The Essential Guide to Selling on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and Other Platforms (2024)

Selling on an online platform isn’t as easy as posting a picture and closing a sale. The most successful listings are thoughtfully created for maximum traction and visibility. If you’re just learning how to sell on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and other sites, remember these three principles: price your items correctly, take well-lit and clear photos and include as many relevant details in your description as possible.

Research and Price Your Items

It’s critical to research and price your items correctly. Not only can it be the difference between making a sale quickly or waiting weeks for buyer interest, but if you’re selling a vintage or heirloom item, it may have value that you weren’t even aware of. Start by looking up the original price from the manufacturer’s site (regardless of whether or not you originally purchased the item at full value). Then make sure you check the prices of similar listings on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, and other major reseller platforms. This will allow you to price your item in a lucrative, competitive way. Create a spreadsheet and jot down:

1. the lowest price you see online
2. the highest
3. the going retail price of a brand-new product

Afterward, you’ll want to ask yourself the following questions:

• How new is my item? (When was it manufactured, and has it declined in value or increased in value since?)
• Is there any damage to my item? If so, are the damages small, medium, or severe? Is the function and/or aesthetics impacted, and how greatly? Are any pieces/extras (such as cords) missing?
• Where am I selling it? If you’re selling a piece of high-end furniture in a major metropolitan area, you may be able to price it higher than if you’re selling it in a small town.

Depending on your answers to the questions above, you’ll want to set your asking price closer to the “low” range or “high” range you noted in your spreadsheet. In general, price slightly higher than you expect to sell it for —on Facebook Marketplace, there’s a “make offer” button that allows buyers to negotiate. If you’re okay with delivering the item yourself, consider adding a delivery fee and setting a maximum distance you’re willing to drive.

Tip: Add an extra fee for shipping and/or delivery. You can learn more about general pricing tips at ShipBob. Depending on the size of the item, you may be able to use flat-rate boxes, media mail or other budget-friendly shipping options!

Take Clear, Eye-Catching Photos

When it comes to attracting buyers, the biggest Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp tips we can suggest boil down to the quality of your photos. All three platforms are a photo-stream of items for sale, meaning your pictures are the buyer’s first impression and need to grab attention from the get-go. You don’t need to have a professional photoshoot or bust out your DSLR, but make sure that your images are clear, well-lit, and in-focus. If your smartphone pictures come out grainy or pixelated, ask a friend to help you take some shots.

Here are some tips for taking eye-catching photos:

• Use natural lighting where possible.
• Place your items in front of a blank background like a wall, or an area with minimal clutter (you want the object for sale to be the center of attention).
• Clean your product as best you can beforehand (wiping away any dust and fingerprints, giving any wood items a quick polish).
• Take photos from multiple angles, and at different ranges (several close-ups and several full-body shots).

Remember that Facebook Marketplace allows you to have up to 10 photos per listing, Craigslist allows up to 24, and OfferUp allows up to 12, so be sure to have at least three different angles. If there are any imperfections, be honest and take close-up shots. If you want to go the extra mile, add a text overlay to your photos describing the imperfections, or simply add a note in the description that states that “the last three photos show minor imperfections/blemishes.”

Write a Compelling Headline and Description

To prevent unnecessary back-and-forth between you and a potential buyer —and make your listing sound legitimate —be sure to write a compelling headline and description. Think about how buyers would search for the item (and anticipate a few things they might want to know) before you craft your headline. Don’t worry if you’re not a poet — it doesn’t need to be catchy, just clear and informative. For instance, instead of “Kardiel Nordic Couch,” consider saying, “Comfortable Black & Gray Kardiel Nordic Fusion Sofa, 83”, LIKE NEW.”

Then, in the description, include as many relevant details about the product in your post, including the condition of the item, item description and specs, and your contact information where a prospective buyer can best reach you. This doesn’t have to be an exhaustive list —anywhere from two to six sentences should do the trick, and often short and sweet is better.

Add Search Tags

On Facebook Marketplace, you can add your products to a general “category” that helps buyers find the items they want more easily, but don’t overlook the “search tags” option. When you label your listings with relevant search tags, you’ll increase the chances of your post showing up for the right buyers. For instance, if you’re selling an antique credenza, consider adding tags such as “antique,” “credenza,” “wood,” “vintage,” etc.

Other Tips to Successfully Sell Your Items

With a few time-tested marketing tricks, you can sell your items more quickly — or more of them in a single transaction. Create a sense of urgency and scarcity by adding a deadline to your post, such as, “Must go by Monday.” The trick is not to set a deadline too close to the date the ad goes live, which might give buyers a sense that you’re in a rush to get rid of the item and more willing to accept a lowball offer. Additionally, try offering a small discount (say, 5-15 percent or free shipping) if buyers purchase a certain number of items in a single transaction.