It’s easy to get carried away with the benefits of running ads that you spend so much without tracking your ad spend. Your Amazon ROAS is an important metric that shows you how well your ad budget is converting. The ROAS is one metric that many sellers overlook. As a result, they end up spending so much on ads yet they’re in red and making next to zero sales. 

In this post, we’ll tell you everything about Amazon ROAS and we’ll provide you with effective strategies to help you improve your ROAS. First, what is ROAS?

What is ROAS?

ROAS, short for Return on Advertising Spend, is a metric that measures the success of your ad campaigns. Using this metric, you can track your advertising efforts to see which methods work and which ones don’t. Your Amazon ROAS measures how much you’ve made in sales for every dollar you spend on ads. So, for every dollar you spend on ads, you can see how much you made in return. 

Running sponsored ads is a great way to gain more visibility and improve your sales on Amazon. But if you keep spending so much on ads without tracking results with respect to cost, you may end up wasting your resources. Thus, it is important that you have good knowledge of the ROAS for every product you promote. So, how do you calculate your ROAS to check if your advertising efforts are paying off?

How to calculate your ROAS

Your ROAS can be calculated using a simple formula: Total Ad sales/ Total ad spend.

So, if you spent $2000 on ads and made $10,000 in revenue, what would your ROAS be? 

$10000 in revenue/ $2000 in ad spend. 

This brings your ROAS to 5. In other words, for every dollar you spent on ads, you made $5 back in revenue. The question you might have would be “How do I determine if my ads are profitable just by calculating my ROAS?”

Well, the higher your ROAS, the more profitable your campaigns are. So, if your ROAS is pretty high, then your ads have been performing well. However, if the margin between your ad spend and revenue is little, then your ads are most likely not performing well. 

For instance, if you spent $2,000 on ads and only made $2,200 back, you can already tell that your campaigns are not profitable. A $200 revenue will leave you nothing once you deduct your product costs, overhead costs, and Amazon fees. So, you see, calculating your ROAS is important if you want to maximize your ad spend. 

Sellers always mistake ROAS for ACOS and although these terms are very similar, they are not the same. ACOS is short for Advertising cost of sale and is an important term you’ll have to learn when tracking ad performance. So, what’s the difference between your Amazon ROAS and your ACOS?

Difference between ROAS and ACOS

ACOS, Advertising Cost of Sale, is the opposite of ROAS. It is the ratio of ad spend to ad revenue and tracks how well your ad spend is paying off. In other words, it calculates how much you need to spend on ads to make a certain number of sales. 

To calculate your ACOS: Ad spend/Ad sales

We’ll use the same example we used earlier. If our ad spend is $2,000 and revenue is $10,000, then 2,000/10,000 is 0.2. Your ROAS should be high, but your ACOS should be as low as possible. 

Many sellers are overwhelmed with trying to figure out if their ROAS is great or not, but they don’t even know what a good Amazon ROAS is. Your Amazon ROAS is largely unpredictable because it depends on many factors. So, how do you tell if your ROAS is good or not so great?

What’s a Good ROAS?

Good ROAS is relative and your ROAS may vary depending on several factors. A ROAS of 3 may be good for one seller and bad for the other, it all depends on individual targets and business goals. Here are a few things your ROAS depends on:

Profit Margin

If your profit margin is modest, you’ll need a greater RoAS to make your ads profitable. You can make a profit with a lower RoAS if your product has a large profit margin.

Strategy

Small businesses often want to gain more visibility and increase their brand awareness. As a result, they usually have low ROAS targets. Large enterprises also want to beat the competition so they’ll have to run ads and set a low ROAS target. In contrast, a high ROAS is a great strategy for large businesses that intend to increase their turnover.

Industry

The product category will also influence the RoAS. For example, in the Toys and Games area, a fantastic RoAS is 4.5x, whereas, in the Consumer Electronics sector, a decent RoAS is 9x. On Amazon, the average RoAS is roughly 3x.

So, how do you determine if your ROAS is good enough? You’ll have to calculate your minimum ROAS. 

How to Calculate Your Minimum ROAS

As you can already tell, the minimum ROAS is the minimum Amazon ROAS figure your ads must attain to be profitable. To get your minimum ROAS, you will have to calculate your Break-even point. 

Yeah, that’s another technical term. So, what’s your break-even point? It’s that point at which increased spending on ads will result in losses. The break-even point is the profit you make after the cost of goods sold (COGS) or business costs have been deducted from a sale. 

Your COGS covers expenses like shipping fees, supply expenses, and Amazon fees. So, your break-even point is the profit after all these costs have been deducted but before advertising expenses are deducted. Simply put, it is your gross profit before all advertising expenses are factored in. Since your have to determine your break-even point before the minimum ROAS, we’ll show you how to do that first.

Here’s a simple example:

Product price = $40

COGS = $10

Amazon fees = $15

Profit or Break-even point = $15

Your Break-even point is $15 because you haven’t spent anything on advertising yet. However, if your advertising cost per sale is $5, then it would be deducted from your break-even point and your net profit will be $10. 

Your break-even point could accommodate your advertising cost so it’s safe to say that you broke even. But if your advertising cost was $15, then you’ll be left with nothing. In that case, you didn’t lose or make money, so you didn’t exactly break even. 

Now, we’ll determine your minimum ROAS using the break-even point from the above example:

Minimum ROAS = Sales Price/ Break-even point

Sales Price = $40

Break-even point = $15

Minimum ROAS = $40/$15 = 2.6

From this example, your minimum ROAS will be 2.6x. So, for every dollar you spend on ads, you have to make at least $2.6 in revenue for your campaigns to be profitable. In other words, an ROAS of less than 2.6 means that your ads are not profitable and you’ll have to tweak your advertising strategy. 

Now, you see why a good ROAS is subjective. One seller’s Amazon ROAS may be 3 and considered great, while another seller may have an ROAS of 5 and still consider it bad. Since profitability is the main goal, it should be the sole determinant of what you think about your ROAS score. 

Where to find ROAS in Seller Central

It is important to monitor your RoAS figures for each of your ad campaigns. You can do it in your Seller Central.

• First, log in to your Seller Central account.

• Next, navigate to the advertising tab and then click on “campaign manager”

You’ll be able to see the total for your advertising campaigns in your seller central dashboard. The report contains a breakdown of your ad spend, sales, impressions, and ROAS. So, you can check your RoAS for each active advertising campaign.

Tracking your ROAS frequently is great because it helps you to maximize your ad spend and review your advertising strategies to see what works.

5 Best Tactics to Help You Improve Your Amazon ROAS

Your ROAS is a significant indicator of how well your advertising efforts are paying off. So, it’s important that you strive to improve your Amazon ROAS if you want to maximize your ad spend. You can increase your ROAS in two ways: reduce your expenses or increase your sales. Regardless of the route you choose to take, you will find these tips helpful:

Dedicate time to keyword research

Your keywords go a long way in determining the reach of your sponsored ads. So, if you want to reach more people and improve your conversions. Sponsored ads rely heavily on relevant keywords, so it’s important that you track keyword performance to see which ones convert and which ones don’t. Keep an eye on your clickthrough and conversion rates. If you have a number of high-performing keywords, do well to focus on them and boost their bids. 

Keywords are an essential tool you must have if you want to win the tug of war involved in making sales on AMZN. But keyword research is not so easy, so it’s best to use AMZN software to uncover relevant, high-converting keywords for your niche. 

ZonBase Amazon software offers a keyword research and tracking tool that brings you the best keywords for your listings in a matter of seconds. 

Related: Sellers’ Guide to Beating the A9 algorithm

Optimize your listings

Your listings must be well-optimized if you want to improve your clickthrough rates and the overall performance of your ads. Buyers are more likely to click on listings that pull them in and make them want to learn more about the product. So, take out time to create catchy titles and descriptions that describe your products in ways that make potential buyers go through with their purchase. 

Also, use bullet points and images in your listings to make them readable and attractive. Product images are important because buyers interact better with images. Try as much as possible to show your products from different angles and use great lighting. 

Split test your ads to see which ones perform better

There are so many ad types, but not all of them will work for you. Thankfully, you can test your ads to assess their performance before launching them fully. It’s easy to assume that a certain ad type will work great, but you’ll be surprised when you see that it’s the opposite. 

Sometimes, Sponsored Brand Videos might perform better than Sponsored Display ads, and vice-versa. So, how do you decide the best ad type for your business and target audience? Run an A/B test and see which ads yield the best results.

Related: A/B Testing for Amazon ads

Engage in dynamic bidding

Dynamic bidding is important if your goal is to maximize your PPC campaigns. The AMZ marketplace is fluid, and customer behavior shifts on a daily basis. So, what worked yesterday might not work today, because the trends change so quickly.

Track and optimize your ads on a regular basis, this will give you a leg up on your competitors. It’s no longer sufficient to just put up your ads and forget about them. To get the most out of your ad budget, be aggressive and dynamic in your bids.

Be flexible

If you want to get the most out of your ads, you will have to test and modify your strategies as you go along. Ensure you pay attention to your ad reports and improve your advertising strategies based on performance per time. Nothing remains the same for too long on Amazon, so don’t get stuck on the same methods and ad types. Sometimes, you’ll have to switch things up if you want to get results. 

Conclusion

PPC campaigns can help you increase your conversions and sales, but you also don’t want to spend so much on ads and get very little results. Hence, it’s important to monitor your PPC campaigns, optimize them, and ensure they’re performing as they should. Your ROAS is also important and if you utilize the tips we have provided in this article, you can keep your ROAS high. 

Zonbase is a comprehensive software solution that will help you boost your ad expenditure ROI. You’ll be able to execute profitable sponsored ad campaigns using its keyword research, listing optimization, and PPC management services. All while keeping your spending under control.

If you want to improve your Amazon ROAS and maximize your ad spend, ZonBase is one tool that you should not joke with. You can try out the tools for free when you sign up for a free trial.

It is common knowledge that scaling an Amazon business involves a lot of work. But if you also assumed that it would require a lot of capital, then you may have erred in your assumption. Although it may seem impossible at first, it is possible to sell on Amazon without much capital.

You can sell on Amazon without making any upfront financial investments. And selling on Amazon for free is your best bet if you’re a new seller who is skeptical about investing in a new business. We will answer all your questions on how to sell on Amazon for free in this post. We’ll also walk you through the process of setting up and listing your products for sale. 

Let’s dive in.

Related: Passive income sources

How to Sell on Amazon for Free

Amazon allows sellers to sign up and sell on the platform for free. However, selling on Amazon for free does not begin and end with account creation. After creating an account, you will still have to do everything possible to cut down costs. So, if you’re ready to start, here’s how to sell on Amazon for free in four simple steps.

Start by selling free products

Yes, if you’re selling on Amazon, you’ll have to put up products for sale. But the catch is, that you do not have to start outsourcing products from suppliers, you can start with what you have. Decluttering to see what valuable items you have in your possession may be a great start. Thankfully, there’s a market for almost everything on Amazon so no matter what you find, if it’s in good condition, then you can definitely put it up for sale.

Create a free seller account

Amazon offers two seller plans or accounts: the individual plan and the professional plan. The individual plan costs $0.99 and this fee is charged on every sale. In contrast, on the professional plan, you’ll have to pay a flat rate fee of about $39.99 monthly. Also, the individual plan is best for sellers who do not intend to sell up to 40 products monthly while the professional plan is best suited for sellers who want to sell more than 40 products monthly. 

If you’re just learning how to sell on Amazon for free, the individual plan is best for you. Since you may not sell up to 40 products in the first few months and you won’t have to pay any fees till you make a sale, you can save money on an individual plan.

Create your product listings 

There are over 12 million products in AMZ’s catalog and to join the market, you’ll have to create product listings. Of course, you can do this for free. If your products are new to the market, you’ll have to create new listings. But if there are similar products already listed on Amazon, you’ll only need to add your name to the list of sellers.

Fulfill orders for free

Creating a seller account is free but what happens when the orders start to roll in? You’ll have to ship them promptly and depending on the fulfillment method you use, you may have to bear the shipping costs. If you choose the FBA fulfillment option, you can outsource storage and order fulfillment to Amazon for a fee, this fee can be added to the cost of your product. 

How to Get Products to Sell on Amazon for Free

As a new seller, the best way to minimize the cost of product sourcing is to start with used items around your home. For instance, used books that are still in good condition, household items, toys, and even gadgets are great product options that you can start with. All you’ll have to do is to create a seller account and list them for free. You also won’t have to incur any storage fees since you’ll be selling from home.

You can also sell through Amazon Handmade or Merch by Amazon if you prefer to create handcrafted goods or customized designs. Both options are cost-free, all you need is time and creativity.

How to Determine A Product’s Profitability

The only way to make sales on Amazon is to sell products that people are interested in. So, before listing your products for sale, ensure you run several checks to confirm that they are profitable. Here are a few ways to determine a product’s profitability.

Use the Amazon Best Seller List

AMZ’s Best Sellers List is a collection of the site’s best-selling products. Every product inAMZ’s catalog earns a spot on this list, all the products are then ranked using the Best Sellers Rank (BSR). A Best Sellers Rank is assigned to each product listed in a category and it is a measure of how popular the product is. Also, the database is updated every hour so a product’s ranking may change depending on how other products in the same category perform. 

The lower a product’s BSR, the higher its chances of profitability. So, when choosing products using the bestseller list, pick products with low BSR rankings. 

To check a product’s BSR, go to the product information page under the product description. Alternatively, you can use an Amazon seller tool. Some seller tools come with a chrome extension that allows you to see the hidden details about any product on AMZ. This way, you not only learn how to sell on Amazon for free as well as discover the top products to promote. Also, since your goal is to save money, by selling on Amazon for free, you should be on the lookout for affordable AMZ software. We’ll recommend one to you if you read to the end.

Use AMZ Software to Find the Bestselling Products and Estimate Profitability

Using Amazon software or product research software, you can find the most profitable product categories to sell in. This way, you’ll have a clearer idea of the profitability of the items you intend to sell. Some Amazon software also comes with a sales estimator to help you determine the profitability of potential products based on previous sales trends and data. 

The goal is to sell on Amazon for free but to increase your chances of making sales, you’ll have to carry out keyword research and listing optimization. The best way to research high-converting keywords and create well-optimized listings is to use AMZ software. 

If you’re trying to minimize costs, then you should choose software that allows you access to a wide range of seller tools. There are only a few software that offers a complete suite of tools and the majority of them are expensive. But there’s one we can trust: ZonBase.

ZonBase is the best AMZ software for product research, keyword research, and listing optimization. It also offers a sales estimator tool that allows you to check previous sales trends and data for any product. Plus, the tool creates a balance between functionality and affordability. 

ZonBase offers two paid plans: The standard plan at $37/month and the legendary plan at $67/month. You can also access its features for free for 7 days.

How to Create an Amazon Seller Account for Free

• Go to Amazon.com and click on ‘Pricing’
• Next, click on ‘compare pricing plans’
• You will be redirected to a comparison table. Read up on both plans, then choose the one that works for you. If you’re interested in selling on Amazon for free, you should sign up as an individual seller.

• Provide all necessary information and set up your account.

How to List Your Products on Amazon for Free

Amazon offers almost every product you can possibly think of. If you aren’t selling a brand new product that’s never been seen before, such as a handmade product or a product you created, you will just have to locate the existing listing of the product. And you can find an existing product listing by scrolling like a regular buyer.

Here’s how to match your products to an existing listing:

• First, navigate to your Seller Central dashboard
• Then, locate the existing listing you wish to add your offer to and copy its ASIN.
• To add a product, select “Add a Product” from the inventory dropdown menu. Paste the ASIN into the field.

Alternatively, you can search for the existing listing using the Product Name or UPC. Choose the product that is most similar to yours from the search results. Indicate the condition of the item you want to put up for sale, then click “Sell on Amazon’.

Provide your product information in the fields that follow. Specify your product’s price, condition, quantity, and fulfillment method. If your product is not new or is of lesser quality than others in its category, you can consider fixing a lower price. Click ‘save and finish’ after completing these steps. Typically, it takes about two hours for the product to appear on the listing page.

How to Sell on Amazon for Free: Fulfillment Methods

Choosing a fulfillment method is a crucial aspect of learning how to sell on Amazon for free. After listing your products for sale, orders will begin to roll in and it is important that you ship orders promptly. Amazon offers two fulfillment options: Fulfillment by Amazon and Fulfillment by Merchant. Here’s how both fulfillment options work.

Fulfillment by Amazon (Amazon FBA)

Sellers can outsource major business processes like storage, order fulfillment, returns processing, and customer service to Amazon. Of course, if you intend to sell on Amazon for free, using FBA is your best bet. You not only get to save costs on storage and shipping, but you also get to save time since you will not have to handle customer service or process refunds yourself.

Fulfillment by Merchant (Amazon FBM)

Sellers who use this fulfillment method will be solely responsible for all business processes. So, when a consumer places an order, the seller packs, and ships the goods directly to the customer. 

Regardless of the fulfillment method you choose, you will have to bear some costs. Still, if you’re looking to save money, Amazon FBA is the way to go. The shipping prices are significantly lower than if you handled the shipping yourself, thanks to AMZ’s efficient system. Plus, you can add the cost of fulfillment to your product prices and have the fulfillment fees deducted from your account balance. 

Can I Really Sell on Amazon for Free?

As a beginner, you can sell on Amazon for free. But as you go along, you’ll have to pay certain fees. Amazon charges certain fees and these fees vary depending on the fulfillment method you opt for. Here’s a breakdown of the fees you’ll have to pay.

1. Referral Fees

AMZ charges a referral fee on every sale. This fee is a commission that AMZ charges for every sale you make on the platform and it can vary from 8% to 45% depending on the product category.

2. Selling-plan Fees

AMZ also charges selling plans fees. On the individual plan, you’ll have to pay $0.99 for every product sold. In contrast, the professional plan requires you to pay a flat-rate fee of $39.99 monthly. These fees are deducted from your account balance after you make a sale, so you won’t have to worry about paying them upfront.

3. Fulfillment Fees

Sellers who want AMZ to handle storage, shipping, and customer service on their behalf will have to pay fulfillment fees. These fees vary based on product size and weight.

4. Inventory Storage Fees

This fee is charged on goods stored in Amazon’s warehouses and it varies based on the volume of your inventory.

Referral fees, selling plan fees, and fulfillment fees are the most important fees you’ll have to pay so ensure you factor them in when fixing your product prices. There are some other FBA fees that you may incur,  you can learn more about them here.

Conclusion

Learning how to sell on Amazon for free is the first step to earning passive income. Anyone can start and build a successful AMZ business and there’s no better time to start than now. And if you invest in AMZ software, you can increase your chances of success.

Check out ZonBase Amazon software

You don’t have to break the bank to start selling on Amazon. If you read to this point, you have all the information you need to start selling on Amazon for free.

Amazon offers two fulfillment options; Fulfillment by Amazon (Amazon FBA) and Fulfillment by Merchant (Amazon FBM). Through FBA, Amazon manages complex business processes like storage, customer service, and order fulfillment on behalf of sellers. In contrast, sellers who opt for Amazon FBM will have to manage these processes themselves. So, Amazon provides its sellers with the option of outsourcing through FBA or total control through Amazon FBM. 

The Fulfillment by Amazon option used to be the go-to for most sellers because of its Prime badge, easy shipping, and other perks. However, the company’s approach to order fulfillment during the pandemic has left some sellers with no trust in the system. And this has led to an increased interest in the Fulfilled by Merchant option. Still, some sellers would rather use the FBA option since it allows them to outsource the major aspects of their business to Amazon. But if you’re reading this, then you’re probably considering switching from Amazon FBA to Amazon FBM. In this post, we’ll discuss everything you should know about Amazon FBM. Let’s get right into it.

What is Fulfillment by Merchant (Amazon FBM)?

Fulfillment by Merchant or Amazon FBM is Amazon’s fulfillment option for third-party sellers who want to manage their fulfillment processes themselves. With FBA, Amazon stores, packs, and ships orders on behalf of sellers. They even provide 24/7 customer service and manage returns too, leaving FBA sellers with more time to execute other tasks. 

In contrast, FBM sellers will have to store, pack, and ship orders themselves. They’ll also have to provide customer service and manage returns and refunds. Managing these processes can be complex and time-consuming and this explains why the majority of sellers often overlook the Fulfillment by Merchant service. But that does not imply that using FBM is a bad idea.

So, if you’re considering switching from Amazon FBA to Amazon FBM, it is imperative for you to understand how the service works. You must also consider the cost as well as the benefits and drawbacks of using the service. We’ll talk about the pros and cons soon, but first, how does Amazon FBM work?

How Does Amazon FBM Work?

If you decide to sell on Amazon through FBM, you will be solely responsible for all your business tasks. So, you will have to store your products, then package and ship orders promptly. In addition to this, you will need to provide customer service and integrate your business with Amazon to ensure that your customers can access order information on their accounts.

Here are a few steps to help you set up your FBM account and run your business seamlessly:

1. First, create an Amazon Seller Central account to list your products.
2. Next, create your product listings and come up with a strategy for visibility. 
3. Provide your account information and verify shipping and handling times. You’ll also have to provide contact details for returns.
4. Ensure you ship orders promptly. If you don’t, customers may file claims and your account health will be at risk.

How to List Products on Amazon FBM

After creating your seller account, you will have to create product listings. There are two ways to do this; Sell on an existing listing or create a new listing. 

Sell on an Existing Listing

This option is best if you intend to sell products that already exist in Amazon’s catalog. You only need to go to your existing listing and choose the ‘Sell on Amazon’ option. 

Next, provide all the required information:

• Pricing
• Condition of your products (Brand new or Used)
• Quantity in stock 
• Preferred Fulfillment channel (FBA or FBM)

Create a New Listing

If you intend to sell private label products, chances are that your products have not been listed on Amazon. In this case, you’ll have to create new product listings. 

• Log in to your Seller Central account
• Next, Click ‘Inventory’ and select ‘add a product’
• Click ‘I’m adding a product not sold on Amazon’
• Provide the product information

After completing these steps, you will have to wait for some time for your listings to reflect in Amazon’s catalog. Once you have created your product listings, the next step is to choose a fulfillment channel.

• After completing the above steps, you will be redirected to a page that reads ‘ Fulfillment channel’. Select ‘Merchant fulfillment’.
• Once your listings appear in Amazon’s catalog, you can find your products under the ‘Manage inventory’ tab. 

When Should You Use Amazon FBM?

Managing an Amazon business does not follow a one-size-fits-all approach and it’s up to you to decide which fulfillment option is best for you. However, if you want to maximize sales, you should weigh your options before settling for a fulfillment option. Amazon FBM is best suited for your business if:

• You sell products that do not sell out quickly
• Have limited inventory or stock or sell products with low-profit margins
• Your products are mostly oversized or fragile
• You sell handmade items and want to ensure they are delivered in good condition
• You have a fulfillment service that is more affordable than FBA.

If your products or business fall into any aforementioned categories, then FBM is great for you. But when it comes to business, no system is 100% perfect so you should still weigh the pros and cons of the Fulfillment by Merchant service.

Pros

• Increased revenue

Statistics show that 33% of FBM sellers earn over $25,000 per month and only 26% of FBA sellers earn this amount monthly. This is because FBM sellers, especially those who sell small, lightweight products are more likely to maximize their profit margins. FBA sellers often have to deal with planned and unexpected FBA fees that may eat into their profits sometimes.

• Less start-up capital

Since FBM sellers store and ship products themselves, they can save money on FBA storage and shipping fees. New sellers who sell relatively small or lightweight items need only a little storage space, they also pay lesser shipping fees. 

• Minimal requirements

FBA requirements are constantly changing, sometimes, without notice. These requirements are strict and FBA sellers who do not comply run a risk of delayed deliveries and additional expenses  In contrast, with FBM, there are fewer restrictions and penalties.

• More control of your business

If you want to build a brand on Amazon, then FBA is not the best option for you. This is because orders shipped via FBA carry AMZ’s branding. FBM on the other hand allows you to ship products using your brand name and logo. 

Cons

• More time and effort to scale your business

This is the most obvious con of this fulfillment option and if you’re a busy seller, this is your cue to take the easy way out – FBA. Fulfillment processes are complex and time-consuming and if use FBM, then you’ll have to dedicate a considerable amount of time to scale your business.

• No Amazon Prime badge

Products sold under FBM are not prime-eligible. Using Amazon FBA allows you to sell to Amazon Prime subscribers and this can be a major income boost. However, it requires you to provide free same-day or two-day shipping which is largely impossible if you manage order fulfillment yourself. 

How Do You Know When You Make a Sale?

FBA sellers do not need to track orders because Amazon manages orders and ships them promptly. However, as an FBM seller, you will have to track orders and deliver them promptly. To ensure seamless delivery, you can manage orders through the seller central order widget or seller mobile app. Using the seller mobile app is easy. After installing the app, you will receive notifications when you make a sale. In contrast, with the seller central order widget, you’ll have to keep tabs on your seller central account. Here’s how it works

How to Track Orders Using the Amazon Seller Central Order Widget

First, locate the order widget on your seller central account. 

As soon as a new order is placed, you will receive a “Pending” notification. Once the order is confirmed by Amazon and the sale is completed, the pending order will move to ‘Unshipped’, ‘Premium Unshipped’, or ‘Prime Unshipped.’

• If you offer shoppers fast delivery options such as overnight or express shipping, you are providing premium shipping.
• Seller Fulfilled Prime orders are eligible for Prime shipping.
• All other shipping methods are classified as ‘Unshipped’.

How to Ship Products on Amazon FBM

As soon as Amazon notifies you that an order is ready to ship, you have 24 hours to confirm that the order has been shipped.

The next step is to choose a seller shipping method or carrier. A shipping carrier is a logistic company that picks up merchandise from sellers and delivers it to buyers. To ensure smooth and timely delivery of your products, you may also need to work with more than one shipping carrier. There are several shipping methods available. Here are a few shipping carriers to choose from:

• USPS
• FedEx
• UPS
• DHL
• TNT

UPS is the most popular shipping service used by Amazon sellers. With over 200 aircraft and a large fleet of trucks, the company can deliver your orders swiftly and safely on either land or by air. Since larger products such as furniture or mattresses may need to be shipped by truck, you may consider using UPS. However, if you cannot afford to use this carrier, here are a few things to look out for when choosing another shipping carrier.

• Fast shipping service
• Available service options
• Customer ratings and reviews
• Order fulfillment capacity
• Excellent customer service
• Affordable shipping rates

What shipping supplies do FBM sellers need?

After choosing a shipping carrier, you will have to package your products according to the carrier’s requirements. To do this, you will need shipping supplies, and the shipping carrier you use determines the shipping supplies you will need to ship your goods.

UPS Flat Rate, for instance, uses special boxes that you can obtain from your nearest post office for free. With other carriers, you will have to purchase your own shipping supplies. We recommend: 

• Boxes, envelopes. etc.
• Packing material (airbags, brown paper, etc.)
• Peel & stick mailing labels
• Printer
• Packing tape and Scotch tape

Amazon FBM Fees

Selling through Amazon FBM may be a cost-effective option, still, there are some important costs involved.

First, you will have to pay selling plan fees. Amazon offers two selling plans; Individual and professional selling plans. The individual plan costs $0.99 per sale and is best for sellers who do not intend to sell more than 40 units a month. The professional plan costs $39.99 monthly and is best for sellers who want to sell more than 40 units per month.

Amazon also charges a referral fee and this applies to both FBA and FBM sellers. The referral fee varies by product category and is typically a percentage of your sales price. The referral fee for most categories is 15%, but this fee can be anywhere from 8% to 45%. 

Since you will not be using Amazon FBA, you won’t be charged inventory storage and fulfillment fees and this is a great way to reduce costs. However, ensure you factor in shipping fees when fixing product prices else your profit margin will take a hit for it. To be on the safe side, check out Amazon’s seller fees before fixing your product prices.

Conclusion: Should I switch from FBA to Amazon FBM?

The decision to switch from FBA to FBM is up to you. If you’re on a budget or want more control of your business, you can consider using Amazon FBM. Moreover, some sellers use FBA and FBM simultaneously. 

On the whole, you should weigh your options and choose what’s best for your business. Also, invest in Amazon software to automate your product research, keyword research, and listing optimization processes. Automating your back-end processes is a great way to free up time for other processes like order fulfillment and customer service.

ZonBase is the best AMZ software for business automation. The software provides you with a complete set of seller tools for product research, keyword research, and listing optimization. In addition to this, it also offers a sales estimator, photo enhancer, and profits tool. 

Check out the software

The competition on Amazon is tough, and regardless of the business model you use, you’ll have to engage in a tussle for the buy box. And if you want to win the buy box or show up on the first page of search results, you need to stay on top of market prices. Besides, if you’re not updating your product prices, you’ll likely end up with fewer sales than you had hoped for. This is where using the best Amazon Repricer tool comes in. 

Repricing is a strategy that many sellers use to maintain competitive prices and grow their businesses. With an Amazon repricer, you can automatically maintain product prices using competitor data. In this post, we will show you how using an Amazon Repricer works. We’ll also provide a list of the best Amazon Repricer tools for your business. But, first, what is an Amazon Repricer? 

What is an Amazon Repricer?

An Amazon Repricer is a pricing software that automatically adjusts the price of your products in accordance with the rules and limits you set. The software compares your price to those of competing products and allows you to set a minimum or maximum price range. In the event that there is an increase or drop in market prices, the tool lowers or raises your price based on the parameters that you have set.

Changing prices is a time-consuming task, and sellers who have other commitments may find it difficult to keep up with price changes. As a result, most sellers now automate the process using an Amazon repricer. Of course, using a repricing software is not a necessity, since the process can also be executed manually. But here’s a brief comparison of manual and automated repricing to help you decide which is best for you. 

Manual Repricing

The manual repricing process involves going through hundreds of product listings and making individual changes. This method puts you in control, but it can also be exhausting.

Pros

• Puts the seller in control of price changes

Cons

• Suitable for sellers who have few product listings
• New or inexperienced sellers often miss important details
• The process can be exhausting and time-consuming.

Automated Repricing

With automated repricing, a repricing software implements price changes on your behalf. All you’ll have to do is to set your preferred parameters. 

Pros

• By setting a minimum price, you ensure that new prices do not fall too low so you can still earn a profit.
• Easy way to save time and effort.
• Arbitrage sellers and wholesalers who use repricing software have a higher chance of winning the buy box.
• Private label sellers can use an Amazon repricer to optimize their pricing 
• Price adjustment across multiple Amazon marketplaces

Cons

• You cannot control product prices directly
• Repricing software may be expensive for sellers who are on a tight budget.

If you have weighed your options and would like to use an Amazon repricer, there’s a need to understand how most Amazon repricing tools work. We’ll cover this in the next section.

Related: Amazon seller tips to help you increase sales in Q1

How Does an Amazon Repricer Work?

Amazon repricing tools either use a rule-based or an algorithmic-based approach. Rule-based tools allow sellers to set minimum and maximum price limits. In contrast, algorithmic-based tools work with the algorithm and choose the best price for your products after considering the market conditions. Also, an algorithmic-based tool puts you in the best position to win the buy box because it takes all the important metrics into account. 

Amazon repricing tools may differ in how they calculate prices, but the majority of them work in the same way. Here’s how a typical Amazon repricer works.

• The tool takes note of changes in market prices. 
• Once your repricing tool gets an update on the price change, it allows you to check competitors’ pricing and set a target profit margin.
• Next, the tool calculates the best prices for your products.
• To ensure your listings are safe, the software runs a background check
• Afterward, the software notifies Amazon about your price update and Amazon’s pricing system reviews the new price.
• Finally, the new price is updated and reflected in your listings.

What are the Best Amazon Repricer Tools for Your Business?

There are many repricing tools available on the market at the moment. As a result, it may be difficult to choose the best Amazon repricer tool. Here’s a list of the best Amazon Repricer tools for your business.

Repricer Express

Repricer Express is an Amazon repricer tool that works across 11 marketplaces. There are many repricing tools available, but only a few of them work across several marketplaces. And that’s why this tool is on our list of the best Amazon repricer tools for your business. Amazon sellers can use this tool to create customized pricing plans by setting up their own parameters and fixing minimum and maximum prices for each listing.

Repricer Express’ best feature is that it gives sellers the freedom to customize their listings as they wish. The tool allows sellers to set preferences and apply these preferences to their products individually or in groups. The software offers a 14-day free trial for sellers who want to try it out first.

Check out Repricer Express

Aura

Aura is an AI-driven repricing software. The tool offers buy-box compliant repricing and claims that users are 65% more likely to win the buy box. The software is new to the market, but as a result of its features, it is fast becoming a stable choice among sellers. 

Also, the tool is quite affordable. It offers a single pricing plan and all its features can be accessed under this plan. In other words, sellers will not incur any extra charges for important features like setting price limits. The tool is available for the US, Canada, and Mexico marketplaces and can be accessed for free for 14 days. 

Check out Aura

Feedvisor

Feedvisor is an algorithm-based tool that uses machine learning to manage product prices in real-time. The tool runs through thousands of competitor data and uses different pricing strategies to help you win the buy box.

With Feedvisor, your competitive edge is not compromised and the tool is focused on helping you maximize profits. Apart from repricing, the software offers other features and this has made it one of the best Amazon software for sellers. New sellers can make use of this software, but it is best suited for large enterprises that are ready to invest heavily in software. Sellers who would like to explore the features of this tool can sign up for a free trial.

Check out Feedvisor

Bqool

Bqool is a high-speed Amazon repricing software that is currently available across nine marketplaces. The tool allows sellers to manage price changes by choosing competitors to reprice against. 

It is a rule-based tool that allows sellers to set various profit and sales parameters. The plans are expensive and best suited for veterans who do not mind the cost. 

Check out Bqool

Informed

Informed. co, formerly known as Appeagle is a multi-channel repricing software designed to help sellers manage prices and win the buy box. The software offers a profit protection feature that helps sellers maximize sales. In addition to this, the tool uses a sales velocity algorithm that automatically raises your prices when there is no competition.

This software is an Amazon repricer tool that works across 15 marketplaces, but it can also be used to manage prices on the Walmart marketplace. The plans start at $49 but the pricing is based on your monthly revenue.

Check out Informed

How To Choose The Best Amazon Repricing Software for Your Business

Using repricing software is a great decision, but if you’re not careful when choosing one, you’ll end up not getting results. If your goal is to win the buy box and manage prices on Amazon seamlessly, here are a few things to look out for when choosing an Amazon repricing tool.

Choose Data-driven Software

Data is an important factor when it comes to managing prices on AMZ. So, ensure you pick a tool that takes note of everything from your seller metrics to shipping, ranking, and of course, your competitors’ pricing strategies. Also, ensure you for a tool that provides you with winning strategies to help you secure the buy box.

Algorithm-Based Tools over Rule-Based Tools

Working with data is important, so algorithm-based tools are best for you. Rule-based tools work best for small businesses. But if you intend to build a profitable business and win the buy box, an algorithm-based tool is best for you. Besides, algorithm-based tools work with marketplace data to come up with the best prices for your products and increase your chances of winning the buy box. 

Speed

When it comes to competing for the buy box, Amazon sellers know they have no time to waste. Repricing is a continuous task that is largely unpredictable, so you need to invest in software that can get the job done quickly. 

Cost

Cost is a key consideration when selecting Amazon repricing software. Choose an Amazon repricer that meets all the requirements and is affordable! Usually, most repricing tools offer different pricing plans so you can choose a plan that fits your budget! Repricing tools should be free of hidden costs and live up to their promises.

Free Trials and Excellent Service

Free trials are a great way to determine whether a tool fits your needs or not. Moreover, you should ensure the tool works perfectly before signing up and inputting your card details. 

Also, it’s not always a smooth ride when you’re trying out software for the first time. So, you should ensure you choose a tool that provides excellent service and support.

Conclusion

An Amazon repricer tool is a great way to save time and maintain competitive prices. So, investing in one is certainly not a waste of money but a smart move.

Private label sellers may not need to invest in repricing software. But wholesalers, drop shippers, and resellers who want to win the buy box and maximize profits should consider using one. Choosing the best Amazon repricer tool may be difficult and that’s we have curated this list of the best Amazon repricer tools. All you have to do is check them out and choose the one that best suits your needs. 

With Amazon businesses, it is possible to run the business solely on personal capital for a good period of time. Nevertheless, as you expand your business, you’ll need to invest some more money and this may run into several thousand dollars. 

So, if you’re looking to increase your inventory, expand your reach, and launch new products, then you may have considered taking a loan. That’s where the Amazon lending program comes in. 

The Amazon Lending Program is one of the ways through which Amazon looks out for its sellers. The program aims to provide funding for sellers who are looking to expand their businesses. So if you have asked, “Does Amazon have a loan program?”, the answer is yes. 

Of course, this may be a great funding option for you as your business grows. However, it’s important to understand how it works – eligibility, terms of application, and other criteria to determine whether it’s a good fit for you.

What is Amazon Lending?

Amazon Lending is a funding option that allows sellers to access short-term business loans from Amazon. The program is run by Amazon in partnership with Goldman Sachs and other well-known firms or lenders. 

On the program, sellers can access term loans, interest-only loans, and other funding plans. However, only eligible sellers can access these loans. To determine eligibility, Amazon checks the sales potential and customer satisfaction metrics. Using the results from these checks, Amazon determines which sellers are eligible for 3,6,9, or 12-month loans.

Apart from the Amazon lending program, there are several other ways through which sellers can access business loans. However, with most of these funding options, there is a lot of paperwork and the wait time can be ridiculous.

Related: How to price your products on Amazon

How Do You Qualify For Amazon Lending: Terms and Eligibility

As of now, Amazon Lending is an invitation-only service. The Amazon Lending option will appear on the homepage of your Seller Central account if you are eligible for a loan.

Eligibility

• Visible sales growth and performance. In order to estimate your repayment capacity, Amazon needs solid proof of your sales potential.
• Your seller account must be well-maintained and reflect a high level of customer satisfaction. Sellers whose metrics do not reflect excellent customer service are not likely to receive an invite.

Amazon does not consider your credit score when determining your eligibility status. If you do not meet the above requirements, you will not receive an invite.

Terms for an Amazon Lending loan

• Least Loan Amount: $1,000
• Maximum Loan Amount: $750,000
• Loan Duration: Fixed monthly payments of 3, 6, 9, or 12 months
• Interest Rates: Amazon does not disclose its interest rates

Different terms will apply to different sellers. Also, only eligible sellers will get detailed information about the loan terms.

Should You Consider Amazon Lending As A Funding Option? 

Getting financial support for your business is not the easiest thing to do. In fact, there are very few funding options available to online business owners. So, the Amazon lending program is a good option for you. Amazon lending has proven to be a great option because of its flexible terms and ease of accessibility. However, there are several other reasons why you may want to consider it. Here are a few of them:

• Easy Way To Keep Inventory Updated

Inventory management is one of the most common issues that sellers encounter. So, if you have struggled with keeping your inventory updated, Amazon lending can help. The loans you get from the program can go into purchasing enough inventory for your business so you can stay in stock. 

• Launching New Products

Expanding your product line can be a struggle if you’re short on cash flow. It is extremely easy to expand your offerings through Amazon Lending, particularly if there is a demand from your current audience.

The idea of taking a loan for your business may seem exciting, but it’s not always the best decision. For instance, new sellers may not have the capacity to repay these loans and this may put a strain on their finances in the long run. However, if you run an established business and your sales record looks great, you can go for it.

Related: Passive income ideas

How I Do Apply For An Amazon Loan?

Eligible sellers can apply for the Amazon lending program in five simple steps.

• Sign in to your seller account: New sellers may not get the option to apply initially, but this isn’t something to feel bad about. Amazon typically reviews sellers’ eligibility after some time. So, if your business records massive growth, you just may get another opportunity.
• Confirm Eligibility: If you’re eligible for the loan, you’ll get an invite to apply.
• Choose a suitable loan option: There are different loan options, so you should take some time to go through the options before choosing. Once you have chosen a loan plan, provide all the necessary details to complete your application.
• Submit your application 
• Wait for your application to be reviewed: Unlike other funding options, the wait time for Amazon loans is quite short. The process typically takes about 5 days. Upon approval, your loan will be disbursed almost immediately.

Amazon Lending Program: FAQs

• How long does the application process take?

The application process is not so long although you will have to wait for your application to be approved. However, approval typically takes about 5 days after which the funds will be made available.

• What is the interest rate on an Amazon loan?

Amazon does not disclose its interest rates to the public. Only eligible sellers who have received a loan offer have access to this information. However, the interest rates may vary from seller to seller as it depends on the seller’s account and business information.

• If I pre-qualify for a loan will my application be automatically approved?

Qualifying for a loan only makes you eligible to receive an invite. Amazon sends invites to pre-qualified sellers, but applications are not approved based on this. 

Your application will undergo a more thorough review and this is where the verdict is passed. So Amazon may decide not to approve your loan request if your business does not meet the requirements.

• How are repayments made?

The monthly payment is deducted from your seller’s account based on a percentage of your sales. If you don’t have enough money in your Seller’s Account to cover the loan payment on the due date, the loan payment will be withdrawn from your credit card using the details you provided at the point of application.

Amazon Lending Program vs Other Funding Options

A regular bank loan will require you to make payments from your bank account. Also, so many factors like insurance may eat into regular loans and make it difficult to repay them. Amazon Lending allows you to borrow money to buy inventory and use the stock sales to pay back the loan. As a result, Amazon loans are easy to track compared to other funding options. Usually, there’s only one drawback – you must be an Amazon seller to access them.

Furthermore, if you repay your Amazon loans on time, you get to save money on interest. Also, your credit score is of no importance when you’re trying to secure an Amazon loan. In contrast to this, typical bank loans will require you to have a good credit score.

So is the Amazon lending program a good funding option for your business in 2022? Yes, it is. If you qualify for the loan and have weighed your options, you can go for it.

Conclusion

With the Amazon lending program, scaling your business will certainly be easier. Launching new products with the funds you get from the program may be all you need to take your business to the next level. Using these funds judiciously alongside good software is a great strategy for success on Amazon.

Check out the best Amazon software for your business

Online arbitrage is one of the best ways to make money on Amazon without breaking the bank for capital. Although this business model is one of the easiest to start, it may end up being tough to scale. So, it’s understandable if you’ve struggled with scaling your online arbitrage business. In this post, we’ll show you 7 of the best online arbitrage tools for 2022.

What is Online Arbitrage?

The Arbitrage business model allows sellers to purchase items from retail stores and resell on Amazon at slightly higher prices. With retail arbitrage, sellers can source items from physical retail stores. In contrast, online arbitrage requires sellers to purchase items from online retail stores or marketplaces.

In other words, online arbitrage sellers can stock up their inventory from the comfort of their homes. This business model is flexible and also doesn’t require much capital investment. Still, it may be a tough nut to crack if you don’t have any help.

Most Amazon business models follow the same processes (Research and listing optimization) and online arbitrage isn’t left out. However, since online arbitrage focuses more on reselling, the specifics are a bit different. For this reason, you should use online arbitrage tools if you want to maximize your profits.

Related: Reselling on Amazon – What You Should Know

Five Important Categories Of Online Arbitrage Tools

Product research is a crucial aspect of every Amazon business. With online arbitrage, product research is even easier. Since you sell already branded items, you’ll have lots of options to choose from. In addition, there are several product research tools available to help you find profitable products for your store.

However, here’s a list of five important types of tools you should consider investing in.

• Product Research Software

A product research tool is your best bet when it comes to uncovering profitable products for your store. All you have to do is choose an online marketplace and input your product specifications. Afterward, the tool will handle the rest of the process. Finding an effective product research tool may be difficult, but we’ve got you covered. If you read to the end, we’ll recommend one we absolutely trust.

• Deal sites

Deal sites are websites that help sellers access a wide variety of good deals across the web for free. On deal sites, you can find great products at discounted prices. If you find one that interests you, check it out on Amazon. If there’s a huge price difference, you just may be able to make a reasonable profit off it.

• Chrome extensions

The competition on Amazon is stiff, and regardless of the business model you choose, you’ll have to step up your game. Chrome extensions are a great way to gain insight into what your competitors are doing and how you can outrank them. Since you won’t be the only online arbitrage seller, chrome extensions are one of the must-have online arbitrage tools. There are free and paid versions available, but it may be difficult to settle for one. Not to worry, we’ll recommend one that suits your needs.

• Cashback sites

Cashback tools allow shoppers to receive rebates on their purchases. Before making a purchase, be sure the extension you are using is enabled for cashback. Once your purchase has been made, your cashback credits will begin to accumulate.

• Profit calculators or Sale Estimators

There are so many products on Amazon and it is impossible to run out of options. However, not every product has the potential to bring you sales. So, how do you tell whether a product will be profitable or not? Your potential profit will be calculated by factoring in your selling price, buy price, shipping costs, and various Amazon fees. 

You can use the Amazon FBA calculator if you want. Also, a sales estimator will come in handy for determining a product’s profitability. 

• Repricing tools

Price changes are a common occurrence on Amazon. As a strategy to beat the competition, you have to set competitive prices and keep up with price changes. Trying to do this manually may be exhausting, so it’s best to automate the process. Repricer tools allow you to do this seamlessly. All you’ll have to do is set the tool to your preference and watch it automatically adjust your prices.

The tool gets notifications of price changes and adjusts in line with them. As a result, your prices stay competitive and you don’t have to miss out on sales. So if your competitors increase or reduce their prices, the tool gets notified and adjusts your prices accordingly.

Now that you know how important these categories of tools are, let’s move on to the best online arbitrage tools for your store.

Related: Top 12 Ecommerce tools for 2021

Best Online Arbitrage Tools To Help You Build A Profitable Arbitrage Business

If you want to succeed as an online arbitrage seller, you may find some of the following free and paid tools useful.

ZonBase

ZonBase is an all-inclusive software that contains a complete set of Amazon seller tools for your business. ZonBase offers you an effective combination of product sourcing tools capable of bringing you the hottest products on Amazon. Apart from product research, you also have access to keyword research and listing optimization tools. In addition to this, ZonBase also offers a sales estimator tool. If you use the sales estimator alongside an FBA calculator, you can be certain of hitting and even exceeding your sales goals.

Regardless of the business model you use, ZonBase is a one-stop store for all your business needs. The software is available on a 7-day free trial and there are two paid plans available.

Cost: Standard plan at $37/month or Legendary plan at $67/month.

Source Mogul

Source Mogul is an online arbitrage tool. In other words, the tool is designed specifically for online arbitrage sellers. With this tool, you will be able to find profitable products to resell on Amazon. This app compares prices on Amazon quickly and efficiently for millions of products. Also, you can access real-time information about each product. Price information, sales ranking, and others are available through this tool. The information that this tool provides allows you to make informed purchasing decisions.

You can try Source Mogul for free for 10 days.

Cost: $97/month

Brickseek

Brickseek displays deals from many different retailers, allowing you to choose the ones that are appropriate for your business. With store and product alerts, you’ll stay informed about the latest deals.

Also, you can sign up for a free membership or a premium membership that includes additional features and access to tools.

Cost: Free to $29.99/month

Rakuten

Since you will be sourcing your products online, you will be making a lot of online purchases. So why not save money through cashback? There aren’t many reliable cashback websites, but Rakuten is one of the most popular ones. You can maximize your ROI when arbitraging online using Rakuten’s cashback on more than 3,500 different websites.

Rakuten is free to use. Install the Chrome extension, create an account, and activate your cashback when you shop online.

Cost: Free

Amazon FBA Revenue Calculator

You can estimate your profit on any product using the Amazon FBA Revenue Calculator tool. First, enter the ASIN of the item into the calculator if you are interested in selling it. Afterward, add other pertinent details such as selling price and buy price.

Based on the selling price, purchasing price, shipping costs, and various Amazon fees, the calculator determines how much profit you will make.

Cost: Free

RevSeller

Unlike the Amazon FBA Revenue Calculator, the RevSeller Chrome extension displays the Revenue Calculator on the Amazon product detail page. You can now enter all product information directly into Amazon’s calculator without opening a new window. 

RevSeller automatically calculates profit based on the selling price and buy cost.

RevSeller offers a 30-day trial period.

Cost: $99/year 

Conclusion

Building a profitable online arbitrage business can be a breeze if you have the right online arbitrage tools. Now that you have a list of the best online arbitrage tools for 2022, see which ones work for you, then go ahead and scale your business.

Access ZonBase free trial

We will dive into these tips shortly. But first, you should remember that shoppers rarely take breaks. Amazon customers shop round the year and there are over 300 million of them. So if you go missing in action for too long, you’ll miss out on a significant amount of sales.

Related: All You Need To Know About AMZ’s BestSeller Rank

Amazon Seller Tips For Q1

Stock Up On The Products That People Want To Buy

One mistake that most sellers begin the quarter with is selling products that no one wants. Everyone says there are 100 days in January, but AMZ’s statistics do not say so. People keep shopping because they can afford to. No one tucks their wishlist away after the festivities, you just don’t have what they’re looking for.

So, you should avoid selling seasonal products. Instead, focus more on products that will sell all through the year. Here are a few categories to consider:

• Exercise and Fitness Equipment: People want to lose the excess weight gained from the holidays. So it’s only logical that this category experiences a spike.
• Self-care and cosmetic products: Summer body and beauty goals are set in January. You can help them achieve these goals.
• Seasonal items like Valentine’s day gift items.

Your best bet is to dedicate a significant amount of time to product research. Also, use relevant keywords and optimize your listings for increased conversions. You can automate these processes using AMZ software. With software, you’ll also be guaranteed better results. We’ll show you the best software for product research in 2022, keep reading.

Keep Your Promotions Running

Yes, the holidays are over and the festive season may have passed but don’t get it wrong, people are still shopping. This often plays out in two ways:

• Some shoppers are still gifting people. As a result, they’ll probably be looking for suitable products for this purpose.
• Others got gift cards which they cannot wait to use.

This is why you shouldn’t take off your promotions in Q1; you need to stay visible. Visibility is important if your goal is to increase Amazon sales. Keep your CPC (Cost-Per-Click) campaigns running even after Christmas. 

Another approach you should try, if you want to sell out on seasonal items, is product bundling. Product bundling involves pairing similar items or items that work together and the catch is to sell them off at a lower price. This sales approach gives sellers the impression of more value at a lesser price and can also help you sell out faster.

So, if you have seasonal items which aren’t doing well individually, you can try bundling similar products in a way that convinces buyers to purchase them. 

Related: How to increase Amazon sales in 2021

Launch A New Product

Most sellers take stock of their inventory in January. If you don’t follow the crowd, your results will certainly be different. What should you do instead? Launch a new product and watch your sales boom. Even better when it’s a product in hot demand.

Don’t let your business remain static. Infuse new changes and add new products to your store. This is not to say you should not take stock of your inventory. Ensure you do so, but don’t focus all your attention on this. Also, dedicate time to product research, discover new products in your niche and launch them.

Moreover, almost everyone starts the year with new year resolutions, so you may want to target products that go in line with this. Fitness equipment, journals, clothes, and household items are great products to start with.

Related: Amazon product research-Best practices to help you win

Don’t Forget To Leave Room For Returns

Amazon’s return policy is quite flexible. While it may not be a good thing for your business, you must be ready to embrace it. Usually, Q4 is extended on Amazon, so it technically doesn’t end in December as you would expect.

AMZ’s policy is that products purchased between Nov 1st – Dec 31st can be returned until Jan 31st. This policy applies to all sellers regardless of the fulfillment option they use.

You can expect more sales in January but also expect more returns. Also, try to keep your products available and make sure your stock does not run out.

Make A Mental Note Of Q1 Holidays

There are a couple of holidays in Q1 and if you maximize them, you can increase Amazon sales drastically. Here are a few of the holidays to take note of.

• Super Bowl Sunday
• Valentine’s day
• Mother’s day
• Easter

You can look up the dates of these holidays and others that we may have missed. Then, research suitable products for each of these days. Afterward, craft a strategy to maximize sales in this period. One of the most effective Amazon seller tips is to create exclusive offers and special deals. Once this is done, go all out with your promotions.

For Valentine’s day, for instance, you can consider pairing male and female products in a bundle. Sellers in the fashion and jewelry category will find this strategy easy to pull off. Mother’s day deals are also a great idea.

How To Increase Amazon Sales in Q1 Using AMZ Software

Below are additional tips to help you increase Amazon sales in Q1 using AMZ software. 

Research Profitable Products

Without the right products, it is almost impossible to achieve success on AMZ. Most sellers struggle to find the best products for their store. Manual research often doesn’t cut it, so, it’s best to use AMZ software.

When researching products for your store, pay attention to your audience’s needs. Then find products that provide a solution to these needs.

Here’s how to find the most profitable products on AMZ.

Carry Out Keyword Research

Keywords are a crucial element in every AMZ listing. Without keywords, gaining visibility and making sales may be impossible.

Keyword research is a major process and guesswork may result in unbelievable losses. To avoid this, use trending key terms and compare listings. Don’t be scared to take cues from your competitors.

Your best bet is to use AMZ software for keyword research, preferably a tool that allows you to compare competitors’ listings. This way, you can see what keywords your competitors are ranking for.

Optimize Your Listings

Your listings are the only way customers can view your products. Want to gain more visibility and increase Amazon sales in Q1? Then your listing optimization game must be on point.

Optimize your listings using titles, descriptions, bullet points, and other core elements. Keywords are very essential, so don’t forget to include them. The best way to optimize your listings for conversions is to use a listing optimization tool.

After optimizing your listings, don’t forget to promote them. Just ensure you keep your promotions running until the end of January.

Best AMZ Software To Help You Increase Amazon Sales in Q1

ZonBase is the best AMZ software for sellers who want to increase Amazon sales in Q1. The software offers a set of effective tools for research and listing optimization.

Asides from these, the software also offers a photo enhancer and sales estimator tool. New sellers can also leverage the mentorship service.

Sign up for a free 7-day trial

New and existing sellers struggle to make sales on Amazon. This is because most of them know next to nothing about Amazon SEO and the A9 algorithm. Amazon’s algorithm uses keywords and well-optimized listings to rank its search results. You’ll learn all about these terms in this post. But, first, what is Amazon SEO?

What is Amazon SEO?

Amazon SEO is short for Amazon search engine optimization. This is the concept behind every entry that shows up in search results. Each product listing is ranked based on its adherence to SEO best practices. It is almost impossible to gain visibility, not to talk of making sales, on AMZ if you do not rank well in search results. The A9 algorithm ranks product listings based on SEO best practices. So, how does the A9 algorithm work?

How Does The A9 Algorithm Work?

Essentially, Amazon is a search engine just like Google. There is however a difference in the purpose of this search engine. As a search engine, Google is designed to provide information. In contrast, Amazon is designed for product sales.

A9 uses various factors to rank products in search results. The algorithm shortens buyer journeys using its ranking system. It does this by matching products to the search terms used by the customer. This way, the product they’re looking for comes up first in the search results.

What factors does Amazon’s search engine consider when ranking products? There are a few. Relevance is the deciding factor for A9. Now, how does the algorithm determine relevancy?

The algorithm’s choice is dependent on many factors, no one knows what controls it. But here are a few factors we think it considers:

• Sales volume, conversions, and reviews
• Well-optimized listings
• Presence of keywords in product listings

Optimizing your listings is crucial if your intention is to get the algorithm on your side. Listing optimization and keyword research can be done manually. You can also choose to use AMZ software to optimize your listings. If you would rather go the manual route, here are some essential things to include in your listings.

• Product Titles
• Product Descriptions
• Bullet points
• Product Reviews
• Product Images

AMZ software like ZonBase provides a set of keyword and listing optimization tools. These tools work together to help you gain more visibility on AMZ. You can use ZonBase’s Listify if you would like to take cues from your competitors’ listings and create your own. Would rather have a team of experts create your listings for you? You can make use of the Listing Optimizer service.

Related: Amazon Keyword Research: The Ultimate Guide For 2021

Now that you know what Amazon SEO is all about and how the algorithm works, let’s move on. Boosting sales on Amazon can be a bit difficult if you don’t know how to go about it. Here are a few ways to boost your visibility using keywords and Amazon SEO.

6 Amazon SEO Tips For Sellers in 2021

• Optimize Your Listings For Your Target Audience

Search engines work differently. So, while you may not have to be very specific in optimizing for Google, AMZ requires you to be. Target a specific audience and provide as much detail as possible. Maximize your product descriptions and include keywords generously in your listings.

• Know What Search Terms Your Audience is Using

Coming up with a list of search terms is not difficult. But when it comes to keyword research for Amazon SEO, this won’t cut it. Generalized keywords may not bring you the desired results. So, it’s best to use keyword research tools. These tools will help you generate relevant keywords for your listings.

Using too many broad keywords may harm your listings and conversions. Keyword tools will help you narrow down your keywords to the ones that are relevant to your audience. This way, you show up for the exact search phrases that your customers use.

• Follow Amazon’s SEO Best Practices

Every search engine has laid-down rules for entering data into its search engine. If you want your listings to appear on AMZ’s search engine, you’ll need to enter information in a certain way. The main aim of this site is to sell products, so they want certain words and phrases that will lead to conversions. The algorithm is on the lookout for certain key phrases that will result in conversions.

• Optimize Your Content For Conversion

Content is an essential part of every AMZ product listing. Since your goal is to convince your buyers to make a purchase, this should be evident in your copy. Don’t just come up with content that contains a lot of fluff, be creative about it. Let your customers know why they should buy your product.

Show them the benefits of the product and what they’ll enjoy if they buy it. Don’t overlook your product descriptions. Also, maximize the word count and use a sufficient number of keywords. Just be careful not to overuse keywords in your descriptions. This can bore readers and discourage them from buying the product.

• Measure Your Keywords Based on Competitiveness

Keywords are divided into Long-tail and short-tail keywords.

A long-tail keyword is made up of four to five words. Unlike long-tail keywords, short-tail keywords contain no more than two or three words. Compared to long-tail keywords, short-tail keywords are more competitive and more generalized. For this reason, their search volumes are higher. Using them also costs quite a lot. Long-tail keywords are less competitive and have low search volume. Their conversion rate is higher, and costs are lower.

A good strategy is to target keywords that are high in search volume and low in competition. Your best bet is to use AMZ software for keyword research.

• Be Consistent

You may not show up on page one of the search results immediately. But if you keep at it, you will definitely see significant improvements in your rankings. Persistence and determination are important if you intend to achieve success on Amazon. The above tips will end up useless without a combination of these two.

Related: Amazon Product Research: 6 Best Practices To Help You Win

Best AMZ Software For Keyword Research and Listing Optimization

Keyword research and listing optimization are crucial aspects of every AMZ business. These processes can be cumbersome and overwhelming, especially for new sellers. AMZ software is the best way to find relevant keywords and optimize your listings.

ZonBase is the best AMZ software to help you with these processes. ZB offers an effective set of keyword and listing tools. The software also comes with product research tools and a photo enhancer tool.

Sign up for a free ZB trial

Conclusion

Amazon SEO may sound complicated, but it’s nothing too difficult. With time and the right amount of consistency, you will get the hang of it. Use AMZ software for the best results in your SEO game.

In the U.S., Amazon seller taxes are due every March 15th. Personal taxes, on the other hand, are due every April 15th. You run a risk of losing your business if you steadily default in paying tax. Tax is a complicated subject and no one enjoys talking about it. As a new or existing seller, collecting and remitting taxes may be difficult for you. 

You can choose to navigate the complexities of this subject, or you can use Amazon tax software. There are several Amazon tax software available on the market right now. Most of them claim to be the best, but they’re not as effective as you would expect them to be. We intend to save you the stress of trying out several ineffective software. Hence, we have carefully curated this list of the best Amazon tax software for 2022.

Related: Amazon FBA Taxes – Beginners’ Basics

Best Amazon Tax Software For 2022

1. TaxJar

If you’re reading this, chances are that you’ve spent some time scouring the internet for Amazon tax software. If you have, then you must have come across this software a couple of times. This tool is popular for many reasons. But the major one is its ability to automate your tax processes. All you need to do is sync your account with the tool and you’re good to go. 

As soon as you enter all the relevant information, TaxJar takes over. Are you filing taxes for more than one state? That will be done for you according to the states’ deadlines. Are you having trouble choosing the correct product tax code? The system suggests product codes automatically, so you don’t have to hunt for them. 

If you’re not selling on AMZ, eBay, Shopify, Stripe, or PayPal, TaxJar still lets you export your sales data in a CSV.

The software is available at a budget-friendly price. There are two pricing plans available: the starter plan, and the professional plan. The former costs $19/month, while the latter costs $99/month. Scared to invest in this tool? There is a 30-day free trial available. So, you can try it. If it meets your needs, then go for it.

2. Taxify by Sovos

Not all tax software is flexible enough to help you file any kind of tax. But, this tool is flexible. It works great for Amazon seller taxes but it can also help you file taxes across other platforms. 

It can be difficult to deal with increasingly complex sales tax obligations. Especially if you do not have the time, money, or resources to deal with them. This software is not just some tool that works with AI. Behind it is a team of experts who are available to manage any issues you may face regarding filing your taxes.

Regardless of the size of your business, this tool has you covered. They also offer personalized services to meet your needs. These services are uniquely designed for your business.

Tax laws are constantly changing, but with Taxify, you can always be on top of your game. The tool also comes with a feature that allows you to import your data. This will make it easier for you to do your filings right. You can follow up the filing process or have the team manage it on your behalf. If you choose the latter, you can simply get notifications of how the process is going.

There are three plans available – starter, standard, and premium plan. The plans cost $47/month, $97/month, and $247/month respectively.

3. Avalara

If you would like to file your taxes at the snap of a finger, then this is the perfect tool for you. This tool is a tax compliance software that allows you to fill in your data and file your taxes. You can choose to run the process automatically. Or if you want to manage the process yourself, you can choose the manual option. 

All you have to do is to fill out the relevant fields. Then hand over the form to their experts to have it verified before it is submitted. If you have any doubts as regard tax laws and regulations in various countries, this is an ideal solution.

Among other things, Avalara allows you to file a wide range of taxes. These include:

• Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Communications Tax (CT)
• Value Added Tax (VAT)
• Excise Tax (ECT). 

Furthermore, it can be used for other platforms as well. So if you sell across platforms like Walmart, eBay, and Etsy, you will find this tool handy.

Worried about pricing? It’s nothing you’ll have to break your bank for. Avalara plans range from $50/month upwards. 

4. A2X Accounting

A2X isn’t at the top of our list, but it remains a popular choice among sellers. The tool may not match up to your expectations compared to the others. This is because you will have to file your taxes yourself, while other software allows you to automate the process. But, this is not a problem. The tool offers a ton of other outstanding features to ensure you stay on top of your game. 

Unlike others, this tool comes with a feature customized for each eCommerce platform. Whether you sell on Amazon or not, this feature will ensure that you provide the correct information. If you are a greenhorn where tax is concerned, there are experts to assist you.

You may not be able to automate the processes directly in A2X. But you can integrate this software with other tax-filing tools. When it comes to pricing, you don’t have to go all the way at first. You have four options to choose from: the Mini plan at $19/month or the Basic plan at $39/month. When you get comfortable, you can try out the higher-priced plans. You can choose the professional plan at $69/month or the advanced plan at $99/month.

You can try out any of these plans on a free trial before settling.

5. SimplyVAT

If you sell products in countries like the U.S., France, Germany, or Spain, you need to collect VAT. SimplyVAT provides VAT compliance solutions through its Amazon tax software.

You can calculate the total amount of VAT you owe. Just enter each invoice number into SimplyVAT. Beyond this, the software offers you a VAT compliance check immediately you choose to use it. 

The tool also works across other countries. The software will file your taxes based on a specified timeframe. The VAT is calculated using the fixed rates for whatever country you’re in. You can use the tool on a one-off basis or choose any of the available plans.

For the latter, you pay $470. The price of the plans varies based on some factors.

Conclusion

Whether you sell online or in-person, sales tax is an integral part of doing business. Sadly, most business owners resent this aspect. But its importance cannot be overlooked. Keeping up with various factors involved in the tax filing process may be difficult. This is because of the varying laws involved.

Hence, sellers who take care of everything on their own may find it difficult to report their revenue. There are a ton of Amazon tax software options available to help you automate this process. It may be difficult to choose one. But, this should no longer be an issue if you read to this point.

Now that you have a good idea of the best Amazon tax software for 2021, you can go ahead and remit your Amazon seller taxes seamlessly.

Before settling for a marketplace, be sure you want to sell online. How? Check out the numbers. Numbers are important. Keeping up with them is the only way to ensure you make the right financial decisions. Overlooking statistical data means you must rely on guesswork. This can be very costly. Here are a few statistics to help you solidify your resolve to sell online.

• 48% of people who shop online head straight to a popular marketplace
• There are over 300 million active customers on Amazon
• Amazon gets over 2 billion visits
• eBay gets 689 million visits
• 2.14 billion people shop online
• Amazon accounts for 50% of all online sales

Amazon vs eBay vs Your website? They all have their benefits and drawbacks. So you should consider all the possibilities. But don’t get ahead of yourself. You cannot make a concrete decision based on the above data. 

In this post, we will do a thorough comparison. So Amazon vs eBay and selling on your website, which should you opt for? Which option gives you the best chance of success? Let’s get right into it.

Amazon vs eBay vs Launching a New Website

Amazon

Amazon is the world’s largest online marketplace. The platform holds a 50% stake in the global eCommerce market. Still don’t understand? Well, Amazon has over 300 million customers and 2 million active sellers. The majority of sellers on Amazon (86%) are profitable. But only 67% hit the profitability mark in their first year. (Source: prnewswire.com)

Like every other business, an Amazon business comes with its complexities. While it is possible to make a profit on the platform. It is not something you should go into with your eyes closed.

Remember when we said 48% of people who shop online head straight to a popular marketplace? Well, Amazon gets the lion’s share of that traffic. So if you decide to sell on Amazon, you’re on to a great start if you do it right. Still, you should consider the pros and cons. Here are some of them:

Pros

• Access To A Global Audience

If your goal is to sell to a global audience, then Amazon is your best bet. People from all over the world shop on Amazon. This is because of the brand’s trusted reputation. Selling on the platform automatically gives you access to leverage this trust. Apart from the general audience. Amazon also has the Prime platform. This is a paid membership platform. Prime members gain access to videos, free shipping, and other benefits. Selling on this marketplace means you can also sell to Prime subscribers.

• Easy to Launch

An AMZ business is easy to start compared to other marketplaces. Setting up an account does not need any capital. Launching a business is one thing. Managing it is another. An AMZ business is not only easy to start but is also easy to manage. But this depends on the fulfillment option you decide to use.

Still, unlike every other marketplace, you have two options to choose from. You can either choose to handle all your business processes yourself. These include storage, packaging, shipping, and customer service. Or you can outsource these processes to Amazon through FBA. 

FBA means Fulfillment by Amazon. It is a fulfillment service that Amazon offers to its third-party sellers. Sellers who use this service will have Amazon handle all their business processes. So, if you want to sell online without having to do the work, Amazon FBA is perfect for you.

• On-site Ads

With AMZ, you do not have to run promotions externally. You can advertise your products right there on the platform. You can set up automatic PPC campaigns to target a broad or specific audience.

Also, you know that you are advertising to customers who are interested in your product. And you can control your advertising budget too.

• Can Be Automated

Managing an Amazon business means juggling many tasks. These tasks often include product research, keyword research, and listing optimization. There are a ton of others as well. As a new seller, you are likely to struggle with executing these processes.

But this is not an issue. AMZ businesses can now be automated. How? AMZ Automation services allow sellers to outsource complex business tasks.

A team of professionals will research profitable products and relevant keywords. They will also create and optimize product listings on behalf of sellers. What if you don’t want to put your business in someone else’s care? 

You can also leverage AMZ seller tools to execute these tasks. With Amazon seller tools, product research, keyword research, and listing optimization can be done efficiently. These will help you get the desired results. 

Cons

• Can Be Expensive

Although setting up an account on Amazon is free, you will have to pay fees as you go on. Sellers who are on a budget may not be able to afford the cost. 

All your sales on Amazon are subject to a referral fee, which ranges from 8%-45%, depending on the product category. Ensure you factor in all Amazon fees before starting. If you don’t your profit margin may suffer for it. You can use the Amazon FBA fee calculator to get an estimate of the costs involved.

Check out the breakdown of FBA fees here.

• Tough Competition

This marketplace does not just have an influx of customers. It boasts over 2 million sellers on Amazon. Thousands of new sellers sign up to join the platform every day.

Showing up on page one is important. But it is almost impossible if you don’t have the right tools and strategies. A huge part of your success on Amazon depends on whether you choose your products right. Your keyword selection and listing optimization game must be top-notch.

There’s so much involved in scaling an AMZ business. And it can come with a lot of pressure, especially for new sellers. Still want to sell on AMZ? Be ready to fight for your slice of the pie.

• Tons of Restrictions

There are so many guidelines and restrictions to take note of if you want to sell on Amazon. It can be overwhelming if you are new to the marketplace. It can also be scary because sellers who fall victim usually have to forfeit their accounts.

Some product categories are also restricted and require approval before you can sell products that belong there. Trying to stay off these categories so you don’t lose your account can be exhausting.

eBay

eBay has its place right next to Amazon on the list of most popular marketplaces. Hence, the comparison “Amazon vs eBay”. In the real sense, eBay is not half as popular as AMZ. The platform only has about a 6% stake in the eCommerce market. Even though this is still a significant amount, it is considerably less than Amazon’s.

If you’re doing a thorough Amazon vs eBay comparison, then you should not leave this out.

Pros

• Lesser Fees

Although eBay’s fees are subject to change and reviewed from time to time, the chances of them going overboard are pretty slim. eBay fees vary depending on the item you’re selling. They typically range from 3.15% to 9.1%. You are paying a fraction of Amazon’s fees, which can have a substantial impact on your bottom line.

• Less Competition

Seeing as eBay is not as popular as AMZ, it is only normal that the competition there is lesser. There are fewer sellers, so you have a higher chance of success on the platform. If you choose the right products and craft your brand to suit the platform, you can rack in a lot of sales.

• Fewer restrictions

Unlike Amazon, there are fewer restrictions on eBay. Sellers have a better chance of standing out on eBay because the rules are relaxed. Make the most of it!

• More Product Choices

eBay allows you to sell either brand new or used items. Most marketplaces, including Amazon, only allow sellers to list brand new items for sale.

This is an advantage for sellers who do not have enough capital to source new products. So, if you have used items that you would like to sell off, eBay is the ideal place for that.

Cons

• Smaller Customer base: eBay does not have as many customers.
• The auction style on eBay can put your profit margin at risk. This is because buyers get to decide how much they want to buy your product. 
• Fulfillment can be more complex. If you want to sell on eBay, you will have to put structures in place for fulfillment. This can be cost-intensive, especially for new sellers who are on a budget.

Selling on Your Website

Now, you have an answer to your Amazon vs eBay question. But you may wonder if you have to sell on either of these platforms.

Selling on a marketplace could get in the way of building your brand. Hence, the idea of launching your own website may seem more attractive as you go along. While it may not be an entirely bad idea, it may also not be the best move for your business. Let’s help you make a decision:

Pros

• Your website is the best place to build your brand. This way, if you get kicked off from any of the other marketplaces, you do not have to lose all your customers.
• Selling on your website will not require you to pay so many fees. 
• You are in full control. You can take off or add features as you wish. 
• Freedom to craft your policies to suit you.

Cons

• Unlike already popular marketplaces, you will have to drive traffic to your website on your own. This can be difficult especially if you haven’t already built a reputation.
• You’re likely to spend more on advertising.
• Although you may not have to pay fees, the cost of launching your website can be a lot.

Conclusion

Choosing a marketplace is an important aspect of selling online. Amazon vs eBay? Which is it for you?

Selling on Amazon is the best choice for you. Especially if you are a new seller and cannot handle all the complexities yet. 

Regardless of the marketplace that you decide to sell on, you will still have to find profitable products. Keywords and listings are also very important for visibility. So pay attention to all business processes.

Also, focus on customer retention. If you choose to sell on your website, ensure you give customers a great experience. This is the only way you can get them to come back.

Now that you’re armed with all this information, it will be easier to come to a conclusion. Make a choice now, and be ready to put in the work.