In the US, users have been selling and buying through Facebook’s Marketplace feature since fall 2016. Now it’s coming to Germany, threatening other providers like Shpock and eBay Classifieds. We’ve taken a look at Facebook Marketplace and show you what you can expect.
What is Facebook Marketplace?
Essentially, Facebook Marketplace is an online flea market. That’s nothing new. However, some users might be pleased that you no longer have to leave Facebook to access it. Facebook’s basic idea is to pool the numerous sales groups, thereby giving individual sellers greater reach for their listings.
It’s designed to be incredibly easy to use. You can sell anything you no longer need on the platform free of charge. The format is primarily aimed at local sales. In addition to Germany, the feature is currently being rolled out in 16 other countries. However, sales here don’t cross national borders. Facebook justifies this restriction by saying that most users only search for local listings in their area anyway.
You can sell anything that complies with Facebook’s trading guidelines. So, theoretically, you could even list cars or real estate.
How does the marketplace work?
Facebook Marketplace is a platform where you can buy or sell used items. Before using the platform, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the site’s trading policies.
To access the Marketplace, log in to Facebook via your browser. Then click on “Marketplace” on the left side of your News Feed. The Marketplace will open in a separate window with its own navigation bar, allowing you to filter products by category.
Payment isn’t handled centrally via the platform, but rather privately between sellers. If you want to sell a product, click “+ Create new listing” and then “Sale item.” Here you can add photos, set the price, and enter other information. Finally, click “Publish.”
Interestingly, there are no fees for either buyers or sellers. This aspect makes the marketplace a serious competitor to platforms like eBay Classifieds.
Facebook Marketplace offers a straightforward way to buy or sell used items and proves to be a practical addition to the variety of online trading platforms.
Method of payment
While users in the US already pay via Facebook Messenger, German users still have to handle the payment themselves. Prepayment and PayPal are available here, as is already common practice in many sales groups. Our tip: it’s best to use PayPal because you can always get your money back in cases of fraud.
When and if Facebook will roll out payment via Messenger in Germany has not yet been confirmed.
The marketers among you are surely already excited, as the platform is a prime advertising opportunity, as users are already searching for products there, and the intent to buy is already there. Unfortunately, we, or rather, Facebook, have to disappoint you, because advertising is not currently planned for the Marketplace. In the US, only a few tests were conducted. The results of these tests have not been published either.
What do commercial traders need to pay attention to on Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace offers you, as a business retailer, a great opportunity to showcase your products to a broad user base. However, there are some important points to keep in mind to ensure the best possible experience on this platform. Here are some tips for you:
1. Policies and Terms of Service: Make sure you fully understand and adhere to Facebook Marketplace’s policies and terms of service. These rules define what types of products and services you can offer on the platform.
2. Clear and accurate product descriptions: Create detailed and precise product descriptions. Potential buyers should understand exactly what to expect from your products. Include information about the condition, size, color, brand, etc.
3. High-quality images: Use high-quality images to present your products clearly and attractively. Good images pique buyers’ interest and help them make an informed purchasing decision.
4. Honest condition information: Be honest and transparent about the condition of your products. If there are any signs of wear, clearly state this in your description.
5. Pricing: Set reasonable and competitive prices for your products. Compare similar listings on the marketplace to ensure your prices are fair.
6. Fast response time: Respond promptly to inquiries from potential buyers. A quick response time demonstrates your professionalism and your interest in a successful transaction.
7. Trustworthy profile: Make sure your Facebook profile appears trustworthy. A complete profile with clear information about your business can boost buyer trust.
8. Payment and shipping options: Clarify in advance which payment and shipping options you offer. Clearly communicating this information will avoid misunderstandings.
9. Customer reviews and feedback: Collect positive customer reviews and feedback to build your credibility. Buyers often rely on the opinions of others before making a purchase.
10. Customer Focus: Provide excellent customer service. Be helpful and courteous to build a positive relationship with your customers.
Facebook Marketplace can be an effective platform for you as a business retailer to showcase your products and reach new customers. If you follow these tips, you can build a positive reputation and operate successfully in the marketplace.
How secure is Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook, of course, states that users have nothing to fear. Ultimately, however, Facebook Marketplace is only as “safe” as Facebook itself. Everyone has their own opinion and their own sense of security.
What’s certain is that you decide how much others see of you, which is up to you and your privacy settings. Communication between users takes place via Facebook Messenger or the Marketplace itself. To buy or sell products, you must be at least 18 years old.
Marketplace kills the eBay star?
The signs certainly point to this. eBay’s user numbers have been stagnating for some time, and the platform is struggling to stay relevant. Facebook is entering the market with a much larger user base (2 billion active users worldwide; 550 million users are already active in sales groups).
One might even assume that Facebook is shooting itself in the foot with Marketplace, because what will become of the many sales groups? These will remain and will even be strengthened with the new feature.
All ads you post in one of the groups can also be displayed on the Marketplace at the same time, increasing reach and reaching more potential buyers. It remains to be seen how this will be received by users who use groups to stay among their peers.
But what about eBay? Could the most well-known online flea market soon be extinct? Not necessarily. Sure, Facebook seems like an invincible opponent, but the social media giant has already tested the “Daily Deals” feature in the US, which also integrates offers from the eBay platform into the Marketplace. Users can only see the offers there. The transaction then takes place via the eBay website itself. So it smacks of cooperation rather than displacement.
Conclusion
The Marketplace makes Facebook more of a sales platform, but it could also enjoy similar popularity here as it does among US users. According to Facebook, over 18 million listings were posted there in May 2017 alone.