Writing a great title

For cars, trucks and motorbikes

In most instances, your auto ad title will be automatically generated based on the information entered when you create your ad.

Select the correct make or model for your vehicle – selecting incorrectly may make it difficult for buyers to find your item.

For caravans, marine craft and auto accessories

For vehicles such as caravans, boats and non-street vehicles, you can create your own ad title.

	Use all 55 characters and include as much helpful information as possible.
	Use keywords – help buyers find your ad by using words in your title that buyers are likely to search or scan for when looking for a vehicle like yours. Consider repeating relevant words from the category in which you are advertising to help capture buyers who search by category keywords.
	Don't use gimmicks or symbols like '$%^&', 'WOW!' or ‘AAAAA’. Gimmicks do not: encourage buyers to look at your ad. In fact, unhelpful gimmicks make your ad harder to find place your ad higher on the search results page. Placement is determined by the date and time you lodge your ad with Trading Post® and whether you have chosen an ad package with a priority listing feature.

Examples of great titles

Note: Your asking price, location, mileage and the year of manufacture will also appear in the search results provided you include them when you create your ad.

Writing a great description

Your description gives you the opportunity to promote your item to buyers.

Basic guidelines

• Be clear and concise.
• Be honest. This information helps the buyer decide whether to purchase your item, so it pays to tell the truth.
• Use keywords to help buyers search for your item.
• Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and think of the questions they will ask
• Provide as much information as possible. Buyers are likely to look elsewhere if they can’t find what they need to know from your ad.
• Look at ads for similar vehicles to see which descriptions you think work.

What to include

• Makes and models not mentioned in the title.
• Any distinguishing marks or flaws, plus any repairs completed.
• The condition your vehicle is in and a history of the work completed.
• Relevant technical specifications (e.g. components, compatibility).
• Accessories.
• Whether the vehicle is registered.
  You may need to provide a roadworthy certificate if you are selling your vehicle as registered,
• Specify the number of kilometres accurately.
  Buyers are less likely to contact sellers if they do not specify the kms.

Tip: Use the attribute and features fields to quickly specify features applying to your vehicle. The features you select will appear automatically in your online ad and in your print ad if you are placing an ad in a Trading Post® publication.

Attributes are designed to:

• help you create an ad that includes:
  • the features and details buyers like to know before buying a vehicle
  • compulsory information. See Category Rules
• help buyers find a vehicle with the features they’re looking for.
  

Using abbreviations

There are no word limits for online ads. We encourage you to write a detailed description to provide potential buyers with plenty of information about your vehicle or auto accessory.

However, using abbreviations are a great way to reduce your word count if you are also placing a print ad.

Guidelines for abbreviations

• Use full stops only at the end of sentences, and not after abbreviations.
• Abbreviate well-known company and brand names.
• Use common abbreviations (see below) that you know buyers will be familiar with.

Read our list of approved abbreviations for further details.

Related topics

Writing a great auto ad
How to create an auto ad
Word Count
Pricing your vehicle
Ad packages & features
Approved abbreviations