eBay launched a revamp of its auction Web site in Germany on Tuesday, where it says it needs to raise listings and the volume of goods sold.

The online auction company halved the fee for listing items for sale to 0.49 euros ($0.67) each, including a picture, and slashed its service hotline rate to 14 eurocents per minute from 59 eurocents from German land lines.

eBay said it was making its site in Germany — one of its two top markets along with the United States — simpler, better value for money, more customer-oriented and more fun with changes such as a new front page and search engine emphasizing pictures rather than text. It also offers an easier application process.

The company is also offering more possibilities to exchange opinions in a so-called marketplace of knowledge and allowing sellers to upload video of the items they are selling.

eBay Germany (www.ebay.de) typically has 8 million items for sale at any one time.

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