Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, announced Facebook shops for small businesses. A new e-commerce feature to help small business to show case their products on Facebook and Instagram.
Zuckerberg mentioned that more than 160 million businesses use Facebook to market their products. With huge number of users data, interests stored on Facebook it becomes easier for businesses to market and sell to customers with relevant data.
Few of the features are discussed below,
1. Facebook shops are Free and Easy:
Facebook shops are free for users and easy to use. Merchants can set up shops on Facebook and Instagram, display products and customize looks.
2. Native and Fast
The products are displayed on one platform, with all information stored, making it fast and convenient for users.
3. One shop across apps
Small & medium businesses can easily setup their shop ones, show case their catalogue, which will be available across all apps like Instagram, Facebook Messenger & WhatsApp. Facebook shops will also allow Businesses to use messenger,WhatsApp and Instagram direct to communicate with customers and sell products.
4. Discovery- Live shopping
Facebook will allow businesses, brands and creators to tag their products during live video streaming like Facebook and Instagram live sessions. This helps in instant purchases and checkouts.
5. Personalization
Facebook shops helps in great personalised experience, it gives great user experience by showcasing products based on customers interest and persona.
The AI based technology let users to check how the product appears. For example any cosmetic products such as lipstick shade can be checked on individual virtually. Home based objects can be checked for appearance as to how it looks in that location before making the purchase.
6. Telling your story
Every small business has its story. Businesses can share their values, mission and vision. Story behind the business can be shared to connect with the customers. Facebook shops also offers some loyalty programs.
Eco- system
- Discovery
- Consideration
- Checkout
- Shipping and logistics
- Customer support
Overall Facebook is providing a great ecosystem for small businesses to thrive in this lockdown by making online presence. Business can utilise all the available free tools to leverage their business. Businesses can buy facebook ads to drive traffic to their store.
Company is working with partners like Shopify, Bigcommerce, Woocommerce & others to help small businesses. Overall it’s a great initiative from Facebook to help small business to sustain and thrive during lockdown. Every small & medium business can make the best use of free available tools to help sustain their business online.