Facebook has a new shop feature which has just been launched in the US.  So, it is not is AU yet – but, it is on its way. 

Facebook releases the updates in stages so keep an eye out for the notification.  This is a feature you will have to apply to use.

Facebook advertises it as being free, but, it is not.  You need to read deeper to discover this.   Don’t forget, Facebook is a business so, like all businesses, they also need to make money.

This feature is only for shipped items at the moment, not for services.  

As it is with the current Facebook shop the buyer clicks off of the product page to complete the purchase on the purchasing page.  That could be Shopify or your website or PayPal.  With the new shop feature Facebook is trying to stop those buyers from leaving Facebook and get them purchasing on the Facebook Shop app.  Their main aim is to keep people on Facebook. 

Their current launch rates are 40c per item under $8 and 5% on items over $8.  The current rate for PayPal is 3% – so, that is 2% more than the current rate.  However, if you make use of the Facebook shop feature, they will put your product in front potential clients, according to the algorithm, for free.  So, you really have to weigh up if that extra 2% is worth the ‘Free’ advertising or not. 

I personally don’t like Facebook to have control of everything. 

I don’t like the idea of having all your eggs in one basket.  Their concept is nice, but I am not comfortable with it.  One of my fundamentals is to take people off Facebook and I believe that is the safest thing to do. You don’t ever want to lose control of the sales process as this is the cornerstone to your business.

Need help figuring out a shop strategy? I’m here to help.