The Ultimate How-To Guide for Selling Products on Amazon
June 21, 2021
It’s safe to say that the phrase, “I got it on Amazon!” has become a mainstream part of our everyday nomenclature.
With roughly 300 million open accounts — 150 of which are premium — in over 180 countries around the world, Amazon accounts for nearly one third of all internet commerce transactions in the US.
Because of Amazon’s expansive reach and accessibility in connecting consumers directly with brands, many businesses rely on the platform as its sole distributor. Yes, it can be that profitable. While Amazon itself is a mega behemoth in the ecommerce world, it is actually set up to support small businesses looking to leverage the platform as much as it caters to large businesses amplifying their products.
In fact, 58% of all sales on Amazon come from smaller businesses and third-party sellers.
While learning how to use Amazon as a selling platform can be a gamechanger for many businesses, it can seem like a daunting task to understand all of their rules and regulations. If you’re a small business hoping to take advantage of all that Amazon has to offer, here are some easy ways to leverage their tools.
Determine the Right Selling Plan
On Amazon, there are two different selling plans to accommodate different types of sellers. These plans each have their pros and cons depending on the sheer amount of inventory a seller is shipping out at any given time.
Merchant Fulfillment
If you’re a small business still building out its brand identity and customer base, utilizing Amazon by way of Merchant Fulfillment is likely the way to go. In this standard option, Amazon receives a $0.99 fee for every product sold. Unlike Amazon’s secondary option, merchants are responsible for all shipping and liability when it comes to returns, exchanges, etc. This selling plan does not include in-depth selling reports and accessible APIs for the business to use.
FBA (Fulfillment By Amazon)
If a business sells, on average, 40-or-more units per month, an FBA is a more practical choice over the long-term. Unlike the merchant plan, an Amazon FBA costs $39.99 per month and relies on Amazon for all inventory shipment and distribution (which, in turn, can unlock a more streamlined experience for the customer). It also provides sellers with much more in-depth statistics and reports to assist the company in its expansion and development.
Start Listing Products on Amazon
While creating a listing on Amazon is a relatively straightforward process, the what and how matter when it comes to attracting more customers and building credibility for your Amazon store.
Some bare bones of what to expect: Almost all products have GTIN numbers or Global Trade Item Numbers that will help Amazon and other retailers to keep track of all of the products that are sold on their platform in an organizational way. Each product also needs to have a SKU number, a product title, product description, images, and search optimization points.
Create a Successful Listing
For businesses on Amazon, creating a high-quality listing on Amazon is almost as important as creating a high-quality product. Since there are millions of products for sale, it is critical to ensure that listings are professional, accessible, and make a good first impression on the customer.
Here are a few guidelines for creating a buttoned-up listing on Amazon:
Use High-Quality Photos
Think of your listing as your initial handshake with a customer. As the first thing customers see when they’re searching for products, images should be hi-res, artfully designed, and cohesive with one’s overall brand guidelines. Keep in mind your images should meet the 1000 x 1000 pixel requirements, have a clean white background, and contain a minimal amount of distracting information.
Make the Title Count
As with anything on the internet, if you can’t capture someone’s attention within a nanosecond, you’ve likely lost them forever.
When creating a title for your listing, brevity and clarity are key. Customers can find out more once they click into your listing, so don’t feel pressure to include everything in the listing title. Writing an enticing title is all about striking the right balance between important product details and the ability to differentiate your product from the saturated marketplace at hand.
Be Concise and Accurate with the Description
Like your title, make sure your description is clear and concise. While customers want to know the ins and outs of your product, they can easily get overwhelmed and confused with too much information. Always lean on the side of going text-lite over text-heavy so as to keep your customer focused and energized about your listing. Just remember — if key details like material, dimensions, or brand are omitted, the customer won’t have enough information to make a purchase decision.
Work to Streamline Your Finances
Once business starts booming for you on Amazon (fingers crossed!), you’ll want to ensure that your cash flow is always under control. With invoices, product orders, and newfound revenue, streamlining your finances can help ensure all the effort you’ve put into building your ecommerce business will be worth it.
Settle makes it easy to pay all your bills in one place, and gives you the ability to make payments on time without sacrificing cash efficiency. Settle’s easy-to-use software platform and innovative lending products are tailored to the needs of e-commerce and CPG businesses, so we’re there to partner with you as you grow.
Processes that used to take weeks, or even months, can now be done in just days, or even hours with Settle. The future of professional cash flow management is here.
Sources:
How to Sell on Amazon for Beginners Using FBA: A Step by Step Guide | Nchannel.com
The beginner's guide to selling on Amazon | Amazon
