How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace

More and more people are making their purchases online. This is most true when looking at the newest adult generation, Gen Z. A study found that only 9.6% of people had bought something in a physical store six months prior. And while Millenials, GenX, and Baby Boomers all bought items in a physical store much more often, the trend is clear: retailers must offer their shoppers a great online experience.

Table of Contents

• What Choose Facebook Marketplace?
• What Is Facebook Marketplace?
• What Categories Is Facebook Marketplace Broken Down Into?
• Three Important Considerations with Facebook Marketplace
• What Are the Benefits of Selling on Facebook Marketplace?
• A Guide for How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace
• Facebook Marketplace FAQs
• Facebook Marketplace Rules
• Facebook Marketplace: A Summary

Why Choose Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook is already a critical tool for brands looking to connect with customers. Previously Facebook Marketplace was only available as a peer-to-peer service, but now it has B2C or merchant sellers.

In the fall of 2018, there were already 800 million people using the Marketplace around the world, although it is essential to know that only US merchants can sell on the Marketplace. It’s a huge advantage to use a place where people are already shopping to sell your products.

What Is Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook Marketplace is a platform where consumers can discover, buy and sell items. They can easily find what they are looking for by filtering results by price, location, and type of item.

What Categories Is Facebook Marketplace Broken Down Into?

One of the most important features of using Marketplace for shopping is the filters, and Facebook Marketplace lets people filter results based on pre-selected categories of items. Here are the categories in which items can be listed on Facebook Marketplace:

• Classifieds
• Clothing & Accessories
• Deals
• Electronics
• Entertainment
• Family
• Hobbies
• Home & Garden
• Home Sales
• Rentals
• Vehicles

In addition to filtering results by categories,  buyers can also search for specific items.

Three Important Considerations with Facebook Marketplace

There are some rules you must follow with Facebook Marketplace and strategies that are different from selling in real life. Here are three essential things to keep in mind when using Marketplace.

1. Facebook Marketplace Doesn’t Sync with all eCommerce Platforms: Facebook is partnered with specific eCommerce platforms, including BigCommerce, Shopify, and CommerceHub, amongst others.
2. Marketplace Requires a Lot of Communication with Buyers: It can take sellers some getting used to, but buyers will have lots of questions and raise issues. Customer service is an essential part of running an eCommerce business. To succeed in the Marketplace, strong communication with customers is critical.
3. Facebook Requires Orders to Be Shipped in 3 Days and Received in 7 Days: It is essential to consider this when planning stock.

What Are the Benefits of Selling on Facebook Marketplace?

Not only can selling on Marketplace increase overall sales it can also encourage brand reach in two ways:

1. Simply having products on the Marketplace extends the broad brand reach.
2. Facebook Marketplace provides its customers with personalized service, showing products most relevant to them. This will help the right customers discover you.

A Guide for How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace

There is a difference in how to sell on Marketplace for established eCommerce merchants versus individuals.

For eCommerce Merchants Who Want to Sell on the Marketplace

It’s pretty simple to set up Facebook Marketplace for those who already have an eCommerce presence. It can be done in just 10 minutes.

The first step is ensuring you are ready to sync your store by checking that inventory is up to date and accurate. From there, you go to your eCommerce store’s control panel. From there, you should see an option to sync with Facebook Marketplace if your eCommerce site can sync with Marketplace. Here is a list of those that can:

• BigCommerce.
• ChannelAdvisor
• CommerceHub
• Quip
• ShipStation
• Shopify
• Zentail

From there, you follow the dialog boxes to complete the setup. At this point, you will be put into the Facebook Marketplace review process. This usually takes less than a week, and once completed, you can get selling.

ECommerce merchants on Marketplace are not allowed to sell in all categories; rather, they are limited to:

• Accessories
• Apparel
• Baby & Kids
• Bags & Luggage
• Beauty (Women)
• Home Furnishings

For Individuals Who Want to Sell on the Marketplace

Individuals who’d like to sell in Facebook Marketplace can list items directly from their Facebook Page. This is done by clicking on the storefront logo and then following instructions. Individual sellers may post in all categories.

Facebook Marketplace FAQs

Does It Cost Money to Use Facebook Marketplace?

No, there are listing fees or other charges for the service. Unlike most marketplaces, it is entirely free.

How Do I Download the Marketplace App?

You don’t need to. Facebook Marketplace is built into the Facebook app and available at Facebook.com.

How Can I Increase Sales in the Marketplace?

Here are some tips for creating listings that will attract buyers:

1. Use keywords in the title and description,
2. Writer longer descriptions and include more details.
3. Have a professional photographer take pictures of merchandise for the listing.
4. If you’re taking photos yourself, invest some time in learning techniques like choosing a plain, uncluttered background and including a picture of the item in use.

Facebook Marketplace Rules

To get a complete description of the rules, it’s essential to read the Commerce Policies. This is an in-depth guide to what is allowed and isn’t on Marketplace and in Buy and Sell Groups, Shop Pages and Instagram Shopping.

Some things to know that are banned from being sold on Facebook Marketplace include:

• Adult products or services
• Alcohol
• Animals
• Digital media
• Drugs (including prescription, illegal and recreational)
• Event tickets
• Gift cards
• Healthcare items like thermometers and oximeters
• Tobacco products or paraphernalia
• Weapons, ammunition, or explosives

Another rule to keep in mind is that there must be a physical object that is being sold. The marketplace isn’t for ‘Lost and Found’ notices or selling non-physical items. One must go through one of Facebook’s partners to sell something like housekeeping services.

These might be used to sell harmful ‘weight loss supplements. Facebook requires that the photo and description match the actual item for sale. Also, before and after images are not allowed.

Facebook Marketplace: A Summary

Whatever you’re selling, in today’s world, providing reliable online sales and expanding your brand‘s reach across multiple channels is critical for success. Facebook Marketplace helps to fulfill both needs as it has a huge built-in audience of over 800 million and is easy for anyone to use.