8 Facebook failures you don’t want to make
March 3, 2017
Facebook failures from real-life resale shops
My job involves marketing SimpleConsign on social media. In addition, I watch the Facebook pages of our customers and potential customers too. Facebook is the window into a shop’s soul. It shows how vibrant, busy and successful a shop is. Likewise, Facebook failures reveal how unorganized, unconcerned and unsuccessful a shop can be. Each one of the examples shown below is from a completely different shop, in a completely different part of the country. All of them are currently open for business. What does your Facebook page tell about you?
Not answering questions
1. The question asked in August of 2015, “Do you still have a storefront?” Obviously, this shop isn’t doing a good job of looking open and busy. Plus, their business hours either aren’t posted or aren’t being regularly kept.
2. Over a month later, a similar question is asked, “Did you all move or just close?” Notice this question is being asked at 4:07 pm which is a perfectly reasonable time to assume the shop would be open.
Not answering questions or comments has to be the number 1 Facebook failure. After all, Facebook is about building community and a social relationship with your fans. Answer every question that’s asked on your Facebook page immediately. Because 2 people who were eager to shop didn’t know if the shop was even open, they lost potential income. Remove older questions after a certain amount of time. There’s no reason to still be seeing questions that were asked almost 2 years ago. Especially if they weren’t even answered.
Not paying attention to your cover image
3. Not only do you need to know the correct size for a Facebook Cover Image, you need to be selective about the photo you choose too. A picture of the front of your shop is perfect for your Cover Image. Before posting though, take a good look at the photo. Preferably, the only sign you want to see is your business sign and never a “Closed” sign.
Constant Contact provides a great cheat sheet on all of the sizes you should use on social media.
Facebook lets you test the look of your image before you post it. Take the time to view it beforehand and make sure it conveys the correct message.
Not updating your merchandise images
4. Once again the question is, “Are you still in business?” Asked at 1:16 pm, so there is absolutely no reason for this Facebook failure.
5. Almost a year ago, another person asked about merchandise. There are no new photos. In fact, the photo at the top is of a chair that was featured in 2013. Either that chair has zero chance in he** it will be sold or someone isn’t updating their Facebook with photos of new merchandise.
6. When your shop goes online with social media, potential shoppers can view your merchandise at any time of the day or night. This customer was obviously browsing into the wee hours of the morning, a perfect time to look for a new couch or dress. By posting in all caps, she’s a bit peeved about the lack of attention too.
7. It’s been over 3 years since the last photo of new merchandise was added. This Facebook failure is why customers are wondering if this shop is even open.
Not claiming your Facebook Business Page
8. A Facebook page may already exist for your business even if you didn’t create it. Facebook gives a number of reasons why a page gets created. You need to check Google to see if an “unofficial” page is sitting out there. If it is and you haven’t set one up for your shop yet, be sure to claim it.
I have a lot more examples of Facebook failures that I’ll share with you in the future. For help in keeping up with your Facebook page, read another blog post titled, 3 steps to add some Facebook TLC.
