Facebook recently announced the launch of Marketplace in South Africa, making it one of 47 countries where this service has been launched. Globally, more than 550 million people use the platform to buy and sell goods every month, and it’s worth looking into if you are a merchant.
Here is a quick breakdown of Facebook Marketplace.
What is it?
Similar to online classified ads like the ones hosted on platforms like Gumtree and OLX, Facebook Marketplace is an online space where vendors and customers meet to do business. If you’ve recently used Facebook on your desktop, you will have noticed a new icon called Marketplace on the left side of the page, just under Messenger.
In a recent interview with News24, Facebook Platform’s Head of Product Karandeep Anand explained that Marketplace was “initially built to supplement the Facebook groups which focus on buying and selling items on the platform.”
Anand also mentioned that South Africa had been identified as a key region to roll out this new feature.
How to use Marketplace
If you are a trader or buyer in the online realm, you’re probably concerned about the safety and security of the platform. In this regard, Facebook has assured users that it has taken every precaution to protect users, including reporting tools and privacy controls.
Communication between buyers and sellers happens through the Facebook Messenger app, and users are encouraged to also apply all the real-world precautions that they use on similar platforms. This includes making sure of the quality of a product before making payment and only meeting traders and buyers in public places.
If you want to start using Facebook Marketplace, it really couldn’t be simpler.
1. Tap or click on the Marketplace icon (located on the left side of the page on your desktop or at the bottom of the page if you’re using the app).
2. Search for a product by using the search function at the top of the page. You can also filter you results by location, price or category.
3. If you are looking to sell something, take a picture of your item and write a description of it, and set your price.