How to Design Image Ads for Craigslist
Advertising goods or services on the Internet provides the opportunity to reach potential customers regardless of their location. Internet websites, such as Craigslist, offer a central location for visitors to find merchandise for sale in location-specific categories. Give yourself an advantage by creating an advertisement that stands apart from the rest through graphic displays. Creating an image ad for display on Craigslist only requires an image and place for it on the Internet.
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Instructions
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Find or create the image for your Craigslist ad. Choose an image, or images, that convey the message of your advertisement. For example, if promoting an in-home daycare, select photos of the home that show the size, cleanliness, toys and children playing. These images best portray the image you are promoting---a safe, clean and fun environment for children.
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Create the final image using a graphic design program. Software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and shareware programs such as Gimp and Microsoft Paint work well.
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Create a new file in the chosen program to create your display image. Although the specific commands in each program may differ, the basic steps are the same. Choose "File" in the upper left corner of the screen, then select "New Document" to begin work.
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Copy and paste the image onto the new document page in the graphic design program. Simply right-click the mouse on the image, select copy, then right-click on the graphic design file and select paste. Repeat this process until all desired images are included.
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Add text to your file. In Adobe products, choose the capital "T" icon located in the toolbar on the left side of the screen. Using Microsoft Paint or Gimp, choose the capital "A" icon in the same location. Selecting the text tool opens a text box; draw a text box in the area on the document the text should be located. For example, to include a headline or title, choose an area at the top of the document and create a text box.
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Type your text in the text box. Change the size, font and color of the text using the text tools. Typically, further changes to the text are completed by selecting the text box or highlighting the text you want to change.
Continue adding text boxes and text until all information is included on the image.
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Save the image. Select "File" then "Save" to create the saved file. Save the file as a .jpg or .gif for use on the Internet.
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Create an image hosting account at any of the various online image hosting services. Websites such as Flickr, Photobucket and TinyPic are common selections. These sites allow users to upload images to an account and access the HTML coding necessary for use on outside websites. For example, after uploading the image to your TinyPic account, you are provided the HTML coding needed for posting your ad on Craigslist.
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Sign-in to the Craigslist account for the image ad just created. Choose "Post To Classifieds" in the upper-left corner of the screen, then choose the appropriate location and category for your ad. Once the category is defined, the ad-posting box opens. Complete the information "Posting Title" and "Prices" boxes, as well as the "Specific Location" box if desired.
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Copy the HTML code provided by the online image hosting service by selecting or highlighting the text. Right-click the mouse and select copy. Ensure all of the HTML code is copied, as this is necessary for the image to work correctly.
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Paste the HTML code into the Craigslist ad-posting box by right-clicking the mouse and selecting paste. Click "Continue" below the ad-posting box. Review the information on the next screen, then preview of your ad and click "Continue" if you are satisfied with its appearance or "Edit" if changes are required.
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Tips & Warnings
Create an image with text that is easy-to-read.
Use contrasting colors for text. Try black text on a white background, or white text on a dark-colored background. Avoid using two bright colors, such as a red background with royal blue text; these color combinations are difficult for some people to read.
