Stop Wasting Listings: The Brutal Truth About Ads That Never Convert | sanaLIST
Seller's Playbook
Stop Wasting Listings: Why 9 Out of 10 Kenyan Ads Never Convert — And the Brutal Fix
Your ad is live. Nobody's calling. It's not bad luck — it's a broken formula. Here's everything you need — with real before-and-after examples across phones, cars, property, and furniture — to post a listing on sanaLIST that actually sells.
SEO Listings
Real Examples
Conversion Tips
AI-Powered Ads
Kenya Marketplace
Verified Seller Guide | Published on sanaLIST.co.ke — Kenya's Growing Classified Ads Marketplace | Trusted by Buyers and Sellers Across Kenya
The Numbers Don't Lie
What separates a listing that sells in hours from one that collects dust for weeks
7x
More enquiries with professional photos vs blurry shots
62%
Of buyers leave if the title is vague or missing key info
3x
Faster sale time for SEO-optimised listings on search
4:3
Ideal image aspect ratio for listing thumbnails
AI
Now writes and designs your entire listing in 60 seconds
Step 01
Write a Title That Buyers Are Already Searching For
Your listing title is not a label — it is a search engine signal. It tells Google what your ad is about, and it tells the buyer in 0.3 seconds whether to click or scroll past. The winning formula: [Brand] + [Model] + [Key Spec] + [Condition] + [Location] + [Price]. See exactly how this plays out across four common Kenyan listing categories below.
Category Example: Phones and Electronics on sanaLIST
- Fails
"Phone for sale. Good condition. Call me."
No brand, no model, no spec, no location. Google cannot rank it. Buyers will not click it. This ad is invisible.
+ Converts
"Samsung Galaxy A55 5G — 256GB, Dual SIM, Midnight Blue, Like New — Westlands Nairobi — KSh 42,000"
Brand, model, storage, colour, condition, neighbourhood, price. Every buyer question answered before they click. This exact phrase is what buyers type into Google.
Category Example: Vehicles on sanaLIST
- Fails
"Toyota car for sale. Negotiable."
Which Toyota? What year? What engine? What mileage? Buyers with budget in hand will not call to find out — they'll move to the next listing.
+ Converts
"2019 Toyota Fielder — 1500cc, Auto, 4WD, 68,000km, Pearl White — Kilimani Nairobi — KSh 1,750,000"
Year, model, engine, gearbox, drivetrain, mileage, colour, area, price. Ranks on Google when someone searches "Toyota Fielder Nairobi 2019."
Category Example: Property on sanaLIST
- Fails
"2 bedrooms to let. Call for price."
Where? How much? Furnished? Secure? "Call for price" is the single biggest conversion killer in property listings.
+ Converts
"2-Bed Apartment To Let — Fully Furnished, Wi-Fi, Parking, Borehole — South B Nairobi — KSh 38,000/month"
Beds, furnishing status, key amenities, estate, price. Ranks for "2 bedroom furnished apartment South B Nairobi" — the exact search tenants use.
Category Example: Furniture and Home
- Fails
"Sofa for sale. 3 seater. 15k ono."
No material, no colour, no dimensions, no location. "ono" (or nearest offer) signals the seller doesn't believe their own price.
+ Converts
"L-Shaped 5-Seater Sofa — Grey Linen, Solid Hardwood Frame, 14 Months Old — Kilimani Nairobi — KSh 38,000"
Shape, seats, material, colour, frame, age, location, price. A buyer searching "L-shaped sofa Nairobi" will find and click this.
Use AILITED to auto-generate an SEO-optimised title from just your product name, category, and key specs — tuned for Kenyan buyers and Google — in seconds.
Step 02
Write a Description That Sells While You Sleep
A great product description is part SEO copywriting, part sales pitch. It answers every question before the buyer asks, uses keywords naturally, and ends with a confident call to action. Below is the proven 4-part anatomy, plus complete real-world examples across different categories.
Part 1
The Hook
Open with the biggest benefit or most compelling fact. Not "I am selling a laptop" but "This is the most capable Core i5 laptop available in Nairobi under KSh 55,000 — and it comes with the original charger and a bag."
Part 2
Full Specifications
List every measurable fact: brand, model, storage, RAM, colour, year, size, engine, mileage, condition. Buyers scan these fast. If a spec is missing, they assume the worst and move on to the next listing.
Part 3
Objection Handling
State faults upfront — a screen crack, high mileage, no charger included. Honesty builds instant trust and filters time-wasters. Buyers who call after reading a truthful ad are pre-qualified and almost always buy.
Part 4
Call to Action
Tell the buyer exactly what to do next. "WhatsApp 07XX XXX XXX for more photos" or "Viewing in Parklands daily 9am–6pm." Include viewing hours and remove every reason to hesitate.
Detailed Example — Electronics (Laptop)
- Weak Description (Actual Fail)
"HP laptop for sale. Good condition. Slightly used. Good for students. Comes with charger. Price is 35k negotiable. Call or WhatsApp."
No RAM, no processor, no screen size, no year, no storage, no battery info. "Slightly used" means nothing. "Negotiable" signals desperation. Zero SEO value. This gets ignored.
+ Strong Description (Converts)
Selling my HP EliteBook 840 G7 — an enterprise-grade business laptop built to outlast cheaper alternatives, now available at a fraction of its original cost.
Specs: Intel Core i5-10th Gen / 16GB DDR4 RAM / 512GB NVMe SSD / 14-inch Full HD Display (1920x1080) / Windows 11 Pro activated / Backlit keyboard / Fingerprint reader / USB-C + Thunderbolt 4.
Condition: 8/10. No cracks, no dead pixels, keyboard fully functional. Battery holds 4–5 hours under normal office use. One small scuff on the bottom panel — visible in Photo 5.
Includes: Original 65W charger + branded HP laptop bag. No box.
Reason for sale: Upgraded to a MacBook for design work. This machine is perfect for remote work, data analysis, students, and everyday productivity.
Price: KSh 52,000 firm (market price for this spec is KSh 70,000+). Viewing in Westlands Nairobi, Mon–Sat 9am–5pm. WhatsApp 07XX XXX XXX for more photos or video call.
Specs: Intel Core i5-10th Gen / 16GB DDR4 RAM / 512GB NVMe SSD / 14-inch Full HD Display (1920x1080) / Windows 11 Pro activated / Backlit keyboard / Fingerprint reader / USB-C + Thunderbolt 4.
Condition: 8/10. No cracks, no dead pixels, keyboard fully functional. Battery holds 4–5 hours under normal office use. One small scuff on the bottom panel — visible in Photo 5.
Includes: Original 65W charger + branded HP laptop bag. No box.
Reason for sale: Upgraded to a MacBook for design work. This machine is perfect for remote work, data analysis, students, and everyday productivity.
Price: KSh 52,000 firm (market price for this spec is KSh 70,000+). Viewing in Westlands Nairobi, Mon–Sat 9am–5pm. WhatsApp 07XX XXX XXX for more photos or video call.
This ranks for "HP EliteBook 840 Nairobi". Answers every objection. States the fault clearly. Anchors with the market price. Ends with a specific CTA. Buyers who contact this seller are already sold.
Detailed Example — Vehicle (Saloon Car)
- Weak Description (Actual Fail)
"Very clean Toyota Premio for sale. New tyres. Accident free. Serious buyers only. Price 1.2M negotiable."
No year, no engine, no mileage, no gearbox, no service records, no extras listed. Every serious car buyer needs these. Without them, they assume the car has problems the seller is hiding.
+ Strong Description (Converts)
2017 Toyota Premio X — one of the most comfortable and fuel-efficient saloons on Kenyan roads, now looking for its next careful owner.
Specs: 1800cc / Automatic Transmission / Rear-Wheel Drive / Pearl White / 72,000km on the clock.
Extras: Push-start ignition, reverse camera with guidelines, leather seats, sunroof, dual climate control, factory alloy rims, 4 brand-new Bridgestone tyres (fitted September 2024 — receipts available).
Condition: Accident-free — logbook verifiable at any NTSA office. No major mechanical faults. Regularly serviced at Toyota Kenya Dealer. Last full service at 70,000km — service booklet available.
Known faults: Minor parking ding on rear left bumper — visible in Photo 7. No rust. No oil leaks. No transmission issues.
Import: Japan-direct import, cleared 2019. Duty fully paid. KCM Nairobi registration. Logbook in my name, clean transfer.
Price: KSh 1,250,000. Pre-purchase inspection welcome at any garage of your choice in Nairobi. Test drives available weekdays with valid ID. WhatsApp 07XX XXX XXX.
Specs: 1800cc / Automatic Transmission / Rear-Wheel Drive / Pearl White / 72,000km on the clock.
Extras: Push-start ignition, reverse camera with guidelines, leather seats, sunroof, dual climate control, factory alloy rims, 4 brand-new Bridgestone tyres (fitted September 2024 — receipts available).
Condition: Accident-free — logbook verifiable at any NTSA office. No major mechanical faults. Regularly serviced at Toyota Kenya Dealer. Last full service at 70,000km — service booklet available.
Known faults: Minor parking ding on rear left bumper — visible in Photo 7. No rust. No oil leaks. No transmission issues.
Import: Japan-direct import, cleared 2019. Duty fully paid. KCM Nairobi registration. Logbook in my name, clean transfer.
Price: KSh 1,250,000. Pre-purchase inspection welcome at any garage of your choice in Nairobi. Test drives available weekdays with valid ID. WhatsApp 07XX XXX XXX.
Every detail a serious buyer needs is here — mileage, service records, faults, import history. Ranks for "2017 Toyota Premio Nairobi for sale". Calls will come only from buyers who are genuinely ready.
Detailed Example — Property (Apartment to Let)
- Weak Description (Actual Fail)
"Nice 2 bedroom apartment to let in Nairobi. Good location. Call for viewing."
Where in Nairobi? What floor? Furnished or not? Parking? Water? Security? Deposit? This listing will receive zero serious enquiries.
+ Strong Description (Converts)
Spacious 2-bedroom apartment available immediately in a quiet, well-managed block in South B — ideal for a working professional or small family.
Unit details: 2 bedrooms (master en-suite) / Open-plan lounge + dining / Modern fitted kitchen / 2 full bathrooms / 2nd floor with balcony / 85sqm approx.
Amenities: 24-hour security with CCTV / Borehole + backup water tank / Backup generator for common areas / Ample parking (1 slot included) / High-speed fibre Wi-Fi available from Zuku + Safaricom.
Furnishing: Unfurnished — blank canvas, paint in good condition. Photos show actual unit.
Terms: KSh 38,000/month. 2 months deposit + 1 month rent advance required. No pets. Lease minimum 6 months.
Location: South B, 5 minutes from Mombasa Road. 10 minutes drive to CBD. Near Zucchini Supermarket and South B Shopping Centre.
Available from 1st of next month. Viewing by appointment only — WhatsApp 07XX XXX XXX to book a slot.
Unit details: 2 bedrooms (master en-suite) / Open-plan lounge + dining / Modern fitted kitchen / 2 full bathrooms / 2nd floor with balcony / 85sqm approx.
Amenities: 24-hour security with CCTV / Borehole + backup water tank / Backup generator for common areas / Ample parking (1 slot included) / High-speed fibre Wi-Fi available from Zuku + Safaricom.
Furnishing: Unfurnished — blank canvas, paint in good condition. Photos show actual unit.
Terms: KSh 38,000/month. 2 months deposit + 1 month rent advance required. No pets. Lease minimum 6 months.
Location: South B, 5 minutes from Mombasa Road. 10 minutes drive to CBD. Near Zucchini Supermarket and South B Shopping Centre.
Available from 1st of next month. Viewing by appointment only — WhatsApp 07XX XXX XXX to book a slot.
Size, floor, amenities, water, security, terms, and precise location. A prospective tenant can decide whether to view before making a single call. Ranked enquiries only.
Detailed Example — Furniture (Sectional Sofa)
- Weak Description (Actual Fail)
"Sofa for sale. Used but good. 3-seater. Grey colour. 15,000 ono."
No dimensions, no fabric type, no brand, no age, no reason for selling, no photos mentioned. "ono" (or nearest offer) signals the seller doesn't believe in their own price.
+ Strong Description (Converts)
L-shaped sectional sofa — premium linen fabric, deep charcoal grey — barely 14 months old and in excellent condition. Perfect for a large lounge or open-plan living space.
Specs: 5-seater L-shape / Solid hardwood frame / High-density foam cushions (no sagging) / Removable, washable covers / Dimensions: 280cm x 180cm (measuring tape visible in Photo 4).
Condition: 9/10. No stains, no rips, no sagging. Professionally steam-cleaned two weeks ago. One faint mark on the rear panel — not visible when placed against a wall (see Photo 6).
Reason for sale: Relocating from Kilimani to a fully furnished apartment — simply no room for it.
Original purchase: Bought from Furniture Palace Nairobi for KSh 78,000 — receipt available. Selling at KSh 38,000 firm (not negotiable — price already reflects urgency).
Logistics: Must be collected by this Saturday. I can help coordinate a pickup truck at buyer's cost — quote approximately KSh 2,500 within Nairobi. Viewing in Kilimani daily from 10am. WhatsApp only: 07XX XXX XXX.
Specs: 5-seater L-shape / Solid hardwood frame / High-density foam cushions (no sagging) / Removable, washable covers / Dimensions: 280cm x 180cm (measuring tape visible in Photo 4).
Condition: 9/10. No stains, no rips, no sagging. Professionally steam-cleaned two weeks ago. One faint mark on the rear panel — not visible when placed against a wall (see Photo 6).
Reason for sale: Relocating from Kilimani to a fully furnished apartment — simply no room for it.
Original purchase: Bought from Furniture Palace Nairobi for KSh 78,000 — receipt available. Selling at KSh 38,000 firm (not negotiable — price already reflects urgency).
Logistics: Must be collected by this Saturday. I can help coordinate a pickup truck at buyer's cost — quote approximately KSh 2,500 within Nairobi. Viewing in Kilimani daily from 10am. WhatsApp only: 07XX XXX XXX.
Dimensions with a photo of the measuring tape. Original receipt available. A firm price with reasoning. A clear deadline. This is what a buyer needs to make a same-day decision.
Don't want to write all that yourself? AILITED.com generates a complete, SEO-rich, buyer-ready description from just your bullet points — in under 60 seconds. Then post it directly on sanaLIST.
Step 03
No Photos, No Sale. Bad Photos, Same Result.
Images are the single highest-impact element of any classified ad. A buyer decides within 1.5 seconds whether to read your description — based entirely on your photo. Every rule below is grounded in how Kenyan buyers actually browse listings.
Aspect Ratio — Get This Wrong and Your Thumbnail Is Destroyed
Listing grids on sanaLIST display thumbnails at 4:3 ratio. If you shoot in 9:16 portrait (phone held upright — the most common mistake), the top and bottom of your product get cropped in the card view. For a phone listing, this crops off the screen and the charging port. For a car, it crops off the roof and the tyres. Learn more at Google's image guidelines.
- 9:16 Portrait — Avoid
9:16
Phone held upright. Product cropped top and bottom in listing grid thumbnail.
+ 4:3 Landscape — Best
4:3
Phone held sideways. Fills the listing card perfectly. Full product visible in thumbnail.
Also Good: 1:1 Square
1:1
Works well for accessories, clothing, shoes, small items. Also performs on social media.
Min Resolution
1200
x
900px
x
900px
Below this and your image looks blurry on modern phone screens. Compress at squoosh.app to keep under 2MB.
Phones and Electronics — Shot List
Shot 1: Front face, screen off — clean and flat on white surface
Shot 2: Screen ON (shows no dead pixels or burn-in)
Shot 3: Back panel — camera module clearly visible
Shot 4: Both sides — all ports, speakers, buttons
Shot 5: Close-up of any scratches or chips
Shot 6: IMEI screen (*#06#) — proves authenticity
Shot 7: All included accessories — charger, case, earphones, box
Free background tip: 3 sheets of A4 paper taped on a table under daylight from a window. Costs nothing, looks professional.
Shot 2: Screen ON (shows no dead pixels or burn-in)
Shot 3: Back panel — camera module clearly visible
Shot 4: Both sides — all ports, speakers, buttons
Shot 5: Close-up of any scratches or chips
Shot 6: IMEI screen (*#06#) — proves authenticity
Shot 7: All included accessories — charger, case, earphones, box
Free background tip: 3 sheets of A4 paper taped on a table under daylight from a window. Costs nothing, looks professional.
Vehicles — Shot List
Shot 1: Front 3/4 angle — best presentation shot
Shot 2: Rear 3/4 angle
Shot 3: Driver side full profile
Shot 4: Passenger side full profile
Shot 5: Interior — dashboard, steering wheel, gear area
Shot 6: Odometer — mileage must be readable
Shot 7: Engine bay — clean, well-lit
Shot 8: All four tyres individually
Shot 9: Any dents, scratches or bodywork damage — honest close-up
Shot 10: Logbook cover (not the details page)
Timing tip: Shoot outdoors at 7–9am. No harsh midday shadows. Park on a clean surface, not dirt.
Shot 2: Rear 3/4 angle
Shot 3: Driver side full profile
Shot 4: Passenger side full profile
Shot 5: Interior — dashboard, steering wheel, gear area
Shot 6: Odometer — mileage must be readable
Shot 7: Engine bay — clean, well-lit
Shot 8: All four tyres individually
Shot 9: Any dents, scratches or bodywork damage — honest close-up
Shot 10: Logbook cover (not the details page)
Timing tip: Shoot outdoors at 7–9am. No harsh midday shadows. Park on a clean surface, not dirt.
Property and Furniture — Shot List
Property:
Shot 1: Every room from the doorway — wide angle
Shot 2: Kitchen — show worktop, appliances, sink
Shot 3: Bathroom — clean, lights on
Shot 4: Balcony, compound, or view if available
Shot 5: Parking area or gate
Shot 6: Any damage — peeling paint, cracks, stains
Furniture:
Always shoot a measuring tape next to the piece so buyers know the exact dimensions without asking. For sofas and beds, show a cushion seam close-up to demonstrate fabric quality.
Shot 1: Every room from the doorway — wide angle
Shot 2: Kitchen — show worktop, appliances, sink
Shot 3: Bathroom — clean, lights on
Shot 4: Balcony, compound, or view if available
Shot 5: Parking area or gate
Shot 6: Any damage — peeling paint, cracks, stains
Furniture:
Always shoot a measuring tape next to the piece so buyers know the exact dimensions without asking. For sofas and beds, show a cushion seam close-up to demonstrate fabric quality.
No Good Photos? Use AI
AILITED gives you Midjourney, FLUX Pro, DALL-E 3, and Stable Diffusion XL from one dashboard. Just type your product description and get a studio-quality image in seconds.
Example prompt: "Samsung Galaxy A55 smartphone, Midnight Blue, lying flat on a white marble surface, soft natural window light, product photography, 4:3 landscape"
Result: a photorealistic product image ready to upload to your sanaLIST listing immediately.
Example prompt: "Samsung Galaxy A55 smartphone, Midnight Blue, lying flat on a white marble surface, soft natural window light, product photography, 4:3 landscape"
Result: a photorealistic product image ready to upload to your sanaLIST listing immediately.
Image Do's and Don'ts — Quick Reference
Do This
+
Shoot in natural daylight near a north-facing window
+
Use a plain white, grey, or cream background
+
Minimum 1200 x 900px, under 2MB file size
+
Shoot in 4:3 landscape or 1:1 square orientation
+
Show all angles — including honest shots of damage
+
Compress at squoosh.app before uploading
+
Upload at least 5–6 images per listing
Never Do This
-
Shoot in a dark room under yellow incandescent bulbs
-
Use stock photos from the manufacturer's website
-
Upload blurry, out-of-focus, or tilted images
-
Shoot with a messy bedroom or cluttered floor visible
-
Add large watermarks that cover the product itself
-
Post only 1 image — ever
-
Screenshot and reuse another seller's listing image
Step 04 — Unfair Advantage
Use AI to Create Every Part of Your Ad — In Under 60 Seconds
AILITED.com is an AI platform aggregator giving Kenyan sellers access to 120+ AI models for language, images, video, audio, and code — from one dashboard. Below is a complete real-world workflow walkthrough.
Real Workflow: Selling a Used Laptop Using AILITED + sanaLIST
1
Open AILITED, select a language model (Claude Sonnet, GPT-4o, or Gemini)
Enter this prompt: "I am selling an HP EliteBook 840 G7, Core i5-10th Gen, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Windows 11 Pro, condition 8/10, one scuff on base panel, comes with charger and bag, KSh 52,000, Westlands Nairobi. Write me: (1) classified ad title, (2) full product description with specs and CTA, (3) meta title (60 chars, power word, negative sentiment), (4) meta description (155 chars), (5) 10 SEO keywords comma-separated."
AILITED Output Sample
Title: "HP EliteBook 840 G7 — Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Win11 Pro, 8/10 — Westlands Nairobi — KSh 52,000"
Meta title: "Stop Overpaying: HP EliteBook 840 G7 For Sale — 16GB, 512GB, KSh 52K Nairobi"
Keywords: HP EliteBook 840 Nairobi, used laptop Nairobi, HP laptop for sale Kenya, Core i5 laptop Nairobi, business laptop Kenya, buy laptop Westlands, HP EliteBook G7 price Kenya, second hand laptop Nairobi, laptop 16GB RAM Kenya, Windows 11 laptop for sale
2
Switch to an image model on AILITED (FLUX Pro or DALL-E 3)
Prompt: "Product photography of an HP EliteBook 840 G7 laptop, open at 120 degrees, screen showing Windows 11 desktop, lying on a white marble desk, soft natural window light from the left, 4:3 landscape format, ultra-sharp, high resolution."
Result: A photorealistic studio-quality image downloaded in seconds and ready to upload as your primary listing photo on sanaLIST.
3
Optional — Generate a 15-second product video (Kling or Runway on AILITED)
Prompt: "15-second smooth product showcase of an HP EliteBook laptop, slow cinematic camera pan from front to side, bright clean office setting, professional corporate feel." Share this as a WhatsApp status or Reel with your sanaLIST link in the caption.
4
Post your complete, AI-crafted listing on sanaLIST
Copy the AILITED-generated title, description, and meta data. Upload your AI images alongside your real photos. Post for free on sanaLIST — Post a Free Ad. Total time from idea to published listing with SEO assets: under 5 minutes.
Ad Title + Description
Claude, GPT-4o, Gemini, Mistral — pick the best AI writer. All generate keyword-optimised, buyer-ready copy for the Kenyan market.
Meta Title + Description
Click-worthy meta assets that boost your Google CTR. Power words, negative sentiment triggers, and precise keyword targeting built in.
Product Images
FLUX Pro, DALL-E 3, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion XL. Studio-quality visuals from a text prompt. No photographer, no studio, no budget.
Short Ad Videos
Kling, Runway Gen-3, Sora. 10–30 second product demos for WhatsApp, TikTok, and Instagram — generated from your image or text prompt.
SEO + AIEO Keywords
Primary, secondary, LSI, and location-based keywords for every listing. Optimises for Google AND AI-powered search engines (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity).
Step 05 + 06
Price It Right. Post It In the Right Place.
Two things sellers almost always get wrong — and both silently kill listings that would otherwise convert.
Pricing Strategy — Three Real Scenarios
Mistake 1: Using "POA"
A seller lists a 65-inch Samsung QLED TV for "POA — Call for price." Result: 40% fewer clicks than priced listings. Buyers assume "POA" means the seller knows it's overpriced and is testing the market. They skip it entirely.
Fix: Always show a number. Even "KSh 95,000 (open to reasonable offers)" is 10x better than POA.
Mistake 2: Guessing the Price
A seller lists a 2020 Toyota Aqua at KSh 2.8M without checking the market. On sanaLIST Vehicles, comparable 2020 Aquas sell for KSh 2.2M–2.4M. Their listing sits for 4 months with zero calls, then relists at 2.4M and sells in 2 weeks.
Fix: Research 5–10 active comparable listings on sanaLIST before setting your price.
Right Approach: Anchored Pricing
A seller lists a sofa bought for KSh 78,000 at KSh 38,000 — and writes in the description "Bought from Furniture Palace for KSh 78,000 — receipt available." The buyer immediately sees the 50% saving. The listing sells the same day it goes live. Price anchoring — referencing the original cost — makes your asking price feel like a deal, not a negotiation opener.
Wrong Category = Invisible Listing
Real example: A seller posts a premium baby cot under "General Items" because they're not sure which category to use. Buyers browsing the Baby and Kids category — the ones who actually need a cot — never see it. Three weeks later, zero calls.
The same cot posted under Baby and Kids on sanaLIST sells in 48 hours. Always drill down to the most specific sub-category available — it is the difference between a targeted buyer and no buyer at all.
The same cot posted under Baby and Kids on sanaLIST sells in 48 hours. Always drill down to the most specific sub-category available — it is the difference between a targeted buyer and no buyer at all.
Location — Specific Always Beats Generic
Real example: Two identical Toyota Fielder listings. One says "Nairobi." One says "Kilimani, 2 mins from Junction Mall." A buyer in Westlands calls the Kilimani listing immediately — they know it's a 7-minute drive. The "Nairobi" listing gets ignored because it could mean Karen, Githurai, or anywhere in between.
Location-tagged listings also rank higher in Google local search. Always include estate, street name, or a landmark reference.
Location-tagged listings also rank higher in Google local search. Always include estate, street name, or a landmark reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is posting an ad on sanaLIST free?
Yes — basic listings on sanaLIST are completely free to post. Premium placement and featured listings are also available for sellers who want priority visibility in search results and category pages.
How many images should I include?
Minimum 4 for any listing. For vehicles, aim for 8–10 (exterior, interior, odometer, engine, tyres, any damage). For electronics, 5–6 (screen on, screen off, sides, ports, accessories, IMEI). For property, every room plus the compound. More photos = more trust = faster sale.
What image size and aspect ratio is best?
Use JPEG or WebP at minimum 1200x900px in 4:3 landscape (phone held sideways) or 1:1 square ratio. Keep file size under 2MB — compress free at squoosh.app. Avoid 9:16 portrait — it crops badly in listing grid thumbnails and loses the most important parts of your product.
Can AI write my entire listing for me?
Yes. AILITED generates a complete, publication-ready listing — title, description, meta title, meta description, and keywords — from just a few bullet points about your product. It also generates product images and short ad videos via 120+ AI models, all from one dashboard.
How do I get my listing to appear on Google?
sanaLIST listings are automatically indexed by Google. To rank well: include your primary keyword in the title, write a detailed keyword-rich description, post in the most specific category, and include your sub-county or neighbourhood. Listings with complete SEO data rank significantly faster than thin, generic ones.
Should I always include the price?
Always. "POA" (Price on Application) listings receive up to 40% fewer clicks than priced listings. Even if you're open to negotiation, state a price — then add "open to reasonable offers" in the description. Buyers will not call to ask your price. They will click the next listing that shows one.
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Buyers across all counties
Google Indexed
Listings appear in search results
AI-Powered
Create better ads with AILITED
Your Next Buyer Is Already Searching. Is Your Listing Ready?
Post a free, SEO-optimised listing on sanaLIST today — and use AILITED to generate your entire ad in under 60 seconds.
