The average Facebook user spends 57 minutes on the site each day. Even though the under-30 crowd is moving away from Facebook, more of the over-50 demographic is becoming more active.
This makes it a great platform for selling.
Consumers are buying products from all across the web, not just Amazon or eBay.
If you can sell on Facebook you can expand your sales reach or e-commerce business in ways you can’t by sticking with just one or a couple platforms.
Table of Contents
The History of Selling on Facebook
Facebook has long been a place where people connect with friends and family.
It’s also a place where they share their interests, read the news, and most importantly for businesses–shop.
That last part is what has changed the most in recent years.
Business pages started way back in 2007.
In 2012, Facebook introduced Timeline for Pages.
This allowed businesses to have a more robust presence on the site and include features such as e-commerce tabs, apps, and services.
The goal was to make it easier for companies to connect with potential customers and sell their products or services.
It quickly became apparent that Facebook was turning into a powerful selling tool.
A study by Visual Objects found that nearly 60% of social media users said they had bought something because of something they saw on a social media site.
Of those people, Facebook was the platform where they were most likely to make a purchase.
In 2015, Facebook took things a step further by introducing the Buy button.
This allowed businesses to add a “buy” call-to-action (CTA) to their posts and ads.
The goal was to make it even easier for people to buy products from businesses on Facebook.
The button appears as a small icon next to the Like and Share buttons.
Clicking on it takes you to a page where you can enter your payment information and shipping address.
Once you’ve completed the purchase, you’ll receive a confirmation from Facebook.
The Buy button is available to businesses in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
If you’re in one of those countries, you can start using the Buy button to sell products on Facebook.
How to Sell on Facebook
Now that you know a little bit about the history of selling on Facebook, let’s dive into how you can do it.
#1 Select your Physical Products
Products have to be physical. So you cannot sell ebooks or services when it comes to Facebook sales.
The first thing you need to do is take a look at the products you have and decide which ones would be best to sell on Facebook.
You’ll also want to consider how much each product costs and how much profit you’re hoping to make from each sale.
It’s important to remember that shipping costs will eat into your profits, so make sure to factor that in when making your decisions.
Once you’ve selected your products, it’s time to start setting up your Facebook shop.
#2 Set up Your Shop
The first step is to create a business page on Facebook if you don’t already have one.
Then, you need to add the ShopTab app to your page.
This app will allow you to turn your page into an online store.
Once you’ve installed the app, you’ll be able to start adding products to your shop.
To do this, click on the “Add Products” button and start filling in the necessary information.
You’ll need to include things like the product name, price, description, and photos.
Make sure to fill out all of the fields completely and accurately.
If you make a mistake or want to change something later, you can always edit the product listing.
Once you’re done adding all of your products, it’s time to start promoting your Facebook shop.
#4 Upload Your Products
The next step is to upload your products to your shop.
To do this, click on the “Upload Products” button and start filling in the necessary information.
You’ll need to include things like the product name, price, description, and photos.
Make sure to fill out all of the fields completely and accurately.
If you make a mistake or want to change something later, you can always edit the product listing.
Once you’re done adding all of your products, it’s time to start promoting your Facebook shop.
Facebook charges a 5% selling fee for each transaction, so price your products with this extra cost in mind.
#5 Start Promoting Your Shop
The best way to promote your Facebook shop is by using Facebook ads.
You can create ads that target people who are interested in the type of products you’re selling.
You can also use Facebook’s powerful targeting options to make sure your ads are being seen by the right people.
When creating your ads, make sure to include a call-to-action (CTA) that tells people to visit your shop.
You can also promote your shop organically by sharing your products on your business page and in relevant Facebook groups.
Make sure to post high-quality photos and videos, and write engaging descriptions.
If you do it right, people will be intrigued enough to click through to your shop and check out what you have to offer.
Selling on Facebook can be a great way to boost your sales and reach.
How to Sell on the Facebook Marketplace
The Facebook Marketplace is a great place to sell products and reach new customers.
#1 Create a Listing
To start selling on the Marketplace, you first need to create a listing.
To do this, click on the “Sell” button at the top of the Marketplace homepage.
Then, start filling in the necessary information about your product.
You’ll need to include things like the product name, price, description, and photos.
Make sure to fill out all of the fields completely and accurately.
If you make a mistake or want to change something later, you can always edit the product listing.
#2 Check your privacy settings
When you sell to strangers, it’s a good idea to check your settings to make sure you’re comfortable with who can see your information.
To do this, click on the “Settings” button at the top of the Marketplace homepage.
Then, click on the “Privacy” tab and adjust your settings as necessary.
#3 Complete the sale
Once you’ve found a buyer for your product, it’s time to complete the sale.
To do this, click on the “Sold” button at the top of the listing page.
Then, select how you want to complete the sale.
You can choose to meet in person, ship the item, or pick up the item.
If you choose to meet in person, make sure to meet in a public place and take someone with you for safety.
If you choose to ship the item, be sure to package it well and get insurance in case it gets lost or damaged in transit.
Once the sale is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation from Facebook.
Selling on the Facebook Marketplace is a great way to reach new customers and boost your sales.
By following these tips, you can make sure that your experience is positive and successful.
Selling on Facebook Groups
Facebook groups are a great place to sell products and reach new customers.
There are many different types of groups, so you can find ones that are relevant to the products you’re selling.
To get started, click on the “Groups” tab at the top of your Facebook homepage.
Then, type in keywords related to the products you’re selling.
For example, if you’re selling kitchen supplies, you could search for “cooking,” “baking,” or “kitchen.”
You can also browse through the different group categories to find relevant groups.
Once you’ve found a few groups that look promising, it’s time to start posting your listings.
When creating your listings, make sure to include high-quality photos, an engaging description, and a CTA.
You can also offer discounts or promotions to encourage people to buy from you.
Once you’ve made a sale, be sure to follow up with the buyer and ship the product promptly.
Selling on Facebook groups is a great way to reach new customers and boost your sales.
By following these tips, you can make sure that your experience is positive and successful.
Facebook Live Auctions
Facebook live auctions are a great way to sell products and reach new customers.
To get started, click on the “Live” tab at the top of your Facebook homepage.
Then, select “Create Live Auction.”
You’ll be prompted to enter some basic information about your auction, such as the product name, description, starting price, and duration.
You can also choose to add a photo or video to your auction.
Once you’ve created your auction, it’s time to start promoting it.
You can promote your auction by sharing it on your timeline or in relevant Facebook groups.
You can also invite friends and family to participate.
When the auction starts, be sure to interact with participants and answer any questions they have.
After the auction ends, follow up with the winning bidder and arrange for payment and shipping.
Selling through Facebook live auctions is a great way to reach new customers and boost your sales.
By following these tips, you can make sure that your experience is positive and successful.
Selling Via Manual Entry and Direct Sales
If you have a large inventory of products, you may want to consider selling via manual entry or direct sales.
With manual entry, you’ll need to create a listing for each product you want to sell.
To do this, click on the “Sell” button at the top of the Marketplace homepage.
Then, select “Create Listing.”
You’ll be prompted to enter some basic information about your product, such as the name, description, price, and photo.
Once you’ve created your listing, it will appear in the Marketplace.
People who are interested in your product will be able to contact you directly to make a purchase.
With direct sales, you’ll need to contact potential customers directly and arrange for payment and shipping.
If you have a large inventory of products, selling via manual entry or direct sales may be the best option for you.
Managing Customer Relationships
It’s important to manage customer relationships when selling on the Facebook Marketplace.
To do this, you’ll need to respond to messages promptly and keep buyers updated on the status of their orders.
You should also take the time to thank buyers for their business.
Whenever possible, try to go above and beyond to exceed buyer expectations.
By providing great customer service, you can build strong relationships with your customers and encourage them to buy from you again in the future.
How to Promote Your Products on Facebook
There are a few ways to promote your products on Facebook.
#1 Organic Listings
Organic posts are the easiest way to promote your products on Facebook.
To do this, simply create a post featuring your product and include a link to where it can be purchased.
You can also include a photo or video with your post.
Be sure to use relevant hashtags and target your audience appropriately.
Organic posts are a great way to reach new customers and boost your sales.
#2 Sponsored Posts (Facebook Ads)
Sponsored posts are another great way to promote your products on Facebook.
With sponsored posts, you can choose to target specific demographics, interests, and even behaviors.
This ensures that your ad is seen by people who are most likely to be interested in what you’re selling.
Sponsored posts are a great way to reach new customers and boost sales.
#3 Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is a way to do customer service and marketing at the same time.
With Facebook Messenger, you can answer customer questions, provide product information, and even make sales.
Facebook Messenger is a great way to reach new customers and boost your sales.
Additional Selling Channels
There are also other selling channels available to you.
#1 Instagram Shopping
Instagram is a picture-first social media platform with over 1 billion monthly users.
With Instagram Shopping, you can tag products in your posts and stories, making it easy for customers to find out more information and purchase your products.
Instagram Shopping is a great way to reach new customers and boost your sales.
Related: How to Make Money on Instagram
#2 eBay
eBay is an online marketplace where you can list your products for sale.
eBay is a great way to reach new customers and boost your sales.
#3 Amazon
Amazon is the most popular e-commerce company in the US and many other parts of the globe.
Amazon is a great way to reach new customers and boost your sales.
#4 Craigslist
Craigslist is a free, local marketplace that lets you sell all sorts of new and used items.
Related: Facebook Marketplace vs. Craigslist
#5 Your own e-commerce platform
If you use Shopify or set up an e-commerce site through WordPress, you can sell your products directly to customers.
E-commerce platforms are a great way to reach new customers and boost your sales.
How to Sell Anything on Facebook and Instagram | 4Ds Consultation with Gary Vaynerchuk
How to Sell on Facebook – FAQs
What is the best way to sell on Facebook?
The best way to sell on Facebook depends on your product and your audience.
If you have a large inventory of products, selling via manual entry or direct sales may be the best option for you.
For smaller inventories, listing your products in the Marketplace may be the best option.
Can I use Facebook to sell my products internationally?
Yes, you can use Facebook to sell your products internationally.
To do this, simply create a post featuring your product and include a link to where it can be purchased.
You can also include a photo or video with your post.
Be sure to use relevant hashtags and target your audience appropriately.
Does Facebook charge fees for selling?
It depends on where you sell it. Selling physical products through Facebook Business will cost 5% in transaction fees.
Can I use Facebook to sell digital products?
Yes, you can use Facebook to sell digital products.
To do this, simply create a post featuring your product and include a link to where it can be purchased.
You can also include a photo or video with your post.
Be sure to use relevant hashtags and target your audience appropriately.
But you can’t sell digital products on Facebook Business.
Do you have to pay tax if you sell on Facebook?
Facebook will collect the simplified sellers use tax at a flat 8% tax rate.
Is selling personal items considered income?
Yes, selling personal items is considered income. If you make a profit from selling personal items, you will need to report this as income on your taxes.
Does Facebook report your income to the IRS?
No, Facebook does not report your income to the IRS. However, you are responsible for reporting any income you earn from selling on Facebook.
Can I use Facebook to sell services?
Yes, you can use Facebook to sell services.
To do this, simply create a post featuring your service and include a link to where it can be purchased.
You can also include a photo or video with your post.
Be sure to use relevant hashtags and target your audience appropriately.
How can I sell stuff online for free?
You can use Facebook, Craigslist, eBay, Poshmark, and lots of other sites to sell personal items.
Always think of how the item best fits the audience.
Related: 61+ Best Small Business Ideas for 2024
What are some good tips for selling on Facebook?
Some good tips for selling on Facebook include:
– Use high-quality images and videos
– Use relevant hashtags
– Target your audience appropriately
– Include a call to action
– Make it easy for customers to purchase your products or services.
What can I sell from home to make money?
There are many things you can sell from home to make money. Some ideas include:
– Baked goods
– Handmade jewelry
– Secondhand clothes
– Vintage finds
– Furniture
– Artwork
How do I sell personal items?
You can sell personal items by creating a post on Facebook, Craigslist, eBay, Poshmark, or another similar site.
Always use high-quality images and videos, relevant hashtags, and target your audience appropriately.
Include a call to action and make it easy for customers to purchase your products or services.
What are some things I can’t sell on Facebook?
There are a few things you can’t sell on Facebook, such as:
– Firearms
– Ammunition
– Knives
– Alcohol
– Tobacco
– illegal drugs
Can I use Facebook to dropship?
Dropshipping is allowed on Facebook.
However, there are a few guidelines you need to follow, such as:
– You must be 18 years or older to dropship on Facebook.
– You must have a valid shipping address.
– You must have a valid credit card or PayPal account.
– You must agree to the terms and conditions of Facebook’s Commerce Policies.
Can I use Facebook to sell tickets?
Yes, you can use Facebook to sell tickets.
To do this, simply create an event and include a link to where tickets can be purchased.
You can also promote your event through posts and ads.
Be sure to use relevant hashtags and target your audience appropriately.
Does Facebook allow live streaming for product sales?
Yes, Facebook allows live streaming for product sales. This can be a great way to promote your product and increase sales.
To do this, simply go to your Facebook page and click on the “Live” option.
Enter a description of your product and include a link to where it can be purchased.
You can also include a photo or video with your post.
Be sure to use relevant hashtags and target your audience appropriately.
What sells the fastest?
Some things that sell the fastest include:
– Secondhand clothes
– Vintage items
– Jewelry
– Furniture
– Artwork and decorations
Conclusion
Selling on the Facebook Marketplace is a great way to reach new customers and boost your sales.
To be successful, you’ll need to create listings for each product you want to sell, manage customer relationships, and promote your products.
Additional selling channels like Instagram Shopping, eBay, Amazon, and your own e-commerce platform can also help you reach new customers and boost your sales.