How to sell on Amazon for beginners?

TL;DR

• Start by creating an Amazon Seller Account and choosing a selling plan.

• Research profitable products with high demand and low competition.

• Source products from reliable suppliers and check quality before bulk buying.

• Optimize your product listing with keywords, images, and engaging descriptions.

• Choose between fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) or fulfilled by merchant (FBM).

• Use smart pricing strategies and run Amazon PPC ads to drive traffic and sales.

Selling on Amazon is a great way to start an online business, but it can feel confusing if you're new. With millions of sellers on Amazon every day, there’s huge potential to make money if you follow the right steps.

This guide will walk you through how to start selling on Amazon, even if you have no experience. You’ll learn how to set up your account, find the right products, create a strong listing, and choose the best way to ship orders. We’ll also cover pricing strategies and ways to grow your business. By the end, you’ll have a clear plan to start selling successfully and avoid beginner mistakes.

Step 1: Create an Amazon seller account

Starting an Amazon seller account is the first step to selling online. The process is simple and  easy:

1. First visit Amazon seller central and click  on "Sign Up."

2. Then, you need to pick between an Individual plan (you pay a small fee per item sold) or a Professional plan (you pay a fixed monthly fee).

3. Enter basic details like your name, bank account, and tax information.

Choose the right plan:

• The individual plan is best if you plan to sell less than 40 items per month. You only pay when you make a sale.

• The professional plan is ideal if you want to sell more than 40 items and need extra features like bulk listing and advertising tools.

Quick tip: If you plan to sell regularly, the professional plan will save you money over time. 

Step 2: Find a profitable product to sell

Picking the right product is key to making money on Amazon. A good product sells well and has less competition.

What makes a great product?

• Popular but not overcrowded – Choose something people want but not too many sellers offer.

• Profitable – Make sure your price covers Amazon’s fees, shipping, and still leaves a profit.

• Allowed on Amazon – Some products need approval or have selling rules.

How to find a good product?

• Use tools like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, or AMZScout to check trending products.

• Look at Amazon’s Best Sellers List to see what’s already selling well.

• Read customer reviews to find common complaints and ways to improve existing products.

Example: A seller saw many buyers complain about weak zippers on travel bags. They created a version with stronger zippers, and sales took off!

Step 3: Source your products

Once you find a great product, you need to source it from a reliable supplier.

Where to find suppliers?

• Alibaba – Best for private label products in bulk.

• AliExpress – Good for small test orders before bulk buying.

• Local wholesalers – Faster shipping and better quality control.

Important things to check:

• Always order samples before making a big purchase.

• Negotiate pricing, minimum order quantities, and shipping costs.

• Work with trusted suppliers who have good reviews and trade assurance.

Step 4: Create your product listing

A great product listing helps customers find your product easily and convinces them to buy it. Amazon ranks listings based on relevance, so optimizing your listing increases your chances of making sales.

How to create a high-quality product listing?

• Use a clear, keyword-rich title – Your title should include important features naturally, like brand name, size, color, and key benefits.

• Add high-quality images – Amazon recommends using images that are at least 2000x2000 pixels so customers can zoom in and see the details. So, here you need perfect Amazon product photography that impacts the buying decision of customers. 

• Write compelling bullet points and descriptions – Focus on how your product helps customers, not just its features. Highlight benefits like durability, ease of use, and why it’s better than competitors.

• Use backend keywords – These are hidden keywords that help Amazon match your product to search queries. Include common variations and related terms customers might use.

Practical example:

Instead of writing a simple title like "Wireless Earbuds", improve it with details: "Noise-Canceling Wireless Earbuds with 30-Hour Battery Life and Fast Charging." This title tells shoppers exactly what they’re getting, includes key features, and improves search visibility.

Step 5: Choose a fulfillment method

Amazon provides two main shipping options for sellers. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, so choosing the right one depends on your business needs. Here's how you can compare. 

Quick tip: If you're selling products that move quickly and need fast shipping, FBA is the best choice since Amazon handles everything, and customers get Prime benefits. However, if your products are large, heavy, or take time to sell, FBM is better because you control storage and shipping costs. 

Choosing the right method helps you save money while keeping customers satisfied. You can also opt for an Amazon FBA consulting service to make the necessary adjustments and ensure you qualify for the FBA program.

Step 6: Set the right pricing strategy

Your pricing strategy plays a huge role in how many customers buy from you and whether you win the Buy Box (Amazon’s "Add to Cart" button). Setting the right price helps you stay competitive and maximize profits.

Pricing strategies:

Quick tip: Test different pricing strategies to see what works best for your product. Sometimes, lowering the price slightly can increase sales volume and boost overall profits.

Step 7: Launch and promote your product

How to bring traffic to your listing?

1) Amazon PPC (Pay-Per-Click Ads): 

• Use sponsored products ads to make your product appear at the top of search results.

• Experiment with exact match and broad match keywords to reach the right audience.

• Set a budget and monitor your ad performance regularly to avoid overspending.

2) Drive external traffic:

• Promote your product using Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram, and influencer marketing.

• Create engaging posts, videos, and blog content to attract potential buyers.

• Use Amazon attribution to track where your external sales are coming from and optimize accordingly.

3) Get reviews early:

• Enroll in Amazon Vine or offer discounts to generate your first few reviews.

• Provide excellent customer service by quickly responding to questions and resolving issues.

• Follow up with buyers politely, asking for honest feedback to improve your rating and trustworthiness.

Quick tip: A strong start in advertising and reviews increases your product’s visibility and sales momentum!

Step 8: Expand  or scale your business 

Once your product starts selling well, it’s time to think about growth. Expanding your business on Amazon can help you reach more customers and increase profits.

Ways to expand your Amazon business:

• Add complementary products – If you're selling kitchen gadgets, consider adding related items like cutting boards or measuring cups. This helps attract repeat buyers and increases your average order value.

• Sell in new Amazon marketplaces – Amazon operates in many countries, including Canada, Europe, and Australia. Expanding to these markets lets you reach more customers and grow your brand internationally.

• Use Amazon’s subscribe & save program – If your product is consumable (like vitamins or coffee), offer a subscription option so customers can reorder automatically.

• Expand your marketing efforts – Invest in social media ads, influencer partnerships, and email marketing to drive more traffic to your Amazon store.

Quick tip: Growth takes time. Focus on one expansion strategy at a time, track your results, and adjust based on what works best for your business.

Common mistakes beginners should avoid

• Ignoring Amazon’s fees

• Not researching products properly

• Skipping keyword optimization

• Overlooking customer service

• Poor inventory management

• Pricing incorrectly

• Neglecting product images and descriptions

• Not using Amazon PPC ads

• Skipping reviews and feedback management

• Failing to expand when ready

Best practices to sell on Amazon

• Do thorough product research

• Optimize your product listings

• Price competitively

• Leverage Amazon FBA for faster shipping

• Run Amazon PPC ads

• Encourage customer reviews

• Manage inventory smartly

• Use social media  for  external traffic

• Stay updated on Amazon’s policies

• Focus on customer satisfaction

Final thoughts

Selling on Amazon can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can turn it into a successful business. Staying informed, taking action, and improving your strategy over time will help you grow. Instead of figuring everything out on your own, let our team of Amazon consultants guide you.  We help sellers find the right products, create optimized listings, manage PPC ads, and scale their business. Whether you're starting fresh or looking to boost sales, we offer personalized solutions to fit your needs.