Creating Powerful Classified Ads

Craigslist.org has become a major player in the world of online marketing, particularly with the opportunity to post classified ads focused on your target audience for free. What could be better?

When considering this as a part of your overall marketing strategy, it’s important to take it seriously. Although Craigslist might not have all of the bells and whistles of many other classified sites, and although it’s visual appearance is somewhat plain and simple, it boasts more visitors than any other classified site on the Internet.

To be effective using Craigslist, you must ensure that you are ads are high quality, professional, and commanding. They must provide content that ‘sells’ your website and your business, without seeming push and over-selling. Your ads must also include graphics or pictures if at all possible since words can say a lot about your business.

With this in mind, you may be wondering whether or not you can create your own ads or whether you should contract with a graphic designer or other professional to help you. That is strictly a personal question that only you can answer. But we’ve included some important considerations related to ad design as you’re evaluating your options.

Your ad should be powerful and unique. It needs to stand out from your competitors who are likely also advertising on Craigslist.

Ads must be professional with high quality photos and graphics. Poor quality is an indicator that you don’t value your potential customers and that can be a real turn-off.

Graphics must include hyperlinks back to your desired landing page of your website. People want to be able to click on a picture to reach their destination so you must be able to embed this link within your graphics.

You may want to emphasize certain parts of your ad with color or bold. This can bring more attention to valuable aspects of your content and can attract more attention. But you don’t want to overdo it so use color and bold with discretion.

Graphics and photos must be relevant to your content and to your website. Keeping your content and graphics closely linked is important.

You only have a small space for content and probably 50 words or less is the best length for a classified ad. With that in mind, your words have to count. And that means every word must be effective with the ability to influence your readers to take action and click on your website. Excellent copywriting that conveys a critical message is essential.

Now that you know the key points of creating your ads, you have to decide whether or not to create your own, contract with a designer, purchase a software package, or work with one of the online providers who creates ads for Craigslist. Since the advertising itself is free, this gives you more options to use your advertising dollars for ad development.

But if you have the expertise and design skills to create a compelling ad that attracts your target audience, by all means “go for it”!

Whether you create your ads yourself or work with someone else to create them, the tips above will make a difference in how effective your ads will work.