Facebook for Social Commerce: Quick Guide + Tips

Although Pinterest is the first platform to offer shopping features, Facebook is still influential in the social shopping sphere. They introduced the Shopping feature in 2020, which has seen an uptick in views and sales since then. If you’re new to Facebook Shopping, here’s a quick guide to set it up. Plus, know how Facebook for social commerce can help your brand flourish.

How to Set Up Your Facebook Shop?

Before we list the steps in setting up a Facebook Shop, you should know that a Page is required to create one. However, you can open a Facebook Shop and create a Page at the same time with these steps:

1. Head to the Commerce Landing Page

You can start your Facebook Shop by going to this page. This page introduces you to Facebook Shop.

2. Select a Checkout Method

Facebook Shops allow you to choose a checkout method. You have three Checkout methods:

• Another website (customers will be redirected to your website)
• Facebook or Instagram (available only for US-based businesses)
• Messaging (checkout via Messenger or WhatsApp)

3. Choose Sales Channels and Business Account Manager

If you haven’t set up a business page yet, this is the step where you’ll create a page. You need that page as a sales channel. After creating your page and choosing where you’ll sell, you also need to connect a business account.

4. Add a Shipping Location

Once those are done, you have to choose a shipping location. Make sure to select the countries where you’ll ship your items.

5. Preview and Finish Set Up

The final step in setting up your Facebook Shop is the preview. This allows you to review your Shop before creating listings. If it’s all good, click Finish Setup, and your Facebook store is finally online!

How to Create a Facebook Shop Listing?

Once you set up your shop, the next best thing to do is post your product listings. To do this, you need to create a catalog first. 

1. Select a Catalog Type

When creating a catalog, choose the best one for your shop. You can choose from six categories.

2. Configure Catalog Settings

In this step, you can choose to add your products or listings manually. Or, if you have an online shop, you can integrate your items from that website. However, if you don’t have a website yet and want to add things manually, you can move on to the next step.

3. Add Items

When adding a new listing, you have four options: manual, data feed, partner platform, or Pixel.

After clicking “Manual,” you will be redirected to a new page where you can upload the following:

• Images
• Title
• Description
• Website link
• Price
• Facebook product category
• Condition
• Availability
• Status
• Brand
• Content ID

Once you’ve supplied these details, you finally have your first-ever listing on Facebook!

Reminder: Make sure to update your catalog and inventory from time to time.

Why Do You Need a Facebook Shop?

• It allows you to connect with customers on Facebook through messaging apps.
• It can drive more leads and sales from Facebook to your website.
• Setting up a Facebook Shop is easy, and you can start selling on the same day.
• A Facebook Shop is ideal for businesses without a website yet but would like to promote their products already.
• You can provide a faster and more seamless checkout, especially if your leads are coming from Facebook.

Facebook for Social Commerce: 3 Tips to Follow

You don’t want your efforts of setting up your shop on the social media site to go to waste. Here’s how you can entice your followers to become your loyal customers.

1. Customize Your Storefront

Facebook allows business owners to customize their storefronts by editing the shop’s layout. Plus, you can feature your best products. With a customized storefront, you can flaunt your best-selling items. This introduces new customers to your products.

As a new business, you probably still don’t have a best-seller just yet. However, you can choose products you think would most benefit your customers. Or, promote your most exciting product first. Then, add a catalog for other products that your customers can buy in the near future.

2. Create and Publish Ads

Increase your Facebook Shop’s exposure by posting ads. Organic content can create interest in your products. However, ads can help you reach an audience you couldn’t through word-of-mouth or organic content.

Thanks to graphic design and video services or tools, anyone can create Facebook ads instantly. Once done, you can publish these ads to promote your new products to the public. But before you get your hands on software or hire a graphic designer or video editor, you need to remember these things:

• Ad type (e.g., image, video, carousel, lead, collection)
• Ad sizes
• Objective (awareness, traffic, engagement, leads, app promotion, and sales)
• Audience type (lookalike audiences, custom audiences)

Once you have these ready, you can publish these ads immediately and promote your business and products to a broader audience.

3. Establish Connections with Customers

Having a Facebook store doesn’t mean online buyers will come trickling in and buying your products. They will take time to decide whether or not they should push through with their purchase. One Facebook social commerce strategy is not overlooking building connections with customers.

You have to nurture your leads from the moment they ask questions about your products until they decide to purchase. However, if you can’t reply to every single message, you can use a chatbot to assist customers with their inquiries. Then, you or a team member can step in to handle complex inquiries.

Key Takeaways

If you have a fantastic product to promote but don’t know where to start, Facebook is one of the best platforms to list it. The social media platform makes it easy for businesses to create a Facebook Page and Shop in a few simple steps. Plus, listing on Facebook is the ideal alternative if you don’t have a website, want to promote your products and see results quickly.