What is Amazon FBA and How Can You Use it For eCommerce?
If you’re trying to kick your Amazon efficiency up to a whole new level, it’s worth checking out Amazon FBA for your ecommerce business.
What is Amazon FBA? Handling the delivery side of an eCommerce operation can be a nightmare for small business owners. Between scrambling to generate leads, stocking popular products and fulfilling new web orders, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stay on the ball all the time.
That’s why more and more small eCommerce businesses are turning to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
What is Amazon FBA?
The platform’s FBA service is a tool that enables sellers to pre-emptively send and store their products in one of Amazon’s many fulfillment centers.
That means every time a customer orders something from your Amazon store, it’s Amazon that take care of finding, packing, shipping and providing subsequent customer service for that product.
It’s worth pointing out that various other costs are involved. Amazon generally charges an inventory storage fee — and so if your products aren’t selling well, this will be a constant overhead.
But for many eCommerce businesses, FBA is a fantastic way to scale regardless of such costs. Best of all, it’s incredibly easy to hop on the bandwagon and give it a try.
Selling on Amazon
If you’re operating in the retail space and not selling your products on Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), you’re probably missing a trick. Over the past couple of decades, the behemoth site has risen to become the globe’s leading e-retailer.
Last year, it brought in more than $107 billion in net sales in the United States alone. And fortunately for small business owners, Amazon relies heavily on a steady stream of independent sellers in order to keep those profits soaring.
If you haven’t already registered to become a Seller on Amazon, it’s dead simple. The site’s platform enables users to select from a wide range of product categories in order to set up their own online store based on a selection of various fee structures.
For example, Amazon’s Professional plan allows users to sell an unlimited number of products for a flat rate of $39.99 per month — while the Individual plan charges sellers $0.99 per product sold.
Once you’re all set up as an Amazon seller, you’ll also have the power to promote and advertise your selling space across the site — but if you’re trying to kick your Amazon efficiency up to a whole new level, it’s worth checking out FBA.
How to Start Using Fulfillment by Amazon
In order to start using FBA, you’ll need to register as a Seller. From there, you can simply add FBA to your account with the click of a button.
Once you’ve added FBA to your account, you’ll need to create product listings on the Amazon catalogue if you haven’t already. You can do this one at a time or in bulk if you’ve already integrated your company’s inventory software with Amazon’s API.
It’s usually easier and more cost-effective in order to let Amazon handle your product fulfillment, but it’s always worth doing your homework before sending away a chunk of your inventory. Amazon has got a handy comparison tool here that should help give you an idea of how much you stand to spend or save by using FBA.
After listing your products, it’s time to prepare them to get them shipping-ready and send them through to Amazon. You can create shipping plans, check out discount partner carrying options and track your shipments to Amazon’s fulfillment centers online.
From there, you can sit back and let Amazon do the rest. The web giant will fill all of your FBA store orders from web-to-warehouse without you having to lift a finger.
| Steps to Start Using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) | Description |
|---|---|
| Register as a Seller | Initial step to start using FBA. |
| Add FBA to your account | This can be done with a simple click once you've registered. |
| Create product listings | List your products on the Amazon catalogue. Can be done individually or in bulk if integrated with Amazon’s API. |
| Consider cost-effectiveness | Use Amazon's comparison tool to evaluate the costs and benefits of FBA versus handling your own fulfillment. |
| Prepare and ship products | Get products shipping-ready, create shipping plans, and send them to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. |
| Let Amazon handle fulfillment | Once products are at Amazon's centers, they handle all order fulfillments related to those products without your intervention. |
Amazon FBA Tips
Embrace Amazon’s Power in Retail
Amazon has transformed the landscape of retail, offering an unparalleled platform for sellers to reach a global audience. Embracing Amazon’s ecosystem allows small business owners to tap into its vast customer base, leveraging the platform’s robust tools and analytics to maximize visibility and sales.
By positioning your products on Amazon, you not only benefit from the credibility associated with the marketplace but also gain access to a suite of services designed to facilitate growth and operational efficiency.
Utilize Amazon’s Selling Plans
Amazon offers various selling plans to accommodate the diverse needs of sellers, from individuals with a limited product range to large businesses with extensive inventories.
Selecting the right plan, whether it’s the Individual plan for those just starting out or the Professional plan for sellers aiming to scale their operations, is crucial. Each plan has its own set of features and fees, so understanding the benefits and limitations of each will help you optimize your selling strategy and manage costs effectively.
Do Your Homework Before Using FBA
Before diving into Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), it’s essential to conduct thorough research and weigh the benefits against the costs. Analyze FBA fees, storage costs, and any other expenses associated with using the service to determine if it aligns with your business model.
Consider factors such as product size, turnover rate, and profit margins to evaluate whether FBA is a cost-effective solution for your eCommerce business. Educating yourself on the ins and outs of FBA will empower you to make informed decisions and strategize effectively.
Stay Informed and Flexible
The eCommerce landscape, particularly on Amazon, is ever-evolving. Staying informed about the latest trends, Amazon policies, and best practices is key to maintaining a competitive edge.
Flexibility in adapting your strategies in response to market changes, customer feedback, and performance data is crucial.
Regularly review your Amazon operations, from product listings and fulfillment options to marketing tactics, and be willing to pivot as necessary to drive growth and meet your business objectives.
Optimizing Your Product Listings for Amazon SEO
To maximize visibility on Amazon, it’s crucial to optimize your product listings for Amazon SEO. This involves using relevant keywords in your product titles, descriptions, and backend search terms to improve your rankings in Amazon’s search results.
High-quality images and detailed, benefit-focused product descriptions can enhance customer engagement and conversion rates.
Additionally, regularly updating your listings to reflect customer feedback and changes in your product can keep your listings fresh and relevant, further improving your SEO performance.
Understanding Amazon FBA Fees and Cost Management
Navigating Amazon FBA’s fee structure is essential for maintaining profitability. FBA fees vary based on factors like product size, weight, and storage duration, making it important to understand how these costs impact your bottom line.
Utilizing Amazon’s revenue calculator can help estimate your fees and manage costs effectively. Additionally, strategies such as optimizing packaging for size and weight, managing inventory levels to avoid long-term storage fees, and selecting products with favorable margins can aid in cost management and ensure a profitable use of FBA.
Leveraging Amazon’s Marketing Tools for FBA Sellers
Amazon offers a suite of marketing tools designed to help FBA sellers increase their product visibility and drive sales. These tools include Sponsored Products ads, Amazon Stores, and the Early Reviewer Program, among others.
Utilizing these tools allows sellers to target specific customer segments, showcase their brand and product range, and gather valuable customer reviews.
By strategically investing in Amazon’s marketing tools and monitoring their performance, FBA sellers can enhance their brand presence and accelerate their growth on the platform.
Navigating Amazon’s Performance Metrics and Seller Feedback
Amazon monitors seller performance through various metrics, including order defect rate, pre-fulfillment cancel rate, and late shipment rate. Maintaining high performance in these areas is crucial for preserving your selling privileges and achieving a positive reputation on Amazon.
Actively seeking and responding to seller feedback and product reviews can also influence customer trust and buying decisions.
By regularly reviewing these metrics and feedback, implementing improvements, and providing exceptional customer service, sellers can optimize their Amazon presence and foster long-term success on the platform.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a small, independent business operating in any sort of retail space, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to shun eCommerce platforms like Amazon.
Amazon’s huge profits are driven by independent Sellers, and so the site wants you to succeed. That’s why its FBA initiative poses such an attractive opportunity for successful small businesses looking to start scaling more rapidly.
But as always, you’ve got to do your homework. Not two businesses are alike, and FBA won’t be perfect for everyone.
Amazon Tape Photo via Shutterstock
This article, "What is Amazon FBA and How Can You Use it For eCommerce?" was first published on Small Business Trends
