Last updated - November 17, 2023
The rumors are true, selling on Amazon can be an excellent venture for those looking to get a slice of the growing eCommerce pie. But, the rumors about the complexity of the platform are also valid. It ensures that the optimum experience is served to customers and sellers alike. This level of difficulty can be intimidating for a beginner because you didn’t sign up on Amazon just to sell. You’re on the marketplace to sell well.
To overcome the anxiety of failing, begin by asking yourself: what do I need to know (or not do) to sell well on Amazon? It’s important to know these things beforehand because you don’t want to make costly mistakes or waste your time.
But don’t worry, you’re not the only one who’s feeling all these jitters! Other new Amazon sellers feel this too and that’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to cover all the essentials of selling successfully on the most prominent eCommerce platform to help you start on the right foot.
Do: Dig Beneath the Surface Before Jumping In
You’re not on Amazon to just be a regular seller. You entered this platform to rock and break through digital commerce. So it’s essential to do your due diligence, take a deeper look into the eCommerce platform, and know the kind of storm you’re getting yourself into.
With so much competition in the marketplace, it’s vital to equip yourself with the knowledge of how the platform works to not get eaten alive by competitors. You can start by researching Amazon selling fees, understanding the platform’s ranking factors and algorithm, double-checking what type of images will pop, investing in Amazon advertising, and studying product selection, pricing strategies, shipping costs, and customer service tips.
See, the start will always be the hardest part because there are countless factors to consider during this time. However, once you get the gist of the marketplace, you’re off to a great start. So don’t just jump in: take your time, dig beneath the surface, and be sure you have all the details you need before listing. It’s definitely a lot of work, but you’ll even
Do: Start With a Niche
It can be tempting to get as broad and general as you can when starting a business. However, starting with a broad field can be overwhelming and may not lead to success. Because of this, it can be best to focus on a small, tight-knit market segment that gives you pinpoint accuracy when it comes to identifying your customers’ needs and developing products or services that cater directly to them.
Focusing on a specific niche is much more beneficial to ensure you excel in that area. Having an eye on a smaller subset of products or categories allows for increased inventory management, enabling sellers to stay organized, reduce costs, and keep up with demand. Aside from that, by honing in on a specific niche, you can deliver top-quality service and go the extra mile for clients in ways that competitors who are spread too thin simply cannot match.
Do: Fulfill Orders Promptly
Ever wonder why Amazon is the leading choice for a great online shopping experience? It’s because they offer what online shoppers love: fast and hassle-free delivery. If you want to sell products on Amazon successfully, a straightforward piece of advice to bear in mind is to ensure orders are filled promptly.
Customers expect timely delivery no matter what you’re selling, so it’s essential that when a customer places an order, they know the item will arrive quickly and efficiently. It’s also a critical factor in maintaining a good seller rating and rank among other vendors; the higher your rank, the more attention your products will receive from potential buyers. In addition to that, it not only improves customer satisfaction but also helps create loyalty and builds trust in your business.
Take care of your customers, and they’ll take care of you!
Don’t: Engage in Price Gouging
Customers love sellers who value honesty and integrity. So, you have to ensure you’re not doing illegal tactics like price gouging. Aside from that, you should avoid this if you don’t want to lose your selling rights.
But what exactly is price gouging?
This is a practice of increasing prices to an unreasonable or unfair level, especially during times of scarcity or high demand.
You should remember that customer satisfaction is important in any sales transaction. Setting excessively high prices will not only lead to customer dissatisfaction but could also potentially damage your seller’s reputation. Doing this could also give off reduced profits
So instead of trying to maximize profits by resorting to price gouging, which can lead to reduced profits in the long run due to fewer customers willing to buy from that seller, you should focus on providing quality service and products at fair prices.
Don’t: Sell Counterfeit Goods
One of the cardinal rules of selling on Amazon is that you must never try to pass counterfeit goods through their system. The retail giant takes a tough stance against anyone who attempts it or even gets close. Not only will it put your business at risk of being banned from the platform, but it can also have much more severe legal consequences.
Counterfeit items are often made with substandard materials and poor craftsmanship, which can endanger customers. By selling counterfeit items, you are taking away legitimate sales from the rightful owners of the product, which could lead to costly lawsuits.
So before you venture into digital marketplaces, make sure to only source legitimate products from verified suppliers or manufacturers rather than relying on what may be cheaper, non-genuine versions available through illegal sources and also take the time to research everything related to authorized sales and regulations depending on your location and other criteria.
If nothing else, remember – trust and integrity are essential when doing business.
Final Thoughts
With over two million active shoppers worldwide, there’s never been a better time to get started. Now that you know the basics, you can start crafting your market plan. Be creative and develop ethical campaigns while keeping ahead of the competition. And when the time is right, you can also look for an eCommerce guide to AWS to help upgrade your selling experience.
Keep in mind to also consider the fact that Amazon’s sheer longevity as a business means they know all the tricks of the trade when it comes to sellers gaming their platform. You would be hard-pressed to find any fancy loopholes that could give you an edge or make you any easier money. So, don’t bother trying, it’s best to stick to making honest and legal sales here. After all, Amazon has a reputation to maintain, so they ensure the playing field is fair for everyone.
Plus, why take unnecessary risks when you know the established practices? So take it from us: no matter how tempted you might be, don’t even try!
