Amazon selling guide

If You’re Not Selling on Amazon, You’re Missing Out: Here’s How to Start

You’ve heard the stories—ordinary folks making six, seven, and even eight figures by selling on Amazon. But you’re not here for stories. You’re here to find out how you can do it. This isn’t another vague “how-to” guide. I’m giving you the exact steps you need to take to become a profitable Amazon seller, starting from zero. So, let’s get down to business.

Step 1: Why Selling on Amazon is a Goldmine You Can’t Ignore

Before you dive in, let’s get one thing straight: Amazon isn’t a hobby, it’s a business. Over 197 million people visit Amazon every month, searching for everything from toothbrushes to Tesla accessories. If you’re not on Amazon, you’re invisible to these customers. It’s the world’s biggest e-commerce platform, and it’s only getting bigger.

Step 2: Setting Up Your Amazon Seller Account

It’s not glamorous, but the first step is crucial: setting up your Amazon Seller Account. This is where you’ll decide if you want to go with an Individual Account or a Professional Account. If you’re planning to sell more than 40 items a month—and you should be—go professional. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to sellercentral.amazon.com and create your account.
2. Enter your business information, including your credit card, tax info, and phone number.
3. Choose your selling plan: Individual or Professional.

Pro Tip: Use an email that’s dedicated to your Amazon business. You’ll be flooded with updates, reports, and promotional insights, and you don’t want them getting lost in your personal inbox.

Step 3: Finding the Right Product – The Secret to Winning

The truth? Most Amazon sellers fail because they pick the wrong product. Choosing the right product is 90% of the game. You need something with high demand but low competition. Here’s the formula:

1. Use Product Research Tools like Jungle Scout or Helium 10.
2. Look for products priced between $20 and $50 – they sell faster.
3. Check the reviews: You want products with fewer than 100 reviews in the niche—this indicates lower competition.
4. Go for lightweight items (under 3 lbs) to keep shipping costs down.

Keyword Tip: Use “Best Amazon products to sell” for your initial research to identify trending items.

Step 4: Sourcing – Where to Find Winning Products

Congratulations! You’ve found a winning product. Now you need to source it. Most sellers turn to Alibaba. Don’t make this mistake without knowing the ropes:

1. Reach out to multiple suppliers. Request samples. Yes, it costs a bit, but you’ll save headaches in the long run.
2. Negotiate. Suppliers expect it. You can usually shave 5-10% off the initial quote.
3. Check quality. Use third-party inspection services if needed.

SEO Keyword Focus: Utilize phrases like “best Amazon products to sell” and “Amazon FBA business” throughout your product sourcing content.

Step 5: Setting Up Your Product Listing – It’s All in the Details

Now, the part most sellers get wrong: the product listing. This is your virtual storefront. Treat it like you would a brick-and-mortar shop window.

1. Title Optimization: Use high-ranking keywords—don’t be cute, be clear. Example: “Stainless Steel Water Bottle – BPA-Free, 1L, Leak-Proof” beats “Eco-Friendly Hydration Companion.”
2. Bullet Points: Focus on benefits, not just features. Talk about how the product solves a problem.
3. Product Description: Use simple, benefit-driven language. Break it up with short paragraphs and sub-headings.
4. Photos: High-quality, with multiple angles. Use a white background, and don’t forget lifestyle images.

SEO Insight: Include “how to become an Amazon seller,” “Amazon selling guide,” and “Amazon seller tips” in your descriptions and bullet points.

Step 6: Shipping – FBA or FBM? Make the Right Call

You have two choices here: Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM).

• FBA: Amazon stores and ships your products. It’s more expensive, but it gives you access to Prime customers and boosts trust.
• FBM: You handle storage and shipping. Lower costs, but it’s a lot of work.

FBA Tip: If you’re starting out, go with FBA. It’s worth the investment for the credibility and exposure.

Step 7: Launching Your Product – Don’t Just Sit There, Promote!

So, you’ve listed your product, and now you’re waiting for the money to roll in. Stop. Success doesn’t come from being passive.

1. PPC Advertising: Use Amazon’s Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns. Start with Automatic targeting and analyze which keywords are driving sales.
2. Product Reviews: Send follow-up emails asking for feedback. Be polite. A few good reviews can make or break you.
3. Social Media Buzz: Get active on social media. Share your product on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Use targeted ads.

SEO Strategy: Incorporate “Amazon FBA business,” “sell on Amazon,” and “make money on Amazon” throughout your launch campaigns.

Step 8: Scaling – From One Product to a Profitable Brand

Selling on Amazon isn’t just about a single product. Once you’ve tasted success, scale it. Introduce complementary products, bundle items, and eventually build your own brand.

1. Track Metrics: Use Seller Central’s data to see what’s working and what’s not.
2. Optimize Listings: Tweak your product titles, descriptions, and images regularly.
3. Expand: Consider international marketplaces—Amazon UK, Amazon Germany, etc.

Conclusion: Start Small, Think Big

There’s no secret formula to becoming a successful Amazon seller. But if you follow these steps, you’re setting yourself up for a far greater chance of success. Amazon has made millionaires out of ordinary people, and there’s no reason why you can’t be the next success story.