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How to Post Ads Online for Free

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Whether you're a small business owner or you have some things from around the house you want to get rid of, you're likely looking to reach a wider number of people and increase the likelihood that you'll find new customers or connect with the right buyer. One helpful way of reaching a wider variety of people is to post ads about your business or items online. As people are browsing and searching for keywords that match what's in your ad, there's a greater chance they'll land on your post and get in touch with you. And fortunately, many of the online classifieds sites where you can post your ad are free to use. Learn some important things to consider about the process of posting a free ad online.

Choose the Right Site

Craigslist, eBay, Facebook — these and other websites all give you options for posting your ad and reaching people. However, there are some key differences in them that you'll want to consider before you start posting everywhere in a flurry. Save time by keeping your focus on the sites that are more likely to get you the results you're looking for.

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First, think about your goals. Do you just want to increase visibility for your local business? If so, Craigslist and similar classifieds sites are great options. Anyone browsing the site might come across your ad, and if they didn't know about your business before, they will now. If you're simply trying to get rid of things around your house and aren't too concerned about making fistsful of cash but, say, you aren't interested in hosting a garage sale, Craigslist can help you here, too. Often, people searching for items on Craigslist are looking to get good deals on items and will want to haggle. If you don't mind negotiating, you can often send your old stuff to new homes quickly using this site.

Want to get the most money for your item or get visibility for your business that spans, well, the entire globe? Try eBay or a similar auction site. You can set "Buy It Now" prices that potential buyers can't try to haggle on, and you can also let the market decide the final price by letting an auction run its course — you might end up with a bigger payout than you anticipated. Anyone who visits the site can find the item if they're searching for it or something similar, and they can also find out about your business in the process. If you have a company, include a short blurb about it in your listing.

If you want to keep the process as streamlined as possible and are an adept social media user, Facebook Marketplace could be the option for you. You don't have to give out your personal contact information when potential buyers are interested in your item because they can contact you through the site's messenger feature, and it also feels safer because it removes some of the anonymity that can make Craigslist feel a little suspicious. It's easy to create and manage your listings right from your smartphone, so if you have a lot of ads you want to post, this may be the easiest way to do it.

Create an Eye-Catching Listing

Selling items and posting ads online means you're trying to get visitors to check out your ad over all the others they're scrolling through, so it's important that it grabs their attention and includes all the relevant information they might want to know. How do you make that happen?

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It starts with the post title. In some cases, this may be all viewers can see of the post while they're scrolling through the list of other options, so it's essential to make it stand out. Start it off with an action word, like "Check out this brand new truck winch!" Or, ask a question, like "Need a new in box iPad Pro?" These are more engaging than the typical "Dachshund puppy for sale" and similar post titles, and they make viewers curious to see what your ad is about.

Next, it's time to write the body of the post. Here, you'll describe the item accurately. Think about things like its color, size, brand, rarity — important details about it that you'd want to know if you were shopping for something similar. If possible, include a little bit about what its benefits are or how it could help a buyer. If there's any damage to what you're selling, describe it here too to give viewers of the ad the most accurate idea possible of the item's condition.

Of course, you'll want to include the price. Let viewers know if it's non-negotiable or if you have any other stipulations, such as that they pay in cash only. If you're willing to accept trades instead of a cash payment, that's relevant to say, too. Include general details about how you prefer to meet up to exchange the item with a buyer, keeping in mind that it's wise not to invite buyers into your home unless you're selling a large piece of furniture that you can't move to a public location beforehand. If you're posting an ad about a garage sale you're hosting, on the other hand, you'll want to include details about your location, including your address and the times and dates when the event is happening.

Lastly, proofread your ad to make sure there are no errors, and format it so it's easy to digest, meaning no long paragraphs. This is especially important if you're making a post about your business — a mistake-free ad can build trust with the people who see it. Spam ads often have spelling errors and poor formatting, and you don't want your post to come across that way.

Make It Visual

High-quality images are almost as important as what you write in your ad, and some people even skip over posts and ads that don't include compelling visuals. Being able to see an item gives people a much more accurate idea of what it looks like and what condition it's in, and it's often a deciding factor in their decision to purchase it or not. Additionally, if you don't include images, people will likely contact you and ask if you can provide them anyway. Placing them in the post from the outset can limit the amount of responding you need to do.

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So, what makes a great photo? It should be crisp and clear so people can fully see the subject. Try to set the item against a plain background if you can; clutter can distract people and detract from the overall impression they get from the item. You should also include a mix of close-up shots and those taken farther away so viewers can see any details they need to. If something has damage, include pictures of it as well. It's the fair thing to do, and it keeps potential buyers from getting upset when they come to purchase the item.

If you're posting a general ad about your business to get the word out, include photos of the front of the store if it's brick and mortar; this makes it easier for visitors to find when they're looking for it. Include a few pictures of the inside, particularly if it's a retail shop. If you provide a service instead of selling items, like landscaping, for example, add in a few attractive photos of finished projects to highlight the quality of your work.

Follow the Site's Instructions Closely

Different sites ask for different pieces of information to include in your post. It's best if you incorporate as many as possible. For example, Craigslist posts have fields where you can add the dimensions or measurements of an item. Adding these details to your ad means you'll have fewer questions to field and respond to, as potential buyers won't have to contact you to get that information. eBay will want to know how much extra you'll charge to ship an item. Put in a bit of extra effort when you're creating the ad by including as many relevant details that the site asks for as you can.

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Also, pay careful attention to what you need to do to post the ad. You may need to verify that the email address you entered when you first started creating the ad is a valid one. The site might ask that you click a link provided in an email to ensure you're not a spammer and that a real person with a functioning email address (or phone number, if you opt to receive text message confirmations) is behind the post. If you don't verify your contact information, your ad likely won't get posted. Make sure you follow these instructions carefully so that your ad actually does show up on the site.