eBay PartnerNetwork Blog
Special Business Model Forms Best Practices
August 7th, 2009
Hello Partners,
We thought it would be helpful to send along some tips and best practices when filling out the special business model forms. Please note that you only need to submit a special business model form if you fall under the following business models: Loyalty & Incentive, Downloadable Software, Electronic Communications and Other. If you promote eBay through banner ads or text links on your blog or website, and do no special tactics to drive traffic to your site other than SEO/SEM, you do not need to fill out a special business model form.
If you fall under a special business model category and need to submit a form for approval, please be sure to include as much information on your business model as possible. Here are some examples for each category:
• Loyalty & Incentive
o Include your URL.
o Be specific about what exactly the incentive is. If cash back, please include how much is given back and how the payment is made. If points, please include how many points and how the points can be redeemed.
• Downloadable Software
o Include the URL where the software can be downloaded, if applicable.
o Include a thorough description of how the software works, with screenshots where applicable.
• Electronic Communications
o Please be very specific about how your e-mail list is generated.
o Send all details of how you are compliant with CAN-SPAM.
• Other
o Include as much information as possible so that we can review your business model.
If we do not have enough information about your business model to do a thorough review, we will not be able to approve your application. Please be sure to answer all questions with as much detail as you can.
Thank you,
The eBay Partner Network Team
August 8th, 2009 at 12:49 am
If you have a site that has a screensaver your visitors can download, but the screen saver does not have ANY eBay links or does not link to a page with eBay links on it, does that need approval?
August 10th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Hi Guy,
No approval is needed for this. However, if the screensaver download includes any malware/adware/etc (related to eBay or otherwise), your account could get expired for promoting this type of activity.
- Mike / eBay Partner Network
August 14th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
What if the special business models no longer apply? Can the boxes just be unchecked and there’s no need to fill out the forms? Say for example that Electronic communications are part of the site, and at one point where used for eBay program promotion but not anymore and will not in the future? Is it OK to un-check the box?
August 17th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Hi Adrian,
Yes, if the special business model is not being used to promote eBay you can un-check the box and you do not need to fill out the form.
Amanda | eBay Partner Network Team