Maximizing sales with Facebook Marketplace: A beginner’s guide

When you think of Facebook Marketplace, local-only transactions probably come to mind.

But these days, Facebook Marketplace is more than a consumer-to-consumer sales platform. Facebook now offers features for all sellers, including small businesses, empowering anyone to make money through the Marketplace.

Wondering how to sell on Facebook Marketplace and succeed? This guide is for you.

 

What is Facebook Marketplace and why sell on it?

Facebook Marketplace (or FB Marketplace for short) is Facebook’s online platform for buying and selling goods. People like you can list items for sale, and Facebook users can view and purchase them.

What makes Facebook Marketplace an excellent place to sell? For one, it’s free—all you need is a Facebook account.

More importantly, Marketplace is where your audience is: Facebook has more than 3 billion active monthly users.1

 

Setting up a Facebook Marketplace listing: Step-by-step

To reach those users, you need a Facebook account. Once you have one, publishing a Marketplace listing is simple. Here’s how to post something for sale:

• Step one: Access Marketplace – From your Facebook feed, select the Marketplace icon.
• Step two: Make a new listing – Click the “Create new listing” button, then choose “Item for sale.”
• Step three: Add details – Follow the prompts to upload photos, write a description, and set the price. When you’re done, click “Next.”
• Step four: Finish up – If you’re satisfied with the listing preview, click “Publish.” Your post is now live!

 

How to create effective listings that stand out on Facebook Marketplace

Of course, your listing won’t be the only one. Facebook users make thousands of Marketplace posts every hour.

So, how do you ensure your products are seen and sold? Try these tips:

• Use high-quality visuals – Shoppers are more likely to view and trust listings with clear, crisp, and accurate photos and videos.
• Add product tags – When creating your listing, you can enter up to 20 tags. For example, if you’re selling a t-shirt, you might use tags like “Shirt,” “Clothing,” and “Activewear.” When shoppers search for these keywords, your listing will be more likely to show up. 
• Boost your listing – To guarantee product views, pay to boost your listing. A boosted listing becomes a Facebook ad, reaching thousands of interested users.

 

Using Name.com domains to boost your Facebook Marketplace sales

Facebook provides everything you need to make sales, but if you really want your business to soar, you need a website.

Putting an official website in your listing adds legitimacy to your posts. Plus, once a shopper is on your website, you can show them all your Marketplace listings in one place.

Name.com can also help you secure a domain name that suits your business. With custom top-level domains like .store, .shopping, and .market, it’s easy to find the perfect name.

 

Pricing strategies: How to set the right price on Facebook Marketplace

Now, let’s talk about money.

First, you have to determine your margins. How much did you spend on the product, and how much do you want to make?

From there, do some research. Look through Marketplace for similar items to understand prices, then make a competitive listing.

 

How to handle buyer inquiries and close sales on Facebook Marketplace

All Marketplace inquiries will come via Facebook Messenger. Whether you use the Messenger app or your desktop, these tips will help you make the most of your chats:

• Respond as quickly as possible.
• Use friendly, professional language.
• Confirm the price before agreeing to meet or shipping the product.
• Offer multiple payment options.
• Clearly outline next steps to finalize the sale.

 

Common mistakes to avoid when selling on Facebook Marketplace

To sell on FB Marketplace like a pro, don’t make these mistakes:

• Selling multiple items in one listing – Putting every product into one post may seem efficient, but it limits your reach. Publishing a separate listing for each product is a better practice. 
• Skimping on descriptions – Potential buyers want to know about your products. It’s always best to write a detailed description and fill out all optional fields that are applicable.
• Leaving sold listings up – When you sell a product, mark it as “Sold.” Otherwise, you’ll have shoppers messaging you unnecessarily.

 

Safety tips when selling on Facebook Marketplace

Selling to strangers on the internet can pose some risks. To keep yourself safe, you should always:

• Review the buyer’s Facebook profile.
• Meet in public places or designated “safe exchange zones.”
• Bring a friend or family member to accompany you during the exchange.
• Offer to ship the product upon receipt of payment.
• Trust your instinct; if it feels unsafe, call it off.

 

Next steps: Expand your sales with Facebook Marketplace and Name.com

Ready to become a Facebook Marketplace mogul? With Name.com, you can start selling more in no time.

Name.com offers top-tier products for businesses and personal ventures. Our domain search tool can provide a unique and eye-catching domain name, our website solutions can help you build a stellar site, and our custom email products can streamline your communications.

 

Sources: 

Statista. Most popular social networks worldwide as of April 2024, by number of monthly active users. https://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/