A clear and honest item description is key. It builds trust, improves your chances of selling, and helps avoid misunderstandings. Here’s what to keep in mind:
A picture is worth 1'000 words
To make your item stand out, here are a few tips:
Take horizontal photos
We crop all images to a 4:3 format. Your pictures will look better in search results if you take them horizontally.
Use good lighting
Photograph your item against a bright, neutral background in natural light. Avoid direct sunlight and turn off the flash.
Mind the background
A clean and clutter-free background helps your item stand out. Place it on the floor, a table, or against a wall – and remove anything that doesn’t belong in the frame.
Show the full item in the main photo
Potential buyers want to clearly see what they’re getting. Make sure your item fills the frame and is fully visible.
Include multiple angles, details, and flaws
Highlight important details – like the brand, mechanical parts, or warranty card. Be transparent: scratches, dents, and signs of use should be clearly shown.
Show the item's size
Add a reference object (like a ruler) to help visualize the item’s dimensions.
A clear title makes the difference
A good title helps people find your listing and decide to click on it. It should include:
What it is (product type, features, brand)
What condition it's in
Examples:
Apple iPhone 12, 64 GB, black – good condition
Men’s winter jacket M, The North Face, navy, unworn
If you use AI to generate your title, always review it before publishing.
Define product type and details
These details help buyers filter and search, and they clarify exactly what you’re selling.
- Product type: e.g. phone, jacket
- Details: e.g. brand: Apple/The North Face, size: M, colour: blau
What's the condition
All listings on Ricardo must be assigned one of these conditions:
- New and unopened
- New (as described)
- Used
- Defective
This lets buyers filter by condition and helps them better understand what to expect. You can describe the exact condition in more detail in the description.
Add missing info in the description
Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes – what would you want to know before making a purchase?
A strong description includes (where relevant):
- Product details: Exact type, brand, dimensions, model year, ...
- Condition & flaws: Age, usage, wear & tear, missing parts, ...
- Included accessories: What’s included? Original packaging, cables, manuals?
- Original price: How much does it cost new? Helps show what a good deal looks like
- Warranty: Is there still warranty coverage? If yes, how long?
- Delivery details: Will it be delivered assembled or disassembled? Can it be picked up at ground level?
The better your description, the fewer questions you’ll need to answer later – and the lower the risk of complaints.
If you use AI to write your description, be sure to review it before publishing.
❌ Not a helpful description:
Nice jacket, barely worn, like new.
✅ Helpful description:
Men’s winter jacket by The North Face, size M, navy.
3 years old, only worn for one winter. No visible flaws, freshly waterproofed, clean.
Includes hood and inner lining. Original price CHF 230.
How do I create an attractive offer?
Learn how to create an attractive offer here.
Related topics:
- How do I become a Ricardo seller?
- How do I create my first listing?
- How do I manage my listings?
- What are the different ways to list items?
- How do I create an attractive listing?