How to Sell on Amazon and Succeed in 5 Steps

Understanding how to sell on Amazon effectively is crucial for your business growth; with millions of sellers and buyers interacting daily, it presents a significant marketplace for established brands and budding entrepreneurs. In this article, you'll discover how to sell on the platform step by step, the benefits and downsides of selling on the platform, and some tips and tricks on how to do it successfully.

Table of Contents
1. How to sell on Amazon: 5 steps
2. Requirements to become an Amazon seller
3. Cost breakdown: how much does it cost to sell on Amazon
4. Becoming an Amazon seller: pros and cons
5. How to be a successful Amazon seller
6. Tips for selling on Amazon
7. Selling with Amazon: what to know
8. FAQs

How To Sell On Amazon: 5 Steps

Open an Amazon Seller Account

To start selling online on Amazon, you need to open an account; this means you need to:

Choose a Seller Category

• Amazon's individual seller is for businesses planning to sell less than forty items monthly. Amazon will take you $0.99 per sale and charge you some fees.
• Amazon professional seller is for businesses that plan to sell more than forty units per month. The monthly subscription fee is $39.99, which includes referral and closing fees.
• Amazon vendor is right for you if you manufacture products. Amazon buys the products directly from you and becomes a full-time distributor.

Set Up Your Amazon Seller Account and Provide the Following Information:

• Your business name
• Your legal name and address
• Contact information
• Where products ship from
• Bank account information
• Shipping options

Complete Your Amazon Seller Profile and Fill in the Following:

• Complete your seller profile by sharing your story with future customers: who you are, how you started your business, or other information to help you connect with them.
• Add your logo.
• Detail your return and refund policies so that your customers know how to return products and how long it takes to process a refund.

Once you complete this first step, you can get access to the Seller Dashboard and move on to the second step.

Start Listing Your Products

After creating your Amazon seller account, it's time to add the products you want to sell. Individual sellers will complete this step by listing one item at a time, while professional sellers can add items in large batches. You can place your products in one of two categories:

Products Already Listed in the Amazon Marketplace

This means there are other products like yours, and you can use ready stock photos and descriptions. You need to describe the condition of the items (if it's used or new), the price, and the shipping options.

Products Not Yet on Amazon Marketplace

This means that no other sellers are offering this type of product. Therefore, you need to provide additional information like:

• The SKU or a number/code you create to keep track of each of your items.
• The UPC/EAN Number represents a twelve or thirteen-digit barcode used to trace your items.
• The product's name or a title that represents it.
• Images of the product that show it on a clear white background.
• Product description in the form of bullet points to catch the buyers' attention.
• Search terms where you list words your customers would use to find your product.

Once you list all your product pages, they should be immediately visible. However, sometimes it takes up to 24 hours to process your listings, so be patient. If it takes longer, contact Amazon to check if everything is alright.

Manage Inventory

After uploading your products to the Amazon marketplace, the next phase is to monitor the Seller Central account. In other words, you must regularly:

• control new orders
• maintain inventory
• check performance indicators
• other activities to ensure efficient operations

Properly managing your inventory is crucial to becoming a successful Amazon seller. This means you must always be ready to deliver your products and offer the best customer experience.

Select the "Fulfillment" Method

The fourth step to becoming an Amazon seller is deciding how to store, pack, and ship your goods to customers. There are two available options:

Fulfillment by Amazon

This means that Amazon handles all aspects, from packing and shipping to customer service and returns. Keep in mind that this easy solution comes with additional fees.

Fulfillment by Merchant

If you choose this option, you'll be responsible for everything for storage and order fulfillment and late or damaged packages.

Get Paid

The last step to start selling on Amazon is to sell your products and receive your payments. Just consider that Amazon allows you to sell with a certain commission, so expect fees from your sales biweekly. Despite the fees, you can still make good profits by selling your products on this platform. Remember to:

• manage your inventory properly
• write appealing product descriptions
• upload high-quality images

Requirements to Become an Amazon Seller

The basic requirements to become an Amazon seller were as follows:

1. Eligibility. You must be at least 18 years old to sell on Amazon.
2. Bank Account. You need a bank account in good standing.
3. Contact Information. Amazon requires you to provide a valid phone number, email address, and customer service response plan.
4. Product Details. You must provide details about the products you plan to sell. If you plan to sell branded products, you may need to provide proof of permission from the brand owner.
5. Tax Information. Depending on your location, you may need to provide tax identification information.
6. Compliance with Amazon's Policies. Amazon has various policies that sellers must adhere to. These include policies on prohibited content, counterfeit goods, and customer privacy.
7. Fees. Amazon charges a fee for selling on their platform. This can include referral fees, subscription fees (if you choose a Professional selling plan), and fulfillment fees (if you use Fulfillment by Amazon)

Cost Breakdown: How Much Does It Cost To Sell on Amazon?

The answer depends on your chosen selling plan and the nature of your items. Here's a quick cost breakdown:

• The Individual plan charges a $0.99 fee per item sold, plus additional selling fees.
• The Professional plan comes with a monthly subscription fee of $39.99, regardless of how many items you sell, plus selling fees.
• Additional fees, such as referral and variable closing fees, depend on your items.

Remember, as in any business venture, it's vital to account for these costs when pricing your products. Other costs include:

Seller Fees

Amazon sellers will encounter various fees, such as referral and closing fees. Referral fees are a percentage of the item's sale price, varying based on the category. Closing fees apply to media products, including books, DVDs, and video games. Familiarize yourself with these fees to understand the costs of selling on Amazon.

Fulfillment Fees

There will be additional fulfillment fees if you use Amazon's FBA service. These fees cover your products' storage, picking, packing, and shipping. Amazon provides a detailed breakdown of these fees on its website.

Inventory Costs

You need to manage your inventory effectively to ensure smooth operations. Consider the costs of:

• purchasing or manufacturing your products
• storing them
• replenishing inventory when necessary

Efficient inventory management can help you avoid unnecessary costs and stockouts.

Advertising Costs

While not mandatory, investing in advertising can significantly boost your visibility and sales on Amazon. Amazon offers various advertising options, including Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and Display Ads. Allocate a budget for advertising to promote your products effectively.

Additional Expenses

Depending on your business needs, you might have additional expenses such as:

• photography for product images
• graphic branding design
• inventory management or analytics software

Consider these costs in your overall budget. By understanding the cost breakdown, you can make informed decisions and optimize your selling strategy on Amazon. Apply for a business loan today

Becoming An Amazon Seller: Pros And Cons

Pros

Wide Customer Reach

Amazon has a massive customer base with millions of active users worldwide. Selling on Amazon gives you access to this large pool of potential customers, increasing your product's visibility and reach.

Established E-commerce Platform

Amazon provides a well-established and trusted e-commerce platform. As a seller, you can leverage Amazon's reputation, customer trust, and user-friendly interface to start selling quickly and easily.

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)

Amazon's FBA program allows sellers to outsource their order fulfillment and shipping to Amazon's warehouses. This service enables faster shipping, customer service, and handling returns, freeing up your time and resources.

Exposure to Amazon Prime Members

By selling on Amazon, you gain access to Amazon Prime members, who are more likely to make purchases due to the added benefits they receive, such as free two-day shipping.

Brand Awareness

Selling on Amazon can help build brand awareness, especially if you are starting or expanding your business. Customers may discover your brand on Amazon and become loyal customers outside the platform.

Marketing and Advertising Opportunities

Amazon provides various marketing and advertising tools to help promote your products and increase visibility. Some examples are:

• sponsored product ads
• enhanced brand content

Cons

Competition

Amazon is a highly competitive marketplace, with millions of sellers vying for customers' attention. Standing out among competitors can be challenging, especially for popular product categories.

Fee Structure

Amazon charges various fees for selling on its platform, including:

• referral
• fulfillment
• subscription (if applicable)

These costs can significantly impact your profit margins, especially for low-priced items.

Limited Brand Control

While you can create your brand presence on Amazon, the platform has certain limitations on customization and brand control. Your product listings and pages may have a similar layout to other sellers, limiting your ability to differentiate your brand.

Dependency on Amazon

By selling on Amazon, you become dependent on their platform and policies. Changes in Amazon's policies, terms of service, or search algorithms can significantly impact your business, potentially affecting sales and profitability.

Risk of Counterfeit or Unauthorized Sellers

Due to Amazon's open marketplace structure, there is a risk of counterfeit or unauthorized sellers listing your products. This can harm your brand reputation and customer trust.

Limited Customer Data Access

Amazon controls customer data, restricting direct access to customer information. This makes establishing a direct relationship with customers challenging and limits your ability to market to them outside the Amazon platform.

How to Be a Successful Amazon Seller

Selling through Amazon successfully requires:

• dedication
• continuous improvement
• adapting to the ever-changing e-commerce landscape

Here are some tips to help you thrive:

Customer Service Excellence

Prioritize exceptional customer service to build a loyal customer base. Respond promptly to customer inquiries and address issues or concerns with empathy and professionalism. Positive customer experiences can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth.

Monitor and Optimize

Regularly monitor your sales performance, analyze customer behavior, and identify opportunities for optimization. Use Amazon's seller tools and analytics to:

• gain insights into your business
• adjust your strategies
• continually improve your performance

Expand Your Product Range

As you establish your presence on Amazon, consider expanding your product range. Offering a diverse range of complementary products can help you attract a wider customer base and increase cross-selling opportunities.

Stay Informed

Stay updated with the latest Amazon policies, trends, and best practices. You could also:

• subscribe to industry newsletters
• participate in seller forums
• take advantage of educational resources provided by Amazon

Find the Right Niche

It's crucial to sell products people show interest in. So, make sure you follow new tendencies on social media or focus on areas that are always trending. However, try avoiding generic niches, as these will be more competitive. For instance, instead of sports clothing, opt for vintage clothes.

Be a Marketer

You just can't sit and wait, hoping that your customers will come to you. Instead, become a proactive marketer and promote your products on social media, your blog, or through newsletters.

Analyze Your Competition

Don't forget to keep an eye on the competition. Check their selling price, marketing tactics, special offers, etc. Likewise, you can read their product reviews to find out what attracts customers.

Always Answer

Responsiveness and readiness to remedy any situation is the best way to ensure top-notch customer experience and repeated sales. Try to respond promptly and help your clients.

Increase Profits

There are some ways to work smarter and maximize your revenue. For instance, leverage the holiday season, start selling a whole range of products, or join Amazon’s Associate's program.

Tips for Selling on Amazon

Research Product Demand

Before listing your products on Amazon, conduct thorough market research to understand the demand for your products. Look for popular categories, trending products, and underserved niches. You can increase your chances of success by identifying products with high demand and low competition.

Optimize Product Listings

Crafting compelling product listings is crucial for attracting customers. To improve visibility in Amazon's search results:

• use relevant keywords in your titles and bullet points
• optimize the product category and product descriptions

Focus on providing accurate and detailed information. Highlight the unique selling points of your products.

Provide High-Quality Images

Visuals play a significant role in enticing customers to purchase your products. Invest in high-quality product images that showcase your items from different angles. Use professional photography techniques to create visually appealing images that accurately represent your products.

Price Competitively

Price your products competitively to attract customers. Research the pricing of similar products on Amazon and set your prices accordingly. Consider offering promotional discounts or bundles to entice customers and gain a competitive edge.

Request Product Reviews

Positive reviews can significantly impact your sales on Amazon. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews by including a polite request in your product packaging or follow-up emails. Monitor customer feedback and promptly address any negative reviews or concerns.

Utilize Amazon Advertising

Take advantage of Amazon's advertising options to increase your product visibility. Sponsored Products, for instance, allow you to promote individual products within Amazon's search results. Experiment with different advertising campaigns. Then, monitor their performance to optimize your marketing efforts.

Monitor Competition

Keep a close eye on your competitors' pricing, product offerings, and customer reviews. Understanding your competition can help you identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to differentiate yourself in the marketplace.

Selling With Amazon: What To Know

Restricted Products

Amazon has strict policies that dictate what sellers can and cannot list on its platform to ensure customer safety and satisfaction. Therefore, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with Amazon's restricted product categories. Items like:

• alcoholic beverages,
• illegal drugs,
• prescription drugs,
• firearms,
• and explosive materials fall under Amazon's list of prohibited items.

Other restricted products include certain animal and plant species, lock-picking devices, and lottery tickets. Some categories require pre-approval from Amazon before listing. Examples are:

• dietary supplements
• fine art
• certain electronic devices

The takeaway is that before you decide what to sell, review Amazon's Product Restriction list to avoid penalties or account suspension.

Choosing the Right Selling Program

The Amazon marketplace offers various selling programs tailored to the unique needs of different sellers. The Individual Seller program is ideal for selling fewer than 40 items monthly. It has no monthly subscription fee, making it a low-risk option for novices. On the other hand, the Professional Seller program charges a monthly subscription fee but offers the ability to sell unlimited products. It also provides access to premium features like advertising and reporting tools. Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is a popular program that allows sellers to store their products in Amazon's warehouses. Amazon takes over the responsibility of:

• storage
• packaging
• shipping

This allows sellers to focus on product sourcing and marketing.

The Importance of Amazon Business

Amazon Business serves millions of business customers worldwide, providing a platform for sellers to offer products directly to other businesses.

• Registering for an Amazon Business Seller account allows you to target businesses of all sizes and across various industries, not just individual consumers.
• Besides reaching a broader customer base, Amazon Business provides unique features like business-only pricing, quantity discounts, and the ability to offer VAT-exclusive pricing.
• This program could be the perfect avenue for B2B (business-to-business) entrepreneurs looking for an extensive market reach.

Exploring Amazon Handmade

Amazon Handmade offers artisans a platform to sell their handcrafted goods to customers worldwide. If you're an artisan who creates original, handcrafted products, Amazon Handmade could be your gateway to reach a global audience. Amazon Handmade vets, through an application process, each seller on the platform to maintain the uniqueness and quality of products and to ensure they meet the platform's handcrafted goods standards. If accepted, you can list your products across 14 different categories, including jewelry, home decor, and clothing.

Sell on Amazon and Become More Profitable

After reading this guide on how to sell on Amazon, you can see that it is an excellent way to expand your market and increase your profits. On the other hand, you need to be aware of numerous competitors and the fees that Amazon takes. All in all, if you work smart and with dedication, success will knock on your door. Camino Financial will provide flexible business loans if you need financial assistance to manage your inventory efficiently or start your e-commerce. Apply for a business loan today

FAQs
Do you have to pay to start selling on Amazon? Yes, there are costs associated with selling on Amazon, including: a subscription fee for Professional sellers ($39.99/month) per-item fee for Individual sellers ($0.99/item sold) other potential fees like referral and closing fees
Is selling on Amazon a good way to make money? Selling on Amazon as a business can be a lucrative way to make money. Still, it depends on several factors, including your product, pricing strategy, and the competition in your category. Success isn't guaranteed, and it requires planning, research, and regular maintenance of your seller account.
Is it easy to sell on Amazon seller? Selling items on Amazon can be straightforward, but it isn't always easy. You must navigate Amazon's selling policies, manage inventory, handle customer service inquiries, and potentially deal with returns.
Do I need anything to sell on Amazon? You need to set up an Amazon Seller account to sell a product on Amazon. You also need legal rights to sell your product, a product to sell (with a UPC or EAN), a local bank account that can accept deposits, tax information, and an understanding of Amazon's selling policies.
What are the best websites to sell stuff? The best websites to sell items can vary depending on the type of product you're selling. Here are some popular choices: eBay: This platform is excellent for selling various items, particularly collectibles, vintage items, or specialty products. Amazon: Excellent for new items, books, electronics, and more. It's also a platform for establishing an online retail business. Etsy: The best platform for selling handmade, vintage, and craft supplies. Craigslist: Ideal for selling large items locally, like furniture or appliances, to avoid shipping costs. Poshmark: A top choice for selling used or new fashion items. Facebook Marketplace: It's become increasingly popular for local sales of various items. Depop: A social shopping platform popular for selling fashion, particularly to a younger demographic.
Which is the best way to sell online? The best way to sell online largely depends on the type of product you're selling and your target audience. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn't exist, but there are certain best practices you can follow. First, understand your product and identify the platform your potential buyers will likely use. High-quality pictures, detailed descriptions, and competitive pricing are essential to attract buyers. Providing excellent customer service, managing inventory effectively, and search optimization are also crucial for successful online selling. Lastly, promoting your products on social media can increase visibility and sales.