Choose Your Sales Model
Before diving into the process of selling your products, it's crucial to understand a few key concepts associated with Amazon:
- Selling as an individual or professional : Professionals benefit from several advantages, such as the possibility of selling an unlimited number of products. Individuals, on the other hand, have fewer shipping and storage costs, but are limited in terms of sales and features.
- Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) or Fulfilment by Merchant (FBM) : FBA frees you from logistical tasks while FBM gives you total control over shipping and inventory management.
- Private Label, White Label, or Resale : Decide if you want to sell under your own brand, put your label on existing products, or resell items from other brands.
Understanding these fundamentals will allow you to make informed choices as you progress in selling your products on Amazon.
Register as a Seller
The e-commerce journey on Amazon Seller Central starts with creating a seller account.
This step, although simple, is fundamental to launch your business.
Here is an explanation of the process:
1. Select Account Type
Amazon offers two types of seller accounts: individual and business.
An individual account is ideal if you plan to sell fewer than 40 items per month, while a business account is for sellers who plan to sell more than 40 items per month.
The professional e-commerce account, billed at €39.99 per month, also offers additional benefits such as the ability to add multiple users and access advanced reports.
2. Provide the required information
You will need to provide basic information such as your name, address, telephone number, as well as banking information for payments.
You will also need to provide tax information for VAT verification.
Please ensure that all information provided is correct and up to date to avoid future complications.
By completing this step, you've laid the foundation for your business on Amazon.
Setting up your Amazon customer account accurately will facilitate your selling journey, preparing you for the next step: selecting your products.
Product selection
Starting selling on Amazon requires a crucial preliminary step: product selection.
This phase requires careful analysis to find the few items for sale that will be successful.
Here's how you can optimize your search for products to sell on Amazon:
1. Use of Search Tools
The Amazon universe is vast and competitive.
To identify products that are worthwhile, specific tools are essential.
- Jungle Scout : This tool analyzes sales trends on Amazon and offers an estimate of monthly product sales.
- Helium 10 : A comprehensive suite of tools to analyze the market, identify relevant keywords, and study the competition.
Mastering these tools propels you into a new dimension of product research, by arming you with the data necessary to make informed decisions.
2. Keyword analysis
Texts are the compass that guides buyers to your products.
A thorough analysis of the relevant texts is therefore essential.
- MerchantWords : See what texts shoppers are actually using on Amazon.
- Keyword Tool : A free tool that generates text ideas from Amazon's self-suggested search.
By understanding the keywords that drive traffic to product categories similar to yours, you narrow your search to potentially profitable products.
3. Competition study
In the Amazon arena, knowing your opponents is essential to stand out from the crowd.
- Customer Feedback Analysis : Reviews on competing products reveal the strengths and weaknesses of these products.
- Price Comparison : Compare the prices of your competitors to find an attractive price position.
Careful study of the competition allows you to position yourself advantageously in the market.
4. Finding Niches With Low Competition
Finding your place in a less crowded corner of Amazon can be the key to success.
- Search for niches : Use the tools mentioned above to identify niches with low competition but satisfactory demand.
- Demand Assessment : Ensure that there is a stable demand for the products in the niche you are considering.
By finding a niche with low competition, you reduce the barriers on your path to success on Amazon.
5. Listen to Market Trends
Market trends are waves that you need to know how to ride.
- Google Trends : A valuable tool for monitoring current trends and anticipating future demands.
- Amazon Best Sellers : Amazon's best sellers list is a source of inspiration for finding trending products.
By staying on top of market trends, you align your offer with demand and increase your chances of success.
6. Survey and Feedback
Interacting directly with your audience is a successful strategy for discovering opportunities to sell products.
- Online polls : Create polls with tools like Typeform or JotForm to find out what products your audience wants to buy.
- Customer Feedback : Encourage feedback to understand customer expectations and adjust your offer.
Direct feedback from your audience is a treasure trove of information to refine your product selection.
The art of finding the right products to sell on Amazon is an inaccurate science that can be perfected through experience and analysis.
Each of the methods mentioned above is a building block for your success on Amazon.
Once this step is successfully completed, product sourcing will be your next challenge.
Creating Product Listings
Presenting your products on Amazon is an art that requires special attention.
A well-structured and attractive listing is your first asset in attracting buyers.
Here's how to set up a scene and make your product listings effectively:
1. Start Listing Products
Putting your product listings online on Amazon starts with properly listing them on the platform.
This is a crucial step that will define how the content your items will be perceived and found by buyers.
Here are the key things to consider:
- Global Product Identifier (GTIN) : Having a global commercial item number such as a CUP, ISBN, or EAN is critical to listing your products. This unique number allows Amazon to accurately identify the item you are offering.
- Offer Correspondence : If your product matches an existing listing on Amazon, the product ID is already in place, so you won't need to provide a new GTIN.
- Adding a New Product : For products that are new to Amazon, you may need to acquire a CUP code or request an exemption from Amazon if the GTIN is not available.
- SKU (Stockkeeping Unit) : A unique ID that you create to track your inventory.
- Product title : A clear, specific title that describes exactly what you are selling.
- Product Description and Key Points : A detailed description and a list of key points highlighting the benefits and characteristics of your product.
- Product images : Clear, high-resolution images that show your product from different angles.
- Relevant Search Terms and Keywords : Incorporating relevant keywords that improve the visibility of your product in Amazon searches.
Listing your products is the foundation of your success on Amazon.
Every detail counts, from the global product ID to images and descriptions.
By taking care to fill in this information correctly from the start, you position your products for optimal visibility and success on the platform.
The Amazon journey has only just begun, and effective logistics management will be your next challenge.
2. Designing Catchy Headlines
Securities are the first thing buyers see.
They should be informative and engaging.
- Use of keywords : Include relevant keywords that reflect the nature and benefits of your product.
- Precision : Mention the make, model, and essential characteristics of the product.
Well-designed titles guide buyers and arouse their interest, encouraging them to find out about your product more quickly.
3. Setting up high quality images
Images bring your products to life.
They need to be clear, professional, and engaging to sell on Amazon.
- Various angles : Show your product from a variety of angles to provide buyers with a complete view.
- Images in Action : Include images showing the product in use, this helps buyers visualize what they are buying.
High-quality images can speak more than a thousand words and go a long way in converting visitors into buyers.
4. Writing Precise Descriptions
A well-written description is your chance to “talk” to buyers and convince them of the usefulness of your product.
- Flea List : Use bullet points to present benefits and features in a legible manner.
- Relevant keywords : Integrate relevant texts to improve the visibility of your listing.
5. AI Optimization of Titles and Descriptions (Bonus)
Artificial Intelligence can be a valuable ally in refining your titles and descriptions.
- Optimization tools : Use AI-based tools like GPT chat, Jasper AI or Copy AI to optimize the content of your listing.
- Performance analysis : Use AI to analyze the performance of your titles and descriptions, and make necessary improvements.
Creating well-thought-out product listings is a giant step towards success on Amazon.
Every detail counts, from the title to the images to the description.
Adding an Artificial Intelligence touch can increase the effectiveness of your listings tenfold. Once you've mastered this step, logistics is the next challenge in your Amazon journey.
Logistics Management
Logistics is the beating heart of your business on Amazon.
That you opt for Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) or Fulfilment by Merchant (FBM), effective logistics management is crucial.
Here's how you can master this step:
1. Inventory Management
Use inventory management tools to monitor your inventory levels and avoid stockouts that could affect your ranking on Amazon.
2. Efficient shipping
If you choose FBM, establish an efficient shipping process to ensure fast and reliable delivery.
Explore different shipping options and choose the one that offers a good balance between cost and speed.
Smooth logistics ensures customer satisfaction, which is crucial for your reputation on Amazon. That brings us to the next big step: customer service and review management.
Customer Service and Review Management
Great customer service is the backbone of your reputation.
Here's how to excel at this stage:
1. Fast Response to Requests
Respond to customer questions and concerns in a prompt and professional manner.
%252520(1).jpeg)
Use tools like Channel Reply or eDesk to manage customer communications effectively.
2. Proactive Management of Reviews
Encourage happy customers to leave positive reviews and respond professionally to negative reviews, offering solutions to the issues raised.
Good customer service and proactive review management help build a solid reputation, which in turn can boost your sales.
However, continuous analysis and optimization are required to maintain and improve your performance.
Analysis and Optimization
Ongoing evaluation and optimization of your listings and operations is essential to remain competitive.
Here's how to approach this step:
1. Sales Performance Monitoring
Use Amazon Analytics from AWS or third party tools like SellerLegend to track your sales, identify trends and areas for improvement.
2. Listing Optimization
Adjust your listings based on customer feedback and sales performance.
Experiment with different titles, images, and descriptions to see what resonates best with buyers.
Ongoing analysis and optimization are your compass for navigating the dynamic universe of the optimal sales experience.
They provide you with the insights you need to make informed decisions and continuously improve your business.
Start Selling Now Without a Product Through Affiliate
If you don't have clean products to sell, there's still a lucrative opportunity out there thanks to affiliate program Amazon Associates.
By becoming an affiliate, you can promote products sold on Amazon and earn commissions on sales generated through your affiliate links. Here's how to get started with affiliate marketing:
- Amazon Associates Program Enrollment : Go to the Amazon Associates site and register. You will need a website or platform where you promote products.
- Search for products to promote : Once registered, find the products you want to promote. Choose products related to your niche or the theme of your website/blog.
- Creating Affiliate Links : Create affiliate links for the products you want to promote. These links will contain your affiliate ID, which will allow you to track sales generated through your recommendations.
- Product promotion : Share your affiliate links on your website, social networks, or via email campaigns. Provide value by sharing honest reviews, product comparisons, or tutorials that include your affiliate links.
- Performance monitoring : Use the tracking tools provided by Amazon Associates to assess the performance of your affiliate efforts. Analyze traffic, clicks, and sales to continuously optimize your affiliate strategy.
Selling on Amazon without owning any products is entirely feasible thanks to the Amazon Associates affiliate program.
By choosing the right products to promote from partner sellers, sharing valuable information, and optimizing your promotional strategies, you can generate passive income while providing value to your audience.
FAQs
Here are answers to frequently asked questions in these FAQs.
What are the selling fees?
Referral fees vary based on Amazon seller account type (individual or business), product category, and other factors.
Referral fees generally include monthly subscription fees, listing fees, and shipping and storage fees through its fulfillment centers (if you use Fulfillment by Amazon).
Is the product shipped by Amazon only?
It depends on the logistics management method you choose. If you opt for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), the platform will take care of the shipping of your products.
If you choose Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM), you will be responsible for shipping.
What payment methods are accepted to cover selling fees on Amazon?
Amazon accepts multiple payment methods to cover the costs associated with your business plan or not, which can cost €39 excluding VAT per month for a business account. To pay these monthly selling fees, as well as other possible fees like brand registry fees, you can use a credit card. International cards are also accepted.
Be sure to maintain a valid credit card on your customer account to avoid any interruption in the sale of your products.
If you are a seller on Amazon within the first 90 days, or if you sell products in certain categories, specific terms and conditions may apply.
Understanding and managing accepted payment methods and fees associated with your product type and selling plan is critical to optimal selling on Amazon.
Summary
You're now armed with a detailed action plan to start selling on Amazon, even if you're just starting out in the e-commerce world.
Each step in this guide is designed to help you build a strong and successful online retail business on Amazon. So, embrace the process, learn continuously, and you'll be well positioned to succeed on this massive sales platform.
The journey can be demanding, but with the right approach and the right resources, success is within reach.
