One platform that makes it easy even for small business owners to venture into e-commerce is Facebook Marketplace. In this guide, we help you understand what it is and how to grow your business using the platform.
The Ultimate Guide on How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace:
🏪 What is Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace is a digital marketplace that allows Facebook users aged 18 years and older to buy, sell, and trade items. It was a feature added to the Facebook app in 2016 to enhance the peer-to-peer shopping experience, which was mostly done using Facebook Groups at that time. Today, it has expanded to include merchants selling through Facebook Marketplace for Businesses. Marketplace is used in dozens of countries with over 800 million users each month. It has grown significantly in the past year with more consumers turning to local digital marketplaces to source most of their goods. It has also been attracting sellers of all kinds from big brands, retailers, thrift shops, and independent artisans. Keep in mind, though, that Facebook does not facilitate the transactions on Marketplace. It merely serves as a platform that connects buyers and sellers. The transactions you make through the platform are not legally considered to be Facebook’s responsibility.
➕ Benefits of Using Facebook Marketplace
Free and convenient to use
Selling on Marketplace does not require hefty subscription fees or paid apps. All you need is a Facebook account and a digital device. Apart from the Facebook app, there is no need to download another app or set up a separate account. You can also easily access it on your Android, iPhone, tablet, or desktop.
Extensive product types
You can sell almost anything on Marketplace. There are around 30 different categories for product listings including Clothing & Accessories, Toys & Games, Electronics, Furniture, Home & Garden, Entertainment, and Family. You can even sell cars, other vehicles, and houses. You can also sell both brand-new products and used items in any condition.
Wide customer base
Facebook is currently the biggest social network worldwide. Approximately 2.89 billion people are actively using the platform every month. With around one out of four people using Facebook, you can potentially reach thousands of buyers in your local community alone.
Targeted reach
Facebook personalizes every user’s experience. When users search on Marketplace, it shows them the products most relevant to their search and prioritizes the sellers within their geographical area. Thanks to this system, you can reach your target audience better without having to exert much effort in SEO marketing.
Streamlined platform
Marketplace has made it easy for all users to post product listings and earn through the platform. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to access Marketplace and use it. Even with limited sales and marketing knowledge, you are given vast opportunities to engage with consumers. Everything is simplified from listing products to handling inquiries and completing sales.
🔑 How to Access the Facebook Marketplace
If you have an existing Facebook account, you can access the Marketplace from your app. Just look for the Marketplace icon and tap or click on it. You will find the icon at the bottom on iOS devices and at the top on Android ones. On your web browser, the Marketplace button appears on the left side of the FB page. You can also go directly to https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/ to access it and learn more about its features.
💰 How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace
Selling on Facebook Marketplace is pretty straightforward. You simply need to create a product listing, wait for buyers, reply to their messages, and close a deal. We have made it easier for you by listing all the steps you need for every stage. These steps are specifically for mobile devices but are essentially the same when you are on your desktop.
How to create a product listing
Tap on the Marketplace icon. Tap Create New Listing. Tap Item for Sale. Tap Add Photos. Upload item photos from your phone gallery. Provide product details including the product name, description, category, and price. If you enter 0 for the price, the item will be marked Free. Confirm location. Tap Next. This button will be in gray if you did not fill in all the required product information. Tap Publish. Your item is now posted in your Marketplace listing.
How to edit a product listing
Tap on the Marketplace icon. Tap the profile icon to go to Your Account. Tap on the product listing you want to edit. Tap Edit. Make the necessary changes. Tap Save.
How to mark an item as sold
Tap on the Marketplace icon. Go to Your Account. Go through your listings and look for the product that has been sold. Tap Mark as Sold next to that listing or right below it.
You can also follow the same steps above to Mark as Pending or Mark as Available. Once an item has been marked as sold, the buyer will receive a notification asking them to rate you as a seller. Your rating enhances your reputation so strive to provide the best customer service you can.
How to delete a product listing
Tap on the Marketplace icon. Go to Your Account. Go through your listings and look for the product you want to delete. Tap on the product listing. Tap Delete. Tap Delete again to confirm the removal of the listing.
How to monitor product listings
Tap on the Marketplace icon. Go to Your Account. Check recent activity, product listings, and messages with customers. Track current and past transactions.
To improve seller rating and boost sales, keep track of your listings and transactions. Remove any product listings that are no longer available. Edit those that have changed prices or improve product descriptions to attract more buyers.
How to ship items on Marketplace
Tap on the Marketplace icon. Go to Your Account. Tap Create New Listing. Tap Item for Sale. Add photos, enter product details, and confirm location. Tap Next. Tap Set up Shipping. Enter all required details including legal name, date of birth, mailing address, and bank account. Tap Next. Tap Publish.
Take note that shipping and checkout on Marketplace are limited to select countries. The shipping option will not appear on your account if the feature is not available in your country.
💡 Nifty Tips to Reach Users and Boost Sales
While there are billions of consumers on Facebook, there are also millions of people selling various items through it. To stand out from the stiff competition, you must make your product listings catchy and enticing. Here are some tips that can help you reach more users and boost sales.
Stay on top of trends.
Earn more by selling popular items. Check the news feed to see what users are talking about. You’ll get an idea of what items are in high demand and likely to sell like hotcakes. Anticipate seasonal trends and be the first one to offer products for the next season.
Use your own images.
It may be more convenient to use photos from another website, but this may affect your credibility as a seller. Most buyers search online before making a purchase, so chances are high for them to encounter the original photo from another site. Make sure to take your own photos of the products you are selling. Be creative so it stands out from the search list. Take clear shots and provide several images to showcase product features. If you are selling a used product, include shots of stains, tears, or defects for transparency.
Provide detailed descriptions.
Marketplace does not require descriptions, but providing specific details nudges customers down the sales funnel. It builds trust in you as a seller and helps customers manage their expectations. Add important details that highlight unique features and be transparent on an item’s condition. Describe any signs of wear and tear or defects.
Set the right price.
Make your product sell faster by pricing it right. You can do quick market research to see how much similar products are selling. It doesn’t have to be comprehensive research if you are just selling as a hobby or to declutter. You just need to get an idea so you can provide a fair price. Facebook also shows similar items when you create a list. Make sure you price your item within the same range as the ones on the list.
Mark items appropriately.
Mark your item as sold, pending, or available. Mark it as sold to keep it from appearing on search lists. Consumers do not like their time being wasted on inquiring on a listing that is no longer available. If you are in the middle of negotiating a deal, mark it as pending to hold inquiries from other customers. If a pending transaction doesn’t push through, change the status to available again.
Respond to messages.
Whether you are selling as a hobby or as a business owner, respond immediately to product inquiries. Be professional in your response to gain customer trust. Remember that you also get rated on response time as a seller on Facebook Marketplace.
Use secure payment methods.
All transactions on Marketplace are beyond Facebook’s legal accountability. It is up to you to ensure the safety of both you and your customers. Using secure payment methods such as cash, PayPal, or Facebook Pay also improves your trustworthiness and will earn you more customers.
✔️How to keep safe as a seller on Facebook Marketplace
In most countries, Facebook Marketplace merely acts as a platform that connects buyers and sellers. All transactions are done outside the platform. You have to handle payments and shipping on your own. This poses a risk to both buyers and sellers. So, you must exercise due diligence to keep safe from unscrupulous people.
Check the buyer’s profile and rating before agreeing to meet them. Be wary of buyers who do not have real photos of themselves on their profile or page. Set your meeting during the day and in a public area. Choose a location with plenty of people such as malls, police stations, or shopping centers. Bring a counterfeit money detector if you are receiving payment in cash. For completely online transactions, protect your privacy by providing only essential information. Never give your bank account login info, answers to security questions, and other such details. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, do not push through with the sale. Stop all communication with anyone who sounds suspicious.
📈 A Continuously Evolving Channel for Growth
Facebook Marketplace has grown steadily since it was first launched in 2016. New features are constantly added to help the platform evolve and meet changing consumer needs. This provides everyone a great opportunity to sell products for financial growth. You can leverage this platform to make money from what you already have at home or to grow your own business. Familiarize yourself with how the system works to optimize your growth potential. Facebook screens listings before they are posted. Aside from prohibited goods, product listings where the photos and descriptions do not match will also not be allowed. Go to https://www.facebook.com/policies_center/commerce to view the complete list of prohibited and restricted items and learn more about Facebook’s policies.
