Want to sell items on Facebook but unsure of where to start? Learn how to start on Facebook, including best practices and tips for success.
Want to sell items on Facebook but unsure of where to start? You’re not alone; many struggle with the same predicament.
I’ve been in your shoes years ago before I mastered the art of selling on Facebook—and I’m here to show you how.
Facebook is one of the largest social media platforms in the world, with nearly 40% of the population using Facebook at least once a week.
With such a large market, it’s only natural to want to try your luck selling your items in the hundred of marketplaces it offers.
Luckily, selling on Facebook is a simple affair. This article shows you how to sell on Facebook, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.
With nearly 3 billion monthly active users, Facebook is an excellent medium to reach your target audience and build a brand.
Here are some reasons why you should consider selling on Facebook:
Despite its perks, Facebook has its fair share of disadvantages and problems. These include:
Anyone and everyone can make a Facebook profile, which can raise safety concerns for sellers. Facebook doesn’t vet buyers, so you can never rule out the possibility of getting scammed.
Fraudulent buyers scam sellers with three primary methods: a verification code, a prepaid shipping label, or an overpayment.
In the first scam, buyers ask you to send a text to arrange an item pickup. The scammer will register your phone number in Google Voice, triggering a verification code sent to your phone.
The scammer will ask you to send the code back to “verify” that you’re a real person and not a bot. In reality, they’re doing this to create a Google Voice number under your name, which can result in identity fraud.
Similarly, beware of buyers asking you to provide them with a prepaid shipping label.
The buyer can request to have the item sent to a different address and claim that the package was never received, forcing you to either send another item or ask for a refund.
As for the overpayment scam, the buyer would send you more than you requested and ask for the extra money back. In such cases, the buyer would use a stolen card or a counterfeit check.
When the bank catches up, they’ll reverse the payment process—taking back the original payment and the “overpayment.” At this point, you’ll have already sent the items.
The advantage of running your own website is that you can sell whatever you want as long as it’s not illegal. Facebook doesn’t give you the same leniency. Here’s a list of products that you can’t sell on Facebook:
Like most websites, illegal products and services aren’t allowed. Counterfeit products, adult products, offensive products, and gambling services may get you banned from the site.
With millions of people using Facebook as a marketing platform, the competition is fierce.
Gaining a loyal audience isn’t as easy as, say, Instagram, YouTube, or Twitter, where customers can regularly tune in to your account and purchase items.
If you’re not an established brand, you may find it difficult to earn a following. Recognition takes time and effort, and Facebook makes it even harder by putting you in an unstable selling environment.
Here’s what you need to get started on Facebook selling:
Here are the top-selling product categories on the Facebook sell space:
Furniture and appliances are in high demand on Facebook marketplaces. Buyers opting to renovate their house with new furniture or replace an old appliance will come to Facebook to snag a good deal.
Whether it’s rugs, couches, or vintage items, you’re spoiled for choice. Just make sure the items you’re selling are functional and clean.
New furniture can cost an arm and a leg, so homeowners often opt for nearly new or gently-used second-hand items when renovating their homes.
They won’t need to empty their pockets for name-brand household items and you’ll be able to sell your unwanted items. It’s a win-win!
Women’s, men’s, and kids’ clothing sell like hotcakes on Facebook Marketplace.
Buyers can use keywords to find specific items or browse through second-hand clothing pages in search of a brand-name item.
This approach lets you sell your old clothing, thrift shop finds, vintage clothes, or upcycled items.
Those who constantly switch up their fashion style are always on the lookout for clothes to try out. Young shoppers in particular are constantly searching for unique pieces and inspiring looks to stand out from the rest.
The most commonly bought clothing items on the Facebook marketplace include:
If you’re good with technology and fixing up old appliances, you might find it advantageous to sell electronic appliances on Facebook, second-hand or otherwise.
Electronic devices are expensive, so finding a fully-functional item at nearly half the price is a deal that many people can’t pass up.
Selling used or barely-used electronics and household appliances allows you to get rid of the item you’re no longer using and make a profit out of it.
You can also purchase faulty electronics for a reduced price, fix it up, and sell it for a profit. Just make sure to purchase gadgets that hold up their value over time.
Here are the best electronic items/appliances to sell:
The profitability of reselling electronic items depends on the product’s demand, condition, and market value.
With enough planning and research, selling electronics can be an excellent way to earn extra cash.
Ready to earn big money by selling items on Facebook? Follow these steps:
There are dozens of ways to sell on Facebook, but the most common is through Facebook Marketplace, Facebook shops, and Buy and Sell Groups.
Facebook shops are suitable for small-business owners looking to build an audience and sell non-physical items.
Business owners can use their Facebook business page to grow their brand, boost sales, and advertise their products without the fear of getting buried amongst other ads.
Facebook Marketplace is much like Craigslist, with users posting classified ads and person-to-person exchanges of products and payments. It also offers on-site checkout and shipping options to accommodate sellers and small businesses.
Buy and Sell Groups are for those that target a niche audience. These groups can be a good way to build your brand on a local level.
Once you’ve decided where you want to post your items, it’s time to polish your picture-taking skills.
Showcasing high-quality photos significantly increases your chance of getting sales.
Remember: customers are drawn to images first and text second. If the photo you posted catches their interest, they’ll read the description and perhaps even inquire about a price.
The photo must appear professional and show enough details to effectively sell your product. People have limited time and patience to read text or product descriptions, so you need to let the photo do all the talking for you.
If you want to use Facebook Marketplace to sell your products, click the Marketplace button on the Facebook menu and click Create New Listing.
From there, you’ll be given three options: Items for Sale, Vehicle for Sale, or Home for Sale/Rent. Select Items for Sale.
Fill out the listing information, making sure you add a high-quality photo and an engaging product description.
It’s also wise to note down the condition of the product (new, nearly new, gently used, used), the price, and any other additional details like SKU, brand, or product tags.
Click next, then post.
To sell through a Facebook shop, you’ll first need to create a Facebook Business page. You can either create an entirely separate account or connect it to your personal Facebook page.
Add a Shop section to the page, create a catalog, and set your shipping and returns policy.
Selling through Facebook Buy and Sell is much like selling in Facebook Marketplace but without an integrated checkout or delivery system.
Join the group you want to sell in and click Sell Something at the top of the page. Post your photo, description, and price, then press Publish.
Before selling on Facebook, consider the following factors:
Selling on Facebook comes at the low price of $0 if you handle shipping yourself. If you decide to use Facebook Marketplace’s shipping, you’ll need to pay a fee of 5% per shipment or a flat fee of $0.40 for items less than $8.
Absolutely! Selling on Facebook is cheap and easy. It’s one of the best platforms to sell your products to a large audience.
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There you have it; our guide on how to sell on Facebook! Facebook houses one of the biggest marketplaces in the world, receiving millions of visitors each month.
With the right strategy, you could potentially earn thousands of dollars by selling new, nearly new, or used products.
We hope you found this article informative. If you have, why not give it a share? Thank you, and good luck!
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