Step-by-Step Guide How to Post a Craigslist Ad

Whatever you’re looking to sell, Craigslist is the place to sell it. Whether it’s your house or an old dress, not only will people buy it, but the process of posting an ad will become easier than ever before.

Craigslist is a well-known classified and online forum site. Much like your Facebook Marketplace and e-Bay, Craigslist caters to locals more than any other large marketplace has ever done.

But, if you’re hesitant because you’re not sure how to post a Craigslist ad or how to do so in multiple locations, here is the perfect article for you!

How Do I Post a Craigslist Ad?

You can sell almost anything your heart fancies on Craigslist if you create the right ad for it. The website caters to a user-friendly ad format which you should keep in mind when creating your ad.

But the question of how to post an ad on Craigslist isn’t answered yet.

Through the Website

When you’re using their website, you’ll have to follow the given steps.

Step 1: Go to the Craigslist website. When you reach the website, you’re automatically directed to the classifieds of the city they think you’re suited to.

Step 2: If you’re not in your preferred city, use the column on the right side of the page to navigate and click on the place you prefer.

Step 3: Once you’re at your preferred city, click on the post classifieds button in the upper left corner.

Step 4: Select the category that describes what you’re selling the best. At this point, you can also log in to Craigslist, but it’s not mandatory when posting an ad.

Step 5: Once you’ve chosen your category and possibly logged in, click continue.

Step 6: Choose your subcategory and choose the one that’s the closest descriptor, and click continue.

Step 7: You’ll be redirected to the posting page, where you have to enter all the details. Choose a posting title, write the body, and add smaller details like postal code and other important information.

Step 8: Click to continue once you’re done to go to the map.

Step 9: When on the map, drag and drop your location or enter it into the box. This is the location your buyers will use to find you.

Step 10: Continue onto the images part of the post. Click the ‘add images’ button to add pictures from your device.

Step 11: Once you’ve added pictures, you can either ‘Publish’ or go back to edit the post.

Step 12: Once you’ve hit publish, go to your email (that you’ve linked to the post) and click the “publish link” button to go live!

Through the App

It’s not a very different process when publishing through the app. Once you’ve downloaded the app and opened it, you can follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open the app and click the “get started” button.

Step 2: When it comes to the location, you can either share your location immediately, skip it and only add the Zip/postal code, or tap “choose this location” if it’s already on the correct location.

Step 3: Click on the plus sign in the bottom center of the screen to post an ad.

Step 4: Add information and pictures as above.

Step 5: Once you’re done, hit publish to have your ad go live!

How to Post Craigslist Ad in Multiple Locations

Whether you’re posting the ad for the same thing in different cities or different items, the process is a bit time-consuming.

Firstly, you’ll need to post an ad as you normally would in the first city of your choosing.

Once you’ve published that ad, you’ll need to change the city by going to the navigation menu on the upper right side and publishing another ad.

If you’re publishing another ad for the same item, avoid copy-pasting. Your ad will get flagged for spam, and you’ll have to redo the process.

Paid and Free Ads

Craigslist does allow you to post free ads, but some of the categories are paid. Especially when you’re looking into job postings, gigs or any for sale by dealer or broker section.  You’ll need to be careful of being charged.

Here are the paid categories:

• Job postings in the USA
• Apartment rentals in Boston, Chicago, and NYC
• Commercial real estate
• For Sale By Dealer Categories in the USA
• Cars, trucks, RV’s, and motorcycles by-owner in the US
• Gigs in the USA and select CA areas
• Services in the USA and CA

If you wish to post a job ad on Craigslist for free, unfortunately, it’s not possible in the USA.

Tips on Posting a Craigslist Ad

When posting a Craigslist ad, there’s a big chance your ad will get overlooked among the thousands of other ads. To make it stand out and gain traction, here are some tips.

• Make every picture high quality (A size between 500 and 800 pixels wide is sufficient)
• Use all four picture options on the website. (Optional)
• If it’s a job posting, put up a picture of the business logo at the least.
• Make the pictures well-lit.
• Bold and center titles.
• List all the top amenities of a service or job.
• Link back to your website if you’re a dealer or a business.
• Don’t forget to add extra information about the service, item, or job.
• Don’t over-post.
• Don’t reuse old ads.
• Don’t use spammy language.
• Add the reason for a sale; it makes it seem less like a scam.
• Post ads in multiple cities if you’re not gaining traction in your city.

Here Is The Craigslist Ad Posting Video Tutorial

Why Choose Craigslist?

If you’re looking into posting an ad on Craigslist, you’re probably wondering what the upsides are in the process. After all, Craigslist isn’t magic; it still takes time. Well, here are some reasons to choose Craigslist!

It’s Free

For most ads, you don’t have to pay a hefty fee or anything; you can list for free! It’s not the same on several other platforms. It’s beneficial if you want to sell something small or you’re trying to save money.

Local Channel

Craigslist is a local platform and channel that lets you reach out to the people closest to you. If you’re a small business trying to sell online, your customers can reach you online and pick the order up at your storefront!

Not only will you be more accessible, but you’ll be expanding your reach to people who might not have heard of your business!

Available Mobile App

If you don’t have access to a desktop, the mobile app is now available. Your potential customers also have the ease of searching through Craigslist on their phones, so you’ll have a lot more potential customers to reach!

Automatic Listing

Whether you look at it or pay attention, your listing will be online and open for 30 days. At this time, you can choose to repost and care about the listing, or you can leave it up to fate. But, Craigslist won’t let you down.

Established Website

Craigslist is a well-known online marketplace. The chances of your local residents looking for things on Craigslist are a lot higher than any other obscure site. When a site is this established, it also lends you an air of credibility as a seller.

Whether you’re selling individually or as a store, you can guarantee a better reception to your items just because people trust the website to root out the scam posting.

Fast Process

The process of listing your item on Craigslist is incredibly fast. It’s possibly one of the easiest websites to list your services and items on! All the details are easy to add, the location is easy to identify, and the site caters to you as a seller.

Since it is such a fast process, it does not cost you much time to post a listing. There’s minimal effort and a greater audience.

What Are the Downsides of Posting an Ad on Craigslist?

As impressive as Craigslist sounds, every website has its downsides. You might have heard of stories about people being scammed, but what are some other downsides to watch out for when posting an ad?

Payment

As a seller, you’re protected in some ways. The site doesn’t allow chargebacks anymore, so a potential customer can’t steal from you indirectly. However, nothing is stopping a buyer from just not paying you.

If you’re meeting the seller in person, they may even try to negotiate a different deal in person or stiff you on the money completely!

It’s a risk you’re taking when posting a listing on websites like Craigslist.

No Automated Listing

Craigslist is a simple interface to work. However, it only does so much. If you want to get the most from the site, you’ll need to put in the hours. So, whatever time and money you saved on the free, fast listing process – you’ll be spending managing your listing.

Certain Categories are Paid

While the biggest advantage is that you can post ads on Craigslist for free, many categories are paid. As mentioned above, things like job listings and real estate are paid categories, so you’ll be spending time and money managing your listing.

Reposting

While the process of listing your item or service on Craigslist is easy and quick, the actual selling takes time. It depends on how many potential customers there are for an item, whether they’ve seen your item, what you’ve priced it at, and many other factors.

So, once the 30-day automatic listing period is over, you’ll have to repost your ad to get more traction. It’s also true when you find that your ad has been overshadowed by the hundreds of other advertisements being made on Craigslist at any given time.

Scammers

Any online marketplace has the threat of scammers. Craigslist doesn’t just have the threat of fake sellers, but fake buyers as well. Since it is completely anonymous, you have no idea who is on the other side of the screen.

Are they ill-intentioned and looking to rob you? Are they making a legitimate query about your listing? You’ll never know until you meet the buyer. So, it’s important to be safe in that regard.

Tips on Staying Safe While Meeting a Buyer

Buyers aren’t the only ones at risk when meeting. Sellers have a list of concerns to deal with as well! If you’re selling anything on Craigslist, here is how to stay safe.

• Have all your conversations and negotiations over the text. It provides you with a clear record of details to revisit.
• Avoid providing too many details. If the person seems a little too curious, cancel the sale immediately.
• When you decide to sell, always do the exchange in a public place. Preferably in a well-lit, traveled, and populated public place.
• The best meeting spots include shopping mall parking lots, restaurant parking lots, busy gas stations, and such.
• When making the sale, it’s always helpful and safe to take someone you trust along with you.
• Let another person know when, where, and why you’re going. Also, let them know what time to expect you back.
• Never meet a buyer after the sun has set or is setting. Let it happen in broad daylight as it is safer.
• Make sure to have your cell phone on you at all times so that you can up and leave whenever you choose.
• If you’re uncomfortable at any point, leave.
• If the item has to leave your house (furniture and such), have someone else with you while you hand over the item.

Endnotes

Whether you’re looking for how to post an ad on Craigslist, you get all the information right here. It’s a simple process as long as you follow the steps provided on the website or mobile app and fill in details as you go. Are you finding it a little difficult to post ads on Craiglist? It could be because of the IP or maybe your PVA. But, worry no more as all you have to do is get in touch with us and we can offer a craigslist posting service for you!

Once you’re done providing details, pictures, and other information, your ad goes live, and then the buyers come! All you’ll have to do later is sort through all the buyers you’ll have!