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

Step-by-step guide to posting your first free ad on Colombia Move: from creating your account to writing an ad that generates real leads.

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Cómo Publicar un Anuncio Gratis en Colombia Move (Paso a Paso)

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The first time I tried to sell a sofa in Colombia, I posted it in a neighborhood Facebook group. I had 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 the item first. In the end, I sold it to a neighbor who saw the ad posted in the elevator.

Since then, I’ve learned that posting in Colombia is an art form. MercadoLibre charges a commission on sales, Facebook is full of middlemen, and OLX has practically disappeared from the map. Colombia Move is different: it’s completely free, bilingual, and was built specifically for the Colombian market—with both local buyers and resident foreigners searching at the same time.

In this guide, I’ll 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 responses.

Dos personas revisando cómo publicar un anuncio en línea desde un computador portátil
Posting a free ad on Colombia Move is fast from any device. Photo: Unsplash

Why post on Colombia Move and not somewhere else?

The short answer: it’s truly free. There is no premium plan to unlock visibility, no commission when you sell, and no cost to keep your ad active.

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

Additionally, every seller has their own public store at colombiamove.com/tienda/yourusername—which builds credibility compared to a message in a WhatsApp group where no one knows who you are.

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What types of ads can you post?

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

  • Housing: Apartments and houses for rent or sale, fincas, rooms. See rentals →
  • Jobs: Job offers and job searches in all sectors. Tech jobs →
  • Services: Plumbers, electricians, designers, tutors, courier services. Home services →
  • Classifieds: Electronics, clothing, furniture, appliances, baby items.
  • Vehicles: Cars, motorcycles, and used bicycles. See cars →

One thing worth noting: you can post whether you are a seller or looking for something. Need a plumber in Laureles this week? Post what you are looking for and wait to be contacted. It works both ways.

How to post your ad: step-by-step

The entire process takes less than 5 minutes if you have your photos ready. Here is how it works:

Step 1: Create your account

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

Step 2: Click on "Post"

The button is in the main navigation bar and also at colombiamove.com/post. It’s just as visible on mobile—the site is designed for phones.

Step 3: Choose the correct category

This matters more than it seems. An apartment for rent posted under 'Classifieds' instead of 'Housing' will receive much less traffic. Take 20 seconds to choose the category and subcategory carefully.

Step 4: Fill in the title, description, and price

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

Step 5: Upload your photos

You can drag and drop photos directly into the form or select them from your gallery if you are on a phone. The system accepts JPG and PNG. You only need one photo, but with 3-5 photos, your chances of getting a contact increase significantly.

Step 6: Publish and share

Click 'Post' and that’s it. Your ad goes live immediately—there’s no manual review to wait for. The system gives you a link that you can share directly via WhatsApp or Instagram.

Gráfico con los 6 pasos para publicar un anuncio gratis en Colombia Move
The 6 steps to post your ad on Colombia Move

How to write an ad that gets responses

The difference between an ad that gets 20 messages in one day and one that no one opens is almost always down to 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, condition, and if possible, the neighborhood or city. People search by specific keywords.

The description

Don’t just repeat the title. Describe the actual condition of the item, measurements if applicable, what it includes, why you are selling it, and any detail that a buyer would want to know before contacting you. A 3-line ad conveys distrust—an 8-10 line ad conveys seriousness.

The price

Set a price, even if it is approximate. Ads without a price receive fewer contacts because people assume the seller wants more than it is 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. A clean or neutral background. Photos from various angles. If there is any defect (a scratch, a stain), show it—it builds trust and avoids disappointments later. A buyer who sees the defect before arriving won’t back out because of that.

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Explore what others are selling

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

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

Gráfico con consejos para recibir más contactos en tu anuncio de Colombia Move
Tips to make your ad stand out on the platform

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is it completely free to post on Colombia Move?

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

❓ How many ads can I post?

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

❓ How do I edit or delete a posted ad?

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

❓ Can I post from my phone?

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

❓ Will foreigners see my ad too?

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

Have you already posted your first ad? Tell us how it went in the comments. If you have questions about which category to choose or how to improve your ad, ask 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.

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