Am I right in remembering that you used to be able to evolve your pokemon through the GTS? If you put up a Machoke, and then cancel the trade, it would evolve just like if you had traded with a friend.
Has that glitch been fixed? I tried to do it with a couple of pokes, but it didn't do anything...
You did it wrong. After you put up Machoke for a trade, you have to search for someone that is looking for a trade. After you trade with some random person, then take back the Machoke you put up for offer earlier and it will evolve.