Over 6 million Amazon sellers are out there fighting for customers1. This makes the marketplace very competitive. New sellers should steer clear of some common missteps. One big error is trying to copy the success of huge brand best-sellers with lots of reviews2. While it seems like a smart move, choosing the wrong things to mimic can be detrimental. It might leave you with low sales and feeling disheartened.
Big brand best-sellers on Amazon often boast many reviews, ranging from hundreds to thousands2. This gives them a leg up. However, their achievement comes from hidden, strong marketing strategies not evident on their product pages. Things like social media ads, Google ads, Amazon Influencers, and PR boost their sales on Amazon2. When new sellers only focus on what they can see—the titles, keywords, and ads—they might struggle to make an impact.
New Amazon sellers wanting to steer clear of common slip-ups should concentrate on the basics of sales and marketing instead of imitating big brands directly2. This means making listings and marketing that outshine others. By improving your descriptions, images, and content, you can better attract your ideal customer. Answering questions they might have and showing what makes your product unique helps a lot. Also, generating interest before you even launch, collecting emails, and directing external visitors to your page can set you apart and make you more visible2.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid copying big brand best-sellers without understanding their full marketing strategy
- Focus on sales and marketing fundamentals to create compelling listings and drive traffic
- Optimize product descriptions, images, and content to appeal to your target audience
- Build buzz before launch and drive external traffic to your listings
- Differentiate your products and brand to stand out among millions of competitors
Not Understanding Amazon’s Rules and Regulations
Being a new Amazon seller means dealing with lots of rules. If you don’t get them right, Amazon could penalize you or shut your account down. It’s super important to know the rules before you start selling to avoid trouble.
Many sellers get into trouble by not following Amazon’s rules. This might be by selling banned items or not meeting performance measures. For example, a new seller lost their account after making a new item listing. Amazon thought they were doing something sneaky3. Another seller really struggled with getting their OTC product listing right. They had to fight with Amazon over it, which hurt their business a lot3.
Familiarize Yourself with Amazon’s Seller Policies
To steer clear of these problems, make sure you really understand Amazon’s rules. Focus on what items you can’t sell, how to list your products, and meeting Amazon’s standards. Excellent scores don’t protect you if you break the rules4.
Learn about the seller account types and pick the best for your business. Check your suppliers well to ensure what they provide meets Amazon’s demands. Be careful with your products’ compliance. Even small issues could get your listings removed or your account shut down3.
Stay Updated with Policy Changes
Amazon’s rules can change often, based on what’s happening in the market and feedback from customers. It’s crucial to keep up with any policy updates.
Make it a habit to check Seller Central Help, read Amazon’s emails, and be active in the Seller Forums to stay informed. Not knowing the latest rules is no excuse. If you’re late or miss updates, Amazon might close your account for good. This can hurt a lot, leaving you with unsold stock and financial losses4.
Knowing Amazon’s rules well and keeping up with changes helps avoid costly mistakes. Remember, following the rules closely is essential for success on Amazon. So, start by making compliance your top goal.
Inadequate Product Research and Selection
One key aspect of selling well on Amazon is doing your homework right. This means really digging deep into amazon product research and picking wisely during the amazon product selection phase. Plenty of newcomers jump into things without proper study.
This often means they end up in markets that everyone’s already in, with little to set them apart5. To steer clear of this issue, look for amazon niche products that people want steadily but that also have area for growth.
If you think just selling cheap items will do the trick, think again. Shoppers want bang for their buck. If what you’re selling doesn’t cut it quality-wise, your reviews will show it and your sales may plummet5.
Make sure you see some samples first. This way, you can confirm that the amazon product quality is up to snuff before you buy a big stock.
Going for what’s hot right now might sound like a good move. But these hits can fizzle out fast, leaving you with loads of rivals and a product no one wants. It’s often smarter to pick things that sell steadily over time5.
“The amazon product research and selection process can be mentally and emotionally draining for many beginners.”5
When you’re out amazon product sourcing, remember it’s not just about finding items easy to obtain. Think about how big, heavy, and tough your product is. This affects your shipping costs. Heavy or delicate products can seriously cut into your profits6.
- Aim for products with a 3x to 7x margin on the cost of goods sold to allow more room for PPC and influencer marketing5
- Look for products with sustainable demand and low market competition5
- Ensure products are free from trademark or branding violations to avoid being kicked off Amazon5
- Target a minimum of 5 sales per day for consistent sales, with 10 sales per day being more sustainable for Amazon US sellers5
Diving deep into amazon product research and making smart choices when picking products can spare you from big mistakes. It can also lay the groundwork for a successful future on the Amazon platform.
Poor Inventory Management
For Amazon sellers, keeping track of inventory well is key. Bad amazon inventory management causes lots of problems. It can mean having too much or too little stock, or not using Amazon’s tools right. Getting the right balance is vital for a successful Amazon store.
Overordering and Excess Inventory
New Amazon sellers often buy too much stock, creating a surplus. This leads to paying extra for storing items too long. To prevent this, think carefully about how much stock you need.
To avoid ordering too much, use sales trends and data to forecast your needs. Proper planning for inventory keeps your business ready for busy times. If you find yourself with too much stock, try adjusting prices or selling to companies that specialize in liquidation.
Running Out of Stock
Poor planning can also cause you to run out of items. This is bad because you lose sales and can drop in Amazon’s search results. If something is out of stock, customers might find what they need from your rivals. In 2021, there was a 250% rise in products being unavailable7.
Keeping track of how fast items sell can help you avoid running out. It lets you know when to restock. Quick delivery, like what Amazon Prime offers, is very important to online buyers7.
Ineffective Use of Amazon’s Inventory Management Tools
Amazon has many tools to help sellers manage their stock. But, not using these tools right causes problems. Checking your inventory reports regularly can tell you how your stock is doing. This can help you spot and solve problems early on.
It’s easy to forget to manage your inventory and restock on time. This can hurt sales and how well you do in Amazon searches8. Handling inventory well means less chance for lost sales. Always be ready to sell or move extra stock before it racks up more storage fees. Also, the right amazon inventory management program is crucial for success7.
Amazon sellers can struggle with handling too much stock. It leads to extra fees and ties up cash that could be better used for growing the business9.
Learning to plan your Amazon inventory well is crucial. It helps avoid problems like too much or too little stock, or not using Amazon’s tools right. This means less cost and more growth for your Amazon business. Remember, 95% of new Amazon sellers find the first year tough because they face different challenges, including those in managing their inventory9. By being proactive and informed, you can overcome these challenges and stand out from the crowd as a successful Amazon seller in the long run.
Neglecting Product Listing Optimization
Your product listings on Amazon are like your shop window. Not keeping them up to date could mean customers won’t see you among the many products out there. This could hurt your sales over time10. Amazon tells sellers that getting your listings just right is key because there’s so much competition10.
To make your products visible and boost sales, you must work on amazon listing optimization10. Don’t make common mistakes like not optimizing your images or writing boring listings. Fixing these errors can really improve your success10.
Importance of High-Quality Product Images
Good pictures draw in customers and show off your product’s best points. Use clear, professional images from all sides. Bad photos, like blurry ones or ones that look fake, can turn customers away. Include photos of people using your product to help buyers imagine owning it10.
Crafting Compelling Product Titles and Descriptions
Creating a great amazon listing title is crucial. Use important keywords but don’t overdo it as Amazon doesn’t like that11. Describe your product well, focusing on its strengths and what it can do. Lacking good descriptions is a mistake that can cost you customers11.
By making your product listings stand out, you can interest more buyers and make more sales.
Utilizing Relevant Keywords for Improved Visibility
It’s key to research keywords well for your listings. Find out what search terms your customers and competitors use. Then, use these amazon listing keywords in a smart way in your titles and descriptions10. Just don’t overstuff, or you might get into trouble with Amazon.
Don’t forget about amazon seo. Skipping this can make your marketing less effective and keep your brand hidden on Amazon11. Stay current with Amazon’s advice and always update your listings. This can help you rank better, draw in more customers, and boost your sales.
Amazon seller mistakes for beginners
Starting out on Amazon can feel like a big challenge. It’s important for new sellers to steer clear of common errors. These might slow down your success. It’s key to know the account options and pick the best suppliers. Also, following Amazon’s seller guidelines is a must for a solid start. Kevin King, who achieved nearly $3 million in Amazon sales, stresses the need to act without fear of failing at the start12.
Choosing the Right Seller Account Type
There are two types of Amazon seller accounts: Individual and Professional. The Individual account doesn’t have a monthly fee. But, it charges $0.99 for each item sold and doesn’t offer advanced tools. The Professional account costs $39.99 per month. It gives you many features that help you grow. If you want to grow your business, the Professional account is usually the best option. Remember, investing in your Amazon business can lead to great profits. For example, a $10,000 investment could bring in a $50,000 profit in two years12.
Thoroughly Vetting Suppliers
Your product quality and customer happiness depend a lot on your suppliers. It’s vital to pick your Amazon product suppliers wisely. Test them with small orders to see their product quality and how they communicate. Start small, and as you trust them more, you can order more. Steer clear of the mistake of not researching your products well before you start selling13. Take your time to find the best suppliers for your business.
Prioritizing Compliance and Customer Satisfaction
Following Amazon’s rules is more than just knowing them. It means making sure your products are top quality, you offer great support, and keep your seller rating high. Bad reviews from not following the rules can really hurt your sales. Be honest about your products, address issues quickly, and handle feedback professionally. Amazon watches how well you do as a seller. If you don’t meet their standards on things like returns, they could stop you from selling. Aim to get better every day and make your customers happy. This is how you succeed on Amazon12. The Full-Time FBA Coaching Program offers help to sellers who want to make a full-time income on Amazon14. It guides you in avoiding common mistakes and following Amazon’s best practices.
Source Links
- MY FBA PREP – https://myfbaprep.com/blog/amazon/common-amazon-seller-mistakes/
- New Amazon Sellers Must Avoid This Huge Beginner Mistake | Entrepreneur – https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/new-amazon-sellers-must-avoid-this-huge-beginner-mistake/448099
- Amazon – https://sellercentral.amazon.com/seller-forums/discussions/t/00b9a2e4-98c3-4d78-a4fb-a9b505b2c918
- The Dangers Of Selling On Amazon And Horror Stories From Real Amazon Sellers – https://mywifequitherjob.com/the-dangers-of-selling-on-amazon/
- How To Perform Realistic Amazon Product Research For Beginners – https://bindwise.com/blog/amazon-product-research/
- 30 Amazon FBA Mistakes that Need to Avoid for Successful Selling – https://sellersessions.com/30-amazon-fba-mistakes-that-need-to-avoid-for-successful-selling
- 7 Easy Fixes For Your Amazon Inventory Issues | Mayan – https://www.mayan.co/blog/fix-amazon-inventory-issues-fba-sellers
- 8 common mistakes to avoid as a new Amazon seller – https://www.linnworks.com/blog/mistakes-to-avoid-new-amazon-seller/
- 16 Common Amazon FBA Mistakes PLUS Proven Tactics to Survive Them – https://ippei.com/amazon-fba-mistakes/
- Amazon Listing Optimization Mistakes and How To Fix Them – A Definitive Guide – https://blog.pics.io/amazon-listing-optimization-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them/
- 30 Amazon FBA Mistakes that Need to Avoid for Successful Selling – https://sellersessions.com/30-amazon-fba-mistakes-that-need-to-avoid-for-successful-selling/
- BIGGEST MISTAKES NEWBIE AMAZON SELLERS MAKE (From a $3M year Advanced Amazon Seller) – https://projectlifemastery.com/biggest-mistakes-newbie-amazon-sellers-make/
- Amazon FBA Seller Tips: 5 Mistakes To Avoid | Mayan – https://www.mayan.co/blog/5-fba-mistakes-new-sellers-make-and-how-to-avoid-them
- Podcast Episode 239 – The #1 Amazon Seller Newbie Mistake – Full-Time FBA – https://www.fulltimefba.com/the-number-1-amazon-seller-newbie-mistake/
