How to Sell on Amazon: A Complete Beginner’s Guide for 2025

Published 

Mar 13, 2025

How to Sell on Amazon: A Complete Beginner’s Guide for 2025

With millions of active customers and billions of dollars in sales, Amazon offers an unparalleled opportunity for entrepreneurs to reach a vast audience and build a thriving online store.

However, the sheer number of things that need to be done when setting up a shop on Amazon can be a major deterrent for beginners. Not only do you need to set up your seller account, but you also need to optimize your product listings and manage your inventory. There are many factors to consider when getting started, which is a tough prospect for anyone new to the website.

This comprehensive guide will provide beginners with the knowledge and strategies needed to launch and grow a successful Amazon business in 2025. We'll cover everything from setting up an account and finding the right products to optimizing product listings and fulfilling orders.

Main Takeaways From This Article:

  • Starting and scaling an Amazon business requires strategic planning, including choosing the right products and providing excellent customer service.
  • Using Amazon's fulfillment options and marketing tools can greatly enhance business growth and customer reach.
  • Common pitfalls, such as misunderstanding Amazon's fee structure and neglecting customer service, should be avoided.
  • Informed Repricer’s AI-powered pricing automation is essential for maintaining competitive pricing and improving Buy Box ownership.

Who Is Eligible to Sell on Amazon?

Amazon has certain requirements that sellers must meet to be eligible to sell on its platform. Generally, anyone with a legitimate business and the ability to meet Amazon's performance standards can become a seller. Other than this, you'll need a bank account, a tax identification number, and a valid credit card to get started.

However, Amazon may impose additional requirements depending on the product category you plan to sell in. Certain categories, such as grocery, health, and beauty products, may require additional approvals and certifications. For example, food items and supplements require an FDA registration number.

Benefits of Selling on Amazon

A loyal Amazon customer opening up a package

Amazon offers a range of benefits for individual sellers and businesses of all sizes, making it an attractive platform for those looking to launch or grow their businesses.

Massive Customer Demand and Global Reach

Amazon boasts hundreds of millions of active customers worldwide, providing sellers with access to a vast and diverse audience. This global reach allows businesses to tap into new markets and significantly increase their sales potential.

Built-In Trust and Brand Recognition

Amazon's established brand reputation and commitment to customer satisfaction instill trust in shoppers. This trust extends to sellers on the platform, making customers more likely to purchase products from unfamiliar brands.

FBA for Hands-Off Order Fulfillment

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a program that allows sellers to outsource their order fulfillment process to Amazon. Amazon handles storage, picking, packing, shipping, and customer service, which frees up sellers to focus on other aspects of their business.

Advertising and Marketing Tools

Amazon provides a suite of advertising and marketing tools to help sellers promote their products and drive sales. These tools include sponsored product ads, sponsored brand ads, and Amazon Stores, which allow sellers to create branded storefronts on the platform.

Scalability and Growth Opportunities

Amazon's robust infrastructure and vast resources enable businesses to scale quickly and efficiently. As your sales grow, you can easily expand your product line, increase your inventory, and leverage Amazon's fulfillment network to meet customer demand.

Seven Easy Steps to Sell Products on Amazon Successfully

Two ecommerce sellers looking for new products to offer

Selling on Amazon can feel overwhelming, but by breaking down the process into manageable steps, you can confidently build a successful business. Here are seven easy steps to get you started:

1. Set Up Your Amazon Seller Account

Your first step toward selling on Amazon is creating a seller account. Here's what you need to do:

  • Understand Amazon's Selling Fees and Guidelines: Before you begin, familiarize yourself with Amazon's selling fees, policies, and guidelines to determine your pricing strategy and profitability. Amazon imposes several fees, including referral fees, which are a percentage of the selling price, fulfillment fees for those utilizing Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), and monthly subscription fees. 
  • Choose the Right Selling Plan: Amazon offers two selling plans: Individual and Professional. The Individual plan is ideal for sellers who anticipate selling fewer than 40 items each month. The Professional plan is ideal for sellers who expect higher sales and want access to advanced selling tools and features.
  • Register Your Amazon Seller Account: To register your Amazon Seller account, you'll need to provide your business name, address, phone number, tax identification number, and bank account information. You'll also need to choose a selling plan and agree to Amazon's terms of service.

2. Find the Right Products to Sell on Amazon

Finding the right products to sell on Amazon is a pivotal step that demands a significant investment of time and effort. Here's how to find profitable products to sell:

  • Conducting Market Research: Use Amazon's product research tools, such as the Amazon Best Sellers list and the Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer, to identify trending products and niches with high demand and low competition.
  • Understanding Amazon's Product Categories: Familiarize yourself with Amazon's product categories and subcategories to find products that align with your interests and expertise. Consider factors like profitability, competition, and ease of sourcing.
  • Sourcing Products for Your Amazon Business: Once you've identified potential products, you'll need to find suppliers. You can source products from manufacturers, wholesalers, or distributors at wholesale prices. You can also consider private labeling, which involves sourcing generic products and branding them with your own label.

3. Create Product Listings

Creating engaging product listings is crucial for capturing customer interest and boosting sales. This process includes:

  • Setting Up a High-Converting Product Page: Your product detail page is your opportunity to showcase your product's features and benefits. Include high-quality images, a detailed product description, and a compelling title.
  • Optimizing for Amazon's Algorithm: Amazon's search algorithm, known as A9, determines which products appear in search results. To optimize your listings for A9, use relevant keywords in your product title, description, and bullet points.
  • Setting Product Pricing Strategies: Your pricing strategy can significantly impact your sales. Consider factors such as your cost of goods, competitor pricing, and perceived value when setting your prices. Informed Repricer can help sellers automatically adjust their prices based on competitor pricing, market trends, and other factors, ensuring they remain competitive and win the Buy Box more often. 

4. Choose a Fulfillment Method

A large warehouse with lots of product boxes on the floor, in pallets, and the conveyor belt

Select the fulfillment method that best suits your ecommerce business needs. Amazon offers two main fulfillment methods:

  • Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): With Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you can send your products directly to Amazon's fulfillment centers. Amazon will then take care of storage, order picking, packing, shipping products, and customer service on your behalf. FBA is ideal for sellers who want a hands-off approach to order fulfillment.
  • Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM): With FBM, you handle all aspects of order fulfillment yourself, including storage, picking, packing, shipping, and customer service. FBM is best for sellers who want more control over their inventory and fulfillment process.

5. Get Your First Customer Purchase and Grow Your Amazon Business

Getting your first customer purchase is a milestone and essential for building momentum. Here's how to achieve it and grow your business:

  • Launching Your First Product: When launching a new product, create a product launch strategy that includes promotional activities, targeted advertising, and social media marketing. Consider offering a discount or running a giveaway to generate initial sales and reviews.
  • Using Amazon PPC to Drive Early Sales: Amazon PPC (pay-per-click) advertising can help you drive traffic to your product listings and generate early sales. Target relevant keywords and create compelling ad copy to attract potential customers.
  • Amazon's Buy Box: The Buy Box is the coveted spot on the product detail page that allows customers to add a product directly to their cart. To win the Buy Box, you need to have a competitive price, excellent seller performance metrics, and sufficient inventory.

6. Provide Outstanding Customer Service

You must provide excellent customer service to keep your customers happy and satisfied if you want to build a good reputation and get repeat business. Here's what you should focus on:

  • Handling Customer Service Inquiries Quickly: Respond promptly and professionally to customer inquiries, addressing their concerns and resolving any issues.
  • Processing Returns Smoothly: Offer a hassle-free return policy and make the return process easy for customers. This will help build trust and encourage repeat purchases.
  • Encouraging Positive Reviews: Provide excellent customer service to encourage customers to leave positive reviews, which can boost your product's visibility and credibility.
  • Addressing Negative Customer Feedback: Address negative feedback promptly and professionally. Offer solutions to resolve the issue and turn dissatisfied customers into loyal fans.

7. Scale and Automate Your Amazon Business

As your business starts growing, scaling operations and automating key processes will be a necessity. This includes:

  • Expanding Your Product Line to Increase Revenue: Consider expanding your product line to offer a wider variety of products to your customers. This can help you increase your revenue and attract new customers.
  • Automating Pricing and Inventory Management: Automate your pricing and inventory management processes to save time and improve efficiency. Informed Repricer's AI-powered pricing automation helps new sellers increase Buy Box ownership by dynamically adjusting prices based on market conditions and competitor activity.
  • Leveraging External Traffic and Marketing Strategies: Drive traffic to your Amazon listings from external sources, such as social media, email marketing, and your own website. This can help you increase your sales and build your own brand.
  • Tracking Key Performance Metrics to Sustain Growth: Monitor key performance metrics such as sales, conversion rates, and customer satisfaction to identify areas for improvement and sustain growth.

Common Mistakes New Amazon Sellers Should Avoid

A customer using a laptop to leave an Amazon product review

New Amazon sellers often make mistakes that hinder their success. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

Not Understanding Amazon’s Fees and Profit Margins

Failing to thoroughly understand Amazon's fee structure can greatly impact your profit margins. Accurately calculate all costs associated with sourcing, selling, and fulfilling your products to ensure profitability, and don't underestimate the impact of unexpected costs.

Selling Restricted or High-Competition Products

Selling restricted products can result in account suspension while selling high-competition products can make it difficult to stand out and generate sales. Thoroughly research product restrictions before listing anything, and consider focusing on less saturated markets or finding unique product variations.

Neglecting Amazon SEO and Poor Listing Optimization

If a product listing isn't optimized, no one will know about that product. Neglecting Amazon SEO will bury your products in the search results, where no one will be able to find them. Don't let that happen. Optimize your listings with titles, meta descriptions, and relevant search terms to improve visibility and drive organic traffic. Use high-quality images and compelling copy to attract clicks.

Ignoring Customer Service and Getting Negative Reviews

Turning a blind eye to customer inquiries or failing to address concerns promptly can lead to negative reviews, which can significantly damage your reputation and sales. Be attentive and prioritize fast and helpful communication, offer hassle-free returns, and proactively address any issues to build customer loyalty and encourage positive reviews.

Overpricing or Underpricing Products

Pricing is a delicate balance. Overpricing can deter potential buyers, while underpricing can erode your profit margins and create a perception of lower quality. Research competitor pricing, consider your costs, and develop a pricing strategy that is competitive yet profitable. Tools like Informed Repricer can automate this process and stay competitive.

Build a Profitable Amazon Business With Informed Repricer

Success in the Amazon marketplace depends on agility and precision. Manually monitoring competitor prices, adjusting your own listings, and striving for that coveted Buy Box can be a constant, time-consuming battle. That's where Informed Repricer comes in. 

Our AI-powered pricing automation tool is designed to help Amazon sellers stay ahead of the competition and maximize their profits. By automatically adjusting prices based on real-time market conditions, competitor pricing, and your own pricing rules, the platform ensures you always maintain a competitive edge. With continually optimized pricing, you can increase your Buy Box ownership, drive more sales, and grow your Amazon business more efficiently.

More than just a repricer, Informed Repricer is your strategic partner for Amazon success. Whether you're a new seller just starting out or an experienced seller looking to optimize your performance, Informed Repricer can help you achieve your goals.

Start your free trial today and see the results for yourself!

FAQs

Is It Free to Sell on Amazon?

No, selling on Amazon is not free. Amazon imposes a range of fees, including referral fees, fulfillment and storage fees for those using FBA and Amazon warehouse, and monthly subscription fees for the Professional plan.

How Much Does It Cost to Start Selling on Amazon in 2025?

The cost to start selling on Amazon varies depending on your selling plan, product category, and fulfillment method (FBA or FBM). You can opt for the Individual plan, which charges $0.99 per item sold (suitable for sellers with lower volumes), or the Professional plan, which requires a monthly subscription of $39.99 (ideal for those with higher sales volumes).

How Long Does It Take to Start Making Sales on Amazon?

The time it takes to make your first sale can vary. It depends on factors like product research, listing optimization, marketing efforts, and competition. Some sellers start making sales within a few days, while others may take several weeks or months.

Can I Sell on Amazon without Holding Inventory?

Yes, you can sell on Amazon without the need to manage inventory through dropshipping or using the FBA program, where Amazon stores your inventory.

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