How to Post a Free Ad on Colombia Move (Step by Step)

The first time I tried to sell a couch in Colombia, I posted it in a neighborhood Facebook group. I got 40 messages in an hour — half were bots, others asked me to 'talk on WhatsApp,' and one offered to pay with Nequi but wanted me to send it first. In the end, I sold it to a neighbor who saw the ad taped to the elevator.

Since then I learned that posting in Colombia has its own science. MercadoLibre charges a commission on sales, Facebook is full of middlemen, and OLX practically disappeared from the map. Colombia Move is different: it's completely free, bilingual, and was built specifically for the Colombian market — with local buyers and foreign residents searching at the same time.

In this guide I explain step by step how to post your first ad, what types of ads you can create, and how to write one that actually gets contacts.

Why post on Colombia Move and not somewhere else?

The short answer: it's actually free. There's no premium plan that unlocks visibility, no commission when you sell, and no cost to keep your ad active.

But beyond the price, there's something that sets Colombia Move apart from Marketplace or Mercadito or WhatsApp groups: bilingual reach. Colombia has over 100,000 foreigners living permanently — in Medellín, Bogotá, Cartagena and other cities. Many of them are looking for apartments, services, furniture and jobs on platforms exactly like this. If your ad is only in Spanish on Facebook, you're letting them slip by.

Plus, every seller has their own public store at colombiamove.com/tienda/youruser — which builds credibility compared to a message in a WhatsApp group where nobody knows who you are.

What types of ads you can post

Colombia Move isn't just for selling used stuff. The platform has categories for almost everything you need to buy, sell, rent or hire:

• Housing: Apartments and houses for rent or sale, farms, rooms. View rentals →
• Employment: Job offers and job searches across all sectors. Tech jobs →
• Services: Plumbers, electricians, designers, teachers, delivery services. Home services →
• Classifieds: Electronics, clothing, furniture, appliances, baby items.
• Vehicles: Used cars, motorcycles and bicycles. View cars →

One thing worth highlighting: you can post whether you're a seller or looking for something. Need a plumber in Laureles this week? Post what you're looking for and wait for them to contact you. It works both ways.

How to post your ad: step by step

The whole process takes less than 5 minutes if you have the photos ready. Here's how it works:

Step 1: Create your account

Go to colombiamove.com and sign up with your email or Google. You only need a name and a valid email. They don't ask for ID or bank information — it's a 30-second process.

Step 2: Click "Post"

The button is in the main navigation bar and also at colombiamove.com/publicar. On mobile it's just as visible — the site is designed for phones.

Step 3: Choose the right category

This matters more than it seems. An apartment for rent posted in 'Classifieds' instead of 'Housing' is going to get much less traffic. Take 20 seconds to choose the right category and subcategory.

Step 4: Fill in title, description and price

I talk more below about how to write this well, but the basic principle is: specific title, description with all relevant details, and a clear price or the word 'negotiable'. Ads without a price get significantly fewer contacts.

Step 5: Upload photos

You can drag photos directly into the form (drag & drop) or select them from your gallery if you're on mobile. The system accepts JPG and PNG. Minimum one photo, but with 3-5 photos your chances of contact go up quite a bit.

Step 6: Publish and share

Click 'Publish' and you're done. Your ad goes live immediately — there's no manual review to wait for. The system gives you a link you can share directly on WhatsApp or Instagram.

How to write an ad that gets contacts

The difference between an ad that gets 20 messages in a day and one that nobody opens is almost always in three things: the title, the photos and the price.

The title

Be specific. 'Selling chair' is bad. 'Herman Miller ergonomic office chair — good condition' is good. Include the brand, the condition, and if possible the neighborhood or city. People search for concrete words.

The description

Don't just repeat the title. Describe the actual condition of the item, measurements if applicable, what's included, why you're selling it, and any detail the buyer would want to know before contacting you. A 3-line ad sends a message of distrust — an 8-10 line ad sends a message of seriousness.

The price

Put a price even if it's approximate. Ads without a price get fewer contacts because people assume the seller wants more than it's worth. If you want to negotiate, write the price with 'negotiable' next to it. That's fine.

The photos

Use natural light if you can. Clean or neutral background. Photos from several angles. If there's any defect (a scratch, a stain), show it — it builds trust and avoids disappointment later. A buyer who sees the defect before arriving won't back out because of it.

Explore what others are selling

Before posting, it might be worth checking how others are presenting similar ads on the platform. Going to the category pages gives you an idea of market price and what style of ad works best:

• Apartments for rent
• Appliances
• Technology and computers
• Used cars
• Plumbing services

If you're looking for something very specific and can't find the exact category, you can also use the interactive map at colombiamove.com/buscar — especially useful for housing and local services.

Frequently asked questions

❓ Is it completely free to post on Colombia Move?

Yes. There's no cost to post ads — no monthly fee, no commission on sales, no mandatory premium plan. Colombia Move is free for sellers and buyers.

❓ How many ads can I post?

You can post multiple listings in different categories. There is no fixed limit set for regular users. If you're a business or sell regularly, you can create your seller store from your profile.

❓ How do I edit or delete a listing I've already posted?

From your profile on Colombia Move you can see all your active listings and edit or delete them at any time. The process is the same from computer or mobile.

❓ Can I post from my mobile phone?

Of course. The site is optimized for mobile. You can upload photos directly from your phone's gallery, and the posting form works just as well on a small screen.

❓ Will foreigners also see my listing?

Yes, and that's a concrete advantage. Colombia Move has a bilingual user base (Spanish and English) that includes expats and foreigners living in Colombia. For valuable items like imported furniture, premium electronics or apartments in areas popular with foreigners, that can make a difference.

Did you already post your first listing? Tell us how it went in the comments. If you have questions about which category to choose or how to improve your listing, ask in the Colombia Move community at colombiamove.com/comunidad — there are people with experience in local sales who can guide you.

Do you know someone who wants to sell something in Colombia? Share this guide — it saves them the headache of figuring all this out on their own.