eBay users could also take advantage of a new mobile phone app, designed to bring together internet retailing, with social networks.

The auction giant has even advocated the e-tail marketing platform, from a firm called 'fflapp' for use across social networks such as twitter and Facebook.

The free service is said to get the word out more widely regarding what is being sold on eBay, with the intention of generating higher profits for listees.

The app can be downloaded online, and can also be applied to monitor marketing activity and arrange messages to be sent.

Jonathan Yates, founder of the virtual application, said that in order to improve performances, vendors need to "shorten url's, schedule tweets, track listing-link click throughs, and report on the success of marketing via social networks."