Selling on FB Marketplace - 15 Key Considerations for Higher Conversions

Alright, so you're dipping your eCommerce toes into the wild, wonderful world of Facebook Marketplace, huh?
If you're thinking, "Isn't the Marketplace just for yard sales and couch giveaways?"—think again.
This place has grown up, and with 800 million people scrolling through every month, it’s become a prime spot for real businesses to reach new buyers (yes, they’re shopping for more than just a used coffee table).
Here's the thing: selling on Marketplace isn’t like running your website or even listing on Amazon.
It's part digital flea market, part social hub, and it’s all about standing out in a sea of deals, haggles, and sometimes strange buyer requests (no, Susan, you can’t get it delivered by drone).
So, to help your eCommerce brand shine, we’ve packed this guide with punchy tips on everything from leveling up your product pictures to navigating peak posting hours.
Ready to turn those “just looking” scrollers into repeat customers?
Let’s get started!
1. Add conversion-driving images
2. Let’s perfect your title and description
5. Talk about your pickup locations
7. Subtly nudge them to shop from your website
8. Renew your listing routinely
9. Pay attention to shipping processes
10. Clearly mention your return policy
11. Use Facebook promotions to lure new customers
12. Get reviews on your profile
14. Make customer support easy to access
15. Lastly, be patient–FB Marketplace can be seasonal
We all know the first thing people zero in on is the product photo—it's basically the deal-maker (or breaker).
Which is why lighting is everything! Natural lighting is ideal, making your product look as vibrant and true to life as possible.
But don’t just settle for one or two shots. You need an all-angle approach that’s going to leave buyers with no questions. Try these:
If you can, invest a little time in styling. Think of setting your product in a real-life setting—add props if it fits! This way, buyers can envision how it’ll work in their lives.
And here’s a little insider tip: include a picture of the packaging box.
Studies show people are more likely to hit “buy” when they know the item’s coming in a neat, branded box!
Here are some examples of great photos for the FB Marketplace.
Finally, consider videos! They’re a fantastic tool for ramping up your listing’s engagement. Here are two surefire ways to go:
Photos pull them in, but your title and description seal the deal. Think of them as your listing’s “closing pitch.”
The trick is to match how people search for items like yours on Facebook Marketplace.
Start by brainstorming what people might type if they’re looking for your item.
Let’s say you’re selling a mid-century modern coffee table. Instead of just “Coffee Table,” try something like “Mid-Century Modern Walnut Coffee Table – 36 Inches.”
This title is specific, which attracts serious buyers and gives them more confidence in what they’re clicking on.
To get the most traction, make a list of keywords people would likely search for, like:
Once you’ve got these search-friendly phrases, sprinkle them naturally into your title and description.
Next, add essential details to avoid a buyer’s “but wait, how big is it?” moment.
Make sure you include measurements (height, width, depth), the material, color, and any notable features like “easy assembly” or “scratch-resistant.”
If it’s vintage, mention that—it can be a huge selling point for furniture shoppers!
Lastly, don’t forget the extras! If you’re including items like a glass top or matching stools, or if there’s any option for delivery, list it. These small details can make your listing stand out in a crowded Marketplace.
Also read: 10 eCommerce brands winning at Social Commerce (+ Lessons we can learn from them)
When you post matters almost as much as what you post. You want your listing to go live when people are most likely scrolling through the Marketplace.
Prime times? Evenings and weekends! During these hours, people are winding down from work or relaxing, making them more likely to browse.
But here’s a pro tip: Experiment with different times and track what works best. For some categories, like furniture, you might see more activity on Saturday and Sunday mornings when people are in "home improvement" mode.
Some great posting times according to categories are:
And don’t forget: reply to messages ASAP!
You don't want them to change their minds.
Your Facebook Marketplace profile is an extension of your eCommerce brand, so make sure it’s consistent with your website.
Use your official logo or a high-quality brand image as your profile picture. Avoid anything low-quality or makeshift—buyers should immediately recognize your brand and feel confident they’re shopping with a legitimate business.
Consistency between your website and Marketplace profile—same contact details, same tone—reinforces that they’re dealing with the real deal.
Also read: 15 Underutilized Social Media Ideas For eCommerce Brands
Offering local pickup is a great way to appeal to buyers who want to skip shipping, but it needs to be simple and clear.
Here’s how to do it right:
Be aware that people on Facebook Marketplace aren’t shopping for Picassos, they are looking for a deal.
That’s why you’ve got to be ready to negotiate.
Buyers love the thrill of getting a discount, so be prepared to haggle a bit.
Also read: 15 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Social Proof (eCommerce)
You don’t want your Marketplace sale to be a one-time wonder.
Give them a reason to visit your website next time with an exclusive promo code.
After a Marketplace sale, include a discount code in your follow-up message or thank-you note. This small incentive not only makes buyers feel valued but also opens the door for them to explore your full range directly on your site—where they’re more likely to buy again.
The trick is to make the offer enticing. Think “10% off your next order” or “Free shipping on your next purchase.” By doing this, you’re gently moving Marketplace customers to your own platform, where they can browse additional products and shop without the noise of competing listings.
Renewing your listing every 7 days can significantly boost your product’s visibility on Facebook Marketplace. When you renew, your item gets bumped to the top of search results, giving it more exposure. But to maximize this strategy, it’s important to do it at the right times and refresh your listings strategically.
Quick tip: During holidays or sales events, renew your listings right before the event starts and make sure your description mentions any related promotions. This not only boosts visibility but aligns your products with buyer intent.
Also read: 25 Proven Ways To Reduce eCommerce Shipping Costs
Once you confirm the order, you must ship the item within 3 business days. This is crucial—Facebook's system will automatically cancel the order if you don’t mark it as shipped, regardless of any prior agreements made with the buyer.
So, it’s not just about shipping the item on time; you also need to mark it as shipped and enter the tracking number in the system. This keeps both parties in the loop and ensures that the buyer has visibility on their order's progress.
Being proactive with this can help you avoid cancellations, maintain good standing as a seller, and keep your buyers satisfied with timely updates. Make sure to track these deadlines closely and provide the necessary information promptly!
A well-defined return policy isn’t just a safety net—it’s a selling point.
On Facebook Marketplace, where trust can make or break a sale, a clearly stated return policy reassures buyers that you’re a professional seller who’s ready to stand by your product.
Be upfront about your terms: if you offer returns, explain the conditions, time limits, and any costs involved. If you don’t accept returns, let buyers know before they even ask.
The goal is transparency; buyers are far more likely to purchase when they know exactly what to expect if something doesn’t work out.
Also read: 14 Brilliant Examples of eCommerce Return Policy (+ Proven Tips)
Once your FB Marketplace is set up, you need to get those eyeballs to your products.
First, consider sponsored listings. Sponsored listings work like ads, but they’re targeted specifically within the Marketplace, making them incredibly effective.
Facebook’s targeting tools allow you to narrow down your audience based on location, interests, and buying behavior, so your listing reaches exactly who you want. With a small investment, you’re pushing your products up in the feed and gaining a competitive edge.
Next, run ads. These ads appear when people are casually browsing through their feed.
In this way, you are not limited to the Marketplace users, you can draw the attention of buyers from across the platform.
If you don’t want to invest in ads right away, no worries! Try using Facebook live instead.
This is a great free way to connect with your potential customers in real time and answer their questions.
When hosting a Facebook live event be sure to have a plan for what it is that you want to talk about when you go live.
You should promote your event in advance and encourage people to tune in.
Lastly, dive into Facebook communities. These aren’t just groups; they’re vibrant hubs where your target audience hangs out.
Whether it’s local buy-and-sell groups or niche-specific communities, sharing your promotions here puts your deals right in front of the people who care most about your products.
Don’t just drop a link and ghost—engage with members, answer their questions, and build relationships.
In the world of Facebook Marketplace, reviews are pure gold. A solid profile with positive reviews signals to potential buyers that you’re trustworthy, reliable, and worth their time.
Encourage happy customers to leave reviews by giving them a smooth, friendly experience. A quick follow-up message thanking them and politely asking for feedback can go a long way.
Each review adds weight to your profile, showing future buyers that they’re dealing with a seller who’s proven to deliver quality and service.
On Facebook Marketplace, a smooth sale can be thrilling, but it’s crucial to keep your guard up against scammers.
One quick rule of thumb: always check your account or PayPal balance before shipping anything. Don’t rely solely on a notification or message saying payment was sent. Confirm the funds are actually in your account to avoid any nasty surprises.
Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency or even fake payment confirmations, so take a moment to verify things on your end.
A few seconds of caution can save you from potential headaches—and costly losses. And if anything feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts. It’s far better to delay shipping than to risk sending your product to someone who hasn’t paid.
Accessible customer support is essential to building trust and turning potential buyers into committed ones. Here’s how to make your support clear, responsive, and effective:
Selling on Facebook Marketplace is a bit of a waiting game, and timing is everything.
Buyer interest can fluctuate with the seasons, holidays, and even trending events, so don’t sweat it if your listing isn’t an instant hit. Some audiences only become active during certain times of the year or when they’re hunting for deals around big sales periods.
Keep your listings live, update them regularly, and wait for the right moment.
You might see more traction during back-to-school season, the holiday rush, or even just as the weather changes.
Patience can really pay off here—often, the key is letting your product sit long enough to catch the wave of demand when it hits.
98% of visitors who visit an eCommerce site—drop off without buying anything.
Why: user experience issues that cause friction for visitors.
And this is the problem Convertcart solves.
We've helped 500+ eCommerce stores (in the US) improve user experience—and 2X their conversions.
How we can help you:
Our conversion experts can audit your site—identify UX issues, and suggest changes to improve conversions.