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Last updated on February 16th, 2023
Written by Ken Zhou
The coronavirus pandemic has placed online sellers and marketers in analysis paralysis because of what is happening worldwide. In times like this, would it be wise to learn how to launch product on Amazon? More so, could a new product survive and sell amid the volatile and uncertain economic situation? Would it be a waste of time, effort, resources, and, more importantly, capital?
Let us ease your worries and help you find out through this article. We will discuss what you should know about Amazon's current state, determine if it is feasible to launch a new product on Amazon, and the best product launch strategy to implement in times of crisis like this.
Besides conducting a product study, keyword research, and competitor analysis, you should be updated on Amazon's current news and trends. Primarily, we are dealing with an invisible and dangerous enemy, COVID-19, which has forever altered the consumer landscape. You should know the actions Amazon has taken in the past couple of months to handle the pandemic, as it can affect how you sell and deliver your products.
Due to stay-at-home policies in some parts of the world, Amazon noticed a considerable spike in daily visitors from 5.18 million to 73.55 million between March 14 and March 17, which continues. This means more people are shopping online, and it should be good news for an Amazon seller.
However, Amazon has had to adjust some regulations to accommodate the influx of online orders. One of the adjustments they enforced is to temporarily prioritize six categories:
If your product doesn't belong in those categories, expect a delay in shipment since Amazon prioritizes essential products.
Moreover, even though they haven't announced any fee suspension or freeze, Amazon temporarily disabled its Inventory Performance Index (IPI) and waived April's long-term storage fee for FBA sellers in the U.S., U.K., Italy, and France.
Lastly, it would help if you noted that Amazon is establishing inventory restrictions at its fulfillment centers to prepare for the holidays. This new policy will affect all third-party merchants who store their products at Amazon's U.S. warehouses.
This is the current situation of Amazon amid the pandemic that you should be aware of before launching a new product on Earth's busiest marketplace.
Whether there is a pandemic or not, starting a business in general (or, in this case, selling on the Amazon marketplace) is a risk. As an Amazon seller, you are aware of that, but the stakes are higher because of COVID-19.
Because as we see how things are going on, some businesses have even filed for bankruptcy or liquidation, such as Papyrus, Lucky's Market, Earth Fare, J. Crew, JCPenney, Lucky Brand Dungarees, and GNC, to name a few. Please note that these brands have been in the market for years, but all it takes is a coronavirus outbreak to shut it down.
Can your fledgling product survive the pressure of the pandemic? Maybe you should wait until the end of the year or next year in hopes the situation normalizes? It seems being conservative would be the safest and sanest option since there is still no definite deadline on how long the crisis will last.
What good will a viral launch do if your products are not accessible due to the pandemic? These are valid reasons for hesitation and important questions to ponder. However, based on historical data, businesses that have chosen an aggressive and forward-thinking strategy outperformed companies that did otherwise.
Another long-term study proved that it is better to increase and not decrease your marketing spend during an economic crisis. You should take a proactive approach because you will never be left behind when the economy gains strength again. Consider an Amazon PPC campaign, maybe a Facebook ad or two. With the world's population glued to their gadgets now more than ever, it's not the time to shy from a good Amazon launch strategy. And it doesn't stop with a successful launch. Sellers and their team must constantly work on improving the sales velocity of the Amazon business.
Moreover, more consumers are responsive to the marketing initiatives of brands nowadays, commonly from ads on social media and other e-Commerce platforms. According to a survey conducted by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A's) and real-time market research platform Suzy, 56% are interested to know how brands are helping their communities during the pandemic. The report also found out that 44% of the respondents aren't comfortable buying their non-essential items outside, and another 37% prefer to purchase items online than in brick-and-mortar stores.
Many also believe the pandemic will have a long-lasting effect on the psyche and outlook of buyers. In another COVID-19 study, 86% of Americans and 81% of Canadians agreed that the crisis would create a new normal and have a lasting impact on society. Some scientists predicted that we still need social distancing until 2022, which is a great deal of time to put on hold any forms of marketing, including product launches.
Hence, a new Amazon seller must be agile, aggressive, and innovative to launch a new product during the pandemic. Furthermore, as Charles Darwin said, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change."
That being said, let's discuss what should be included in your Amazon product launch checklist that can withstand an economic downturn.
We have already defined pain points you may experience before your Amazon product launch. And from there, we will determine how to launch product on Amazon during unprecedented times.
As mentioned above, shipping delays are more common nowadays due to the prioritization policy. While Amazon FBA operates in a limited capacity, you should consider Seller Fulfilled Prime, Direct Fulfillment Program (Dropshipping), or Fulfillment By Merchant (FBM) using a different fulfillment partner. Amazon also reiterates that sellers can still offer non-household staples or medical supplies through merchant-fulfilled channels.
It is a no-brainer that essential products are a winner during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, you must expect a highly populated market with intense competition. Besides, consider products that people frequently use to work from home or in a homeschooling setup.
If you plan to sell essential items, you should take advantage of Amazon FBA launch services like Subscribe & Save, Small and Light, and Multi-Channel Fulfillment.
For example, Subscribe & Save, where you can offer repeat customers discounts, is also a way to strengthen customer retention even if your product is new. Since it is an essential item (i.e., coffee, tissue paper, hand sanitizer), customers will need to replenish their stock every one or two weeks, and this is possible through Subscribe & Save. By trying this, you are gaining loyal customers even after the pandemic has calmed down.
As the old adage says, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." Besides selling on Amazon, explore other sales channels such as a2B Fulfillment, Deliverr, Floship, Fulfillment.com, Rakuten Super Logistics, Red Stag Fulfillment, and ShipMonk, according to DealNews.
Besides, you should also put up your product's website and social media accounts to add credibility to your brand. Social media sites are also a significant advertising venue to introduce your new product. But don't forget to redirect your customers to your product listing on Amazon and other sales channels.
As we've stated above, consumers are happy to know how businesses help their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the time to show empathy and be sensitive instead of being too salesy. People's emotions are running high now due to lockdown restrictions, financial difficulties, and isolation from their family and friends.
Instead of advertising how great your stuff is through your product listing, promote good deeds to build brand awareness. This is the new normal in the Amazon product launch strategy. Your tactics should transcend marketing to develop genuine goodness and boost long-term customer loyalty.One way to do this is by taking your Amazon listing to earth-loving customers with a Climate Pledge Friendly Certification.
We have to accept the sad truth that the world will never be the same after this pandemic. In that case, you should always consider how your strategies can adapt during and after the coronavirus by applying the Amazon product launch strategy above to jumpstart your online business. Besides worrying about sales, you should stay on top of Amazon's latest updates and show genuine empathy to your customers. Make every product listing count! Don't let the crisis paralyze you and your marketing efforts. Because in difficult times, only the fittest and adaptable could survive, whether in business or personal life.
Seller Interactive has a team of experienced Amazon experts willing to teach you how to launch products on Amazon and can even do it on your behalf. Please email us at [email protected] or [email protected] today.
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