e-commerce

Facebook Commerce Option #4: iFrames vs. Facebook Apps

Lady-Gaga-Facebook-Store — Lady Gaga Facebook Store created with iFrames (image via Mashable.com)

The last option for Facebook Commerce relates to how you can deliver f-commerce options through your Facebook page either through iFrames vs. Facebook Apps. iFrames allow you to customize your own content that’s displayed through your Facebook Page and it gives you the freedom of creating and hosting your own information that’s displayed within the 520-pixel middle column of your Facebook Page. The advantage of using iFrames is that it’s fairly easy to use, and you can set it up so that it looks and feels very similar to your website, thus further enhancing the relationship you have with your customers. The drawback to using iFrames would be the restriction of “real estate” where you’re relegated to the 520-pixel middle column for your selling space.

Lands-End-F-Commerce — Land's End f-commerce Facebook App

Using Facebook Apps is another option for displaying content for sale, however the cost of creating and maintaining a Facebook Application can be cost-prohibitive for small businesses on a tight budget. Facebook Apps do come with the distinct advantage of providing a 46% increase in visible selling space, as they allow for the control the left most 760 pixels on the page. A good cost-benefit analysis will determine whether or not investing in a Facebook App is the way to go for your brand.

What are your thoughts about the future of Facebook for business?

Facebook Commerce Option #3: Complete Selling through Facebook

By sss4success 3 Comments

The next method of f-commerce is Complete Selling through Facebook, where Facebook operates as your company’s store and takes customers through the entire shopping process within the Facebook platform.

Delta-f-commerce — Image via Mashable.com

Big companies like 1-800-Flowers and Delta (right) have customized shops powered by expensive social commerce provides like 8^th Bridge, but smaller companies will want to take advantage of free and low-cost options like Payvment that offers social sharing, analytics, product management, and order processing within your very own Facebook Store right on your Facebook Page.

Ever tried selling through Facebook? How did it work out?

Facebook Commerce Option #2: Facebook-Initiated Selling

By sss4success 1 Comment

The second type of f-commerce that takes place with Facebook is Facebook-Initiated Selling, which pretty much uses one of the tabs of a business’s Facebook page as a “Store” that links to a website that completes the sales transaction. The popular opinion of folks who specialize in Facebook Marketing says that you should always keep the user within the Facebook site, as users generally hate to leave it.

Best-Buy-f-commerce — image via Mashable.com

Through Facebook-initiated selling, the idea is that customers start on Facebook (a place where they’re comfortable), and then build trust with the brand (like in the case of Best Buy) through browsing and sharing it with their network, then they’re primed to close the deal on your site. In this type of Facebook Commerce, you’re essentially using Facebook as a storefront.

Had any experience with Facebook-initiated selling? Tell us about it.