Ideas for Posting Titles for Craigslist

By Brian Flax

Make your Craigslist title stick out by keeping it detailed and to the point.
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Craigslist is an online classifieds website that allows you to post ads in a variety of categories. When users search for products and services, they use keywords to bring up search results relevant to their local markets. Writing good titles for your Craigslist post attracts potential buyers, and the right keyword usage makes your posts easier to find. Titles should be information-dense and to the point, and should be specific enough that buyers know what they're looking at before they click on the post.

Watch Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

The first thing a buyer may notice when looking at your post is the spelling and grammar. The title is your first impression, so you want it to stand out. Make sure your spelling, punctuation and grammar is perfect. Don't overuse punctuation like exclamation points and question marks, and keep the title short but filled with detailed information. If you're unsure of where to start, take a look at some of the other ads in the category you plan to post in. Use proper capitalization and make sure you're spelling the product and model correctly. Don't use all capital letters to make the listing stand out; it won't help at all.

Load Up on Information

If you're selling a car on Craigslist, you don't want the title of your post to be "Car for Sale." Buyers are looking for specifics without having to scroll through hundreds of listings to find them. List the year, make, model and condition of the car in the title. Stick to one adjective per title, focusing on the best part of the item that you're selling. It's also a good idea to list the price so you're not wasting the time of buyers who are on a budget. Make sure the title makes your product stand out, as you may be competing with hundreds of other listings.

Use Keywords

Craigslist users can browse through categories, filter the results and search the entire site or section using keywords. You'll want to make sure you include all relevant keywords within the title of your ad. If you're selling a product, include the manufacturer, model and condition in the title. If you're promoting or selling a service, make sure it's immediately obvious what the service is. Craigslist doesn't care how many times you use the keyword in your title or ad, so ensure the rest of the post is well-written and buyers have a good idea of the product before they go see it.

Offer a Deal or Promotion

Don't use Craigslist to rip people off. Include the price in your title, and if you're willing to negotiate or trade, make that known as well. If you're not getting any bites on your product or service, try offering a deal or promotion within the title of your ad. If you're promoting a service, you could advertise a limited time offer, or price your service lower than that of your Craigslist competition.

Test Your Ad

Once you've created a catchy and detailed title, ensure that you can find the post and that it sticks out from the other listings. Always include a picture of the product or service if you can. Search for your keywords and make sure your listing appears in the search results; if you can't find the post, then neither can your buyers. Revise the title of your listing if you're not getting any views or inquiries, and renew the post every 48 hours so it goes back up to the top of the list.

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