Keep reading to explore 9 tactics for selling on the Facebook marketplace.
9 Tactics for Selling on Facebook Marketplace
If you want your listing to stand out, you’ll have to do more than simply follow the rules. Here are 9 tactics that you can make use of to set yourself apart from similar products.
1. Conduct some research
Take the time first to do some research on Facebook Marketplace with regards to which kinds of items are actually popular. This way you will be able to cost your products smartly and identify methods that you can set yourself apart from the competition.
After you’ve created your listing, you might have to put on your detective hat one more time to double-check the profiles of potential buyers. If a purchaser has only recently joined Facebook or has only a handful of friends, it could be a sign of possible issues later.
2. Make sure that the photos of your products are accurate
High-quality images will not only allow you to sell your products faster, however, they can also reduce the variety of questions that you receive about your product. So, make sure to pay attention to lighting and background (a solid white background is recommended) so that the color and details of your products are captured correctly. You will also need to take a couple of photos from various angles (Facebook Marketplace allows you to upload as many as 10 images per listing). If there are any defects, make sure to include one or two close-ups (it might sound counterintuitive, however, you need to be honest about its actual condition).
If you can be selling second-hand products, it is key that you include images of the actual item that you are selling. Many sellers simply include stock photography found on the manufacturer’s website which does not give potential consumers the chance to see the condition of the product that they are going to receive (or worse, your listing could be mistaken as being fraudulent).
3. Use the right keywords
When writing your title and description, you need to be as specific as possible by ensuring you include information about its model, color, storage capacity, condition, style, type of material, and brand name. In short, you want to get away from generic and vague words. By using the best keywords you may boost your listing’s ranking in the search results making it easier for potential consumers to seek out your listing.
4. Choose the right category
If you want to upset consumers and Facebook, list your product in the wrong category. Not only will you waste the time of your potential consumers, however, you’ll also only end up wasting your own time. By listing your product in the wrong category, your right target audience will not be able to see your listing.
5. Include dimensions
Even with the help of a variety of images taken from multiple angles, potential consumers will not be able to gather the real dimensions. While it is great to know the product is of average size or slightly smaller than average, for certain products, like furniture, in particular, an inch can make a huge difference. Depending on your kind of product, you might also want to include the weight.
6. Add shipping information
Even if you will only be concentrating on local consumers, it’s still a good idea to add a small amount to your price and includes shipping.
7. Use a secure electronic payment service or credit card
One disadvantage of Facebook Marketplace is that it lacks a built-in payment processor. This means that it falls on the shoulders of the seller to arrange a payment method directly with the seller. It’s best to keep away from cash or gift cards. Instead, use a reliable service like PayPal that can investigate fraudulent claims on your behalf.
8. Reassess after a week
If your product has not sold after every week, it’s good to practice looking at your pricing and description again. It could be that it was priced too high, in which case you might need to reduce the asking price.
If you know for a fact that the product will sell for that price (in fact, it might even be able to sell for more), it could be that the product is seasonal. In that case, it might be better to list your product again later when it is actually related to the particular season. After all, you can’t blame your target audience for not wanting to purchase something like Christmas decorations in April.
9. Promote your listing in other places
To attract more potential consumers, it is also a great idea to advertise your listing on other channels like Instagram. By creating a unique brand for your listings, consumers might even begin to recognize your listings and style and will be more inclined to support you regularly as they know that you and your merchandise are legit. So, if you are concentrating on appliances and furniture, let that be your thing and try to become famous for this category in the Marketplace. By making use of some consistency, you will be able to control your pricing better and grow a following across channels.
Wrapping Things Up
If you are currently only selling on one channel, what is stopping you from expanding to another eCommerce sales channel like Facebook Marketplace? If you are worried that it will be more work, Facebook Marketplace is one of the easiest and most popular channels. While Facebook Marketplace is straightforward and a safer channel for selling products online, it is important to keep in mind that there are still some risks. So, if you are set on concluding the transaction in person (instead of shipping the product to the buyer), you must keep away from dangerous situations.