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Ultimate Guide to Facebook Marketplace Dropshipping
Facebook Marketplace is a great platform for selling items to people in your local area. But did you know you can dropship on Facebook Marketplace too?
That's right. You don't need to actually have the products. You can connect with suppliers near your customers, and they'll handle the shipping for you.
Of course, you'll need to do some work, like managing listings and customer service. But the main hassle of managing inventory is taken out of the equation.
Interested? Then read on to learn how to dropship on Facebook Marketplace as a beginner with no experience.
What is Facebook Marketplace Dropshipping?
Dropshipping on Facebook Marketplace means you sell products without ever holding them in your hands. Here's how it works:
- You list a product on Facebook Marketplace
- A customer buys it from your listing
- You order the product from a supplier using the customer's details
- The supplier ships it directly to the customer
So, no need to worry about storing or shipping items yourself. Your profit comes from the difference between what the customer pays and what you pay the supplier.
Facebook Marketplace started as a place to buy and sell items locally, like Craigslist. But now, it has shipping options and partnerships with retail and eCommerce businesses, making it a great platform for dropshipping.
Can You Dropship On The Facebook Marketplace?
Yes, you can dropship on Facebook Marketplace. The features you get depend on where you’re selling from.
Right now, the US is the best place for dropshipping on Facebook Marketplace. It offers delivery and checkout options.
Outside the US, Facebook Marketplace mainly supports local selling. But this might change in the future.
Things to Think About for Dropshipping on Facebook Marketplace
- Seller rules: Facebook has specific seller policies. For example, you need to ship items within three working days of order confirmation. Additionally, sellers should mark orders as dispatched and provide tracking numbers. Keep these factors in mind when contemplating whether to dropship on the Facebook Marketplace
- Shipping costs: Using Facebook's shipping options means paying a fee for each sale. It's 5% per transaction with a minimum of $0.40. Solution: Price your items to cover these fees and stay profitable.
- Managing your listings: if you also sell on other platforms like your website or Instagram Shops, managing Facebook Marketplace adds to your workload. Customers can message you through Facebook Messenger, which you’ll need to monitor. Solution: Ensure you have the time and resources to manage your Facebook Marketplace listings effectively.
- US-Only shipping: Currently, Facebook Marketplace shipping is only available within the US. So, dropshipping on Facebook Marketplace is recommended for US-based sellers only.
- Platform integration: Facebook Marketplace doesn’t connect with all ecommerce platforms. To link your Shopify listings, you’ll need a connector tool. However, a native integration is expected to arrive soon.
Steps to Dropship on The Facebook Marketplace
Now for the fun part: here are the steps of launching a dropshipping business on Facebook Marketplace.
1. Find Products to Sell
Products define the success of a dropshipping business. There are several ways to find dropshipping products for Facebook Marketplace dropshipping. Here are some methods you can use to conduct product research:
Explore Marketplaces
Exploring marketplaces can give you some profitable product ideas. Start by using the search bar on popular platforms like Amazon and eBay; just type in a product name and see what suggestions pop up. These are based on what people are searching for and can highlight in-demand items.
You can also check out the best-sellers lists on sites like Etsy, Amazon, and Walmart. These lists feature products that are already selling well, giving you a better idea of what's popular and likely to attract buyers.
Use Social Media
Social media can be a goldmine for product ideas, since people like to discuss and share their latest finds and purchases. Here are a few places to consider for your product research:
- Facebook Groups: Join Facebook groups related to your niche. Group members are your potential customers and can provide product ideas. Engage with the community to get feedback on your ideas.
- YouTube: Search for product reviews or comparison videos in your niche. Comments on these videos can provide insights into what customers are looking for and any gaps in the market.
- TikTok and Instagram: Use hashtags like #TikTokmademebuyit and #populartoday to discover popular products. These platforms show what users are excited about. Check comments to gauge interest and potential demand.
Leverage Product Research Tools
Product research tools are essential for finding winning items to sell on Facebook Marketplace. They help you figure out what’s profitable and trending. Here are some top ones:
Marketplace analysis tools
Did you know there are specific tools that can give you key insights into sales, revenue, and other important metrics of marketplace sellers? With this data, you can easily identify profitable products and make informed decisions. Examples of such tools include:
- Helium 10: Great for researching products on Walmart.
- Jungle Scout: Perfect for digging into Amazon's product data.
- Terapeak: Ideal for analyzing eBay trends and metrics.
AliScraper Chrome Extension
AliScraper is a Chrome extension from Spocket that makes it easy to source products from AliExpress. You just need to install it, and it will help you find and import products directly to your store.
You can use AliScraper to filter search results by shipping options or destination:
- Go to AliExpress.com and click the AliScraper icon on your browser.
- Enable Show Shipping Info and select the countries you want to ship to, like the USA or Canada.
- Choose your preferred shipping method, like AliExpress Standard Shipping or ePacket.
- Click "Show shipping time" and hit Update Settings to apply the filters.
To filter by ratings:
- Go to AliExpress.com and click the AliScraper icon on your browser.
- Enable Show Shipping Info and click Hide items without above options to reveal the Filter by Ratings option.
- Select your minimum product rating score and click Update Settings.
Using these steps, you can easily find the right products for your dropshipping needs on Facebook Marketplace. Note: The AliScraper extension works when you start browsing categories or searching for products.
2. Find a Reliable Supplier
After finding the products you want to dropship, start looking for the right dropshipping suppliers.
Not to brag or anything, but Spocket is the best platform for finding suppliers for Facebook Marketplace dropshipping.
Spocket has many suppliers based in the US. This is great because Facebook shipping labels are for domestic use only. So, using a US-based supplier means you can fulfill orders smoothly without worrying about international shipping delays. It makes the whole process much easier and faster.
Spocket also makes it simple to check the quality of products. Just order a sample through the main dashboard and test it before committing.
You can also get an idea of potential profit by checking the listing cost and retail price. Plus, check the average shipping time to ensure the supplier meets your delivery expectations.
3. List Your Products on Facebook Marketplace
Next, you need to create my Facebook Marketplace listings.
I suggest using a platform like Shopify to create a website and then connect it to Facebook Marketplace. This makes order fulfillment and sales management easier. But you can also manually add product listings to Facebook Marketplace. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Create a Facebook Profile
- Visit Facebook.com and set up your account.
Step 2: Access Facebook Marketplace
- Scroll to the Marketplace button on the left side if you're on a computer.
- On a mobile device, select the Marketplace tab.
Step 3: Create a New Listing
- Click Create New Listing.
- On a computer, this will be a visible button.
- On mobile, select Sell and then Create Listing.
Step 4: Choose Item for Sale
- Select Item for Sale from the options available.
Step 5: Build Your Listing
- Add up to ten photos and one video to showcase your product.
- Write a catchy Title.
- Set a Price.
- Provide a detailed Description.
- Include relevant Product Tags.
- Choose a Category.
- Indicate the Condition of the item.
Step 6: Set Up Shipping Options
- Choose your shipping options. I recommend selecting Shipping Only.
- Decide if you want to use a prepaid Facebook Label.
- Determine if you will offer free shipping for buyers.
- Note that the shipping option is only available if you're based in the US.
Step 7: Publish Your Listing
- Click Publish to make your listing live.
Steps to Connect Facebook Marketplace with An Ecommerce Platform
Connecting your eCommerce platform with Facebook Marketplace syncs your inventory and makes managing orders easy. The e-commerce platform you sell on will determine how you connect with Facebook Marketplace, but the initial steps are the same.
Step 1: Sign Up for an eCommerce Platform
- Facebook partners with platforms like Channel Advisor,, BigCommerce, and Auctiva.
- Shopify is also a great option and connects with Facebook via Marketplace Connectors like CED Commerce and adMixt.
Step 2: Add Products to Your Store
- Once you've signed up, add your products to your eCommerce store.
Step 3: Connect Automation Software
- Use automation software like Spocket to send your customer's orders directly to the supplier. This saves time and reduces manual errors.
Step 4: Connect to Facebook
- Follow the instructions for your platform to connect to Facebook
That's It. You’re ready to start selling on Facebook Marketplace.
4. Promote Your Items
Your listings are ready, and Facebook Marketplace has a built-in audience. But to really boost sales, you might want to market your products more actively.
Boost Your Listings
Facebook Marketplace has a Boost feature. It increases your product's visibility, helping you generate more sales. To use it, open your listing from your Facebook Marketplace account and click Boost Listing. Set your budget and duration, then select your target audience and location. Publish your Boost, and your listing gets featured in search results, feeds, and top spots in the Marketplace.
Change Your Location
Changing your location on Facebook Marketplace can help you get more eyeballs on your products. Whether you're on vacation, traveling, or just want to sell in different cities, it's a great way to expand your reach.
Steps to Change Your Location on Facebook Marketplace:
- Open Facebook and click on the Marketplace tab
- Click on the current location filter.
- Type in the new location you want to explore or sell in.
- Create a New Listing, then click Apply.
Pro tip: Use different photos and titles for listings in various cities to avoid Facebook marking them as duplicates.
Other Ways to Generate Sales
If ads aren't your thing, there are other ways to market your products:
- Email marketing: Send newsletters and special offers to your subscribers.
- Influencer marketing: Partner with influencers who can promote your products to their followers.
- Social media marketing: Build your brand on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Share engaging content and interact with your audience to grow your following and increase sales.
Try different strategies and see what works best for your business.
5. Optimize Your Facebook Marketplace Listings
You've made a few sales. Great start! Now, let’s make sure everything’s running smoothly and you’re getting the most out of your listings.
Photos
Photos catch the eye. They show up clearly on Marketplace, and users can click through without even opening the listing. Make sure to:
- Ensure images are high-quality and well-lit.
- Resize photos to fit Marketplace size requirements.
- Put the best photo first.
- Use all ten photo slots.
- Show the product from different angles.
- Create photos with key product info.
- Ensure these photos show the product in real-life scenarios.
Title
Your title helps users find your products. Make it:
- Easy to read.
- Capitalize the first letter of each word.
- Add relevant keywords without stuffing.
- Split important info with | or . for clarity.
- Include details like model, make, color, size, etc.
- Check for spelling and grammar errors.
Price
Check your pricing. If it’s too low, shoppers might doubt the quality. If it’s too high, they might look elsewhere. Test different prices to see what works best.
Description
Add relevant product info. Structure it as follows:
- Exact product details (size, weight, etc.)
- Main features and benefits
- Terms and conditions (refund, return, warranty, shipping, etc.)
- Additional keywords for better searchability
Product Tags
Tags make your products discoverable. Add 5-10 tags that accurately describe your product.
Condition
List your products as New so customers know exactly what they’re getting.
Availability
Set your availability to "List As In Stock" so multiple shoppers can buy your products.
Category
Ensure your product is in the right category to make it easier for customers to find.
Video
Add one short, high-quality video showing your product in action. This helps customers see how they’d use it and builds trust.
6. FullFill Dropshipping Facebook Marketplace Orders
The way you add your products to Facebook Marketplace and the options you choose will determine how you fulfill your orders.
Manual Listings
In this case, you need to handle fulfillment yourself. When creating the listing, select your shipping method and labels. For instance, if you use UPS, send the labels to your supplier. They’ll then ship the product to your customer.
Connected Platform
Syncing your ecommerce inventory to Facebook Marketplace lets you manage orders easily. You can view and move orders through your Order workflow. On Shopify, go to the Orders screen to manage this aspect of your business.
Products You Can’t Sell On Facebook Marketplace
There are a few products that Facebook Marketplace doesn't allow. Some items you should avoid include:
- Digital products or services
- Weapons
- Animals
- Gift cards
- Drugs (prescription, illegal, or recreational)
- Tobacco products and accessories
- Supplements you can ingest
- Adult products and services
- Event tickets
- Gambling services
- Currency
- Recalled products
- Misleading, deceptive, or offensive items
Knowing what to avoid will help you focus on finding the right dropshipping products for your business.
Final Verdict
That's all for the steps and tips for dropshipping on Facebook Marketplace. Now all that's left is to take action. Start by looking at trending products and connecting with suppliers. Then create and optimize your Facebook Marketplace listings. With some effort and patience, you'll soon start seeing the fruits of your labor.
