Creating a listing for a good classified car ad will help sell your vehicle faster and at a better price. Although it may take time, a good classified car ad will stand out to potential buyers and separate your listing from the rest. Below are our top tips to sell your vehicle by using a classified ad.
Put Yourself in the Mindset of the Buyer
Before you actually draft your advertisement; put yourself in the mindset of the buyer. Write out all the pressing questions onto a piece of paper and try to answer each question in the listing. Once you think your listing is complete, go back through these questions. You may find yourself adding missing information that addresses some of the most common vehicle concerns.
Upload Excellent Photos
In the digital age, buyers expect great photos. In fact, they will likely skip over your listing if it doesn’t contain photos. Take photos during the morning or late afternoon for soft lighting and clear images. Make sure your phone or camera has good resolution since potential buyers will want to zoom in on photos.
Pick an uncluttered, pleasant background to take photos of your car. If you have a nice, tidy driveway, you can take pictures there. However, if your space is messy, you should shoot it in an empty parking lot. This will give you a photo background without any distractions, ensuring your vehicle is the focal point. Include photos shot from different angles; shoppers will want to see that the vehicle looks good from all sides.
Be sure to include defects and damaged areas in the listing notes (a picture can help explain the extent of the damage.)Photos let shoppers know what to expect before they see the vehicle in person.
List your Price Prominently
The number one thing shoppers look for when sorting through listings is price. A clear price will help you attract potential buyers. In fact, people usually sort vehicles according to price first.
Compare the price you want to ask to similar listings. If you want to sell your vehicle right away, price your vehicle at or below the price of similar sold vehicles. If you only accept certain methods of payment, mention that in your listing. This will help you vet prospective buyers before they ever contact you.
Keep your ads consistent across all the platforms that you post your car on. If shoppers review several websites and see your vehicle listed for two different prices, it can make them suspicious or confused. Be careful to keep your listing price the same on all websites.
Post a Compelling Description
A detailed description will help shoppers separate your vehicle from similar listings. There may be several cars with the same year, make and model at the same price, your description can explain the differences between your vehicle and other competitors.
Be sure to include the details below, this will provide a full understanding of the vehicle’s condition.
• Explain why you are selling your vehicle.
• Include details and modifications (if the car was owned by a smoker, upgrades, recent repairs and ownership history.)
• List issues and defects like flood damage, accidents, mechanical problems or cosmetic damage.
Provide Helpful Contact Information
Make it easy for potential buyers to contact you. Make sure you regularly check the phone number and email address that you provided in your listing. If you are busy, find someone who can help you answer promptly. Otherwise, shoppers will move on to the next listing while they are waiting on an answer.
Include a Date and Update It
Old listings make buyers slightly suspicious. They may assume that your car is overpriced, sold or defective. Make sure that you have a recent date on your listing to let buyers know that the car is newly listed and available. If a listing that isn’t getting any offers, update it early in the selling process. Otherwise, you may need to take it down and relist it to keep the listing fresh.
Use Website Listing Features
Drop down menus, categories and tags help users search and sort vehicles. Make sure you use these tools to your advantage when creating a listing.
Have Someone to Proofread your Ad
The last step before you post is to get someone to proofread your ad for any spelling errors or missing information. Although it may seem like an extra step, proofreading will ensure your listing isn’t missing anything and it is ready to post.
Although it may take an extra time, a well-crafted car listing can help sell your vehicle. Separate your listing from the rest by using the helpful tips above when you creating your car classified ad.
