How to sell on Facebook Marketplace in 2023
Facebook Marketplace offers a great opportunity to supplement your income. Thanks to its accessibility and ease of use, it’s a great alternative to selling on eBay, Craigslist, or Amazon. Anyone with a Facebook account can start selling items on Facebook Marketplace to make an extra buck or two.
Whether you just want to clear out some clutter from your home or are trying to earn bigger money, taking advantage of Facebook Marketplace's features will reach more buyers and maximize your profits.
Want to learn how to sell on Facebook Marketplace? Even if you don't have any experience with online sales, with this step-by-step guide, you'll be making money through Facebook Marketplace in no time.
Summary/Overview
Decide what to sell.
Before you go further, decide what kind of products you want to offer. Depending on your interests and expertise, there are different ways to approach this.
Determine your goals.
Before you dive in, the first thing to think about is what you want to achieve on Facebook Marketplace. To that end, consider what your goals are and how much time and effort you’re willing to dedicate to your sales.
If you're simply looking for a quick way to make money, you may want to focus on items with high demand but low overhead costs. On the other hand, if you’re serious about turning selling on Facebook Marketplace into a full-time job, research and focus on products with high profit margins. If you just want to unload some stuff you aren’t using anymore, begin by going through your home, yard, and garage, decide what you will part with, and decide whether you want to list multiple items at once. So, consider your objective so you can build on it.
Another decision is whether you want to sell seasonal or trending items, versus items with year-round or ongoing appeal. If you’re looking for a quick way to make money, rather than a long-term commitment, then selling popular items with high demand for a short period of time might be your best option. Alternatively, if you’re willing to put in extra effort to research and find buyers, then selling items with year-round appeal may be a better solution.
Sell something you have.
Selling items you already own is one of the best ways to make money on Facebook Marketplace. Common items for sale include furniture, clothing, electronics, collectibles, books, and other items that you no longer want but still have value. Selling items you already have eliminates the overhead costs associated with buying new products, plus it maximizes profits quickly. It’s also a great way to clear out clutter from your home while making extra cash.
Additionally, if you have something you don’t want to part with, but that other people could benefit from using momentarily, consider creating a rental. For example, household or yard equipment could perform well as a rental item on Facebook Marketplace.
Do you like crafting handmade things? Consider monetizing your creative pastime! Selling items you make is another great idea for making money on Facebook Marketplace. From hand-knit scarves to one-of-a-kind jewelry, you can turn your hobby into a small business.
Sell something you can get.
Selling something you can get is another great option for making money on Facebook Marketplace. Whether it’s a popular product or something you purchase in bulk, if you apply the right strategies, selling items you acquire can be an effective way to maximize profits.
Capitalizing on in-demand products requires strategy and research but allows you to minimize the overhead costs associated with buying new products. You may even find resellers who are willing to offer discounts for bulk purchases so you can boost profit margins even more.
Getting used items, like from thrift shops, auctions, garage sales, exchange websites like Freecycle, or even dumpster diving, is another terrific option for generating income on Facebook Marketplace. This can be a highly profitable option, since you don’t need to invest much money. Plus, if you are savvy in your treasure hunting, you can often score unique items that you can turn around and sell at a higher price than typical products.
Another strategy is reselling items from bulk shops or wholesalers. Bulk shops and wholesalers often offer discounts for large orders, maximizing your profits. Some stores even offer exclusive deals or discounts when you buy in particular quantities, so don’t forget to ask about these options.
Dropshipping is an increasingly popular technique for making money on Facebook Marketplace. This method allows you to sell products without ever keeping inventory, meaning you avoid the overhead costs associated with buying and storing items.
With dropshipping, customers order from you, then you send the order to another company. That company handles all of the shipping, handling, and customer service. But while dropshipping can be relatively easy to set up, there are also potential risks involved.
One of the biggest risks associated with dropshipping is that you have little to no control over the quality of the products you’re selling. Since you're relying on a third-party supplier, it's difficult to ensure that your products are of superior craftsmanship. You could also be liable for any shipping errors or customer service issues that arise.
Lastly, reselling discontinued items is a smart option for making money on Facebook Marketplace. With the ever-changing nature of consumer trends, even well-known brands are forced to discontinue products regularly. This is a savvy opportunity for you to capitalize on items with high demand that may no longer be available in stores. You can often buy these items at discounted prices and resell them on the platform for a higher price.
Create your listing.
Listing on Facebook Marketplace is simple and straightforward. After setting your goals and deciding what to sell, create a Facebook account if you don't already have one. You can use your personal Facebook page or open a business page and then connect your listings to it.
Once registered, find the Marketplace and click “Create New Listing” or the “Sell” button, depending on whether you’re in the Facebook app or on the web. Then select the appropriate category for your item. Now create your advertisement using the following tips.
Use great photos.
It is essential to add photos of your actual item rather than using stock photos on Facebook Marketplace. Not only do clear, high-quality photos of your item help draw potential buyers, they provide assurance that the product is exactly what they want.
Also, add lifestyle shots showing the item in a real-life setting. This encourages interest and helps potential buyers envision using the product.
For a thorough listing, capture each item from various angles. Taking multiple pictures from varying perspectives gives buyers an accurate view of what they’re purchasing and ensures that there won’t be any surprises when they receive the product.
You can organize product photos with a template. You can use customizable Adobe templates to add flair and personality to your listing. This is a great opportunity to impress your followers, and is a fun way to add creativity to your listing.
Be sure to include details in the photos such as weight and measurements, and for a professional presentation, remove distracting backgrounds so customers can focus on your product.
Including photos of hard-to-see areas can spark shoppers’ interest. Beyond photographing the front of your item, include the sides, bottom, and insides when applicable. If the item has damage, include photos of that as well. With these details, buyers will have a better understanding of what they’re purchasing and be more likely to buy an item if they feel confident in its condition.
Don't forget the importance of good lighting. Proper lighting helps showcase the product in a way that accurately represents it, and can make all the difference in your sales. Aim for natural lighting, such as sunlight or ambient light from a nearby window. This provides soft, even illumination, making products look their best.
Lastly, ensure your images are the right size so they display properly to your customers. This applies to not only your product images, but also your profile photo and your cover photo.
Create a product description.
For successful sales on Facebook Marketplace, it’s imperative to include pertinent details in your product descriptions. Your description of the item should include whether the item is used, its current condition, and any flaws or damage that may be present. Also include information about the color, size, and other relevant characteristics of the product. Measurements like dimensions or shipping weight are also useful to buyers. Detailed descriptions are a key component to completing a successful sale on Facebook Marketplace.
It’s key to describe who would love the item and why. This provides potential buyers with a better understanding of how it might apply to them, what makes this product attractive, and increases their interest in your listing. For example, if you're selling vintage books, include details about who might be interested in collecting them or why they may make a great addition to someone’s library. The more details you provide, the better your chances of making a sale.
Using keywords makes your product listing stand out, which is vital in the age of Google. Keywords help potential buyers find what they are looking for. Relevant keywords optimize your listing for search engine results, increasing the chance of potential buyers finding your item.
It's important to use relevant vocabulary when creating an effective product listing. Accurate, descriptive terms help potential buyers quickly understand what the item is and its features. For instance, in the example of selling a vintage book, use words like "antique," "first edition," or "limited run" to help buyers clearly understand what they are purchasing.
You can also increase the visibility of your post using hashtags. Hashtags group similar content together so users can easily find them.
Choose relevant and specific hashtags to describe your item. For example, if you are selling a vintage camera, you could use hashtags such as #vintagecamera, #filmphotography, or #antiquecamera. Including popular hashtags in your listing and any related posts also increases reach and engagement.
Adding a logo to your product listing makes your brand look more professional and recognizable. A logo, especially when paired with page highlight covers, makes your product stand out from the competition. This type of professional touch also gives potential buyers an easy way to identify your products. Furthermore, a logo with attractive graphics creates a sense of trustworthiness and credibility so buyers feel confident purchasing from you.
Price your items.
When selling on Facebook Marketplace, it’s important to price your items competitively. To do this, consider the cost of acquiring or making the item, including production and materials fees, in addition to any shipping fees. Also factor in the cost of your time and labor. Once you have a good idea of the total cost of goods, set a price that allows for a comfortable profit margin.
Doing research is crucial. Investigate the price range of comparable items to ensure that you are pricing your products competitively. This helps you maximize profits while offering potential buyers a fair price on your items. To do this, you can use online tools such as Priceonomics to compare the prices of similar items on the platform. Also, ask friends and family for their opinions regarding your product’s price point.
It can be tempting to undercut the competition to maximize profits. However, this can be detrimental in the sense that buyers may perceive your products as being of lower quality or value. Instead, try to find a balance between pricing your items competitively and guaranteeing they are seen as being of high value.
Never overprice your products to the point where you drive away potential customers. Customers might perceive the item as a poor value, overpriced, or of lower quality.
Keep in mind that you may need to adjust your price if buyers are not willing to pay the amount you’re asking. Being too rigid with pricing can hurt sales, so consider leaving some “wiggle room” for negotiation, or for price drops if needed. In addition, offer discounts or special promotions if your product isn’t moving as quickly as you would like.
Additionally, although Facebook Marketplace does not charge a listing fee, there are selling fees if you are planning on shipping your items. If the item you are selling is $8 or less, you incur a flat fee of $0.40. If your item is more than $8, the selling fee is 5% per shipment. If you want to offer shipping options on Facebook Marketplace, keep these costs in mind when pricing your items.
Abide by Commerce Policies.
It is vital to make sure what you are selling follows Facebook Marketplace’s rules. All items sold on Facebook Marketplace must abide by Facebook’s Community Standards. Prohibited content includes adult products, alcohol, ingestible supplements, animals, medical and healthcare products, recalled products, tobacco products, used cosmetics, weapons, and more. For a full list of prohibited and restricted content, click here.
Additionally, listings and commerce Facebook Messenger threads must not wrongfully discriminate. Sellers should make sure to avoid third-party infringement. All sellers are responsible for complying with all regional and federal laws and regulations. If you feel like your listing has been wrongfully rejected for violating Commerce Policies, you can request an additional review.
Publish your listing.
Once you have completed creating your listing, it is time to click publish. Make sure to publish your Facebook Marketplace listing broadly and in buy-and-sell groups to get the most exposure. However, your Facebook Marketplace journey is not over once you hit publish – now it’s time to respond to any inquiries or questions about your Marketplace listing and
Respond to inquiries.
When a Facebook user is interested in your item for sale, they will reach out to you over Facebook Messenger. Here, they can ask questions, negotiate the price, and organize a purchase. Always remember to respond to inquiries in a timely manner.
To drive sales, embrace the same customer service practices that you appreciate. Always respond to customer inquiries quickly and politely. It shows potential buyers that you’re professional and reliable, and it builds trust. This is often a deciding factor for customers when they're ready to make a purchase.
Also, be willing to negotiate prices in order to secure a sale. Offer discounts or other promotions to make your product appealing to potential buyers who may not be willing to pay full price. Negotiating with interested buyers also helps build trust and create an overall more positive experience for them.
Promote your listing.
Success with online sales requires more than just creating a listing and waiting for buyers. To really make money on Facebook Marketplace, you need to promote your listings so that potential customers can find them easily. With a little effort and creativity, you can spark buyers’ interest and increase sales.
One great way to do this is through Facebook itself. Leverage the power of the platform’s social outreach capabilities! Share your listings with friends, family, and potential customers. Make attractive posts to promote your items, spark interest, and spur sales. Similarly reach more buyers by sharing your advertisement in Facebook groups related to your product.
For a small fee, Facebook can help promote your ad and make it more visible to potential customers. This feature, known as “Boost,” allows you to target specific groups of people or areas that are most likely to be interested in your product. Furthermore, Facebook provides data related to your boosted Facebook ads. This helps you gain insights into how customers interact with your ad, so you can adjust accordingly.
From there, leverage other social media platforms to expand your reach and find potential buyers. Bring attention to your products and increase visibility with regular Instagram posts, Instagram Stories, or Twitter. Create a website or blog to post updates about your items and attract more customers. You can even create your own Etsy store to supplement your Facebook Marketplace listing. This way, you capture customers from multiple shopping sites.
Connecting with an ecommerce platform is another way to create a more professional and buyer-friendly experience. An online store gives you the opportunity to showcase your product offerings in an organized, easy-to-navigate format, drawing buyers in, and making them feel more confident about their purchase. Connecting with an ecommerce platform also allows you to accept payments online, manage orders, and handle returns more efficiently.
When selling multiple items on Facebook Marketplace, you can create a catalog that organizes and showcases your products. A well-crafted catalog provides buyers with a convenient way to browse through all of your products in one place, so it’s easier for them to find what they need.
Catalogs also allow you to highlight items which may be more popular or in high demand. If you decide to make selling on this platform a full-time job, it’s a smart way to engage your customers and keep them coming back for more.
Get paid.
Once you’ve secured a buyer, it is time to allow them to “checkout.” On Facebook Marketplace, it’s not as simple as a buyer clicking a checkout button, putting in their credit card information, and hitting complete. Because Facebook Marketplace does not operate like typical ecommerce businesses. Instead, you – the seller – get to decide how you want to get paid.
First, figure out the delivery method. You can either meet in-person or ship your items. If you are shipping an item, make sure to take shipping costs and selling fees into consideration when pricing your item, and make sure to communicate these additional costs with your customers. If you are meeting with your customer in-person to sell your item, make sure to choose a safe and public place for the exchange.
Once you have the delivery method sorted out, it’s time to get paid. Common ways to get paid over Facebook Messenger include cash, PayPal, Zelle, and Venmo. If you are worried about scams, cash or PayPal are especially secure options. Make sure to discuss your preferred payment method before selling your items.
And voilà! By following these step-by-step instructions, you have sold an item on Facebook Marketplace and your bank account is thanking you. Thanks to your smart planning and the tools at your disposal, you’ll have fun while making money on Facebook Marketplace.
This post was updated on May 16, 2023.