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Your title is your first impression, your digital shop window. On Gumtree, people scroll like they’re late for something.
You’ve got one line to make a buyer stop, squint a bit and go: “Ooooh… tell me more.” A strong title doesn’t just look good; it works hard for you behind the scenes. Listings with clear, keyword-rich titles get more clicks, show up higher in search results and usually sell faster.
A proper title answers four big buyer questions straight away:
What is it?
What makes it special?
What condition is it in?
Where is it?
If your title nails those, you’re already winning.
The Super-Seller Title formula : If you only remember one thing from this module, make it this:
Example of a Super-Seller Title:
Modern 3-seater Grey Velvet Couch | Excellent Condition | Durban North
Why this works:
✅ Brand or style attracts the right buyer.
✅ Item name keeps it clear and searchable.
✅ Key details remove guesswork.
✅ Condition builds trust.
✅ Location pulls in local buyers and cuts down back-and-forth messages.
Average titles (what to avoid)
"Couch for sale” 😴 This kind of title hides your listing from search results and gives buyers zero reason to click. It’s vague, boring and easy to scroll past.
If your title doesn’t describe anything, it’s probably not doing you any favours.
How to choose keywords that buyers actually use
Buyers don’t search like sellers think - they search specific. Put yourself in their shoes and ask: What would I type if I wanted this item today?
Where to find good keywords:
Look at similar items already selling well on Gumtree.
Check the box, manual or sticker on the item.
Use brand names and model numbers printed on the product.
Think about features buyers care about (size, colour, year, capacity).
More relevant keywords mean more eyeballs. Simple maths.
Keep it short and sharp : Aim to keep your title under 70 characters.
Why this works:
Easy to read at a glance.
Displays properly on mobile (where most browsing happens).
Still long enough for important details.
If you need to cut something, keep the details buyers search for, and drop the extras.
Add your location (yes, it matters).
Adding your suburb or city:
Builds trust.
Helps local buyers find you.
Reduces unnecessary questions.
Often speeds up the sale.
Examples:
Cape Town CBD.
Durban North.
Centurion.
Gqeberha – Walmer.
Before and after: Real examples
Advanced Pro Tips (For sellers who mean business)
⭐ Start with the strongest word: Lead with what matters most to buyers. Eg: Samsung 55-Inch Smart TV | UHD | Excellent Condition | Midrand.
⭐ Cut filler words: Words like nice, very, cheap, must see don’t help buyers trust you. Be specific.
⭐ Use vertical bars ( | ): They make titles easier to scan and read.
⭐ No ALL CAPS: It looks spammy and scares buyers off.
⭐ Never add “Price negotiable” in the title: Save that for the description. Keep your headline clean.
If you can tick most of these, your listing is already ahead of the pack. Sit back and watch your sales take off!
End-of-module activity (Optional)
Write three versions of your title:
SEO Title (keyword-heavy): Samsung Galaxy A32 | 128GB | Dual SIM | Lavender | Johannesburg
Short Title (clean and clear): Samsung A32 128GB | Lavender | Joburg
Highlight Title (top selling point): Samsung A32 | Excellent Battery Life | Joburg
This helps you choose the version that speaks best to your buyer.
