These days it’s easier than ever to reach your target audience when selling online. There are so many free listing marketplace websites where you can begin to sell your product without any upfront costs. Whether you are using Facebook, Craigslist, Kijiji, Etsy, or any other free listing marketplace, here are five ways that you can optimize your listings to get maximum exposure and achieve selling success.

Use high-quality photos

Providing clear, high-quality photos of your product on your listing is of the utmost importance. Consumers shop with their eyes first, especially online! Now, we aren't saying you need to go out and hire a professional photographer or even that you need to go buy top-of-the-line equipment. For most purposes, your phone camera will work just fine. 

You will, however, need to think carefully about how you are staging and lighting your product. So, what is the easiest way to get clear photos? Set up your products near a large window with plenty of natural light, grab a plain white poster board as a background, and take clear photos of your product at every angle. Never use stock photography! Consumers can spot it a mile away, and they'll know that photo you're using isn't the actual product that you're selling.

Accurately describe your product (and know your keywords!)

When you are setting up your profile and listing, everything from your business name, to your title, to your descriptions, it is important to be specific and detailed about your product. Know your keywords. What will your consumers use in the search bar to find what you’re selling? Find those words and use them liberally throughout your listing. 

Don't forget that your consumer can't see and touch your product in real life, which means that they need as much information as possible to make an informed decision to purchase your product. So, provide detailed descriptions about the size, shape, and color of what you’re selling. Don’t forget to use both inches and cm if you’re looking at selling to consumers beyond just the US.

Receive payments safely and securely

Many online marketplaces will come with a built-in payment solution. However, if you're using, for example, Facebook marketplace or Craigslist, you have multiple options on how to get paid. First and foremost: never give your banking information out. This is a popular scam for someone to ask for a seller’s bank information to initiate a transfer, and it can get you into big trouble.

Instead, either opt for cash (if you will be exchanging the product in person) or, better yet, use a safe and secure payment portal such as PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or Facebook messenger payments. 

Become a part of the community

Another way that you can boost the traffic to your listings in any of these marketplace sites is to immerse yourself in the online community. On Facebook marketplace, consider joining local community pages for entrepreneurs.

Listing on Etsy? Make sure to join their group forums. Using these tools is a great way to build your online presence, increase outreach, and find like-minded people that may just be your target customer. 

Provide top-notch customer service

Last but not least, let's talk customer service. When it comes to any of these platforms, you need to offer excellent customer service from start to finish. Let's face it; it doesn’t cost you anything to be kind and friendly to each of your prospective customers. 

Respond quickly to inquiries, have a cheery disposition, and be available if they have any questions throughout the process. No matter what you do, never respond angrily to complaints. If any conflicts arise, make sure to always stay calm and professional throughout the situation. Providing excellent customer experiences is how you receive word-of-mouth referrals, which can grow your business exponentially. Don’t forget to send a thank-you note or email when the deal is done.‍

Launch your online success with free listing marketplaces‍

Taking advantage of free listing marketplaces is a great way to get your product seen far and wide. Using these tips and tricks, you can increase your online reach and work towards achieving selling success. So, get out there and start listing! 

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