If you’re running a small business in the UK and you’re not yet selling on Facebook or Instagram, you might be leaving money on the table. These platforms aren’t just for scrolling cat videos and holiday snaps — they’re powerful sales channels that can put your products in front of thousands of potential customers without you needing to spend a fortune on advertising.
In this guide, we’ll cover what the Facebook and Instagram Marketplace and shop listings are, why they matter, and how you can get started.
What Are Facebook & Instagram Marketplace Listings?
Facebook Marketplace is a built-in buying and selling feature on Facebook. Think of it as a virtual car boot sale meets your local high street — except your audience could be across town or the country.
Instagram Shopping works slightly differently. It allows you to tag products directly in posts, Reels, and Stories, so users can tap, see the price, and buy — all without having to leave the app.
Meta (Facebook’s parent company) links the two platforms through its Commerce Manager tool. This means you can manage your listings in one place and have them appear on both Facebook and Instagram.
Why Should Small Businesses Care?
Here’s why it’s worth considering:
- Massive audience reach – Facebook has over 44 million UK users, and Instagram boasts 34 million. That’s most of the country scrolling through their feeds.
- Built-in discovery – Your products can show up in Marketplace searches and Instagram’s Explore section, reaching people who don’t yet follow you.
- Mobile-first shopping – With most browsing happening on phones, Facebook and Instagram’s shopping features are designed to make impulse buying easy.
- Low or no upfront cost – You don’t need to pay to list products. The main costs are your time and any payment processing fees.
- Integrated advertising – If you want to boost visibility, you can run targeted ads directly from your product catalogue.
How to Get Started
Setting up your Facebook and Instagram shop is straightforward, but there are a few steps to follow.
1. Check You Meet the Requirements
- You’ll need a Facebook Business Page.
- Your Instagram account must be a Business or Creator account.
- Your business must comply with Meta’s commerce policies.
2. Set Up Meta Commerce Manager
This is where you’ll upload products, set prices, and manage orders. You can:
- Add products manually.
- Sync products from your website using a feed (great if you use Shopify, WooCommerce, or similar).
3. Connect Instagram Shopping
Once your catalogue is set up, you can link it to Instagram in your account settings. After Meta approves your shop, you can start tagging products in posts and Stories.
4. List Products on Facebook Marketplace
You can either:
- Add them directly to the Marketplace.
- Or have them show automatically from your shop catalogue.
Tips for Success
- Use high-quality images – Social media is a visual space. Clear, well-lit photos will get more clicks.
- Write detailed descriptions – Include size, colour, material, and delivery details.
- Respond quickly to messages – Meta rewards active sellers with better visibility.
- Consider local delivery or collection – This can make you more appealing to nearby customers.
- Leverage reviews – Good ratings build trust and encourage more purchases.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Not keeping stock levels updated – Overselling can lead to unhappy customers and negative reviews.
- Ignoring customer questions – On social media, quick responses are expected.
- Overcomplicating your pricing – Keep it simple and clear.
Final Thoughts
Facebook Marketplace and Instagram Shopping are not just for hobby sellers — they can be a powerful, low-cost way for UK small businesses to reach new customers and increase sales. With a bit of effort in setup and regular updates, you can turn these platforms into a steady sales stream.
If you’d like help setting up your product listings or integrating your website with Facebook and Instagram, Sitecrafter can get you up and running quickly — so you can focus on selling, not fiddling with settings.
