eBay is launching its 5th annual Best in Stores contest. Store owners must register by March 31st for a chance to win Best in Stores in four categories: Best Shopping Experience; Best Store Marketing; Best Looking Store; and Best Simple Store. Once finalists have been chosen, the eBay community will be invited to vote for one winner in each category. Voting will run from April 16 - 30, and the winners will be announced on May 15th.

Each of the four winners will receive a $1,500 cash prize and a paid trip to the eBay Live conference in Chicago (June 19-21, 2008). They'll also receive special recognition at the Stores booth eBay Live, as well as promotion on the eBay Stores hub page (http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200803171032182.html).

eBay is also offering a 30-day free trial to eBay Stores for first-time storeowners. The promotion runs through March 25, 2008.

http://pages.ebay.com/storefronts/openoffer