How to Use Craigslist to Help Improve Your Business

Whether you have a fledgling business or a strong company that has been around for years, you can use Craigslist to help improve your business. If you are looking to hire new employees or post notices about your services or products, Craigslist's free online classified listings put a vast web of resources right at your fingertips.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access
• Craiglist account
• Computer

1. Outline your business goals and objectives. Determine if online marketing on Craigslist will assist you in attaining those goals.

2. Post want ads for new employees, or view resumes of prospective employees from across the nation or in your regional or local geographic area.

3. Post ads for your products or services. Pinpoint the geographic locations that are the most beneficial for your business.

4. Review ads from other businesses or individuals who may be searching for a product or service that you can supply. If you are selling used widgets, you just might find a person who posted an ad searching for a used widget.

5. Use search-engine optimization techniques to achieve high rankings with your Craigslist ad, which will lead to more traffic and business.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be honest and direct in what you are advertising. Make your heading represent what you selling or seeking, and don’t use catch words such as “cheap” or “free,” unless that is truly what you are offering.
• Make multiple posts for multiple products. Don’t put several products on one post.
• If you have a business Web site, be sure to include the link.
• Read the Craigslist guidelines carefully. For instance, posting in several directories may result in your posts being erased and your account blocked.
• Don’t include personal information in your posts.