Online selling is like a puzzle with many pieces, and when enough pieces are in place, the magic happens! Listing on multiple marketplaces increases your visibility so that more online buyers discover you – and buy your items. Creating a Facebook Shop is another strategy that can help increase online sales. The more places your pieces are listed online the better.  

In May of 2020, Facebook released their State of Small Business Report, which collected information from 86,000 small businesses in the United States. The data revealed that 31% of small businesses were shuttered – a staggering number. The global pandemic has been devastating for small business owners, and dealers of antiques, vintage, and one-of-a-kind pieces are no exception.  

Facebook responded by launching a new feature called Facebook Shops. Creating a shop on this popular social media platform can broaden your customer base and drive more buyers to your website. Facebook seamlessly integrates with most eCommerce platforms so that you can import your inventory directly if you have an eCommerce website. 

Why Should You Create a Facebook Shop? 

Facebook, love it or hate it, continues to be the most popular of all social media platforms. Creating a shop on their new platform is relatively easy and will allow you to sell your pieces on Instagram, too! The statistics tell the tale: 

• More than 1.7 billion users log on to Facebook every day 
• The average person spends more than 38 minutes per day on the platform 
• 78% of American consumers say they’ve discovered products on Facebook 

How Does a Facebook Shop Work? 

If you have never sold on Facebook or are considering selling on Instagram, it is time to set up shop – and it’s free! If you have an earlier version in place (such as a Profile Shop or Facebook Page Shop), you can convert it to a Facebook Shop.  

This shop allows you to create collections, feature a collection, and give your shop a look that matches your brand with a cover image and colors.  

Once your shop is active, it can be discovered on Facebook and Instagram, on smartphones, or any digital device. Are you adding new inventory? Your potential buyers can be alerted through their news feed or notified it is time to visit your shop. Potential customers will find your shop on your business page, on your Instagram profile, through stories, or ads. They have the option to save pieces they like, buy through Facebook if you enable checkout, or be directed to your website to purchase.    

How to Create a Facebook Shop 

Facebook has published a step-by-step tutorial to guide you, or if you prefer a video you can watch an easy YouTube tutorial to walk you through setting up your shop. It is a surprisingly simple process and well worth the effort.  

Need a little more background? Read about Facebook Shops here. You can also get some insight from our blogs Facebook Basics for Art, Vintage, and Antiques Dealers, and Instagram Basics for Art, Vintage, and Antiques Dealers. 

Should I Open a Facebook Shop? 

A Facebook Shop is one more way to become more visible online and attract new customers. Our dealers have seen a dramatic increase in sales by listing on multiple marketplaces, and a Facebook Shop can assist your strategy by driving new buyers to your website. At Ronati, we want to do all we can to help dealers thrive.