There are a number of free classified websites that can be taken advantage of.  Finding these types of websites normally isn’t the problem.  The problem is understanding how to leverage what they are offering for the best returns.  Advertising with free classifieds is not much different than using other mediums.  There are certain things that should always be done, and certain things that shouldn’t.  Here is a quick look at some of the most important do’s and don’ts of advertising with free classifieds.

Do’s

•    Precision
One of the most important things to keep in mind when advertising with free classifieds is precision.  The ad itself must be as precise and concise as possible.  People don’t want to read a long explanation of your product or service, they only want enough information to make a quick decision about whether or not you are offering something that will interest them.  Bullet points can be particularly effective.

•    Images
One way to convey the maximum amount of information and peak the readers interest with minimum space is by using images.  Images will not only make your ad look more professional, it also makes it more trustworthy.

•    Knowing the Community
With free classified websites, your ad is going to be displayed in order of “freshness”.  Everyone who submits an ad after you will be listed above you.  By knowing the community, you can gauge when the most amount of people will be visiting the website and try to submit your ad at that time.  By doing this, your ad will be towards the top of the listings when the most people will see it.  In some cases it can be beneficial to create multiple accounts so that you can post the same ad multiple times over the course of a few hours to ensure maximum exposure.

Don’ts

•    Shotgun Approach
Some people will place the same ad in every category hoping that a few of them will stick and get results.  It is much more effective to create a few focused ads designed for specific categories.  This will allow you to get the maximum effect out of each ad.  The shotgun approach may provide a spattering of positive results, but they will never be consistent.

•    Force a Single Method of Communication
If at all possible, you should never force your readers to use a single method of communication.  Having multiple options will dramatically improve your conversion rates.  For example, you should have a link to your websites homepage, a contact page, a phone number, and some social media profile such as Facebook or Twitter.

•    Forget to Double Check
Just because you are using free classified websites, doesn’t mean that you aren’t investing anything.  You are investing time, effort, and potential profits.  It is essential that you double check every ad before you post it.  Make sure that you are providing all of the information necessary, have correct spelling/grammar, and have several contact methods.  You should also always preview your ad to make sure that everything is being displayed properly.

Advertising with free classifieds has proven to be an effective method of promoting products and services of all kinds.  Just like any form of advertising, there are certain guidelines that can either boost your returns or minimize them.  By following these do’s and dont’s, you can dramatically improve your success rate.