When is the right time to post a classified ad?

There is a right time and a wrong time to post Washington State classifieds. That is the overly simple answer to the question about if there is a right time to post. It starts to get more complicated when you begin to look at the ideal times for posting different types of classifieds. If you have posted Seattle classified ads in the past, but not had a good response – chances are you just put it up at the wrong time.

The first thing to consider is your deadline
The wrong time to post an ad is when you need an item gone fast. Unless you plan on offering it for free on a Washington State classifieds site then you are most likely not going to get any responses in time to meet your own deadline for sale. On the average, it can take 2 to 3 weeks to sell a big ticket item. Unless you have one of the traditional “hot” items – like a road bike – it can take longer. If you post too close to your own deadline for needing the money, chances are you may wind up taking a bid that is far lower than what you need.

Morning or afternoon?
The time of day does make a difference. If you are posting a job listing, or listing a service or class, then the mornings are your best bet. These are when people are looking. Evening postings imply that there may be something wrong with the service or position. For example, if you post that you need a receptionist position filled after business hours people can assume that the person who had it quit without notice. The same is true with services, classes or events – it will read as if there were cancellations if it is posted in the evening. As for items, this can get even more complicated.

Posting to sell items
If you watch the Seattle classified ads you will notice that there seems to be 2 or 3 main days that new items appear – especially cars. Cars tend to do well when they are posted on a Tuesday morning, Friday night or Sunday morning. This makes sense when you are thinking about when people plan to be able to come see and test drive cars. Thursdays are the bigger days for fitness equipment. That also makes sense when you consider most people will want to pick it up by Friday or Saturday morning for use on the weekend.

Listing live animals
This type of listing is complicated only in that you have to make sure your wording in the Washington State classified is right to make sure your pet finds a good home. One thing that many people who read Seattle classified ads for animals complain about are the re homing fees. Those fees are attached to pet ads for a very good reason. Ads that list animals for free invite in re-sellers and research agencies; that's not where you want your pet going. The best times for posting pet ads is going to be on Sunday night. That is when most people realize they want something more in their life.