Small brands now have a lot of options to be active members of the market they belong. Thanks to social media and the many tools these platforms provide for businesses, it is now easier to sell online. Social media management digital marketing agencies encourage brands to utilize these options to grow their business. Facebook, for instance, is not only one of the biggest social platforms today, but also a popular avenue for businesses to thrive and achieve online success. Its Facebook Shops, in particular, is gaining popularity for its innovative approach to providing convenient mobile shopping experience to people.

Facebook Shops is the tech giant’s freshest ecommerce feature where business page admins can make a mobile-friendly online store. According to Facebook, using this feature is very easy and can be done on a desktop. One a Shop is set up, followers of the brand’s Facebook or Instagram business pages can check out the store and buy directly from the app they are using.

Aside from connecting to Facebook and Instagram business pages, Shops can likewise be linked to Messenger and WhatsApp business account. This way, the brand can benefit from a bigger reach.

Using Facebook Shops

Facebook Shop is free to use, but it has certain requirements that you must meet. For one, you must have a Facebook Business Page and/or an Instagram Business account where you have Business Manager admin privileges on. Also, you must have manager privileges on the brand’s Facebook catalog. 

Note that while you must be admin to either your Facebook or Instagram Business Pages, you may have only one or the other and still set up a Shop. In other words, you do not have to have a Facebook Business account to use this ecommerce feature.

Here is a simplified procedure on setting up your Facebook Shop.

1. Go to Facebook Commerce Manager and click on “Get Started.” Once done, you will be given some instructions such as “Choose where you want customers to complete their purchase.” Just click on the appropriate answer from the choices such as “Your Website,” “Checkout on Facebook or Instagram,” or “Direct Message.” There is also an option to link an ecommerce site or API that you have already set up, in case you want to direct your customers there to complete a purchase.
2. Fill out the information asked. You will be asked a few questions regarding your business, including the category it falls into, the physical store location, and contact details. Take this step to provide a complete description of your business.
3. Next step is to add your products. You can do this either individually through a simple product listing form or by groups through a spreadsheet list upload. Once products are listed, you can add and update other important details including description, images, and shipping information. Note that while the tool will prompt you to add products prior to your store launch, you can still add, delete, or modify product listings at a later time.
4. Input banking and tax details. If all sales will be carried out through Facebook or Instagram, you have to provide details of the bank account you will use. You will also be prompted to give company’s tax information.
5. Before setting up your shop, you have to agree to the policies specified by Facebook Shops. Read through them before agreeing.
6. Personalize your Shop. After providing all the necessary information, it is time to customize your shop according to your personal preferences and brand styling. The tool lets you modify the layout and adjust colors and text styles. The process is simple and lets you implement changes real-time through the mobile preview screen on the right part.
7. Edit and group products. As mentioned, you can make changes on your product listings even after launching your Shop. Aside from that, you can also group them as “Collections.” To group products as a collection, simply click “Layout” on the customization page and then click “Add Collection” under the Featured Collections sidebar.
8. Launch and promote your store. Once everything is ready, publish your Shop and share about it on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites you are using.

The 2020 coronavirus pandemic has changed the landscape of online business. It has opened opportunities for businesses, small and big, new and old, to up their ecommerce game. Thanks to online platforms and tools such as Facebook Shops, it is easier for brands and businesses to thrive. Other than being free, it offers a wide reach with more and more people using Facebook. With this tool, even the smallest of brands can gain the biggest of advantages in the online business world.