Duration Packages Explained

Duration packages on Aswaq Online are designed to extend the lifecycle of individual listings, giving your items more time to find the right buyer. These packages are ideal for valuable items that may take longer to sell or when you want to maximize visibility for a single item. This guide explains everything you need to know about duration-based packages.

What Are Duration Packages?

Duration packages are premium listing options that provide extended visibility for individual items beyond the standard 30-day period. Unlike bulk packages that offer multiple listing credits, duration packages focus on giving a single listing a longer lifespan on the platform, along with enhanced visibility features.

Key Features of Duration Packages

• Extended Timeline: Longer active periods compared to standard listings
• Bonus Days: Additional free days beyond the base duration
• Enhanced Visibility: Better placement in search results and browsing pages
• Single Listing Focus: Each package applies to one individual item
• Renewal Options: Ability to further extend duration when needed
• Premium Search Ranking: Higher positioning in relevant search results

Available Duration Package Options

Aswaq Online offers three main duration package tiers:

1 Month Plus

• Price: AED 9.95
• Base Duration: 30 days
• Bonus Days: +10 days
• Total Duration: 40 days
• Search Ranking: Enhanced
• Category Placement: Standard
• Best For: Quick sales or lower/mid-value items

2 Months Plus

• Price: AED 19.90
• Base Duration: 60 days
• Bonus Days: +21 days
• Total Duration: 81 days
• Search Ranking: Enhanced+
• Category Placement: Premium
• Best For: Mid-value items or moderately competitive categories

3 Months Plus

• Price: AED 29.85
• Base Duration: 90 days
• Bonus Days: +33 days
• Total Duration: 123 days
• Search Ranking: Enhanced++
• Category Placement: Premium+
• Best For: High-value items or when finding the right buyer is more important than a quick sale

Value Analysis

Cost Breakdown

| Package | Total Cost | Total Days | Cost Per Day | Value Rating | |---------|------------|------------|--------------|--------------| | Free Listing | AED 0 | 30 days | AED 0 | ⭐⭐ | | 1 Month Plus | AED 9.95 | 40 days | AED 0.25 | ⭐⭐⭐ | | 2 Months Plus | AED 19.90 | 81 days | AED 0.25 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | 3 Months Plus | AED 29.85 | 123 days | AED 0.24 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |

Bonus Days Value

Each package includes bonus days, which represent additional value:

• 1 Month Plus: 10 bonus days = AED 2.50 additional value
• 2 Months Plus: 21 bonus days = AED 5.25 additional value
• 3 Months Plus: 33 bonus days = AED 8.25 additional value

How Duration Packages Work

Purchase and Application Process

1. During listing creation:

   • Create your listing with all details and photos
   • At the "Review & Publish" step, select a duration package
   • Complete the payment process
   • Your listing will be published with the extended duration

2. For existing listings:

   • Navigate to "My Listings"
   • Select the listing you want to upgrade
   • Click "Upgrade Listing"
   • Choose a duration package
   • Complete the payment process
   • The extended duration will be added to your listing's existing timeline

Visibility and Ranking Benefits

Duration packages provide algorithmic advantages:

• Search Result Placement: Higher positioning in relevant searches
• Browse Page Visibility: Better placement when users browse categories
• Recency Factor: Extended "recently added" benefits
• Page Position: More prominent display on category pages
• Recommendation Engine: Higher likelihood of appearing in "Similar Items" sections

Lifecycle of a Duration Package Listing

Timeline Overview

1. Days 1-10: Maximum visibility as a new listing
2. Days 11-30: Strong visibility with "fresh listing" boost
3. Days 31-40/81/123: Extended visibility when standard listings would have expired
4. Final Week: "Last Chance" notifications to interested buyers

Visibility Graph

Duration packages maintain higher visibility over time compared to standard listings:

• Standard Listings: Visibility peaks in the first week, then gradually declines until expiration at 30 days
• Duration Packages: Maintain stronger visibility throughout their lifecycle, with a slower decline and much longer overall presence

When to Choose Duration Packages

Ideal Scenarios for Duration Packages

Duration packages are particularly valuable for:

1. High-value items where finding the right buyer at the right price is more important than a quick sale
2. Unique or specialty items with a smaller pool of potential buyers
3. Collectibles or rare items that appeal to specific enthusiasts
4. Luxury goods where buyers may take longer to make purchasing decisions
5. Real estate and properties which typically have longer sales cycles
6. Vehicles that may require inspection and consideration by buyers
7. Seasonal items listed outside their peak season

By Item Category

| Category | Recommended Duration Package | Reasoning | |----------|------------------------------|-----------| | Properties | 3 Months Plus | Longest sales cycle, high value | | Vehicles | 2 or 3 Months Plus | Higher value, buyers need time for inspection | | Electronics | 1 Month Plus | Competitive market, faster sales cycle | | Collectibles | 2 Months Plus | Specialized buyers, needs time to find right collector | | Furniture | 1 or 2 Months Plus | Logistics considerations for buyers | | Fashion/Clothing | 1 Month Plus | Faster turnover, seasonal considerations | | Business Equipment | 2 or 3 Months Plus | Specialized buyers, higher values |

By Price Point

As a general guideline:

• Items under AED 500: Free listing or 1 Month Plus if competitive
• Items AED 500-2000: 1 Month Plus
• Items AED 2000-5000: 2 Months Plus
• Items over AED 5000: 3 Months Plus

Maximizing Duration Package Benefits

Listing Optimization Tips

To get the most from your duration package:

1. Complete all information fields to improve search relevance
2. Use all available photo slots with high-quality images
3. Write detailed descriptions with relevant keywords
4. Set competitive prices based on market research
5. Respond quickly to inquiries to maintain engagement
6. Update your listing periodically to refresh its position
7. Consider adding upgrades for additional visibility boosts

Mid-Duration Refresh Strategy

Keep your listing fresh throughout its extended duration:

• After 15-20 days: Add new photos or update existing ones
• After 30 days: Refresh description with new details
• After 45 days: Consider price adjustments if needed
• After 60 days: Add seasonal or timely information if relevant

Combining with Visibility Boosters

For maximum impact, consider adding these promotional features:

| Booster Option | Best Timing | Package Compatibility | |----------------|-------------|------------------------| | Spotlight | First 7 days or after 30 days | All duration packages | | Urgent Tag | When price reduced or last 10 days | All duration packages | | Category Top | First week or during seasonal peaks | Best with 2 or 3 Months Plus | | Homepage Feature | For highest value items only | Best with 3 Months Plus |

Duration Packages vs. Other Options

Duration vs. Free Listings

| Feature | Free Listings | Duration Packages | |---------|--------------|-------------------| | Duration | 30 days | 40-123 days | | Cost | Free | AED 9.95-29.85 | | Visibility | Standard | Enhanced | | Search Ranking | Standard | Boosted | | Renewal Options | Limited (up to 3) | Unlimited | | Best For | Low-value, quick-selling items | Valuable items requiring more exposure |

Duration vs. Bulk Packages

| Feature | Duration Packages | Bulk Packages | |---------|-------------------|---------------| | Focus | Longer listing time | More listings | | Apply To | Single valuable item | Multiple different items | | Duration | 40-123 days per listing | 30 days per listing | | Cost | AED 9.95-29.85 per listing | AED 49.75-199.00 for multiple listings | | Best For | High-value individual items | Multiple items of varying value | | Flexibility | Extended time for one item | List various items when needed |

Renewal and Extension Options

When to Renew

Consider renewing your duration package when:

• You're receiving steady interest but no final offers
• The listing has high view counts but hasn't sold
• There's seasonal demand approaching
• You've recently updated photos or information

Renewal Process

1. Go to "My Listings" > select the listing
2. Click "Renew Listing"
3. Choose either the same duration package or upgrade
4. Complete the payment process
5. Your listing duration will be extended accordingly

Upgrade Paths

You can upgrade from a smaller to a larger duration package:

• 1 Month Plus → 2 Months Plus: Pay the difference (AED 9.95)
• 1 Month Plus → 3 Months Plus: Pay the difference (AED 19.90)
• 2 Months Plus → 3 Months Plus: Pay the difference (AED 9.95)

The additional duration is added to your listing's remaining time.

Monitoring Performance

Key Metrics to Track

Monitor these metrics to evaluate your duration package's performance:

• Views per day: Compare to category averages
• Total inquiries: Track quantity and quality of buyer interest
• Watch/Favorite count: Indicates potential future interest
• Click-through rate: From search results to listing detail
• View-to-inquiry ratio: Conversion from views to communications

Performance Benchmarks

As a general guideline for a well-performing listing:

| Timeline | Expected Views | Expected Inquiries | Action If Below Target | |----------|----------------|--------------------|-----------------------| | First 7 days | 30-50 | 2-5 | Update title and price | | Days 8-30 | 20-40 | 2-3 | Add new photos | | Days 31-60 | 15-30 | 1-2 | Refresh description | | Days 61+ | 10-20 | 1-2 | Consider price adjustment |

Note: Actual benchmarks vary by category and item value

Special Use Cases

For Seasonal Items

When selling seasonal items out of season:

• Choose a longer duration package (2 or 3 Months Plus)
• Time the listing to remain active into the relevant season
• Highlight seasonal relevance in the description

For Collectibles and Rare Items

For items with specialized buyers:

• The 3 Months Plus package provides maximum time to find the right collector
• Focus on detailed, accurate descriptions with all relevant specifications
• Include certification information and authentication details
• Add historical context and provenance where applicable
• Use the extended duration to reach enthusiasts and collectors

For Vehicles and Automotive

When selling vehicles:

• Choose 2 or 3 Months Plus packages based on vehicle value
• Use the extended time to accommodate inspection requests
• Update listing with maintenance records and additional details
• Allow time for financing arrangements by potential buyers
• Consider seasonal factors (convertibles in summer, 4WD in winter)

For Real Estate and Properties

For property listings:

• The 3 Months Plus package is strongly recommended
• Extended duration accommodates the longer decision process
• Allow time for potential buyers to arrange viewings
• Give buyers enough time to secure financing and approvals
• Use the extended visibility to reach more qualified buyers

Price Adjustment Strategies

With duration packages, you have the flexibility to adjust your pricing strategy over time:

Staged Price Reduction

For items that may be initially priced at the higher end:

1. Initial phase (first 30 days): List at your ideal price
2. Mid-duration (days 31-60): Consider 5-10% reduction if no serious offers
3. Final phase (remaining duration): Make final adjustment if needed

Price Justification Timeline

As your listing ages:

1. Start with full details justifying your price
2. Add more value-focused content after the first month
3. Highlight key selling points again after 60 days
4. Consider adding "price reduced" messaging if applicable

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens when my duration package listing expires?
A: When your extended duration ends, the listing will no longer be visible to buyers. You can then choose to renew it with another duration package or let it remain expired.

Q: Can I cancel a duration package after purchase?
A: Once applied to a listing, duration packages cannot be refunded or transferred to other listings.

Q: Do duration packages guarantee my item will sell?
A: While duration packages significantly increase your chances by providing extended visibility, sales depend on multiple factors including price, item condition, and market demand.

Q: Will my listing maintain the same visibility throughout the extended period?
A: Visibility naturally decreases somewhat over time, but duration packages maintain higher visibility than standard listings throughout their lifecycle.

Q: Can I add a duration package to an existing listing?
A: Yes, you can upgrade an existing listing to a duration package at any time.

Q: If my item sells quickly, can I get a refund for the unused duration?
A: Duration packages are non-refundable once activated, regardless of how quickly your item sells.

Q: Does the enhanced visibility apply the entire time or just initially?
A: Enhanced visibility benefits apply throughout the entire duration of your package, though naturally, newer listings will still appear above older ones in the default sort.

Q: Are there any categories where duration packages aren't recommended?
A: Duration packages provide less benefit for very low-value items, trending products with short lifecycles, or time-sensitive offers.

Need More Help?

If you have questions about duration packages or need assistance selecting the right option for your listing, please contact our support team or visit our Help Center for more information.