A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Sell on Amazon

A young woman learning how to sell on Amazon

Last updated on March 9th, 2023

Written by Ken Zhou

Are you curious about how to sell on Amazon? In this step-by-step guide, we'll show you everything you need to get started. We'll cover creating an account and listing, tips for tracking and increasing your sales, and the benefits of selling on Amazon.

Plus, we'll give you some tips on how to stand out from the competition and make the most of your Amazon selling experience. With this information, you'll be ready to sell on Amazon and make money in no time.

So whether you're a complete beginner or just looking for a refresher course, read further and discover how easy it is to get started selling on Amazon.​

The Story of Amazon

Amazon is a global online retailer that sells everything—from publications to electrical components to apparel and home fixtures and fittings. Founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, Amazon has come a long way from its humble beginnings as an online bookstore. Amazon is now a multibillion-dollar corporation with operations in over 100 countries.

In addition to e-commerce, Amazon provides cloud computing services, digital streaming services, and other services. Amazon is a truly innovative company with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. It's a one-stop shop for practically everything you could possibly want or desire.

Benefits of Selling on Amazon

These days, more and more businesses are selling their products on Amazon. That’s because Amazon offers several advantages for businesses.

Access to millions of customers

One of the biggest advantages of selling on Amazon is the sheer reach of the platform. With 300 million active customers worldwide, there's a good chance your target audience is already shopping on Amazon.

Flexible listing options

Another great thing about Amazon is that you have a lot of control over how to list your products. You can list your items as individually sold products or as part of a bundle. You can also add multiple photos, descriptions, and other details to showcase what you're selling. 

Pro tip: If you want to get even more exposure for your listings, you can take advantage of Amazon’s Sponsored program.

Fulfillment

When you sell on Amazon, you can take advantage of the Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) program,  where Amazon will store your products in their warehouses and fulfill orders for you. As an Amazon FBA seller, this can save you a lot of time and money because you don't have to worry about shipping products yourself. 

Customer service

Amazon has a great reputation for customer service, so you can be confident that your customers will be happy with their purchases.

How to Create an Amazon Account

Whether you’re a first-time seller or an experienced one looking for a new and profitable platform, Amazon is a fantastic marketplace to sell.

Here’s how to create an Amazon seller account and start your journey in selling on Amazon. 

  1. Go to Amazon’s home page and click "Sell on Amazon" at the top of the page.
  2. You'll be asked how you want to sell on Amazon: as an individual or professional. If you're not sure which option is the best for you, check out the selling plans on the pricing page first.
  3. Once you’ve selected a selling plan, provide the personal, business, and banking information required. You'll also need to upload a valid government ID and a bank statement, so prepare those.
Close-up of an Amazon listing on a mobile phone

Product Listing Basics for Amazon Sellers

Your product listing is one of the first things you need to create after signing up for an Amazon seller account. It’s where you provide all the information buyers need to know about your product.

Enter the basic information about your Amazon product, such as the name, price, quantity, category, and condition. You also need to provide product images and write a product description.

After you’ve created your listings, potential buyers will find your products by searching for keywords or browsing the Amazon marketplace. For every purchase, Amazon will take a small referral fee plus other costs of selling before giving you the remainder of the sale.

If you’re fulfilling orders yourself, you have one or two days to ship them out. You can also use Amazon FBA to make selling stuff on Amazon easier.

Tips for Boosting Your Sales on Amazon

Amazon is a great way to earn extra cash. However, it can be overwhelming if you've never sold anything on any digital marketplace before.

To help you get started, here are some tips.

  1. Take high-quality photos of your item. Doing this helps Amazon shoppers see what they’ll get. It can spell the difference between a sale and a lost opportunity, so make sure your photos are real, accurate, and authentic. 
  2. Do market research. Know your customers’ preferences. You can look at what they’re saying about your competitors’ products. You gain an advantage when you have a better understanding of your market.
  3. Write an honest and accurate description of your item. Be clear and concise. Describe your product in detail, but don't overdo it. Setting expectations this way can save you from dealing with returns or negative feedback
  4. Set a competitive price for your item. Check out similar items on Amazon to see how much you should be pricing yours. 
  5. Be patient. It may take a little while to gain traction, but with time and the right strategies, you’ll get better results. 

How to Track Sales and Profits on Amazon

Any seasoned seller will tell you there's more to running a successful business than just listing products and collecting payments. You also need to track your sales and profits to make well-informed strategies.

Fortunately, Amazon makes it easy to track your sales and profits. All you need to do is log in to your seller account and go to the “Reports” tab. Here you'll find various reports that will give you insights into your business’ performance. 

  • Business Reports
    • Units Ordered
    • Total Sales
    • Page Views
    • Sessions
    • Units Session Percentage
    • Buy Box Percentage
  • Ad Reports
    • Search Terms
    • Targeting
    • Advertised Product
    • Placement
    • Purchased Product
    • Performance Over Time
  • Inventory Reports
    • Active Listings Report
    • Canceled Listings Report
    • Open Listings Report 
    • Sold Listings Report  
    • Suppressed Listing Report
Two happy Amazon sellers giving each other a high five

Final Thoughts

With millions of potential customers and built-in tools, selling things on Amazon is an excellent way to start a business.

If you're ready to be an Amazon seller, kick it off to a great start with Seller Interactive's full account management service! Our experts will help you set up your Amazon seller account so that you can get up and running in no time. We'll take care of everything, from optimizing your listings and running ads to providing shipment necessities.

For any questions or more information, contact us at 1-800-820-3746. We'd love to hear from you! And while you're here, make sure to read our other blog posts for more eCommerce advice.

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