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Amy Gesenhues

Guide to Selling on Amazon.com

A quick, easy way to find more customers and earn more revenue

By Amy Gesenhues, Director of Marketing, Autodemo LLC

Amazon.com has created a customer-centric e-commerce site that allows users to find and purchase new and used products. Amazon offers both low-volume and high-volume selling options that make it easy to sell online. With a minimal amount of time and effort, you can sell your products to people around the world by following these simple steps:
  1. Get to know the site.
  2. Determine which type of seller you will be.
  3. Manage every step of your order process.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Find out all you can about Amazon

Amazon is the marketplace to the world. With over 55 million active customer accounts and 1 million active retail partners, Amazon offers a variety of products and purchasing options to millions of people everyday.
I recommend: Amazon's Overview for selling is the best place to start researching the site. Learn more about Amazon from an interview with Amazon.com's CTO or an article on UseIt.com.

Determine how you will list your items

Amazon offers low-volume and high-volume selling programs.
I recommend: Follow the steps in the Quick Start 3-Step Listing Guide for low-volume selling or the Getting Started Guide for Pro Merchants if you plan on selling in bulk.

Stay on top of your account like a pro

Just like any other area of your business, it is crucial to stay on top of your Amazon account and manage all points of your purchasing cycle.
I recommend: Use AMan Pro for Amazon Sellers to help with listing, pricing and order management. Set up an account online with UPS to handle shipping.

Exceptional customer service results in repeat business

The foundation of your business relies on how your treat your customers. Give your customers a positive buying experience online and they will buy from you again.
I recommend: Use RightNow Service software to manage all aspects of your customer service processes. If you're new to the customer service game, take some time to read up on Customer Service Best Practices.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • If you haven't already, make a purchase on Amazon to better understand the process.
  • Participate in Amazon's message and discussion boards to stay informed and updated on new features.
  • Understand and take advantage of Amazon's feedback rating system for sellers. It is important to have a high feedback score to be a competitive seller.
  • Follow Amazon's community rules and Participation Agreement so that your account is not suspended.

The official source of Selling on Amazon.com is the Amazon.com page at Business.com

Related Resources

Recommended Solution Providers

Indie Artists Alliance: UPC Barcode Provider
Indie Artists Alliance catalogs products for registered users and issues UPC barcode for that title. Barcodes can be used for CD, DVD, VHS, cassette or vinyl.

Simply Barcodes: Product Barcodes & Label Printing
For a one time fee, Simply Barcodes provides legally valid, unique standard UPC-A General Use barcodes, which are applicable to all products, except pharmaceuticals.

Best Sites to Learn More

Amazon: Selling at zShops
Amazon.com zShops give sellers the ability to collect immediate, online payment. It offers monthly subscription rates, storefronts, and fixed-price sales.

Amazon: Amazon.com Advantage
Advantage is Amazon's open product distribution and order fulfillment service. Sellers qualify by holding the North American distribution rights to their product, and can then use Advantage to promote and sell your products on Amazon.com. The program is currently available for books, music, video and DVDs.

Amazon: How Amazon Marketplace Works
Amazon Marketplace is venue to sell new, used, refurbished and collectible items. Through it, you can list your item right alongside the same item carried by Amazon.com, and Amazon collects no fees unless your item sells.

Best Blogs and Forums

Amazon Web Services Blog: Amazon Web Services, Products, Tools, and Developer Information
This blog presents a meticulously detailed look at Amazon Web Services, which gives software developers direct access to Amazon's technology platform.



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