Reselling on Amazon has become something of a career goal among savvy entrepreneurs. The most common reason: 44% of new sellers say the driving force is the ability to be their own boss. The majority of Amazon sellers are clearing more than $1,000 a month. And 1 and 5 Amazon sellers are making anywhere from $25,000 to $250,000 per year!
Something to keep in mind is that success hinges on the products you choose and how great you are at writing product listing descriptions to get found by the right people at the right time.
What exactly does it take to become a successful FBA seller and blow your competition away? Let’s look at some of the steps you can take that will increase your sales and optimize your chances of being a top-tier earner.
1. Sell Things People Want to Buy
There’s an old saying that goes like this: “Half of the money I spend on advertising is wasted. The problem is, I don’t know which half.” Department store tycoon John Wannamaker spoke these words way back in the 1800s, back when Amazon was known as a rainforest and not an e-commerce hotspot. But the sentiment applies to choosing your Amazon products, too.
It’s tough deciding what to sell when you can sell just about anything. Sometimes, you might choose products that fly off the shelves and you struggle to keep them in stock. Other times, the products you choose are only good for taking up space and collecting dust. This is an age-old dilemma of all retailers, so don’t be surprised if you’re not immune. However, with a little research into what people are actually buying on Amazon, you can increase your chances for long-term success. Look at popular categories, then find the hottest products within those categories.
2. Write SEO Product Listings
Do you know how Amazon decides to organize its search results? Much of it depends on how you write your product listing.
When a buyer searches for a product on Amazon, Amazon uses an algorithm to quickly and accurately find products that best match the search query. The algorithm relies on keywords and other factors to return the best results. Therefore, your listing needs to include relevant keywords your buyers are most likely to use when searching for the products you sell. This gives you the best chance to appear higher in the rankings.
Well-optimized product listings also have the best chance of earning the coveted “Buy Box” spot on Amazon. This is a prominent listing where Amazon recommends items to add to your cart based on your searches. In fact, 82% of sales go to the Buy Box item compared to similar competing products. This is why Amazon sellers make such a big deal about grabbing this spot.
What’s more, your goal should be to appear on the first page of search results. This is where the majority of conversions happen. The better optimized your product listing is, the better chance you have of ranking closer to the top.
3. Earn 5-Star Reviews with Great Customer Service
Ratings and reviews paint a compelling picture. This is what we call a “trust signal.” It shows that other people have bought the same item from you and demonstrates their satisfaction with it.
To get reviews, though, you’ll want to focus on delivering the highest level of customer service possible. This means writing descriptive, honest product listings, shipping the item in a timely manner, ensuring the item’s quality before shipping, and being available to resolve any questions or complaints.
The more 5-star reviews you earn, the greater your seller metrics improve. These metrics may be used to increase your rankings and even gain access to gated or restricted categories.
4. Price Your Products to Sell
There’s a lot of competition on Amazon, and there’s a good chance that other people are selling the same products you are. When this happens, the deciding factor may come down to price. This is why it’s important to know what your competitors are charging for similar items. You’ll want to price your products in an average range to give you a greater chance to win more sales.
New sellers can benefit from undercutting their competitor’s so they can quickly build their reputation. However, you also need to make sure you’re still making a profit on that item after all the fees Amazon charges you. You don’t always have to undercut your competitors. Cheaper doesn’t always mean better. Some people may perceive a higher-priced item to be of higher quality. Consider the items you’re selling and whether it makes sense to offer a lower price.
5. Explore Gated Categories and Brands
If you’re eager to climb over to the top of Amazon’s sales mountain, you won’t want to overlook the benefits of selling gated products. Gated brands categories, sometimes called restricted brands categories, are those where you need explicit permission from Amazon to sell. Simply put, they’re not open to just any Amazon seller.
Here’s why:
Some product categories or brands require a certain level of quality or expertise. If Amazon were to allow anyone to sell in these categories, there’s a greater risk for counterfeit items. This means unhappy buyers and a tarnished reputation for Amazon.
When there is risk associated with an item, Amazon clamps down and vets their sellers a little extra to ensure quality. What this means for sellers is that you have a little extra work to do to “ungate” these categories. This is something that not everyone tries to do, and those who try aren’t always successful. But if you can clear the gate, you’ll compete with less sellers and profit more sales.
6. Stay in Good Standing with Amazon
This should go without saying, but you have rules to follow and standards to uphold as an Amazon seller. As long as you’re not crossing any lines, you can expect to continue selling on Amazon with uninterrupted service.
Wrap Up: There’s Room for New Amazon Sellers
Amazon is a huge ocean filled with fish selling everything you can think of. But there’s always room for more. As more people turn to this massive online marketplace, Amazon will rely on a steady supply of reliable sellers to keep its customers happy.
And yes, you CAN be one of them.
Reminder: Don’t forget to consider ungating service providers such as the Ungating Wizard to ungate your product.
The Ungating Wizard, an ungating expert, knows exactly how to get you approved and ungated within 24 hours.
Ungate your account today and earn more income!
