Facebook Marketplace has become an increasingly popular way for people to buy and sell items locally. With over 1 billion monthly active users on Facebook, Marketplace gives sellers access to a huge potential customer base. But can you actually make decent money selling on Marketplace? Here’s what you need to know.
How Facebook Marketplace Works
Facebook Marketplace allows users to list items for sale directly through their Facebook app. As a seller, you can list as many items as you want for free. You can include a description, photos, location, category and price. Buyers can browse Marketplace listings in their local area and contact sellers directly through Facebook Messenger to ask questions or negotiate.
Marketplace has a few advantages over other selling platforms:
- No listing fees – Facebook does not charge any fees to list or sell items
- Large existing audience – Millions of Facebook users already browse Marketplace
- Sell locally – Buyers must arrange pickup or delivery from your local area
- Trusted connections – Buyers may feel more comfortable purchasing from someone in their existing Facebook network
Overall, Marketplace provides an easy and convenient way to sell goods locally without having to build a new audience or pay platform fees.
What Can You Sell on Marketplace?
Facebook allows you to list most physical items for sale or sought on Marketplace, except a few prohibited categories:
- Alcohol
- Animals
- Gift cards
- Illegal, prescription or recreational drugs
- Tobacco products
- Weapons, ammunition and explosives
Other than that, you can sell just about anything – furniture, cars, clothing, electronics, collectibles, art, appliances, household items, tools, toys, antiques, and more. Services can also be offered for local pickup/delivery like handyman work, cleaning, repairs, construction, lawn care, beauty services and more.
Nearly any physical good or local service can potentially be listed as long as it’s legal and doesn’t violate Facebook’s commerce policies.
Tips for Making Money on Marketplace
Here are some top tips for maximizing your earnings on Facebook Marketplace:
Price items competitively
Research prices for similar items in your local Marketplace and set your price accordingly. Pricing items too high will turn away buyers.
Post high-quality photos
Take clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles to show the details and condition of your item. Good photos attract more interest.
Write detailed descriptions
Include key details like brand, dimensions, age, condition, features, flaws, etc. The more info you provide, the fewer questions you’ll have to field.
Respond quickly
Set aside time to answer inquiries right away. Quick responses show buyers you’re reliable and interested in selling.
Offer flexibility
Be open to negotiation and willing to accept reasonable offers. Saying yes more often leads to faster sales.
Provide great service
Go above and beyond by packing items securely, being flexible with arrangements, and maintaining clear communication. This encourages positive reviews.
Cross-post popular items
List high-demand items on multiple platforms like Facebook Groups, Craigslist, OfferUp, etc. to expose them to more buyers.
Sell in-demand categories
Target categories like furniture, baby gear, electronics, tools, toys, etc. which tend to sell consistently.
Best-Selling Items on Marketplace
While you can sell almost anything on Marketplace, certain categories tend to be most profitable. Here are some of the best-selling items to consider listing:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Furniture | Couches, tables, beds, dressers, desks, shelves, chairs |
| Electronics | Cell phones, laptops, tablets, gaming systems, TVs, cameras |
| Baby & Kids | Cribs, strollers, bikes, clothes, toys, books, baby gear |
| Home Decor | Lighting, rugs, art, mirrors, pillows, curtains |
| Appliances | Refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, dishwashers |
| Tools | Power tools, hand tools, tool sets, ladders, toolboxes |
| Sports & Outdoors | Bikes, camping gear, fishing equipment, golf clubs |
| Auto Parts | Tires, batteries, electronics, accessories, wheels |
Household items, clothes, books, collectibles, musical instruments and craft supplies also tend to sell well on Marketplace. Take a look around your home for quality items in these popular categories that you no longer need.
How Much Money Can You Make?
Income potential on Facebook Marketplace depends on factors like:
- How many items you list
- Types of items you sell
- Pricing and profit margins
- Local market demand
- Time invested
Most casual sellers make a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per year. However, power sellers report earning $5,000 to $10,000+ annually on Marketplace alone by:
- Listing 50+ items at once
- Focusing on high-value goods like cars, antiques, or HVAC equipment
- Pricing items below market value to drive quick sales
- Reinvesting profits into sourcing more inventory
- Cross-promoting their listings heavily across platforms
With time and effort, it’s possible to run a profitable side-hustle business on Marketplace. However, don’t expect it to generate a full-time income right away. Start out listing items you already own and reinvest your earnings to grow your inventory and sales over time.
Pros of Selling on Marketplace
Some of the main benefits of Facebook Marketplace for sellers include:
- No fees – Facebook does not charge any listing, selling or transaction fees
- Existing platform – Tap into Facebook’s huge built-in audience of buyers
- Local sales – Only sell to buyers who can pickup or arrange delivery from your area
- Trusted network – Buyers likely have connections to you or your friends already
- Convenient – List and manage items directly within the Facebook app
- Secure payments – Use Messenger for communication and arrange payment in-person or via apps
- User reviews – Build up a seller profile with ratings and reviews over time
Overall, Marketplace provides an easy, no-cost way to access lots of potential buyers in your local community.
Cons of Selling on Marketplace
Some potential downsides for sellers on Facebook Marketplace include:
- No seller protection – Facebook does not mediate disputes or cover damages
- Low barriers to entry – Lots of competition from both individuals and pros
- Time investment – Listing, communicating with buyers and arranging meetups takes time
- No shipping – Must arrange local pickup which limits customer base
- Payment risks – Only secure payment methods, no buyer/seller protection
- Scams – Potential for fake listings, fake profiles and difficult buyers
- Slow sales – Items may take weeks/months to finally sell
While Marketplace has many pros, you also take on more risk and responsibility as the seller. Make sure to take precautions like meeting in public and accepting cash only.
Should You Sell on Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace is best suited for these types of sellers:
- Casual sellers looking to declutter household items
- Side hustlers selling handmade, used or collectible goods
- Local service providers offering services like repairs, cleaning, delivery
- Auto dealers and other pros able to meet local buyers
- Crafters, artists and makers selling handmade goods
Marketplace works well for anyone selling physical items, used goods or local services. It’s more convenient than Craigslist and reaches a broader audience than garage sales or local classifieds.
Marketplace may not be ideal if you:
- Want to sell new wholesale or commercial goods
- Need shipping options for remote buyers
- Would rather not arrange local meetups
- Prefer built-in payment processing and protections
Overall, Marketplace is a solid option for most casual to part-time sellers focused on a local customer base. Just go in with reasonable expectations around earnings, time commitment and protections.
How to Get Started Selling on Marketplace
Ready to start selling on Facebook Marketplace? Here’s how to get up and running:
- Download Facebook app – Make sure you have the latest version installed on your smartphone or tablet. You can’t list from a desktop.
- Create seller account – Set up a personal or business Facebook profile. Use a clear, recognizable profile name and photo.
- Set location – Go to Settings > Account Settings > Manage Locations to set your local pickup locations.
- Take photos – Take quality pictures that showcase your items’ details and condition.
- Write listings – Draft compelling titles, descriptions, categories and prices for each item.
- Post listings – Go to Marketplace > Sell Something to list your first items.
- Share – Post your listings on your News Feed, Facebook Groups and other channels.
- Respond – Reply promptly to comments, questions and offers from potential buyers.
- Arrange payment/pickup – Use Messenger to sort out meetup logistics and payment.
- Leave feedback – Be sure to leave positive reviews for good buyers once transactions are complete.
With your seller profile set up and initial listings posted, you’ll start receiving inquiries right away. Be patient at first – it can take some trial and error to figure out which items attract buyers and negotiate fair pricing.
Tips for Marketplace Success
Here are some additional tips for getting great results on Marketplace as a seller:
- Focus on quality over quantity – List 5-10 great items instead of 50 so-so ones
- Renew stale listings – Repost items that haven’t sold every 7-14 days
- Offer bundle deals – Discount multiple items bought together
- Highlight hot features – Call out brand names, special attributes in descriptions
- Stage items nicely – Use good lighting, backgrounds and props in photos
- Price competitively – Research going rates and price below competitors
- Act quickly – Respond to buyers within an hour during peak evening hours
- Sell at the right time – Weekends and early evenings see the most Marketplace traffic
- Be flexible – Accommodate reasonable offers, delivery options, payment plans
- Communicate clearly – Provide any disclosures and confirm arrangements in Messenger
Putting effort into great listings, competitive pricing and stellar service will maximize your chances of converting interested buyers.
Alternatives to Facebook Marketplace
If Facebook Marketplace isn’t the right fit, here are some other options for selling locally:
Craigslist
The long-standing classifieds site has a huge buyer base and lets you post for free in various local categories. However, the site is outdated, has no seller profiles and can attract scammers.
OfferUp
This popular app makes local shopping super convenient by showing what buyers want near them. You can build up a seller rating over time.
Letgo
Letgo connects you with buyers and sellers right in your area through a streamlined app. Listing and selling is quick, easy and free.
eBay
eBay reaches millions globally but now also lets you list items for local pickup only. This opens up buyers in your community.
Nextdoor
Nextdoor connects neighbors in a geographic area via a private social network. It’s perfect for finding hyperlocal buyers.
Facebook Groups
Join local buy/sell groups related to your city or neighborhood to target nearby shoppers.
Each platform has its own pros and cons for selling locally. Try out a few options to see what works best in your area and for your items.
Should You Use Marketplace for Buying Too?
Absolutely! Here are some tips for scoring great finds as a buyer on Marketplace:
- Search locally – Filter listings by distance for pickup/delivery
- Act fast – Jump on newly listed items from motivated sellers
- Sort by price – Find affordable items or filter high-end goods
- Favorite sellers – Follow ones with great feedback and inventory
- Search by brand or item – Find specific things you need
- Look for motivated sellers – Ask “Is this still available?” on older listings
- Negotiate – Make reasonable lower offers, ask about bundling
- Inspect before buying – Test items, count pieces, verify serviceability
Buying on Marketplace lets you find amazing deals on almost anything from people right in your community. Pay close attention to listing details, seller history, and item condition to avoid disappointment.
Conclusion
Selling on Facebook Marketplace offers an easy, convenient way to earn extra money. While serious sellers can generate thousands per year, most casual sellers will make a few hundred dollars clearing out unused household items.
Focus on listing quality used goods in popular categories like furniture, electronics, baby items and more. Take appealing photos, price competitively, provide great service and promote your listings actively.
Marketplace does take more time and effort than other options like yard sales. But the massive built-in audience makes it worth trying for most sellers. Just be cautious with payments, avoid scams and don’t expect it to replace a full-time income.
The low barrier to entry, zero fees and existing community make Facebook Marketplace a great sales channel for anyone looking to connect with local buyers. Try it out for yourself and see if you can turn those unwanted items into cash.