Facebook is still where a lot of Sri Lankans go to buy things they see online. You don't need a big page or an advertising budget to start. Marketplace and groups are free, and with a little care they can bring your first customers from outside your own circle.
Before you start: set up your profile
People check who they are buying from. Make your profile look real and trustworthy.
- A clear profile photo of you (not a product).
- Your real name.
- A short line in your intro, like "I sell useful home and kitchen items. Cash on delivery island-wide."
If you have a Facebook Page, MyKade lets you connect it and answer messages in one inbox, with AI suggesting replies. That helps once messages start coming in.
Part 1: Facebook Marketplace
Marketplace is like a big online notice board. People search for what they want, often near them.
How to make a good listing
- Title: say exactly what it is. "Fridge storage boxes, set of 4" is better than "Amazing kitchen deal!!!"
- Price: enter your real selling price.
- Photos: use the clear photos from the MyKade app. Add a photo of the product in use if you have one.
- Description: three or four short lines covering what it does, its size, the price with delivery and how payment works.
Fridge storage boxes, set of 4. Keeps vegetables fresh and your fridge tidy. Rs 1,950 + delivery Rs 450. Cash on delivery anywhere in Sri Lanka. Usually arrives in about 3 days. Message me to order.
- Category: pick the right one so people find it.
Tips for Marketplace
- Be honest about delivery. Marketplace buyers often expect to collect nearby. Say clearly that it is delivered to their door, and how much delivery costs.
- List one product at a time and give each one proper photos and a description.
- Refresh, don't spam. Update a listing now and then instead of posting the same item twenty times.
Part 2: Facebook groups
Sri Lanka has many buy-and-sell groups, district groups and interest groups (mothers' groups, car owners' groups, home décor groups).
- Join groups that fit your product. Car accessories belong in car groups, baby items in parents' groups.
- Read the rules. Many groups only allow selling on set days or in a weekly post.
- Post one product per post, with a photo, a few lines and the full total.
- Reply to comments quickly, then move to Messenger or WhatsApp for details.
- Be a member, not just a seller. Comment helpfully on other posts too.
Answer fast: the first day matters
In real Sri Lankan online shops, about half of enquiries became orders. Of those, 3 in 4 ordered within a day, and almost none after 3 days. Enquiries peak between 7 and 11 pm, with 9 pm the busiest hour. Keep an eye on your messages in the evening and reply as soon as you can. Read reply within an hour.
Strangers return more parcels
Selling to strangers online, 30–37% of parcels came back, and 42% of those returns were "no answer", where the customer didn't pick up the courier's call. That is why confirming every order matters so much with Facebook buyers. Before you place the order in the app, call or message to confirm the name, address, phone number and full total. See how to confirm every order.
Payment: always through MyKade
Customers pay MyKade, never you. They pay cash on delivery, or through a secure payment link MyKade texts them (pay in full or pay an advance). Never ask a Facebook buyer to transfer money to your account. It protects them and it protects you.
What about paid ads?
MyKade has one-tap Facebook ads, paid from your own ad account, from Rs 300 a day. But ads cost real money: in real shops, Facebook ads cost about Rs 750–860 per order and about Rs 1,200 per delivered order. Learn with free posts first, so you know which product and message work. Read when to pay for Facebook ads.
Things to avoid
- Fake reviews or comments from your own other accounts.
- Other brands' names or logos.
- Claims you can't back up.
Make your first listing
Choose one product, write an honest listing and join two groups where it fits. Download the MyKade app and start on Facebook today.