With over 800 million users each month, Facebook Marketplace is one of the prime sites for both individuals and small businesses to reach new customers.

But with so many products listed, how do you stand out from the crowd? Read on to discover our top Facebook Marketplace selling tips.

 

How do you sell on Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook Marketplace is simple to use - all you need is a Facebook account before you can start listing your items for sale.

Our blog on how to sell on Facebook Marketplace will take you through all the steps to getting your first listing live, as well as some of our top tips.

How does Facebook Marketplace work?

Just like classified ads in newspapers, Facebook Marketplace allows you to post items for sale in your local community. Usually, the buyers will call round to collect their items and will pay in cash.

If you want to reach customers who live further afield, you can also list your items with delivery included.

The best things to sell on Facebook Marketplace are:

• Children’s items. Parent’s groups are very busy on Facebook Marketplace. They’re a great place to sell all those items your kids have grown out of.
• Heavy and bulky items. Things like kitchen appliances or garden furniture can do well on Facebook Marketplace as they’re perfect for local collection.
• Outdoor equipment. Camping and hiking gear is popular, including camping chairs and tents.

Things that don’t sell very well include:

• Adult clothing. If you’re selling locally, it can be harder to find customers shopping for the sizes and styles you’re offering.
• Collectible items. If you’re selling niche or collectible items, you might want to offer delivery so you can reach a wider audience.

Is Facebook Marketplace safe?

Yes, Facebook Marketplace is safe. However, just like any other online marketplace, you should be vigilant against scammers who can be active on the platform.

Usually you will make the sale in person, so stay safe by carefully considering where you want to meet your buyers. Opting for a public place during daylight hours is a good idea. If the item is heavy and it is being collected from your home, you can have it on your driveway ahead of times, so you don't need to invite a stranger into your home.

If you’re posting the item rather than offering local collection, using a reputable courier that you’ve organised yourself will give you some protection from potential scammers.

Does Facebook Marketplace charge fees?

Facebook Marketplace is free to use, so is perfect for maximising your profits. If you choose, you can pay a small fee to boost your listing.

 

 

4 steps to boost your Facebook Marketplace listings

Give your items the best chance of selling with our pro tips for getting your listings at the top of the search results.

1. Take high-quality photos

Think of your photos as your shop window. Just like on any other marketplace, great photos can really boost your sales.

Try these top tips to make your pictures wow-worthy:

• Natural lighting. The key to a good photo is to get your lighting right. Natural lighting will make your items look vibrant and true to life and will help you avoid the harsh shadows you can get with artificial lighting. Try taking your photos near a window.
• Multiple angles. Customers want to see the products they want to buy from all angles. You’re allowed to add up to ten photos on Facebook Marketplace. Go for close-ups of detail, full shots to show the whole item, and lifestyle shots.
• Avoid clutter. Make your products stand out by photographing them against plain backgrounds. Investing some time in styling your items nicely can really pay off.

2. Write detailed and keyword-rich descriptions

If your photos help customers click on your products, your product titles and descriptions will help you sell your items.

Including a few carefully chosen (and relevant) keywords can help you get that coveted top spot in the Facebook listings. You can get an idea of good keywords by typing your item into the search bar on the Marketplace. Note the suggestions and try adding a few of these into your descriptions.

These are our top tips for crafting a compelling description:

• Be informative but brief. Buyers want to know the key features and benefits of your item, but don’t want to read through pages of description. Stick to short, easy-to-read paragraphs that show off the best details.
• Don’t keyword stuff. Keywords are good, but not if you use too many. Always make sure your keywords fit naturally into your text and aim to use only one unique keyword per bullet or sentence.
• Check it over. Spelling mistakes and poor grammar will not only put your buyers off but can lower your listing’s ranking. Don’t forget to proofread!
• Add details. There are fields you’ll need to complete for each listing, such as price, condition, size, and material. Completing these fields will amplify your listing.

3. Choose the right categories and tags

Choosing the right categories and tags for your listings can help your customers find your items more easily. Making your categories and tags relevant can not only help you get more views but can increase conversion rate too.

You can add up to three tags to each listing.

Once you’ve set up your listing and added your product title and description, you can scroll down to the ‘Add Tags’ section at the bottom. Click the box and add any relevant keywords that accurately describe your listing. You may already have a list of keywords, but Facebook will also suggest popular tags as you type. When you’ve finished, click ‘Add’.

4. Renew your listing regularly

Renewing your listings regularly can make a huge difference in visibility.

Facebook will bump your listing to the top of the search results each time you renew it – great for getting your items seen by more people.

There are some tactics for when and how to refresh your listings:

• Get your timing right. Just like posting your new listings, renew existing listings when most people will be scrolling. Weekends and evenings are high traffic times, but for maximum exposure, post on Friday evening or Saturday morning.
• Refresh your content. Sometimes you’ll want to do more than simply renew your listing. By keeping things fresh with updated images or a few different product details, you can help your items stand out.
• Renew your items on a schedule. Renewing your items at the same time each week can help you maintain your position in the listings.

 

 

Why optimising Facebook Marketplace listings matters

Facebook’s algorithm decides which listings will appear at the top of the search results. By optimising your listings with relevant keywords, accurate titles and descriptions, and great photos you will:

Attract the right buyers

Buyers are far more likely to click on items that are relevant to their search. By optimising your listings with relevant keywords, you’ll increase the chances that they’ll appear in the search results of customers who are keen to buy your product.

Increase visibility and sales

The more engaging your listing is, the more buyers will interact with your post. Likes and comments will increase your listing’s visibility, and a detailed description will help convert your clicks into sales.

Stand out in a crowded marketplace

As well as helping you appear higher up the search results, an optimised Facebook listing will stand out from the crowd with great photos and helpful descriptions. By being consistent with your efforts and encouraging engagement, you’ll also build your reputation as a trusted Facebook seller.

 

Shipping tips for Facebook Marketplace sellers

Offering delivery on your listings can help you reach customers outside your local area. At Parcel2Go, we can help you arrange affordable shipping quickly and easily.

How to ship something on Facebook Marketplace

Unlike some other online marketplaces, Facebook doesn’t specify which shipping service you should use. If you want to offer delivery for your items, you’re free to choose a service that works best for you and saves money on your shipping.

At Parcel2Go, we work with the UK’s most trusted couriers, and offer express and economy shipping with well-known names such as Evri and DPD. No matter what you’re sending, from bikes to guitars to books, we’ll help you find a service that suits you perfectly.

To get started with your shipping, just fill in our quick quote and we’ll guide you through the process.

Who pays for shipping on Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook Marketplace doesn't charge for shipping because they don't offer postage through their platform.

If you’re planning to send your sold items through the post, the best way to charge for it is to include your shipping costs in the listing price.

At Parcel2Go, we have plenty of options for cheap Facebook Marketplace shipping - get a quote to compare costs.

How to track your Facebook Marketplace parcel

Once you’ve sold your item, you’ll need to ship it within 3 days or Facebook will cancel the order. Don’t forget that you’ll also need to mark your item as shipped and provide a tracking number too.

You get free parcel tracking with all shipments at Parcel2Go. You can find your tracking number on your confirmation email or by logging in to your Parcel2Go account. The tracking number begins P2G followed by 8 digits.

Affordable shipping options with Parcel2Go

We’ll help you keep the cost of your Facebook Marketplace shipping down by comparing hundreds of prices every day. We pride ourselves on offering the cheapest postage costs in the UK, but if you find the same service cheaper elsewhere, our Lowest Price Guarantee means we’ll match it.

Offering fast and reliable shipping is one of the best tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace. Not only will it boost your ranking, but it will help you give great customer service. We have affordable options for next day and timed deliveries, as well as collection services for those heavier items.

Prices start from only £1.99 exc VAT.