Facebook Marketplace is an online marketplace where Facebook users can buy, sell and trade items. Not only is it integrated with the world's largest social media site, but you can also sell items on the platform without any listing fees.
But is Facebook Marketplace the right online sales channel for you? Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of Facebook Marketplace, and how you can start selling from your Facebook account.
Who can sell on Facebook Marketplace?
In the United States, Facebook offers the "Marketplace for business" service which allows ecommerce retailers to sell items on the platform. At the time of writing, this feature was not yet available in Australia.
Australian car dealerships are allowed to sell vehicles through Facebook Marketplace, but selling in other categories is currently only open for individuals.
How do I decide what to sell on Facebook Marketplace?
You can list items on Facebook Marketplace in a wide range of categories, including:
Vehicles
Home & garden
Entertainment
Clothing & accessories
Electronics
Family
Hobbies
Classifieds
Pet supplies
Sport & outdoors
Property for rent
Property for sale
However, there are also some items that are prohibited from sale, such as:
Illegal, prescription or recreational drugs
Tobacco products and related paraphernalia
Ingestible supplements
Weapons
Animals
Adult products or services
Alcohol
Gambling services
Downloadable digital content
How to find products to sell
If your house, garage or shed is full of items you no longer want or need, you could turn those items into cash by selling them on Facebook Marketplace.
Take some time to wander around your home and make a list of all those possessions that do nothing more than take up space. We're talking about things like your old PlayStation, the treadmill you were sure you'd use every day, or those designer clothes in your wardrobe that are "so last season".
If you think they'd be worth something to someone, you've got nothing to lose by trying to sell them on Facebook Marketplace.
How much does it cost to sell on Facebook Marketplace?
It doesn't cost anything to sell on Facebook Marketplace. There are no listing, membership or transaction fees to worry about.
However, depending on the payment method you agree upon with the buyer, you may be subject to third-party fees charged by the payment provider.
Is selling on Facebook Marketplace worth it?
Selling on Facebook Marketplace could potentially help you turn your unwanted household items into cash or earn some extra money on the side. However, as is the case with any money-making exercise, selling online comes with several risks attached and there's no guarantee that you'll actually be able to turn a profit.
That said, there are plenty of simple things you can do to maximise your chances of selling successfully on Facebook marketplace:
Use photos. Include multiple high-quality photos in each listing to clearly show buyers the item you're selling and the condition it's in.
Add a detailed description. While putting up a listing with a short description may be quick and convenient, it won't help you attract buyers. Take the time to provide a detailed description of the item, the condition it's in and your reason for selling.
Provide good customer service. Be ready to provide prompt and polite responses to buyer enquiries via Facebook Messenger. If you're quick to respond with helpful information, you'll increase your chances of securing the sale.
Improve your Facebook profile. When you list an item on Marketplace, buyers can access your Facebook profile from your listing. Make sure you double check what information buyers will be able to see about you before posting any items for sale.
Keep your receipts. Providing things like purchase receipts, original packaging and instruction manuals for the items you sell can help you secure better prices.
How do I start selling on Facebook Marketplace?
You can start selling on Facebook Marketplace by completing a few simple steps.
However, the first thing you'll need to do is create a Facebook account. If you've already got a Facebook account, skip ahead to the step-by-step instructions below.
If you don't have a Facebook account, you can create one by:
Entering your name, email address or mobile phone number, date of birth and gender.
Creating a password.
Clicking "Sign Up".
Confirming your email address or mobile number.
List a product through the Facebook website
Log in to your Facebook account and click "Marketplace" from the menu at the left of the screen.
Click the "+ Sell Something" link at the left of the screen.
Now it's time to provide the details of the item you want to sell. You'll need to:
Select a product category.
Enter a title for your listing.
Enter a price.
Provide a product description and photos.
Specify whether the item is pick-up only or whether you can ship it to the buyer.
Click "Next" when you've done all of the above.
You'll now be able to choose where your listing will be posted, including Marketplace as well as any suitable Facebook Groups. Click "Post" when you're ready to submit your listing.
List a product through the Facebook mobile app
Open the Facebook app on your phone. Tap the menu icon and select "Marketplace".
Tap the "Sell" button at the top of the screen and then choose whether you want to list an item, vehicle, or a home for sale or rent.
Now it's time to create your listing. You'll need to:
Add photos of the item.
Provide a title for your listing and select a category.
Enter your desired price.
Specify where the item is located.
Provide a description of the item.
Enter any relevant product tags.
Choose whether you will offer shipping or not.
Choose whether you want to receive automated tips and support via Messenger.
Tap "Next" when you've done all of the above.
As well as Marketplace, you'll need to choose whether to list your item:
In News Feed
In any Groups you're a member of
In any Groups suggested by Facebook
Once you've selected all relevant options, tap "Publish" to finish the process.
How to price your items
You'll need to consider a few factors when choosing how to price your items:
How much money you want. What did you pay for the item originally and how much profit do you want to make from the sale?
How much buyers are willing to pay. How much are similar items listed for by other sellers?
The haggling process. Many buyers on Facebook Marketplace will try to negotiate a lower price. If you're going to be flexible on price, it's worth listing items at a slightly higher price than what you plan to sell them for.
Eventually, you should be able to decide on a fair price for you and any potential customers.
What types of payment does Facebook Marketplace accept?
Facebook Marketplace doesn't have any sort of built-in payment system, so it's up to you to negotiate a payment method with the buyer.
Facebook recommends using cash or person-to-person payment methods through Facebook Messenger or PayPal. You can also use electronic payment methods, for example a bank transfer, if that's your preferred option.
Whichever option you choose, be very wary of any potential scams or fraud attempts. One example to keep an eye out for is fake PayPal receipts – make sure you log in to your account and check your balance rather than accepting an emailed receipt from a buyer at face value
How to organise shipping
Facebook Marketplace is largely designed to connect you with buyers in your local area. However, if you'd like to ship items to customers, you'll need to consider a few factors:
Shipping provider. You can deliver items via Australia Post or by using a dedicated courier service.
Delivery timeframes. Will you offer standard shipping only, or also offer express shipping for buyers who want the item as soon as possible?
Cost. Compare quotes from a range of shipping providers to find the most cost-effective postage option.
Whichever option you choose, make sure you quote shipping costs upfront and that the buyer realises they will need to cover the cost of shipping as part of the purchase price.
How do I market my Facebook Marketplace products?
There are a couple of simple ways you can promote your items on Facebook Marketplace:
Sharing your sales listings with friends.
Joining relevant Facebook Groups so you can display your product listings to group members.
What to watch out for with Facebook Marketplace
There are a few key issues to be aware of when selling on Facebook Marketplace:
Hagglers. Like many other classified ad sites, Facebook Marketplace tends to attract hagglers. You'll need to be prepared to negotiate on price, so you may want to list items slightly above your desired sale price.
Keeping track of potential buyers. If an item you're selling attracts a lot of interest, it can be time-consuming and confusing to sort through and respond to enquiries from potential buyers.
Scams. From meeting a buyer in a public location to making sure never to share your financial information with anyone else, you'll need to take care to protect yourself against scammers.
No seller protection. Facebook Marketplace doesn't have the same seller protections as other sites, such as eBay, so you need to be wary of who you deal with. If something seems suspicious about a potential buyer, don't hesitate to decline their offer.
Linked to Facebook profile. The items you list on Facebook Marketplace are linked to your Facebook profile. Keep this in mind if you want to keep your social media account separate from your online sales.
Largely for local buyers. While some Facebook Marketplace sellers offer shipping, many products listed on the site are for local pick-up only. If you want to target your products to buyers around the country or internationally, you'll be better off considering other ecommerce platforms.
Watch: How to become a successful online seller
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. If you're selling online as a hobby, you generally won't need to register for an ABN. However, working out whether you're selling online as a hobby or a business can be difficult, so check out this guide from the ATO for more information.
You can do this by logging in to your account, clicking the "Marketplace" link in the left-hand column and clicking "Selling". You'll then need to select "Mark As Sold" next to the relevant listing.
If you have a Facebook account, you already have access to Facebook Marketplace. You can access the marketplace through the Facebook mobile app or by logging in to your account from a web browser.
Tim Falk is a writer for Finder, writing across a diverse range of topics. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, Tim has reported on everything from travel and personal finance to pets and TV soap operas. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors.
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