The Facebook app connects millions of people looking to buy and sell items in a safe and easy manner. Plus, if you already have a Facebook account, you can promote your Facebook Marketplace offerings through organic posts or
paid ads.
In this blog post, we'll explain how to sell on Facebook Marketplace as a business owner.
What is Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace is a platform for Facebook users to sell a variety of products to interested buyers.
Typically, its used by real estate professionals, automotive providers, and retail or eCommerce businesses. If you don’t have a Facebook business account, you'll need to create one to sell items on Facebook Marketplace.
The Pros of Facebook Marketplace:
A few of the most noteworthy advantages of Facebook Marketplace include:
Facebook has over 2.7 billion monthly active users and is the largest social media outlet. If you sell items on Facebook Marketplace, you can take advantage of its unparalleled reach.
With Facebook Marketplace, you can quickly list items for sale on a desktop device or even the mobile app.
- Easy Way to Test Products
If you have new products you'd like to advertise, you can test them out on Facebook Marketplace. If the marketplace listing sells out, you can renew your listing, in addition to selling the items on other platforms.
The Cons of Facebook Marketplace:
Facebook Marketplace comes with a few drawbacks such as:
If you sell multiple copies of the same item, you’ll have to create individual listings for each item. This takes time, especially if you have many of the same items to list.
Unfortunately, Facebook charges sellers fees after each sale they make.
After each sale, Facebook
deducts a 5% selling fee or a $0.40 flat fee if the sale is $8 or less. Unfortunately, these fees can add up very quickly if your products come with low profit margins.
Facebook requires that all sellers
ship orders within 3 business days or the handling time outlined. You’ll need to provide shipping updates on all of your orders. In some cases, you may be able to provide local delivery if you sell to patrons in your community.
How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace:
There are many ways to increase your chances of successfully selling items on Facebook Marketplace. Here are the top tips and tricks that Facebook buyers and sellers recommend:
1. Conduct Research
Before you start selling items on Facebook, you should take time to conduct market research. By doing this, you can understand what potential buyers might be interested in.
First, find out if there are similar products being sold on Facebook Marketplace. If so, determine how your items are different and whether there’s enough demand for them. Also, review how similar products are priced and described.
Ideally, you should price your products a bit lower than competitors or make it clear why your items are worth more. By conducting this research before pricing your items and writing product descriptions, you can give yourself an edge from the start.
2. Use Professional Photos
Most Facebook users will focus on the photos you post, so you should provide high-quality photos that pique buyers’ interest. By including blurry photos from your camera roll, you may not attract interested customers.
In addition, include numerous photos that showcase a variety of colors, product features, and size variations. You may also want to include photos of your item being used or photos from happy customers.
3. Be Strategic with Your Listing Strategy
First and foremost, make sure your product is listed in the right category so that the ideal users find them. You should also use
SEO keywords in the description and clearly convey your keywords. If you need some inspiration, look at similar listings to help you get started. Once you write your listing, be sure to proofread it prior to promoting it.
4. Respond Promptly
When you use Facebook Marketplace to sell your business products, users can contact you directly via the Facebook Messenger app.
Using Facebook Messenger, you can chat with potential customers in real-time. For this reason, you should respond to messages as soon as possible. If you don't respond in a timely manner, they may lose interest and turn to a competitor.
5. Create a Return Policy
Facebook will give you the freedom to
design your own return policy. Once you create one, list it on your Facebook business page so that potential customers know what to expect. Remember that issues with returns can lead to dissatisfied customers and hinder your reputation on Facebook and other platforms.
6. Participate in Relevant Buy and Sell Groups
There are likely many Facebook groups that your target audience actively engages with. To publicize your listings, you may want to participate in these groups.
For example, if you sell baby clothing, joining groups for pregnant women can help you reach your ideal customer base.
Conclusion: Consider Facebook Marketplace for Your Business
If you own a small business, you have nothing to lose with Facebook Marketplace. It’s an effective, affordable platform that you can try out for several months. If you find that you aren’t earning consistent sales, you can always move on to other platforms in the future.
Editor’s Note: This post was updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in March 2022.