As the world becomes more digital, people start selling goods online. Facebook Marketplace is an excellent platform for selling products as a business or reselling items on a personal level. But is Facebook Marketplace a good place to sell?
To answer that nerve-racking question, we’ll provide the details regarding the following key points:
- How does Facebook Marketplace work & its pros and cons;
- The In-Depth Facebook Marketplace reviews;
- How to sell stuff on Facebook Marketplace;
- And tips to sell things on Facebook.
Let’s get the ball rolling!
What is Facebook Marketplace?
To begin with, please notice that there are differences between Facebook Shop vs Marketplace. Facebook Marketplace is an expanded feature of the eponymous social media platform that enables everyone to find, buy and sell products. Moreover, the marketplace gives e-sellers access to other eCommerce capabilities, such as:
- Starting ad campaigns: Promoting your items on Facebook Marketplace can help your online business to reach more shoppers. Even if your company does not directly list on Marketplace, you may still use the ad tools and display items there.
- Improving buyers’ experience: Selling on Marketplace may assist retailers in maintaining the connection with their audience as a social media account. Besides, Facebook Marketplace also provides dynamic purchasing experiences for people living in the same area.
As mentioned, the marketplace is ideal for everyone to make money online. Especially you will make a fortune with Facebook Marketplace if you are in a group of:
- Active social media users;
- New online sellers;
- eCommerce enthusiasts who are expanding their business to multichannel.
To find out why selling on Facebook Marketplace is tempting, especially for the mentioned group of merchants, continue to read more Facebook Marketplace reviews in the next parts.
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Pros And Cons of Facebook Marketplace
The advantages
Facebook Marketplace has developed into a viable retailing platform alternative. It is able to do so largely due to the following advantages.
Firstly, Facebook Marketplace is free to use. Anyone with an active Facebook account can start a boutique on Facebook Marketplace with no hidden fees. Even a starter with a small budget can easily list items, launch promotion campaigns, and earn money.
One of the benefits of using Facebook Marketplace is the ability to buy and sell items both locally and nationally. If you have unwanted items to sell, you can reach a wider audience beyond your immediate community. By listing your items on Facebook Marketplace, you can tap into a massive network of potential buyers across the country.
Additionally, Facebook Marketplace offers a user-friendly platform that makes it easy to list and sell items. You don’t need any special technical skills or knowledge to get started. Simply take a picture of the item you want to sell, write a description, set a price, and you’re ready to go.
Speaking of advantages, the marketplace also helps merchants deliver unique shopping experiences to buyers. Sellers and customers can connect with each other via Messenger. As a result, it is easy for an active Facebook seller to improve engagement and trust.
Besides, Facebook Marketplace has excellent customizing capabilities. With the help of a smart algorithm, the platform distributes relevant products to consumers due to their search patterns, helping new businesses find the right customers and earn sales quickly.
You might want to check out the best selling items on Facebook marketplace.
The disadvantages
Although the marketplace has several merits to offer, there are still some drawbacks that can be obstacles for sellers, which is also discussed in our honest Facebook Marketplace reviews below.
The first disadvantage of using Facebook Marketplace is the lack of buyer and seller protection. Unlike other eCommerce platforms, Facebook Marketplace does not offer any guarantees or warranties on the items being sold. This can lead to scams or fraudulent transactions, which can be difficult to resolve.
Another disadvantage is the limited payment options. Facebook Marketplace only allows for payments through its own platform, which can be inconvenient for some buyers and sellers who prefer other payment methods, such as PayPal.
Lastly, because Facebook Marketplace is integrated with the larger Facebook platform, it can be distracting and time-consuming to generate sales. Buyers and sellers may find themselves scrolling through their newsfeeds or getting sidetracked by notifications, which can detract from the shopping experience.
The In-Depth Facebook Marketplace Reviews
#1. Selling Fees
When compared to other leading online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay or Etsy, Facebook Marketplace is a lucrative selling platform for newcomers in terms of selling fees.
The platform will not charge you until customers buy something. If an order is placed, the marketplace will subtract it from your payout automatically. In particular, you must pay:
- Selling fee of 5% per shipment;
- Or a flat fee of $0.40 per shipment under $8.
The Facebook Marketplace fees include taxes and the cost of payment processing. It applies to all checkout transactions for all product categories on Facebook and helps fund other programs for a better buying and selling experience.
You might also want to check out our detailed review about the Etsy marketplace!
#2. Shipping & Fulfilment
When selling on Facebook Marketplace, besides the local pick-up option, merchants can choose Facebook Marketplace Shipping. However, it’s worth noticing that Facebook Marketplace Shipping is currently available in the US only.
Facebook Marketplace Shipping offers a comprehensive service that enables you to choose between two options:
- Use your own shipping method: With this option, you will need to provide the shipping rate and tracking information from your preferred delivery provider. This way, buyers will be informed about the shipping costs specified in the listing and the delivery status;
- Use a prepaid shipping label: Facebook will provide you with the shipping label, and all you need to do is fill in some information. This includes the weight of the package and the chosen shipping carrier from the drop-down menu.
#3. Payment options
Compared to alternatives to Facebook Marketplaces, this social commerce platform offers sellers two payment options, including offline and online.
The marketplace is designed more for local shopping. Therefore, receiving cash offline is ideal for sellers.
On the other hand, you can offer online payment via credit, debit card, or PayPal. It is important to note that there are no fees for transactions made with PayPal or a debit card. However, if you choose to accept credit card payments, there will be a fee associated with each transaction.
#4. Promotion and marketing
Facebook Marketplace offers a variety of promotion and marketing tools to help sellers increase their visibility and attract more buyers.
One of the most effective ways to promote your products is to use Facebook Ads. These ads allow you to target specific audiences based on factors such as age, location, interests, and behavior. Hence, you can increase the chances of making sales.
Other than Facebook Marketplace Ads, you can also promote your products on your Facebook page and in Facebook groups. This can be a great way to reach people who are already interested in your products or who are part of your target audience. By sharing posts, including images, videos, and helpful information, you can drive more traffic to your listings.
Facebook Marketplace also allows sellers to offer discounts and promotions. Buyers can redeem a specific percentage of the total cost of their purchase. This can be a great way to incentivize people to buy your products.
Lastly, Facebook Marketplace offers a feature called Insights, which provides sellers with valuable data on their listings. You can see how many views your listings get, how many people click on them, and how many people message you about them. This data can help you make informed decisions about your marketing and promotion strategies and improve your overall selling experience.
#5. Facebook Marketplace support
The last but not least point we want to discuss in these Facebook Marketplace reviews is seller support. The marketplace provides various support options for buyers and sellers who need assistance. You can access the Facebook Marketplace Help Center, which provides answers to frequently asked questions and troubleshooting guides.
In addition to the Help Center, there are many dedicated community groups merchants can ask questions, share tips, and connect with other users. These forums are great resources for getting advice on how to optimize listings, troubleshoot technical issues, and learn more about how to sell things on Facebook Marketplace effectively.
How To Sell on Facebook Marketplace?
The procedure is straightforward to follow. You will go through some steps:
- If you already have an active Facebook account, go to the Facebook Marketplace tab on the left-hand sidebar of your newsfeed.
- Then, choose the Create new listing button.
- The system will navigate you to the Choose Listing Type page. From here, choose the type of products you want to put on the market.
- From here, you must fill in some required information about your items, such as Title, Price, Categories, and Condition. Additionally, you can include further descriptions, photos, and videos.
- The preview window is also available, so you can check what your listing looks like before going live.
- When you are done, choose the Publish button.
Tips To Sell On Facebook Marketplace
In our Facebook Marketplace reviews, we also provide some tips so that you can improve your listings and stand out among other sellers.
#1. Don’t sell prohibited items
Facebook Marketplace has several rules and conditions to protect sellers and buyers. It’s important to strictly follow these rules, which include what can not be sold on this marketplace. Otherwise, you may result in various consequences. These include removal of listings and other content, rejection of product tags, or suspension or termination of access to any or all Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp commerce surfaces or features.
The list of prohibited items is:
- Digital products or subscriptions;
- Weapons, ammunition, or explosives;
- Animals;
- Illegal, prescription, or recreational drugs;
- Medical or healthcare products;
- Tobacco products and related paraphernalia;
- Ingestible supplements;
- Adult products, and services;
- Real money gambling services;
- Real, virtual, or fake currency;
- Misleading, deceptive, or offensive items;
- Recalled products.
#2. Set competitive prices
Before you set a price for your products, let’s look through similar listings. You should make sure your pricing isn’t too high (or too low) in comparison to the current market price, then establish a fair price to guarantee your things sell quickly.
The state of your item can determine the fair price. You can set a higher price if it is brand new or of greater quality than similar listings. If it’s used or lacks a component, selling it cheaper than similar items will help it stand out.
#3. Take excellent images
People are more likely to purchase as they get to see what the products truly look like. Sellers should ensure the photographs are of good quality by:
- Using natural light is a simple approach to acquire good photos which can represent your items the best;
- Shooting images from various aspects to provide a comprehensive picture to potential purchasers.
#4. Use search tags
You can improve search engine optimization (SEO) using search tags. Every Facebook Marketplace listing form has a tag field. A listing may have up to 20 search tags. Therefore, don’t forget to fill the tag field with keywords that a buyer would use to browse items they want.
You might also want to read about Google Shopping reviews to gain insights into customer perspectives and improving your product offerings.
Facebook Marketplace Reviews: FAQs
- Does Facebook Marketplace charge fees?
Facebook Marketplace does not charge any listing fees. Therefore, it’s free to start selling on this marketplace. However, the platform will charge when customers buy something. If an order is placed, the marketplace will subtract it from your payout automatically. In particular, you must pay:
- Selling fee of 5% per shipment;
- Or a flat fee of $0.40 per shipment under $8.
Moreover, if you choose to promote your listing using Facebook Marketplace ads, you may have to pay for those services.
- What are alternatives to Facebook Marketplace?
There are several Facebook alternatives that you can consider, such as eBay, Walmart Marketplace, Etsy, and Craigslist. Each of these platforms has its own unique features, benefits, and drawbacks, so it’s worth exploring them to see which one suits your needs the best.
- What are the best things to sell on Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace has not developed built-in tools or published original reports to suggest best selling items yet. However, based on the marketplace’s features, here is the list of best selling items on Facebook Marketplace:
- Vintage furniture;
- Fashion apparel;
- Books;
- Sports equipment;
- Gardening tools;
- Toys;
- Technology devices;
- Instruments;
- Industrial tools;
- Collectibles.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, while Facebook Marketplace presents some challenges, it also has several benefits for sellers. With its large user base and unique features, Facebook Marketplace is an ideal platform for reaching potential customers and growing an online business.
Overall, it is also important for sellers to carefully consider their goals and strategies before using Facebook Marketplace. We hope that these Facebook Marketplace reviews can provide you with the right approach.
If you want to further expand your online business by selling multichannel, send us a message. We will help you extend your selling site into well-known eCommerce marketplaces quickly.
To assist you more on the journey to a 6-figure business, we also offer additional eCommerce knowledge, insights, sharing, and guides on our seller community. Check it out!
