More buyers and sellers are moving towards online marketplaces to make transactions and as we contemplate the future of a post-COVID-19 world, things may move even more towards social media marketplaces as primary ways to exchange goods and services.
As more social media marketplaces pop up on our internet radars, it can be difficult to choose the right one for what you need out of it. We’ve put together a rundown of some of the most popular social media marketplaces.
Facebook Marketplace
Perhaps one of the most ubiquitous social media marketplaces is Facebook’s. Facebook is the world’s largest social media platform boasting nearly 2.5 billion of the world’s 7.5 billion people. Needless to say, it made sense for Facebook to get in on the marketplace game early on.
The Facebook marketplace is simple to use as it’s 100% mobile friendly and brings up results based on your location. The primary benefit of working in the Facebook marketplace is the transparency you get between buyer and seller. You know who you’re dealing with and can vet them as a viable candidate for your transaction.
OfferUp
Seattle-based 2011 startup OfferUp is one of Facebook Marketplace’s biggest competitors. Similar to Facebook in that results are shown locally, OfferUp focuses primarily on used technology products such as smartphones, computers, and tablets but supports virtually any used item.
Originally started as a competitor to Craigslist, OfferUp is much more user friendly, is supported by a mobile app, and offers significant buyer protections that may not exist on other platforms. OfferUp prides itself on users providing accurate listings with photos of items included. Member ratings make buying decisions easier and safer.
Nextdoor
Nextdoor is a hyper-local social marketplace that takes into account your neighborhood as your immediate area and connects you with your neighbors. More of a true social media platform than a marketplace, Nextdoor users must provide their real name and at least their street in order to be connected with other neighbors on the platform.
Despite its more socially-focused purpose, neighbors on the platform can certainly leverage its connectivity to organize events, garage sales, and of course, negotiate sales or exchanges of items. The beauty of Nextdoor is its simple interface that allows users to connect with their actual neighbors.
Fiverr
Fiverr is much less of a social media marketplace, but can be a godsend for businesses needing professional services without spending an arm and a leg. Fiverr is a perfect place for freelance professionals in all subject matters to post their abilities and get work without having to pitch and meet with prospective clients.
Fiverr started as a service where buyers could effectively purchase a service for a “fiver”. It has since grown into a full-on marketplace for services from professionals across thousands of industries. Where the other social marketplaces we’ve already outlined fall short is their inability to help service providers publish their listings and in turn, get found by prospective clients.
Upwork
Upwork, similar to Fiverr, is a marketplace for buyers to post their needs for services and let service providers and freelancers apply for positions. Upwork is streamlined and straightforward for buyers but can be a little convoluted and cold for service providers.
Nevertheless, Upwork allows buyers to post exactly what sort of help they need, at what price they are willing to pay, and vet potential applicants based on experience and ratings.
