreeForm is not limited to use of the graphics in its libraries your possibilities are endless. The Internet is full of sites that offer free graphics for download. Download them to your computer then turn around and upload them to your host. At that point they become available for use in FreeForm just like your pictures do.
For this presentation I've used the Frame Builder in Global Features to layer backgrounds to create a frame. The Frame Builder Tool provides for up to 12 layers of colors and/or background images.
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FreeForm has been around for many years and for the sake of thousands of saved descriptions still includes Input Areas that I tend to think of as obsolete. Specifically, one or more Text Input Areas should be used instead of the less flexible Terms and Conditions Input Area. Also, the relatively new Gallery Input Area should be used instead of Thumbnail Link Input Areas.
Instead of Terms and Conditions, I suggest creating headings labeled ''Shipping'' and ''Payment'', each followed by information related to those topics. Bidders/buyers will be looking for that information so it is best to help them find it easily. Following is an example:
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Then type in your shipping information here.
If you use Internet Explorer and so have access to the WYSIWYG editor you could instead combine the section title and information into one box.
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On to pictures! The combination of being able to add a background to Text Input Areas, use of the WYSIWYG to include pictures within a Text Input Area, and ability to add borders can be used to create the effect below: A picture with a frame and matt type interior background.
It will require some experimentation with settings to achieve attractive effects with different combinations of pictures, backgrounds, border styles, and colors. Don't blame me for FreeForm being so flexible - until someone invents a direct mind to computer interface you'll need to adjust settings yourself!! But, I have helped by providing the Copy and Paste buttons in Text and Picture Input Areas so once you've worked out a combination you may easily transfer it to other Input Areas.
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A caption can go here
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Following is the same picture with various frames as can be added in Picture Input Areas. Naturally, in your presentations you would use all different pictures. Being able to include multiple photos in your presentations and mix in text between them however you desire is FreeForm's most basic advantage over using fixed templates that you find at other sites. FreeForm also makes it easy to adapt what you have created and saved previously to meet the requirements for displaying other items for sale. Just insert and/or remove Input Areas, swap in new contents and you're done.
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Above I mentioned Gallery Input Areas for use instead of Thumbnail Input Areas. Below is an example use for that purpose, providing a click to enlarge interface. Again, I've used the same image repeatedly while you would use different ones.
Gallery Input Areas support the use of eBay Item numbers from either eBay Stores or Auction listings to display the eBay gallery pic plus create a link to that listing.
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Available in many styles - please click to enlarge
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Gallery Input Areas may also be used in a list format that enables text to appear to the right of a thumbnail image as in the following example. Be advised that eBay has rules about creating links to other websites and while it is OK to include links to other eBay listings and images from those listings it is not permitted to include textual descriptions of those items that could be interpreted as key-word spamming. In other words, eBay prefers that you only include descriptive text that applies to the item being sold in the listing within which it appears.
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For sale at auction
Bidding started at $1.00 !! |
No Reserve! |
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For sale in our eBay Store
We do combine shipping costs so save money by making additional purchases! |
Buy It Now! |
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We have a huge assortment of styles and colors available!! |
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If you are handy, you can include links to various eBay locations such as your store and about me page inside the Gallery Input Areas. Otherwise, just include an Auctions Link Input Area, and if applicable, a Website Link Input Area to create links as I did below.
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The above template is such as you would find at sites that offer templates to help create attractive presentations. The difference with FreeForm is that this template is only the beginning of what you can accomplish. Text colors, backgrounds, layered frames, borders, images, are all under your control to switch around and substitute as desired. Insert more or less pictures and text, adjust text sizes, adjust fonts, adjust picture sizes, whatever you want. If this template hurts your eye's, I apologize. As an artist I make a good programmer! Over the years I've seen designs created using FreeForm that far exceed what I am capable of producing. But, based on the frequent requests for templates I'm giving it my best shot. Please forgive me! :) If this template happens to be close to what you envision for your item presentations, eBay About Me page, eBay Store Custom Pages, or even for designing your own web site pages you are welcome to use it as your starting point. Be sure to use the Advanced Builder. In the Builder Page you will find this template via ''The Library'' link immediately to the right of where you see ''Load Up the Builder With:'', in the Templates folder, in the container named ''Template 24''.
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