Facebook announced a suite of new tools Wednesday aimed at helping users get things done.
A tool that maps recommendations from friends, more sophisticated event suggestions, and online ordering from restaurant pages are among the changes that Facebook will begin rolling out in the U.S. today. Facebook users will also be able to purchase movie and event tickets directly on the social platform, thanks to integration with Fandango, Ticketmaster, and Eventbrite.
Those changes are part of Facebook’s broader push into the e-commerce and enterprise worlds. Last week, the company officially launched the “Facebook at Work” office collaboration tool it had been testing for over a year. Earlier this month, Facebook rolled out Marketplace, a tool for locals to buy and sell that challenges Craigslist and OfferUp.
Today’s announcement goes beyond peer-to-peer selling, with new features that help customers connect with local businesses. Some service providers now have the option to add a “Get Quote” button to the top of their Facebook pages.
Porch.com, a Seattle-based marketplace for connecting home improvement professionals and customers, is already taking advantage of that feature.
“We’re thrilled to be exposing our high-quality professional base to people on Facebook looking to get their projects done,” said Porch CEO Matt Ehrlichman in a press release. “This integration with Facebook allows homeowners who spend a considerable amount of time on the world’s largest social network to contact Porch pros and help them paint a room, landscape their yard or remodel their bathroom.”
Facebook users will also be able to book with salons, spas, and other appointment-based businesses directly on their Facebook pages. The organizations are encouraged to use Facebook Messenger to follow-up and confirm appointments.
“This is the first step, and over the coming months we’ll be launching even more new features that will make it easier to get things done, make confident decisions and communicate directly with businesses on your time and terms,” Facebook said in a blog post Wednesday.
