There’s no magic formula to succeed on Amazon. You need this checklist instead

Introduction

A staggering 95% of new Amazon sellers find it difficult to sustain their business in the first year (Source: LinkedIn). Do you know why? It’s because most sellers are chasing after a magic formula, a secret sauce that guarantees overnight success. But, they don’t realize that there’s no quick fix for Amazon. It takes hard work and efforts, consistent efforts. Success on Amazon demands dedication, the kind that involves rolling up your sleeves and putting in the blood, sweat, and – most importantly – the strategic steps to navigate the marketplace. There are many moving parts to master, from picking the right product to creating winning listings and managing inventory.

Although we might not have a magic formula or a quick fix up our sleeve, we do have years of experience managing Amazon accounts. Leveraging that experience and expertise, we’ve created a comprehensive checklist that’ll help Amazon sellers set up their accounts, find the right products, create converting listings and ultimately boost sales.

Comprehensive checklist for Amazon sellers

Setting up your account

Choose between Individual or Professional plans based on your selling volume. The Individual plan (priced per-item sold) is for beginners with low sales volume (less than 40 items a month). For sellers who’d like to scale up, the Professional plan offers a monthly subscription fee with unlimited listings and access to powerful selling tools like bulk listing uploads and detailed sales reports.
During registration, keep the following information and documents handy: business details, tax information, and bank account details.
Ensure you have a business license and any permits required in your area.
Go through review Amazon’s Seller Policies to ensure compliance and avoid any issues in the future. This includes understanding rules about product listings, gated categories, and prohibited items.
Outline your business goals, target market, and product listings. A clear plan helps you stay focused and make informed decisions.
Secure funding if needed for inventory, Amazon fees and marketing.

Product research and selection

Use tools like Jungle Scout or Helium 10 to find profitable niches with low competition. You can also hire a professional Amazon product research expert to do the job for you.
Study the best-selling products in your chosen niche. Look at pricing strategies, customer reviews, and feedback to understand what works.
Check product demand, profit margins, and sourcing costs.

Product sourcing & inventory management

Find reliable suppliers through platforms like Alibaba, trade shows, or local manufacturers. Build relationships and negotiate favorable terms.
Talk to suppliers about pricing, minimum order quantities, shipping terms, and lead times. Understanding these factors helps you plan better.
Always order product samples to evaluate the quality firsthand before committing to a larger order.
Use tools like InventoryLab or RestockPro to manage stock levels and prevent stockouts.

Listing creation and optimization

Get a trademark and apply for Amazon brand registry.
Develop a brand identity that resonates with your target market.
Design high-quality product packaging that is informative and visually appealing.
Use Amazon keyword research tools like Helium 10 or MerchantWords to identify high-ranking keywords relevant to your products.
Optimize your product title, bullet points, and description with high-ranking keywords. Make sure to use keywords naturally throughout the description while maintaining a reader-friendly tone. Pro tip: Don’t DIY. Hire an Amazon copywriting to get it done right.
Use professional Amazon photography that showcases the product from multiple angles and in use.
Create A+ Content that highlights your product in a visually appealing way
Explore using product videos to showcase features and benefits in an engaging way.
Make full use of Amazon’s backend search terms feature to include additional relevant keywords that improve your product’s discoverability.

Reviews and customer service

Address customer queries and issues quickly to maintain high seller ratings. Excellent customer service fosters positive reviews and repeat business.
Use Amazon’s Request a Review button or automated tools to ask for customer reviews. Ensure your requests comply with Amazon’s guidelines.
Respond to negative reviews professionally and promptly. Acknowledge the issue and offer solutions to mitigate the impact on your ratings.

Marketing and promotion

Set up Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and Sponsored Display ad campaigns. For best results, hire Amazon PPC experts.
Use Amazon coupons, Lightning Deals, and promotions to attract more buyers.
Drive external traffic to your listings using social media, influencers, and content marketing.

Performance analysis and reporting

Regularly review your Sales Dashboard, Business Reports, and Advertising Reports. Analyze the data to understand what’s working and what needs improvement.
Test different titles, images, and pricing strategies to see what works best.
Based on your analysis, adjust your inventory, marketing, and pricing strategies to optimize performance and profitability.

Compliance and legal

Keep up with Amazon’s selling policies and guidelines to ensure compliance.
Ensure your products meet regulatory requirements and safety standards. Regularly check for updates to avoid any penalties or account suspensions.
Monitor for counterfeit products and unauthorized sellers. Report any infringements to protect your brand and customers.

Scale your business

Continuously research and introduce new products based on market trends and customer feedback. Diversifying your product range can drive growth.
Expand to other Amazon marketplaces to reach a wider audience. Each marketplace has its own set of challenges and opportunities.
Use tools and software to automate repetitive tasks like repricing, inventory management, and review requests.
Develop a long-term brand-building strategy to establish brand awareness and loyalty.

Feeling overwhelmed?

Don’t be. There are lots of moving parts involved in running a successful Amazon business. But who says you have to do it all alone. The checklist may be extensive but everything that’s listed here brings you one step closer to being a successful Amazon seller with 6-figure sales. It can feel like there’s a lot to learn and do at once but with the right experts at your side, everything becomes manageable and every goal seems achievable.

Amazon experts at eSeller World will help you with everything – from finding the right product to creating a compelling listing that converts. Instead of spending hours negotiating with the suppliers, researching keywords , or wrestling with complex marketing strategies, you can focus on other important aspects of your businesses. Our team handles the behind-the-scenes work, freeing you up to focus on building a brand you’re proud of.

We’re here to break it down together. We’re here to answer your questions, we’re here to turn your Amazon dream into reality. All that’s left for you to do is schedule a meeting with us