How to sell on social media without an online store? Selling on Facebook and Instagram

In the times of corona, a lot of businesses had to switch from selling in traditional stores to selling online. If you don't feel ready for this - we get it. Some of you may feel daunted - because setting up an online store seems to be expensive and time-consuming. But we have good news for you! You don't actually need to have an online store to sell online!

In this post, I am going to explain how you can sell on social media - without any technical knowledge:

1. How to sell on Facebook via the Facebook Store
2. How to sell on Facebook via the Facebook Marketplace
3. How to sell on Facebook simply using...Facebook posts.
4. How to sell on Instagram via Instagram Shop

Ready to start selling on social media? Let's dive in! ????

How to sell on Facebook via the Facebook Store

If you have a Facebook profile (which means you're alive ????) and Facebook business page— you can set up a FREE Facebook store to sell your products! Yay!

There are some conditions you need to meet though:

• You are allowed to sell physical goods from your Facebook store only — so ❌no digital goods, ❌no downloadable (e.g. ebooks, PDFs - but a physical book is ok ????) ❌no courses, and ❌ no services
• You need to have a payment method: a PayPal account, Stripe Account or a bank account you can link to your store
• If you're in the US, you need to have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) / Tax ID Number
• You need to agree to Facebook’s Merchant Terms

If you're meeting those conditions, here's how to set up your Facebook store in steps:

1. Go to your Facebook business page
2. Find 'Shop' on the tab on the left: 

1. Click on it and then click on 'Add Product'. 
2. This takes you to a pop-up where you can fill in your product info: 

1. Fill in the popup with relevant information about your product. In the 'Checkout URL' field you can put e.g. your PayPal.me link (the link to a personal payment 'landing page' that's connected to your account, takes two clicks to create, and is FREE! How good is that? ????) :

1. Now simply click “Add Product.”

1. You can only sell your merchandize locally (and need to ship within 3 working days, and make sure it reaches your customer within 10 working days - via a registered mail or a shipping service that offers tracking - like DPD or TNT.)
2. If you're a US seller - you will need to provide which state you're based in and provide your EIN number.

And that's it! You're all set to start selling on Facebook via your own store! ????

Now - in order to make it successful, you still need to do some marketing to drive customers to your Facebook shop. This is taken away by the 'Marketplace' feature - where people in your area are actively looking for things to buy from local sellers!

See how to sell your products on FB marketplace below ????

????????Ready to start selling on social media? Open your Free Postfity Account to promote your online store!   +Get our  FREE Coronavirus Support Package!

How to sell on Facebook via the Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is the online equivalent of a street market/ local flea market - think London Portobello Road market taken online ????. Here's how to sell on FB marketplace:

1. Go to the 'marketplace' tab on Facebook: 

1. Click on the 'sell something' button: 

1. Now, list your product on the marketplace: 

1. You can list the same product in several marketplaces/ share it in relevant groups at the same time! 

????????Ready to start selling on social media? Open your Free Postfity Account to promote your online store!   +Get our  FREE Coronavirus Support Package!

How to sell on Facebook simply using...Facebook posts.

OK, what if you offer services or digital goods which can't be sold in a Facebook shop or on marketplaces?

You can simply offer them in Facebook groups!

Search for local groups offering corona-related help or simply local buy-and-sell groups, and offer your services there.

You can arrange to deliver your services online and collect payments via PayPal.me

????????Ready to start selling on social media? Open your Free Postfity Account to promote your online store!   +Get our  FREE Coronavirus Support Package!

How to sell on Instagram via Instagram Shop

Now, did you know that you can sell on Instagram as well?

In order to set up an Instagram shop, you need to have Facebook shop first (Facebook owns Instagram)/

So if you don't have your Facebook shop up and running yet - go back to the earlier section and get it done.

How to set up a shop on Instagram? (DISCLAIMER: You need to have Instagram Business Account to do it!)

Here are a few simple steps you need to take:

1. link your Instagram business profile to your Facebook business page. To do it, go to Instagram >> settings >>“Linked Accounts.” and follow IG's instructions.
2. Wait for Instagram's approval of your store. It may take a few days.
3. Select the Facebook shop you want to link your Instagram profile to. Go to Instagram >> business settings >> click “Shopping” and select the Facebook shop you want to link.
4. All your products from FB should sync with your IG shop automatically!
5. Activate the “Shop” tab on your Instagram profile. You’ll need to post one Instagram shop post at least.

And that’s it! Your Instagram shop is open for customers now as well!

????????Ready to start selling on social media? Open your Free Postfity Account to promote your online store!   +Get our  FREE Coronavirus Support Package!