Getting Started on Amazon

Selling on Amazon presents an incredible opportunity for businesses and individuals to reach millions of potential customers. Whether you’re launching a new brand or expanding your existing business, Amazon provides a powerful platform to grow your sales. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to get started.

1. Choose a Selling Plan

Before you begin, you’ll need to decide which Amazon selling plan suits your needs:

• Individual Plan – Best for those expecting to sell fewer than 35 items per month. Instead of a monthly subscription fee, you’ll pay £0.75 per item sold, plus additional selling fees.
  

• Professional Plan – Ideal for sellers planning to move a higher volume of products. This plan costs £25 (excluding VAT) per month, regardless of the number of items sold, along with applicable selling fees.

If you're just testing the waters, the Individual Plan may be a good starting point. However, if you’re serious about scaling your business, the Professional Plan offers better value.

2. Register Your Seller Account

Once you've chosen a plan, the next step is to register as a seller on Amazon. To complete your registration, ensure you have the following:

• A valid government-issued ID or passport

• Recent bank account or credit card statements

• A chargeable credit card

• A mobile phone

Providing accurate and up-to-date information will help you avoid delays during the verification process.

3. List Your Products

After registration, it's time to list your products on Amazon. This step requires attention to detail to ensure your listings stand out. Here’s what you need:

• Clear and high-quality product images

• Engaging and informative product descriptions

• Accurate product specifications, including size, weight, and materials

• Competitive pricing to attract buyers

Optimising your product listings with relevant keywords can significantly improve your search rankings, making it easier for customers to find your products.

4. Choose Your Fulfilment Method

Once your products are listed, you need to decide how to manage order fulfillment. Amazon provides two main options:

• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) – Amazon stores, packs, and ships your products while also handling customer service and returns. This option allows your products to qualify for Amazon Prime, increasing your chances of higher sales.

• Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) – You handle the entire fulfillment process, from storage and packaging to shipping and customer service. While this gives you more control, it also requires more resources and logistical planning.

5. Launch & Optimise

With your products listed and fulfillment strategy in place, your Amazon journey has officially begun!

However, selling on Amazon is not a "set it and forget it" process. To maximise success, continuously monitor your performance, analyse customer feedback, and adjust pricing, advertising, and product listings as needed.

By staying proactive and optimising your listings, you can increase visibility, improve conversions, and grow your Amazon business successfully.

6. Leverage Amazon's Tools and Resources

Amazon provides a wealth of resources to support sellers:

• Seller University: Offers free training videos to help you navigate selling on Amazon.

• New Seller Incentives: Eligible new sellers can access benefits, including a 10% bonus on the first £40,000 in branded sales, followed by 5% through the first year until reaching £800,000, up to £42,000 in bonus value.

7. Stay Informed and Compliant

Ensure you understand and comply with Amazon's policies and UK regulations, including tax obligations. Regularly reviewing Amazon's guidelines and participating in seller forums can keep you updated on best practices and potential challenges.

Starting your Amazon selling journey requires careful planning and execution. By following these steps and utilising the available resources, you can establish a successful presence on the platform.