When to Update Your Used Car Ad

Congratulations! You’ve taken some photos of your car, decided on a price, written an informative description, and finally published the perfect ad on Autotrader.com. Still, you’re not hearing from the serious buyers you know are out there. What now? Read on for ideas about how and when to update your ad to attract more quality leads.

When Is It Time to Update?

First, consider the ad’s duration as well as your patience and flexibility. Autotrader ads run for 30 days, and you can extend your ad for free in 30-day increments up to 365 days total, all for the same price.

Generally, buyers are more likely to make inquiries and schedule weekend test drives. After several weekends without any calls, changes are in order.

In the meantime, search for your ad on Autotrader.com at least once a week to see where it shows up in the listings and how it compares to advertisements for similar vehicles. Looking with the eyes of a potential buyer will give you good ideas on how to make your ad stand out from the rest.

Updating Your Price

Your listing price is the first thing that will pop out to buyers in the Autotrader.com Search Results, and it often determines where your vehicle will appear on the page. Even if you’ve followed every recommendation on how to price your used car to sell, many shoppers will judge it based on how it compares to other vehicles for sale in your area.

It’s always a good idea to have a negotiation window because few buyers expect to pay a seller’s initial asking price. Read our used car negotiation tips for advice on how to gain the upper hand. While pricing a car too high can turn off buyers, an unusually low price can have the same effect.

Refine the Details

Finally, remember the details that can make all the difference. Though optional, these details will let people know that you’re serious about selling — and serious sellers attract serious buyers.

High-quality photos: Include good images from every angle of the vehicle. Most used cars have some imperfections, and potential buyers may wonder if you’re hiding something if your photos are limited. The largest photo size you can upload to Autotrader is 10 MB.
Tell your car’s story: Buyers appreciate it when you take full advantage of the Vehicle Description area and go beyond the specs. How has the car been driven? Why are you selling?

Even if you’ve done all the right things, the right buyer rarely comes along overnight. But being proactive about updating your listing will ensure that you’ll be easy to find when the right buyer is looking for you.

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