FULL DISCLOSURE: Press1toTalk.com sells a CraigsList posting service – so the info below is based on experience with our partners, dealers, listings and postings.
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Craigslist is a huge search engine, and needs to be viewed as such. It is a great way to get local buyers in front of whatever product you are trying to sell. However, here are a few points to keep in mind:
1. Whatever service you use, or if you do it yourself, make sure your listings are text/copy heavy. (Read my point about a search engine above). People are rarely searching by just a make model ( nissan altima ) they are getting more specific in the words they type ( nissan altima black ) or ( nissan altima sunroof ). Try to stay away from “image only” ads or vendors that post image only ads, your ad might show up in a basic search, but will not on a longer keyword search – and these customers are the BUYERS!
2. Flagging and Ghosting – if you didn’t know there are two ways Craigslist combats spam. Craigslist ‘Ghosting’ is the term applied to when you make a post on Craigslist, and the system tells you that your post has been published but your post never appears on the front/search pages of Craigslist. The system gives you a post ID and a URL and you can see your post if you click the URL in the email, but unfortunately no one else will be able to see it because it will never appear on the front/search pages. Flagging is people/users actually clicking the little “flag” text/icon. To reduce the likelyhood of both try to limit the number of ads posted daily and the frequency in which the same ad is posted ( 1/7 of your total inventory a day seems to work best, AND delete the old ad before reposting it seven days later). Also update your templates if they are being flagged. Joe decided to go with a basic template in his market, and that worked for him! Experiment!
3. Track your hits (VDPs). If you do it yourself, this may be a little hard, if you use a vendor – make sure they can provide detailed listing VDP stats.
4. Follow the TOS – say it again – Follow the TOS – one more time – Follow the TOS. “terms of service” of “terms of use” – whether it is you or a vendor, make sure they follow the rules of the site (Craigslist, Backpage, etc)
5. Remove sold vehicles - It is important with respect to TOS to have only relevant data. And, your sales staff doesn’t waste time fielding calls for sold cars. (And, yes – I know this is debatable – I am in the camp to remove sold units)
6. Links to your site (trade app, finance form, more inventory) - these convert at a very high rate - why would you not link to your own site?
You are welcome to call me with any questions. Thanks!
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Craigslist is a huge search engine, and needs to be viewed as such. It is a great way to get local buyers in front of whatever product you are trying to sell. However, here are a few points to keep in mind:
1. Whatever service you use, or if you do it yourself, make sure your listings are text/copy heavy. (Read my point about a search engine above). People are rarely searching by just a make model ( nissan altima ) they are getting more specific in the words they type ( nissan altima black ) or ( nissan altima sunroof ). Try to stay away from “image only” ads or vendors that post image only ads, your ad might show up in a basic search, but will not on a longer keyword search – and these customers are the BUYERS!
2. Flagging and Ghosting – if you didn’t know there are two ways Craigslist combats spam. Craigslist ‘Ghosting’ is the term applied to when you make a post on Craigslist, and the system tells you that your post has been published but your post never appears on the front/search pages of Craigslist. The system gives you a post ID and a URL and you can see your post if you click the URL in the email, but unfortunately no one else will be able to see it because it will never appear on the front/search pages. Flagging is people/users actually clicking the little “flag” text/icon. To reduce the likelyhood of both try to limit the number of ads posted daily and the frequency in which the same ad is posted ( 1/7 of your total inventory a day seems to work best, AND delete the old ad before reposting it seven days later). Also update your templates if they are being flagged. Joe decided to go with a basic template in his market, and that worked for him! Experiment!
3. Track your hits (VDPs). If you do it yourself, this may be a little hard, if you use a vendor – make sure they can provide detailed listing VDP stats.
4. Follow the TOS – say it again – Follow the TOS – one more time – Follow the TOS. “terms of service” of “terms of use” – whether it is you or a vendor, make sure they follow the rules of the site (Craigslist, Backpage, etc)
5. Remove sold vehicles - It is important with respect to TOS to have only relevant data. And, your sales staff doesn’t waste time fielding calls for sold cars. (And, yes – I know this is debatable – I am in the camp to remove sold units)
6. Links to your site (trade app, finance form, more inventory) - these convert at a very high rate - why would you not link to your own site?
You are welcome to call me with any questions. Thanks!
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