Digital Marketing Agency | Facebook & Instagram Shop Expert

How to Create a Facebook Shop in 9 Simple Steps?
An Ultimate Retailer Guide

Starting an online boutique on Facebook can be a game-changer for your business, offering access to millions of potential customers worldwide. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from linking your eCommerce platform to configuring your shop, adding products, and promoting your store effectively. We also offer a service to help business owners create and set up their shops on Facebook and Instagram, even if they are located in non-eligible countries. Let’s dive in and set up your Facebook Shop for success.

Basic Knowledge About Facebook Shop:

Selling on Facebook is not a newly emerged term. Since its very first days, Facebook has always supported what people envisioned as social commerce. Knowing the fundamentals of Facebook Shop, including the definition, requirements, features, and cost of having one, will have you fully prepared for selling on this platform before learning how to start an online boutique on Facebook.

What is a Facebook Shop?

Facebook Shop is known as an additional feature that works in conjunction with Facebook Fanpage (or Facebook Page). With the help of Facebook Shop, potential buyers will see your products in their newsfeed and purchase directly from Facebook or your current eCommerce platform. In other words, Facebook Shop is the best way to sell on Facebook since it improves the shopping experience on Facebook and increases sales volume for Facebook Shop owners.

Facebook Shop Requirements:

With that being said, not everyone can take the advantage of Facebook Shop. Until now, only businesses located in supported areas can access and use this amazing feature to grow their sales volume.

On top of that, your business has to meet other Facebook commerce eligibility requirements to be able to operate a Facebook store normally:

  • Comply with Facebook Terms of Service and Community Standards.
  • Represent your business and complete domain verification.
  • Maintain a sufficient follower base.
  • Provide accurate information and follow best practices.

Facebook Shop: Cost & Features:

When you’re fully aware of Facebook Shop requirements, let’s find out about its features and cost to see if it’s worth learning how to start an online boutique on Facebook.

Cost of a Facebook Shop:

Setting up a Facebook Shop is completely free, making it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes. However, Facebook does charge a fee for each transaction, currently set at 5% per shipment or a flat fee of USD 0.40 for shipments of USD 8.00 or less, to cover payment processing costs, taxes, and other programs. Additional costs can arise from advertising, as running Facebook Ads to enhance your shop’s visibility involves variable costs based on factors like target audience and ad placement. Additionally, optional services like hiring our agency to help create and set up shops on Facebook and Instagram, even for businesses in non-eligible countries, can ensure optimization and compliance, saving time and potential hassle.

Beyond these fees, it’s essential to consider other costs such as shipping and fulfillment, which include materials, postage, and possibly third-party services. Efficiently managing returns, which involves restocking fees and return shipping costs, is also crucial. While the financial investment is a key consideration, the time required to maintain your Facebook Shop by updating listings, handling customer inquiries, and analyzing performance metrics should not be overlooked. Properly accounting for these costs ensures you can effectively manage your Facebook Shop and maximize its potential for business growth.

Facebook Shop Features:

Serving as an eCommerce platform, Facebook Shop offers several outstanding features that considerably boost small-sized businesses.

  • Unlimited product addition: Facebook Shop allows you to add as many products as you can.
  • Product inventory customization: The searching item process will be easier since sellers can group products under different categories.
  • Customer communication: Merchants can put in touch with their customers through messages.
  • Insights acquisition: Views, clicks, and purchases for each product are reported.

Facebook Shop Pros & Cons:

Let’s analyze what you will gain and what you will lose after learning how to start an online boutique on Facebook and create one.

Facebook Shop Pros:

  • A large number of potential buyers from Facebook’s huge base of daily and monthly active users
  • Various ways to reach out to the targeted audience thanks to Facebook’s algorithm of likes, shares, and comments
  • Direct interaction between sellers and users via comments and Facebook Messenger
  • Traffic boost to your current website
  • Easy integration with other eCommerce platforms

Facebook Shop Cons:

  • Slow leading time
  • High transaction fee
  • Lack of sales features
  • Only available in some supported regions

How to Start an Online Boutique on Facebook?

Now that you’ve learned the basics of Facebook Shop as well as the benefits and drawbacks of having one. Let’s get right into the next step, where we’ll show you how to start an online boutique on Facebook in as much detail and simplicity as possible. You are now just 4 steps away from creating a store on Facebook!

#1. Set up a Facebook Shop

In this step, you will learn how to create a Shop page, set up the Shop details, and sync a partner platform (if any).

Create your shop page

If you don’t know how to start an online boutique on Facebook, there are 2 possible ways for you to choose:

  • Using Facebook Commerce Manager: If you already own a Facebook Page, you can convert them to Facebook Shop with Commerce Manager. Otherwise, you should go ahead to create a Facebook Business Page in advance.
  • Via eCommerce platforms: If you are selling on other eCommerce platforms (such as Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce), install the app from the app stores to link your Facebook account with the current eCommerce sites. You can also use multichannel listing software to manage your business across multiple sales channels.

Create a Facebook Shop using Commerce Manager

Facebook Commerce Manager serves as the hub for all of your selling activities across Facebook and Instagram. From here, you are able to manage product catalogs, view sales activity, and enable checkouts at ease after learning how to start an online boutique on Facebook.

Go to your Facebook Business page, then click on the shop tab on the left side. Bear in mind that you must have admin credentials to be able to do this. In case you cannot find or don’t know how to get the button Shop on your pages, you can change the Page template by choosing More → Edit Tabs and enabling the Shop option.

#2. Configure your Shop

Next, we will configure your Shop by choosing a payment method, setting sales channels, and adding shipping/returns options before reviewing the details of your Shop.
Select payment methods
We’ll move to the next part when you configure payment methods for your Facebook store. There are 3 checkout methods for your consideration: your own website, Facebook or Instagram, and via direct messages.

a. Checkout with Facebook or Instagram:

This option is only available for US-based businesses. Besides having a US bank account and US business address, you will be able to set up your shop with Facebook check-out if you meet the following requirements:
  • Own a Facebook Page and catalog in the same Business Manager.
  • Have Manage permissions for your Page.
  • Able to manage catalogs in the Business Manager.
  • Have a commerce account connected to your Facebook Page and catalog. This account will be created automatically when you set up your shop for the first time.

B. Checkout on your current website

If you are running a website as the main channel for your online business, this will be an optimal option to manage your cash flow. To direct your customers to check out on your own eCommerce site, you need to meet the below requirements:
  • Be a Business Manager admin.
  • Own your Facebook Page and catalog in the same Business Manager.
  • Have Manage Page permissions for the Page and Manage catalog permissions for the catalog in
  • Business Manager.

C. Checkout via direct messages

If these mentioned checkout methods do not work for your business, you can consider directing your buyers to complete their payment via Messenger or WhatsApp chat. With this option, you don’t need to set up any checkout method for your shop. Instead, you have to set up your own way to process payments and fulfilling orders.

#3. Add shipping and return options

There are three options for shipping: Standard, Expedited, or Rush shipping. Each of them can be configured with different sets of shipping costs, additional charges, and estimated shipping days. You can also offer free shipping as a unique selling point for your business by setting up a cart minimum.
It’s also necessary to set up a return window that corresponds to your shipping and return policy. Every Facebook Shop is required to offer a minimum window of 30 days, calculated from the day the items are delivered to the customers. Fill in an email address as the hub for customer support, then click Next to save the information you’ve just entered.

#4. Review your shop details

You’ve come half the way through the process! It’s time to review your Facebook Shop information, from payment methods to sales channels and shipping & return policies. If you are happy with the details, agree to the Seller Agreement then hit the Finish setup button.

#5. Manage your catalog

You’ve come half the way through the process! It’s time to review your Facebook Shop information, from payment methods to sales channels and shipping & return policies. If you are happy with the details, agree to the Seller Agreement then hit the Finish setup button.

#6. Customize your Facebook Shop

You can change the layout and design of your Facebook Shop to make it look more professional and synchronize your online presence.
  • From your Commerce Manager dashboard, navigate to the left-hand menu.
  • Select Shop and hit on the Edit icon.
From here, you can click on Layout to add or remove prominent collections from your Facebook Store. On top of that, you can drag and drop them into the desired order by clicking on the 6-dot sections (on the right side of a collection) and dragging them to wherever you want.
It’s simple to catch up with the newest adjustments you just made to the Facebook Shop by looking at the Shop Preview section on the right corner of the screen. It’s also straightforward to edit texts and buttons, both size and color, just by a single click to Style in the right-hand navigation.

#7. Publish your shop

When you are satisfied with the look and feel of your Facebook store, click on the Publish button. People will be able to view the products and collections once Facebook finishes reviewing your Facebook Shop. Normally, the Facebook review duration might take up to 24 or 48 hours.

#8. Promote your Facebook Shop

Once your Shop is reviewed and accepted by Facebook, your current followers can opt-in to see your products and see if there is anything that interests them. But if you want to reach new customers, you might probably want to launch advertising campaigns for your Facebook Shop.
To do this, click on Ads on the left-hand menu in your Commerce Manager dashboard. From here, you can either choose to run a traffic or dynamic ad.

a. Facebook Shop traffic ads

With traffic ads, you can drive your users to your website, app, or even a Messenger conversation. For instance, you can direct potential customers to message you about finding their perfect fit at your clothing store, providing that you have at least 4 products in the catalog.

b. Facebook Shop dynamic ads

Meanwhile, dynamic ads rely on machine learning to provide users with appropriate deals based on their preferences and actions. Rather than generating a separate ad for each product in your catalog, you can create a single campaign that promotes all of your products. This ad campaign must base on what each customer is most likely to buy. When a user expresses interest in a product, Facebook will create an ad for them and deliver it to their mobile, tablet, or desktop devices immediately.
According to Facebook recommendations, you need to have at least 20 products for sale in your Facebook store to create dynamic ads.
Discover Facebook Carousel Ads Best Practices to promote your Facebook shop and boost your sales.

#9. How to Start an Online Boutique on Facebook: FAQs

a. Is it worth selling on Facebook Shop?

Facebook Shop is an excellent way to get your products in front of more potential buyers and what’s more, it’s totally free to create one. It’s straightforward to share your content, promote your products, and increase sales. If you are running a small-sized business, Facebook Shop can help you get more customer engagement.

b. Is it free to set up a shop on Facebook?

Yes, it’s totally FREE and simple to set up a Facebook store. Any seller can bring their businesses online with Facebook and connect with billions of potential buyers worldwide regardless of their size and budget.
However, like every eCommerce platform, Facebook applies a charge to every transaction on the platform. For now, Facebook will charge 5% per shipment or a flat fee of USD 0.40 for shipments of USD 8.00 or less. This fee is to cover payment processing costs, and taxes, and help fund other programmers for a better buying and selling experience on the platform.

c. Can you sell products on Facebook without a website?

Of course YES, you can sell directly on Facebook without having a website, providing that you meet Facebook requirements of commerce sellers. This feature permits you to upload your products to Facebook and sell directly to those who are interested, and even supports checkouts with Facebook or via direct messages.

d. What aren't you allowed to sell on Facebook?

Before starting an online business with Facebook Shop, it’s essential to know what you can and can not sell on this platform. In the meantime, Facebook Shop only allows you to advertise and sell physical items. Other items can only be advertised using Facebook Catalogs.

Aside from that, not every physical product can be sold on Facebook stores. Below is the list of products you can not sell on your Facebook store:

  • Adult products
  • Alcohol, nicotine, drugs, or paraphernalia
  • Animals or animal parts
  • Body parts or fluids
  • Virtual currency
  • Hazardous Goods and Materials
  • Ingestible Supplements – vitamins, protein powder, human growth hormones, etc.
  • Medical or healthcare products
  • Recalled products
  • Used cosmetics
  • Weapons, ammo, and explosives
  • Gift cards or vouchers
  • Event tickets, transit tickets, admission tickets

E. What's the difference between Facebook Marketplace and Facebook Shop?

Although both Facebook Shops and Facebook Marketplace are meant to allow social commerce on Facebook, there are vital differences between them. Here’s the list of main differences between Facebook Shops and Marketplace for your reference:
Facebook Shops:
  • Facebook sellers (both individuals and companies) are able to list and sell their products right from within the platform
  • Support transactions and allow redirecting to external e-commerce sites
  • Facebook users can buy from different Facebook Shops, unlimitedly
Facebook Marketplace:
  • Facebook users are able to list, find, and advertise products in their area
  • Do NOT support transactions
  • Facebook users can buy and sell a limited number of products
Facebook Marketplace helps businesses increase sales to some extent, but it’s hard to build brand awareness, run ad campaigns and connect with customers. It’s more of a product listing site, whereas Facebook Shops are more of an online store from within your Facebook Page.
If you are looking for a place to grow your eCommerce business, Facebook Shop is an optimal option to go for. You can always add Marketplaces as a sales channel for your Facebook Shop and reach out to more potential customers.

Final Words:

Your eCommerce business may present and already be advertising on Facebook, but your customers will be unable to purchase the products directly from your Shop until you learn how to start an online business on Facebook.
If you have a product inventory and currently selling on your Facebook Page or running an eCommerce site, creating collections and customizing your Facebook Shop won’t take long. In fact, you might be up and running and selling in a blink of an eye.
In case you need a multichannel inventory management solution or want to boost your multichannel selling experience, we offer a service where we help business owners create and set up their shops on Facebook and Instagram even if they are located in a non-eligible country. With the help of bulk product uploads, real-time notifications, and inventory synchronization, our service can assist you in selling more efficiently and successfully. It’s also possible to expand your sales channels to top marketplaces in the world (such as Etsy, eBay, etc.) thanks to a variety of capabilities.

Book your Zoom meeting

Free of charge
This meeting is totally free of charge and you don’t have to pay anything for it
Flexible Hours
I am available all week long, even during the weekend or holidays
Cancel or Reschedule

If for any reason, you couldn’t make it, please feel free to reschedule for your next earliest conviences

You Have a question?

Please feel free to contact me here if you have any questions
Scroll to Top