Craigslist is one of the most known websites which is to sell your items online. It is a hustle-free way to sell anything which you don’t want to see anymore around you. Do you know how to sell on craigslist? There is a complete guide that will tell you everything related to selling your items.
But first, you should know some basic information about craigslist. Craigslist is an ancient website that was created by “Craig Newmark.” He made this website in the old years of 1995 and named it accordingly.
When craigslist starts, they only distribute an email list to share the details of different types of events. But after some time, they built a website on sharing different kinds of ads for buying and selling items.
After its beginning, Craigslist is serving a wide variety of classified ads for housing, services, discussion forums, gigs, items wanted, and also for jobs. A vast crowd uses this site to hire people, find job opportunities, buy and sell on craigslist, and include dates (it does not comprise personal ads).
When you go selling on craigslist, you will see how simple this website is. Its design is relatively straightforward. Additionally, the team of Craigslist has greatly focused on keeping things basic and simple. They always make an effort only to earn an average profit.
You will be surprised to know that selling your items on craigslist does not require fees or charges. You are free to advertise and sell your items and anything which you want.
If you want to know how to use craigslist for selling? There is no rocket science behind its usage. It just requires your account, which you have to create on this website. After this, select your current city from where you are going to sell or buy. Now you can create new posts.
How to Sell on Craigslist
For selling on craigslist, you have to follow the given below steps, and then you will be able to use craigslist.
Step 1: Click on the browser, and search for the Craigslist website. When you reach the website, as per your account information, it will navigate to your location. But if you want to sell your item from a different location, you can also select accordingly.
For this purpose, there is a list on the right-hand web page from where you can select your current location. Besides this, you can also search for a state and city from the list found at the bottom of the web page.
Step 2: Now look at the left hand of the web page, here you will find an option “create a post.” Click it.
Step 3: Next, the site requires your location. If your city consists of sub-boards, then click on the one which suits your location.
Step 4: Here, the question will arise “what type of post is this.” Select the right option. Like, the seller should select the option “for sale by owner.”
Step 5: Select the category for your item which you are going to sell on craigslist. Before selecting, you should see the prohibited items. These items include tobacco, firearms, drugs, alcohol, and many other things you will see.
Step 6: You should enter as much detail as you can on the posting page. It will make a convenient selling process. For this, give a properly descriptive title to your product, its selling price, and provide an item description.
Now enter your email address in the given field of “contact detail.” This information will be kept private by craigslist. They will reply to your post through this contact information. If you have any privacy issues, then you are not bound to share your contact number. Just skip it.
Step 7: After filling your form, click on the “Continue.”
Step 8: As many people will see your ad for selling, to keep them in the right direction, let them know your right location, so tune your location precisely on the map. Like, share your nearby building or any known cross street with buyers. Click on the option “Continue.”
Step 9: It will be easy for you to sell your item by posting current and good quality images. Take pictures of the selling item and upload them into the “Add images” field.
Step 10: After posting pictures of the item, press the given option “done with pictures.”
Step 11: If you are satisfied with the given detail, then click on “Publish”
Step 12: Here, you will see a display message on screen: “Important – More action will need to fulfill your request”
Step 13: Just after a few minutes, you will receive an email from Craigslist. They will ask you to confirm your post. If you are ready, click on the link, which is given in the email. After this, your post will appear on craigslist after 15 minutes of confirmation.
How to Take a Good Picture for Your Craigslist Ad
Now that you know how to sell on Craigslist, you must provide your ad with striking images. It is one of the convenient methods. For this, it does not require any high-quality camera. You have a smartphone with a camera that can capture the image. Follow the tips given below to take good photos.
Make Sure You Have a Good Lighting
Always make sure that you are taking pictures of your item in good bright light.
Pay Attention to What is in the Background
You should set up the background before taking a picture. It should not be displeasing to distract your focus for sale.
Take Pictures From Multiple Angles
It will be good to take pictures of your selling item from various angles. You can move around your object to show the fine detail of any flaws.
Show the Size of Your Sale
For many people, it isn’t easy to show the size of selling items because they can’t find anything to compare. So, you can place the thing which has a standard size.
How to Use Craigslist?
You should know how to list on craigslist for selling an item, navigate to the webpage, and press on the “creating post.” You will find this option on the left side of the page.
It is not necessary to create an account for posting an ad. If you think that Craigslist does not allow you to sell your item, and then check out the prohibited item list before the next move.
Choose your location and posting criteria. Then select the option accordingly.
Also, select the category of your selling product. After this, you have to fill the contact information page related to your item.
In the data, some information is optional, and it’s up to you, want to fill it or not. But remember that some information is essential to fill in, including the title of the post, its description, email address, and zip code. If you want to remain your email private, then you can do it.
When you add a title of the post, you should add some related keywords; with the help of these keywords, your correspondence or item will gain more views.
In the description section, you have the opportunity to add 1000 characters, and with the help of this, you can easily convince anyone to buy your item.
After adding all the information, title, and description, click on the ” Continue ” button on the location page. On Craigslist, the pictures are not mandatory, but if you don’t add your item’s image, you are in big trouble.
This is because most people always want to see the product pictures and then make their decision.
When you complete all the processes like adding details and images, click on the continue option, and Craigslist will show the review page to confirm all your details. Now you have to publish your post, and you have to activate your post with the help of clicking a link that you received with the use of an email.
The next thing that you can do on Craigslist is buying different items. However, the buying process is straightforward and easy; you just have to go to the official website of Craigslist and open the category section. Here you have to select the category and find the item, or you can click on the option “All for sale” and search the item manually.
When you select the product that you want to buy, then contact the seller and confirm that the product is available or not. Basically, it might be possible that the seller forgets to delete the post after selling the item. If the item you have selected is still available, you have to fix the meeting at a safe location with the seller.
Tips for Safe Selling on Craigslist
It is the best option for you to buy and sell different items on Craigslist, and it works excellent for most people, but before starting buying and selling, you should consider some essential tips for safe selling and buying.
- You should consider not sending payment to anyone who doesn’t know or has met before.
- Don’t be involved in shipping deals with the local ones; it is best to meet the person.
- Don’t transfer the payment online.
- The next thing is don’t accept the checks because the check may be fake
- Don’t give the details of your home to anyone.
- The vital thing you should consider is always fixing meetings at public places like near any store or near a police station.
- When you meet a buyer, remember one thing: always take your friend for a meeting.
- Don’t forget to take your smartphone with you.
- You don’t need to involve the third party for payment because they don’t provide you any guarantee.
- Don’t provide any personal account information like PayPal account details, bank account details, and many more.
- You don’t have to trust Craigslist voicemails; the reason behind this is that Craigslist doesn’t offer this service.
- Don’t purchase anything without seeing it because it may not be present or a scam.
- Don’t invite any person or any stranger to your home or personal place.
- Always be careful at the time of buying the big items.
- When you meet with the buyer, always inform any person like friends or family like where you are going.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does it cost to sell on Craigslist?
No, you don’t have to pay any money for selling anything on Craigslist. It works the same as the ads in a newspaper. Other than this, you also don’t need an account to sell items.
How do I safely sell something on Craigslist?
- Always accepts only cash, no checks.
- First confirms that the meeting is worth your essential time.
- Don’t use your personal emails because Craigslist provides proxy emails.
- Fix meetings and take all details in advance.
- Meet your buyer at public places like shopping malls, cafes, or other public places.
- Don’t invite the buyer to your home.
How do I post something on Craigslist for free?
- First, open the official website of Craigslist’s and then click on the option named “Post to classified”
- After this, you have to choose the posting type and then click on the continue button.
- Now, you have to write the title and also the location.
- After this, type your email address and select the option to hide your email if you want to do it. You have to write an email in every box that is present in front of Reply.
- If you want to receive the messages of other services, then you have to check the box.
- After this, you have to tap the continue button.
- If you want to change anything, click on the Edit Text and change anything you want to change. When you finish editing, then click the Continue button.
How do I sell something on Craigslist for expensive?
You have to do your proper research before posting your item and follow all the steps below.
- First, you have to clean your all items properly
- Take clear pictures of your items
- Add anything extra if you have
- Create your account on Craigslist
- Add a headline of your post
- Add title and description
- After this, add other important information
Conclusion
If you are shifting a house or you have extra things that you don’t want to use, then it is the best option for you to convert all the spare items into money with the help of Craigslist.
Too many people are afraid about their safety when they think about Craigslist, but the fact is that here the scam rate is too low. If you follow all the above-given details, then you will quickly sell your spare items on Craigslist.
I hope with the help of this article, you know how to sell on craigslist, and you are now able to make some money with the help of selling your spare items. Still, if you are confused or want to ask any questions, then comment below.
