So you want to start selling on Amazon? Smart move! With over 300 million active customer accounts, Amazon is the largest online retailer, making it an incredible opportunity for businesses of all sizes. However, getting started on Amazon can seem daunting with all the different requirements, fees, and services. This ultimate guide will walk you through exactly how to set up an Amazon seller account and set yourself up for success.
Choose Your Amazon Seller Account Type
The first step is deciding which seller account type is right for your business needs. Amazon offers two options: Individual and Professional.
The Individual plan is best for those just starting out and planning to sell fewer than 40 items per month. This account is free, but you pay $0.99 per item sold plus additional selling fees.
The Professional plan is ideal for serious sellers planning to sell more than 40 units per month. You pay $39.99 per month regardless of how many items you sell, plus the same additional selling fees as the Individual plan.
For most businesses looking to grow and scale on Amazon, the Professional plan is recommended due to the increased selling limits and access to advanced selling tools like advertising.
Set Up Your Seller Account
Once you’ve chosen your account type, you can get started setting up your Amazon seller account by visiting sell.amazon.com. You’ll need to provide information like your business name, address, credit card, tax information, and phone number for verification.
Next, you’ll list your product details like condition, price, product ID (UPC, EAN, ASIN), description, and images. Amazon has strict standards for product data quality, so be sure your listings are complete and accurate.
You’ll also need to provide your fulfillment method – whether you plan to fulfill orders yourself (merchant-fulfilled) or have Amazon handle packing and shipping (Fulfilled by Amazon or FBA). FBA can increase sales, but has additional fees.
Familiarize Yourself with Amazon Seller Academy
Now that your account is active, take advantage of the vast array of free educational resources in Amazon Seller Academy. This helps ensure you understand all the policies, fees, requirements, and best practices for selling successfully.
Some key topics covered include:
- Setting the right price and handling price changes
- Creating optimized product listings
- Managing inventory levels
- Handling returns and refunds
- Finding wholesale product sources
- Understanding sales tax requirements
This training is absolutely essential, especially when first getting started.
Master Amazon Seller Account Management
While it’s free and easy to list products on Amazon, being a top seller requires great Amazon Seller Account Management skills. This includes things like tracking inventory levels, handling customer issues, monitoring performance metrics, staying compliant, and more.
Be sure you understand how to use the myriad account health tools, performance metrics, and case log system for any issues that arise. Seller account management is arguably the biggest key to long-term success.
Also Read:
Amazon Vendor Negotiations 101: Driving 2024 Profit Growth
Utilize Amazon Marketing Services
One of the biggest advantages of the Professional seller account is the ability to take advantage of Amazon’s powerful advertising tools and Amazon Marketing Services. With over 200 million people visiting Amazon each month, running advertising campaigns is a must for product exposure and standing out in the crowd scan ocean of competitors.
The three core advertising services to leverage are Sponsored Products for promoting individual product listings, Sponsored Brands for promoting your brand and product portfolio, and the all-new Amazon Stores for creating a free immersive multipage brand destination.
You’ll want to invest both time and budget into learning and optimizing these advertising services for maximum ROI.
Enhance Your Brand With EBC Services
If you’re a brand owner selling your own products, be sure to take advantage of Amazon’s Enhanced Brand Content (EBC) or A+ Content services. These allow you to create rich multimedia product descriptions to go way beyond the standard text listing.
With EBC services, you can incorporate enhanced images, product videos, comparison charts, and detailed infographics to bring your product details to life and better convey your brand story. Outside agencies that specialize in Enhanced Brand Content Optimization can help streamline and maximize the impact of these enhanced listings.
Selling on Amazon is an incredible business opportunity, but long-term success requires continuous effort, optimization, and learning. Be sure to stay up to date on all the latest policies, features, and best practices. Leverage services like Amazon Seller Academy, EBC services, and Amazon Marketing Services to their full potential. With the right strategies in place, you can build an extremely lucrative Amazon business!
Also Read:
Amazon A+ Content vs. Standard Listings: Key Differences
When it comes to optimizing your entire Amazon business operation, it’s wise to consider partnering with industry experts like Channel Supply Experts. As a leading provider of end-to-end Amazon seller services, we offer comprehensive solutions to drive your Amazon growth. From professional Amazon account management and brand registry assistance to strategic advertising campaigns and enhanced brand content creation, Channel Supply Experts has you covered. Their team of certified Amazon experts can help navigate complex situations, ensure your listings are fully optimized, and implement best practices to maximize sales and profits. With cutting-edge technology and deep Amazon expertise, Channel Supply Experts provides the trusted guidance and resources you need to truly thrive on the Amazon Marketplace.