Selling your dogs or puppies online is a fairly easy process, but all too often ads are created and lack content. A few simple steps should be considered when creating an ad to maximize its effectiveness.

plan of attack

Shoppers browse the Internet on a variety of sites to find their next dog or puppy. If you have a dog to sell, it’s best to start by placing ads on large dog classifieds sites. These sites are built with a solid understanding of search engine results, which will help drive more people to your ad.

Don’t be embarrassed about which site to choose to advertise as most offer some form of free listing. Because of this, it doesn’t hurt to put your dogs in a handful of places; again, it’s about getting people to see their dogs for sale. Once you’ve chosen the site(s) you’re interested in advertising on, it’s time to get to work placing an ad.

Photo

High-quality photos are a must, as this is often the entry point for potential buyers. If they like what they see, they’ll click your ad and search for more. Let your dogs sell themselves at this point. If you have the option to add more images, please do so. There may be a small cost, but you’ll be able to show off your dog from multiple angles. This will help you stand out from other sellers, as most stop at just a headshot, if they include a photo at all.

dog information

Feel free to fill in all the information a site asks for regarding your dog. Include price, race, age, color, location, gender, etc. The more information you provide to buyers, the more interested they may be in your dog. Buyers often have specific qualities in mind when browsing these sites, and if you don’t tell them enough about your dog, they’ll quickly move on to the next one.

Description

Be very informative. Anything you couldn’t put in the dog information section should go in your description. Discuss the dog’s temperament, parents, expected height and weight, how your dogs are raised and maintained, health, and any other information you feel is important. Somewhere else on the site will include a place for contact information, but email, phone number, and website URL will also be included here.

Contact information

Having multiple ways for people to contact you is key. Include your email, phone number, and a website if you have one. By doing this, you are giving people every opportunity to communicate with you. As for posting your website, it’s a free opportunity to advertise your site and any of the other dogs you’re trying to sell. It will also serve as a way for buyers to learn more about you and your dogs.

Different ad options

Depending on the site, some places offer premium listings for some cost. Price and benefits will vary, but it’s important to read what’s on offer. By agreeing to have a premium listing, you can often add more photos or are guaranteed to have your ad placed more prominently on the site. It may not always be worth the money to go this route, but don’t dismiss the idea before you look. Going with the standard listing will likely remove your ad from the top of the page results as newer ads are placed.

Following these simple tips will go a long way in making your dog listing more attractive to buyers. They will help you sell your dogs faster, attract a wider range of buyers, and make your online selling experience that much more enjoyable.