Is Facebook Marketplace a viable platform for online sales?

The Facebook marketplace is Facebook's commerce platform, and with it any user of the social network, whether an individual or legal entity, can advertise and sell their products and services, as well as buy them.

In this article you will understand what the Facebook marketplace is and find out if this is the ideal channel for your sales strategies. So, keep reading and check it out!

What is Facebook Marketplace?

In short, the Facebook marketplace works with an intermediary between the seller and the buyer. Therefore, the social network has no commitment to payment and logistics, that is, the failure of this or that is the sole responsibility of the users.

Although it has a wide variety of tools, the platform remains quite intuitive. Anyone looking to buy can search specifically for the item they are interested in and filter for the most convenient features. Furthermore, every day a selection of items is displayed at the start, which varies depending on the user's location.

Therefore, the items are divided into categories, such as electronics, clothing and office items. But beyond that, the list of ads available on the platform is quite extensive. There, you can even find properties for rent and sale, and cars for sale.

Sellers, in turn, also have the convenience of commerce through a social network. On the sales page, they can create a new classified, check insights and customize their profile specifically for this purpose. Another relevant resource is the so-called “seller panel”, where the user has access to the main information about their sales, in a concentrated way.

Advantages and disadvantages of the platform

Benefits

Direct contact with customers

A big difference with the Facebook marketplace is the possibility of contacting the seller directly, to ask questions about the product or service and even negotiate. Although it is an essentially digital platform, its operation resembles traditional classifieds and trading methods.

Usability

The platform is intuitive for both buyers and sellers. With a layout similar to Facebook, this marketplace thus becomes a quick and efficient solution, especially for those already familiar with the social network.

Resource free

Unlike other marketplaces such as Mercado Livre and OLX, Facebook's solution does not charge any fees for creating classifieds. Sellers will incur expenses if they want to boost sales through paid ads.  

Disadvantages

Independence of payment and logistics

Business security is a point to pay attention to when it comes to the marketplace. Facebook. As previously mentioned, Facebook is not responsible for any issues related to payment or logistics, making it more susceptible to scams and fraud.

Amateur profile

Although companies can also use this platform as a business channel, it is still dominated by amateur advertisements. That is, individuals who sell used products or items resulting from hobbies, such as handicrafts.

high competition

Because it operates according to the logic of classifieds, there is a lot of competition on the Facebook marketplace and factors such as lower prices and faster delivery have an important impact on the purchasing decision.

Facebook Marketplace vs. own e-commerce?

But after all, which is better: using Facebook as a sales channel or investing in a own e-commerce platform?

Well, the answer will depend on different factors, because both can be viable solutions for your business. First of all, it is necessary to analyze the points raised throughout this article, especially the advantages and disadvantages of the marketplace. Facebook.

The positive factors of the platform are related to its simplicity and accessibility, making it a resource that anyone can use. Which is particularly good for small and new businesses that have not yet gained the necessary resources to invest in more professional online sales solutions.  

On the other hand, the disadvantages involve its more amateurish nature in sales strategies. Therefore, it is an alternative when the objective is to make a one-off, more unpretentious sale, or as already mentioned, if your company is just starting out. Selling on the Facebook marketplace can harm the credibility of an established brand.

Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the following aspects of your company:

• Resources available to invest in e-commerce;
• Experience and time in the market;
• Objective of a given sales action;
• Structure of your sales team.

In view of this, building your own e-commerce for your company can be an important differentiator, as it helps to build a consistent brand image and reputation. And there is no denying that this is crucial to good sales performance in the medium and long term.

If you still have questions about the subject, Beatz's blog you will find diverse content to delve deeper and decide on the best sales solution.