Amazon marketplace

The Amazon Marketplace is Amazon’s own ecommerce platform that lets third-party sellers list products for purchase. New or used products appear along with Amazon’s product offerings at a fixed price. Sellers can also use the platform’s advertising functionality to feature their product listings at the top of product search results pages.

Sellers on the platform either use Amazon Vendor Central - for businesses selling their products in bulk to Amazon – or Amazon Seller Central – for businesses selling their products by themselves on the platform.

What makes the Amazon Marketplace unique?

Amazon is the world’s leading marketplace and simultaneously the largest product search engine, and its algorithms more or less work the same way as those of Google and Bing. In other words, the platform contains immense amounts of structured product data. It has systems in place by which it sorts product search results by relevance, rewarding brands that put the most effort in research and product content management.

Due to its popularity and reach, the Amazon Marketplace is a very competitive environment where brands, retailers, small and mid-sized businesses, and even private sellers all compete in the same arena. Essentially anyone with a physical product can sell on the marketplace as long as certain requirements are met.

How should businesses manage their products on the Amazon Marketplace?

To gain an edge over the competition, businesses with a large number of products need smart solutions to integrate their product data onto the platform. Product-to-consumer (P2C) management software with a dedicated Marketplace Integration feature ensures that product feeds are uploaded onto the Amazon Marketplace channel with all the product information matching Amazon’s data requirements. This way, products are displayed in the search results pages and on their individual product detail pages exactly as they are supposed to.

Without such a solution, the product data can be inaccurate, leading to revenue losses through brand damage. In the worst case, consumers cannot find a certain product because of incorrect data misleading Amazon’s search algorithm. To avoid this common symptom of commerce anarchy, businesses should adopt P2C strategies for marketplaces, especially in the highly competitive environment of the Amazon Marketplace.

What are the main strategies to sell on Amazon Marketplace?

A business starting to sell products on the Amazon Marketplace has three basic business models/strategies to choose from

• Wholesaling: A seller purchases large quantities of a certain product from a retailer and then sells them on the Amazon Marketplace.
• Private label/selling: A private label seller on the Amazon Marketplace sells products with their own branding and/or label, often manufactured by a third party.
• Online/Retail arbitrage: A seller purchases products (that are on sale or at a reduced price) either online or in brick-and-mortar stores and attempts to sell them on the Amazon Marketplace for profit.

These strategies each come with their own set of pros and cons, but ultimately the decision for a model is dependent on a business’s goal, competition, and target audience.

What is the difference between Amazon FBM and FBA products?

Products sold via Amazon Marketplace through the Seller Central are either classified as “fulfilled by the merchant” (FBM) or as “fulfilled by Amazon” (FBA), with the former meaning that the third-party seller has to manage the product’s storage and shipping, and has to provide proper customer service. If a product is classified as FBA, it is stored in an Amazon fulfillment center, and Amazon handles shipping and customer service.

Amazon charges higher fees for FBA products, so businesses need to gauge which of the two listing types makes the most sense to them.

Preparing to sell on Amazon

Selling on Amazon is a rewarding venture, but it comes with certain requirements and regulations. Amazon diligently upholds a set of policies and procedures to maintain a high standard for sellers and their products. Therefore, before you embark on your selling journey, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with Amazon's guidelines. To ensure your products and seller account meet the necessary criteria for listing, be sure to carefully review the following Amazon resources and policies:

Help for Amazon sellers
Shipping policies
Program policies
Selling policies and code of conduct

The significance of Amazon Marketplace optimization

When it comes to succeeding on the Amazon Marketplace, optimization is the key to rising above the competition and maximizing your sales potential. Let's delve deeper into why optimizing your presence on the platform is crucial:

• Improved Visibility and Ranking : Optimizing your product listings with relevant keywords and compelling content can significantly boost your visibility on Amazon's search results pages. By incorporating the right search terms, such as "Amazon Seller Marketplace" or "Amazon Marketplace," and leveraging Amazon A+ Content, you can enhance your chances of appearing at the top of search results, ultimately attracting more potential buyers.

• Enhanced Conversion Rates : Amazon Marketplace optimization isn't just about getting more eyeballs on your listings; it's also about converting those views into sales. Well-optimized product listings provide shoppers with the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions. Clear product descriptions, high-quality images, and engaging A+ Content can all contribute to higher conversion rates.

• Competitive Advantage : In a marketplace as vast and competitive as Amazon, standing out from the crowd is essential. Effective optimization sets your products apart from similar offerings. Highlighting unique selling points, such as product features, benefits, and customer reviews, can give you a distinct edge in the 1P and 3P Marketplace.

• Positive Customer Experience : Amazon places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction. Well-optimized listings with accurate product information and compelling A+ Content contribute to a positive shopping experience. This, in turn, can lead to favorable reviews and repeat business, further strengthening your presence on the platform.

• Maximizing Profit Margins : Optimization isn't just about attracting more customers; it's also about maximizing your profitability. By fine-tuning your pricing strategy and ensuring your products are well-represented with Amazon A+ Content, you can strike a balance between competitive pricing and healthy profit margins.

In conclusion, optimizing your presence on the Amazon Marketplace is not merely an option—it's a necessity for success. Whether you're selling as a first-party (1P) or third-party (3P) seller, understanding the significance of optimization and its impact on visibility, conversion rates, competitiveness, customer satisfaction, and profitability is crucial. To harness the full potential of the Amazon Marketplace, start by exploring the benefits of the Amazon 1P and 3P Marketplace and leveraging Amazon A+ Content to create engaging product listings that resonate with shoppers.

Refer to these resources for further learning:

• Productsup’s Marketplace Experience solution
• How to optimize your Amazon product listings
• The future of feed management