Leveraging the amount of time spent on the social networking site, Facebook now intends to turn it into a wholesome e-commerce platform where users can buy or sell goods.
Leveraging the amount of time spent on the social networking site, Facebook now intends to turn it into a wholesome e-commerce platform where users can buy or sell goods. The site already allows enterprises to list as well as further their businesses through its channel. However, with the new ‘Marketplace’, which is a user-to-user exchange service, the ability to do business will be available to users irrespective of whether they want to just exchange their old mobile phone or wish to buy a new handbag listed by other users in the community.
Similar to selling and buying platform like OLX in India or Craiglist in the US, Facebook Marketplace will allow users to post a picture of the item they want to sell and fellow users could explore from the listed items and make a purchase. Marketplace will be rolled out to everyone above 18 years of age starting in the US, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand on the Facebook app for iPhone and Android. With such open sales and purchase available at user disposal, concerns might arise if miscreants end up using the social networking platform to do illegal business. However, as per Facebook policy, transactions of illegal items like drugs or explosives are banned. It also bans the sale of firearms, animals, and alcohol, among others.
“We will continue expanding to additional countries and make Marketplace available on the desktop version of Facebook in the coming months,” Facebook’s Director of Product Management Mary Ku said in a post late on Monday.
In recent years, more people have been using Facebook to connect in another way — buying and selling with each other. ALSO READ: Beware! Facebook will disable your account if you share this cat photo
“This activity started in Facebook Groups and has grown substantially. More than 450 million people visit — buy and sell groups, each month — from families in a local neighbourhood to collectors around the world,” Ku added.
Marketplace is a convenient destination to discover, buy and sell items with people in the community. To visit Marketplace, just tap on the shop icon at the bottom of the Facebook app and start exploring. Marketplace opens with photos of items that people near you have listed for sale.
To find something specific, search at the top and filter your results by location, category or price. You can also browse what’s available in a variety of categories such as household, electronics and apparel. Use the built-in location tool to adjust the region you’re looking in, or switch to a different city altogether. ALSO READ: Facebook may soon roll out Snapchat Stories-like feature on Messenger
“When you find something interesting, tap on the image to see more details from the seller, including a product description, the name and profile photo of the seller, and their general location. You can also save the item to find it later,” Ku posted.
You can also send the seller a direct message from Marketplace to tell them you’re interested and make an offer. From that point on, you and the seller can work out the details in any way you choose. Facebook does not facilitate the payment or delivery of items in Marketplace. To sell an item in ‘Marketplace’, take a photo of your item or add it from your camera roll. Enter a product name, description and price. Confirm your location and select a category. ALSO READ: Facebook Messenger’s Instant Video is another new Snapchat-like feature
“To keep track of all of your current and past transactions in Marketplace, visit — Your Items section. There, you can view your saved items, products you’ve posted for sale, and all your messages with people,” Ku noted.