How to Use Craigslist (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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Create and respond to Craigslist ads from your computer, phone, or tablet

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1Posting on Craigslist

2Responding to Craigslist Ads

3Buying and Selling on Craigslist

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Tips and Warnings

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Last Updated: October 9, 2022References

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Craigslist began in 1995 as a simple email forum for buying and selling, and it has since grown to revamp the world of free classified advertising. Over 700 cities and 70 countries have their own dedicated Craigslist sites that are used for job advertising, buying and selling goods, dating, forums and much more.[1] Before using Craigslist, take some time to become familiar with its format by perusing your local Craigslist site and then start using best practices to get the best results.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Posting on Craigslist

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  1. 1

    Become proficient in searching your local Craigslist. Run a search query that includes the name of your city and the word “Craigslist.” Find your local site and bookmark it for easy future access.

  2. 2

    Peruse the different sections of the site, such as housing, personals, jobs, for sale and community. Get to know the general architecture of the site and the general etiquette for posting.

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  3. 3

    Decide how you would most benefit from posting on Craigslist. Choose a classified listing category in which you want to post. Note that there are a few rare cases that require payment, including posting jobs in the San Francisco Bay Area or other larger cities, selling cars or trucks, posting therapeutic ads, posting tickets or posting brokered apartment rentals in New York City.[2]

  4. 4

    Post only when you are ready to check back regularly. Since the newest posts appear at the top, you will get the majority of responses to your post within the first two to 24 hours. Be ready to respond to take advantage of Craigslist’s social power.

    • Craigslist asks that you post to a single category and single location only once within 48 hours for each topic.
  5. 5

    Find the “Post” link in the upper right hand corner of the page. Click on it. Select the type of post you are offering, such as “event” or “housing offered.”

  6. 6

    Answer any additional questions for that category by selecting the radio button that describes your post.

  7. 7

    Enter text for your post, including a posting title and description. Be specific and specify a limited time, amount of money or qualification required. Use the best possible keywords in the title, so that people can search for your listing.

  8. 8

    Enter your personal email. Unless you want your personal email to show up on the listing, select the radio button to use a craigslist coded email relay. This allows you to use your email to receive messages, but still remain anonymous on the site itself.

  9. 9

    Type your email address again and click “Continue.” Upload up to 12 images, if it applies to your listing. If you are selling items, you should always include images that help the viewer to see the condition of the item.

  10. 10

    Confirm your email and post. Preview it and edit it before it goes live. If you like how it looks, publish it.

  11. 11

    Check your email for a Craigslist email. It may arrive in your junk mail. Confirm your post and it will go live. Be ready to respond to posts almost immediately.[3]

    • Save the confirmation email so that you can return to the post to remove it or edit it in the future.
  12. 12

    Don’t give your address information out to anyone unless you have contacted them and you are certain of your safety. You may choose to arrange meetings at a separate location to better protect yourself.

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Part 2

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Responding to Craigslist Ads

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  1. 1

    Peruse Craigslist ads in your state or city. Find an ad that you want to respond to.

  2. 2

    Consider using the option to email the post to a friend, if you want to look at the ad later. Click on the link “Email to a Friend” below the listing. Type in your email and the ad will appear in your inbox until you are ready to respond.

  3. 3

    Go to the ad and click the “Reply” button at the top left hand side of the page. View the contact information for the post, including the name, a telephone number and the email relay. You can choose to call instead of emailing, if an email is provided and you want to expedite the process.

  4. 4

    Copy the email address at the bottom if you want to email the author of the post. Paste it into your preferred email program. Compose and send your email, taking care not to include personal information until you are confident that the post is not fraudulent.

  5. 5

    Look out for a response. Generally, the sooner you reply to the post, the more likely you are to get results from it.[4]

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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Buying and Selling on Craigslist

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  1. 1

    Become familiar with what items are best for buying and selling on Craigslist. Many people use it primarily for furniture, technology, events and job postings. You may find you get better results selling smaller items on eBay or Amazon, since people are more accustomed to those forums for used items.

  2. 2

    Comparison shop before you buy. Search online for the purchase price of a used item. Take into account the condition of the item as well. If you are selling on Craigslist, use this method to set your price.

  3. 3

    Determine whether the seller is willing to bargain on the post. Usually, the seller will indicate a price and add “OBO” or “or best offer” if they want to get rid of it quickly. If demand is likely to be high, you are more likely to need to buy it at the full listed price.

  4. 4

    Check back frequently for listings. Being one of the first people to respond is your best chance to get the item.

  5. 5

    Offer to pick up the item at the convenience of the seller if you want to stand out from other responders. Convenience and reliability are good reasons for someone to write you back and arrange the sale.

  6. 6

    Try to speak to the person and confirm the address and time before you buy or sell. Always bring someone else with you to help with transportation and provide an assurance of safety.

  7. 7

    Be specific with your item description and images when you are selling. You want to ensure a happy, direct customer, and the best way to do so is to be honest about the condition, the model and the location.

  8. 8

    Offer delivery service if you want to get rid of an item quickly. Be sure to specify whether delivery or pick-up is desired. Also, specify what types of payment are accepted.

    • With Craigslist, the standard is cash on delivery.
  9. 9

    Don’t respond to post replies that aren’t specific about the item. You may get spam responses.

  10. 10

    Repost your ad every 48 hours to remain relevant on the chronological list. This is the most that Craigslist’s general rules allow. Breaking those rules may result in getting a post removed.[5]

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      Tips

      • Use Craigslist to search for a specific wanted item with Google Alerts. Sign into Google, and then set up an alert for a search term. Type in the term or terms and then add the site that you want to search. For example, “oak desk site: cityname.craigslist.org. Instruct the alert to contact you once a day or as changes happen and new listings will appear in your email.

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      • As a courtesy and safety measure, remove your post as soon as you’ve completed the desired sale or action. You will no longer receive messages related to the classified ad following the removal.

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      • Consider using the “Free” item column if you simply want to get rid of an item. In some cities, you can simply place the item on a cross street and post that it is there. People will peruse the ads and pick up desired items from the street.

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      Warnings

      • Beware that Craigslist is sometimes used for fraudulent postings and scams. You should always protect your identity and take another person with you when responding to a Craigslist ad. Craigslist’s ability to disguise personal information means that you must be vigilant when vetting posts.

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      Updated: October 9, 2022

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      How to Use Craigslist (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How do I post to Craigslist with pictures? ›

      You will be prompted to upload images after you have entered your post's title and description.
      1. Once you have entered the information for your post, click "continue."
      2. On the next page, click "Choose Files." ...
      3. A window or dialog box should appear where you can locate the image files stored on your computer.

      How do you use Craigslist effectively? ›

      Use Varied Ads – To avoid being marked as spam and flagged for removal it is helpful to use varied ads. Do not use duplicate content, switch up the title, etc. It's helpful to have multiple variations of your ad ready in advance, which will make posting throughout the week a very simple and efficient process.

      How to list on Craigslist for beginners? ›

      Select the Craigslist for your city on https://craigslist.org.
      1. Click post an ad under the Craigslist logo at the upper-left corner.
      2. Navigate through the steps to complete your posting. Be sure to add images and select an appropriate category.

      How do I get more views on Craigslist? ›

      Through some creativity, you can help maximize your ad's exposure by optimizing its presence.
      1. Find similar ads within your target category. ...
      2. Post your Craigslist ad during the day. ...
      3. Post your ad in its rightful category. ...
      4. Insert the main item, product or subject in the title field.

      What is the best picture format for Craigslist? ›

      Like GIF files, PNG images can be restricted to a limited color range and can include transparency. However, like JPG files, they can also produce good quality photos. PNG files offer a wider range of options and work well for all types of Craigslist image.

      What is the safest way to post on Craigslist? ›

      What is the safest way to post on Craigslist? When posting items for sale on Craigslist, you should always: Avoid adding any personal information in the posting, including your name, real phone number or real email address. Always use the generated email address on your Craigslist posts.

      What should I be careful of on Craigslist? ›

      In this guide, we'll cover some of the most common scams on Craigslist sites and tips for keeping your money and identity safer.
      • Craigslist rental scams. ...
      • Craigslist verification code scams. ...
      • Ticket scams. ...
      • Pet scams. ...
      • Cashier check scams. ...
      • Overpayment scams. ...
      • Craigslist guarantee scams. ...
      • Car sales scams.
      Jan 22, 2024

      How to make your Craigslist ad stand out? ›

      In this article, we'll give you ten tips to make your ad stand out from the rest.
      1. Know Your Target Audience. ...
      2. Use an Eye-Catching Headline. ...
      3. Include Key Information in the Body of Your Ad. ...
      4. Use Attractive Visuals. ...
      5. Use a Call to Action. ...
      6. Create Many Unique Ads. ...
      7. Be Realistic About Prices. ...
      8. Use Keyword-Rich Titles and Descriptions.
      Aug 26, 2022

      How to get clients from Craigslist? ›

      Craigslist Marketing Best Practices
      1. Write a Great Headline. ...
      2. Include Keywords in Body Text. ...
      3. Use High Quality Photos. ...
      4. Provide Contact Information. ...
      5. Link Out (But Not to a Paywall or Product Page) ...
      6. Pay Attention to Your Post's Writing Style & Formatting. ...
      7. Post Often (But Within the Regulations) ...
      8. Clean Up After Yourself.
      Sep 20, 2022

      What sells the fastest on Craigslist? ›

      12 Items That Currently Sell the Most Money On Craigslist
      • Home Appliances. Gently used or well-maintained appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers are always in demand. ...
      • Furniture. ...
      • Electronics. ...
      • Cars and Motorcycles. ...
      • Power Tools. ...
      • Sporting Goods. ...
      • Garden Equipment. ...
      • Tech Accessories.
      Jan 24, 2024

      How do I get my Craigslist ad to appear on top? ›

      Make a new ad and repost the information from the old ad. Craigslist doesn't offer an option for you to repost the original listing automatically, hence the need for you to manually redo the ad. Once you have submitted the new ad it will appear at the top of the listings again.

      What should be included in a Craigslist listing? ›

      How to Make Your Craigslist Ad Stand Out
      • Use clear, high-quality pictures. ...
      • Use keywords to describe your item. ...
      • Use good formatting. ...
      • Include important information, like brands and dimensions. ...
      • Include contact info, payment and delivery options.
      Nov 1, 2023

      What makes Craigslist successful? ›

      Overall, craigslist 's success can be attributed to its commitment to simplicity, local focus, and user experience. By staying true to these principles, the site has built a strong and loyal user base that has helped it to grow into one of the most successful internet platforms of all time.

      Is Craigslist still popular? ›

      Do People Still Use Craigslist? Absolutely. You can search your local area on Craigslist and find used furniture, cars, rentals, and even jobs. However, because so many Craigslist alternatives exist, it is no longer a one-stop shopping powerhouse when it debuted in 1995.

      How do I post a pic on Craigslist from my iPhone? ›

      The "Continue" option appears underneath the map. This brings you to the image-selection page. Tap Add images. This reveals an iOS pop-up allowing you to choose "Take Photo or Video," "Photo Library" or "Browse."

      How do I post an ad on Craigslist from my phone? ›

      About This Article
      1. Go https://www.craigslist.org in a web browser.
      2. Tap Post.
      3. Select a post type and tap Continue.
      4. Select a post category and tap Continue.
      5. Fill out the form and tap Continue.
      6. Provide a location and tap Continue.
      Mar 31, 2019

      How many photos can you upload to Craigslist? ›

      Number of Images Limit

      Craigslist has updated the limit to 24 photos per ad as of 2021 (up from 8). This is a lot of spots but be sure not to overuse this feature or incorrectly format your ad posting.

      How do I post to sell on Craigslist? ›

      Posting an item to Craigslist

      To get started, go to www.craigslist.org in your web browser, then locate and select post to classifieds. Select the type of posting you want to make. In this example, we're selling a bicycle, so we'll choose for sale by owner. Next, choose a category for your item.

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