Facebook launches Facebook Shops, free storefronts for merchants

Mark Zuckerberg this week announced the launch of Facebook Shops, a new product that enables merchants to sell directly on WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, or Facebook. Facebook Shops will inspire people to shop and make buying and selling online easier, Facebook stated.

Tom Jarvis, CEO at Wilderness Agency, wrote in The Drum that this is a smart bet for Facebook and an interesting place to play in. Citing an interview with the Financial Times, Zuckerberg said that Shops will enable businesses to “complete the conversion and the transaction [of a sale] more frequently with less drop-off”, which Tom Jarvis says will drive up the price of advertising.

According to Facebook, Facebook Shops is a mobile-first shopping experience, where businesses can create an online store on Facebook and Instagram for free. Thought Facebook Shops, merchants are able to connect with customers through WhatsApp, Messenger or Instagram Direct to answer questions, and offer support.

Facebook says that is also working with Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Channel Advisor, CedCommerce, Cafe24, Tienda Nube, and Feedonomics for partnerships.

This month, Shopify saw a 47% increase of revenue in the first quarter, from the comparable quarter in 2019. Shopify saiid the growth is driven by an increase in the number of merchants joining the Shopify platform.