Selling on Amazon – ZhenHub https://zhenhub.com Software, warehousing, fulfillment and shipping to get your products from A to B, seamlessly. Fri, 07 Oct 2022 10:33:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://zhenhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/favicon2-1.png Selling on Amazon – ZhenHub https://zhenhub.com 32 32 How to Get an Amazon Best Seller Badge https://zhenhub.com/blog/how-to-get-an-amazon-best-seller-badge/ Thu, 20 Jan 2022 14:12:52 +0000 https://zhenhub.com/?p=12817 Read more]]> Did you know that Amazon sells 4000 products every minute? Millions of consumers daily turn to the marketplace for their shopping needs. The platform ships 1.6 million packages daily. That’s more than the population of Maldives, and Iceland, combined. 

As an eCommerce retailer, selling on the platform is a lucrative strategy. The competition is fierce, but standing out is well worth it. Thankfully, Amazon has been generous in providing its sellers with marketing tools designed to increase sales and amplify their reach. 

The Amazon Best Seller Badge is arguably one of Amazon’s best marketing tools to edge out the competition. 

What is an Amazon Best Seller Badge?

The Amazon Best Seller Badge, as the name suggests, is a symbol next to product icons for items considered best sellers in any given category. Only one seller was lucky enough to bag the honor when Amazon introduced this feature. 

At present, 100 sellers get the badge in any category. Competition for the badge is fiercer in categories as there’s a glut of retailers who want it. But the more specific the category is, the easier for a seller to win the badge. 

Interestingly, the Amazon bestseller list is updated hourly. It means that sellers have 24 chances in a day to have the Best Seller badge on their products.  Getting the badge is pretty straightforward as Amazon awards this honor to the products with the most sales every hour. 

There are several things to note when it comes to the Amazon Best Seller Badge. Qualifying for the badge means that a seller sold the most product within a category for a given marketplace. Furthermore, a top seller in the UK who fails to compete with US sellers would have the badge on their UK page but not on their US page. Likewise, not all categories award badges. Niche categories may not have enough sales data to give sellers the best seller symbol. 

Amazon Best Seller Versus Amazon’s Choice

Often, sellers confuse the best seller badge with Amazon’s choice badge. There are, however, different criteria for the two badges. 

Amazon’s Choice is a badge that the marketplace awards to the best product that satisfies a customer’s search. But unlike the Amazon Best Seller badge, the selection process for Amazon’s Choice isn’t clear. Retailers speculate that this recognition is keyword-sensitive. It was initially developed with the use of Alexa in mind. User reviews, low return rates, and eligibility for Prime are also rumored to be factors. 

As mentioned earlier, the Amazon Best Seller badge gets awarded to retailers with the most sales in a product category. Sellers have more control over this badge as there are ways to ensure that a product reaches interested buyers. 

Best Ways to Win the Amazon Best Seller Badge

Unlike any other feature on Amazon, there is no mystery how sellers can win the Amazon Best Seller Badge. It is all about having the most sales for a product within a category. The process is easier said than done, but it doesn’t mean that it is impossible. Below are the best tips to get an Amazon Seller badge. 

  • Optimize Listings

There are millions of products on Amazon at any given time. Items must stand out from the crowd to win the badge. Optimizing a listing entails several steps. It starts with an effective keyword research strategy that ensures product titles are what shoppers are searching for. High-quality images also contribute to the optimization of listing. 

Sellers must learn how to categorize their products correctly. If consumers didn’t find a seller’s items, no sale gets made, and that’s a loss already. Some categories are more competitive than others. Being strategic about where to place products is key to winning the badge. 

  • Maintain Competitive Pricing

Proper pricing attracts more buyers and, eventually, sales. That said, when it comes to pricing, it shouldn’t be a race to the bottom. Consumers aren’t keen on buying the product with the lowest price. They know that if they buy cheap, you get what you pay for, and typically it’s substandard or poor quality items.

Sellers have to monitor their competition to price their products accordingly. If a seller decides to price their products higher than the average, they should justify their optimized product listing hike. 

  • Optimize Shipping Speeds

According to recent studies, 44% of consumers are more likely to purchase a product if it offers same-day delivery. Likewise, offering free shipping can significantly improve an item’s sales. Optimizing the transportation process through free shipping and same-day delivery is a tested way to win the Amazon Best Seller Badge. 

Benefits of the Amazon Best Seller Badge

Today’s buyers have become more discerning as they have more shopping options now than before. And they’re willing to go the extra mile to research before purchasing. Contrary to popular belief, price isn’t the only factor that consumers consider before buying an item. Several things influence their purchase decisions. 

The Amazon Best Seller Badge assures customers that an item is popular and that other buyers have purchased a product. It also lands an item icon on the first two pages of a product search. This distinction increases conversion rates significantly. 

This badge also provides customers with a seal of confidence in a specific product and seller. It can dramatically increase sales and improve a retailer’s Amazon reputation. These things are invaluable if you are trying to build a name for your brand in this competitive platform. 

Working with logistics experts is the best way to go if you are eager to accelerate sales and improve your profit margins. Through ZhenHub’s tried and tested tech-based logistics solutions, you can rest easy knowing you have the time to grow your business without being bogged down by supply chain and logistics concerns. We are eager to help! Contact us today or request a free quote now. 

]]>
Amazon Brand Registry Requirements https://zhenhub.com/blog/amazon-brand-registry-requirements/ Tue, 04 Jan 2022 02:32:28 +0000 https://zhenhub.com/?p=12794 Read more]]> Amazon has become an essential tool for online sellers of all scales. The marketplace has allowed small and medium business owners to compete globally and expand their reach. On average, retailers on the platform enjoy at least a 16 – 20% profit margin

Maintaining a presence on Amazon is lucrative. But profiting on the no.1 marketplace isn’t easy. Aside from dealing with a long list of Amazon FBA fees, the competition can be fierce. It doesn’t help that over 150 million active sellers are on Amazon. Brands must stand out to make a profit. 

Thankfully, Amazon launched several features that made it easy for retailers to attract new customers and broaden their reach. This article aims to help sellers know the complete list of Amazon Brand Registry requirements, so they can use it to their advantage. 

What is Amazon Brand Registry?

Before jumping right into the Amazon Brand Registry requirements, sellers first need to know it. 

Launched in 2015, the Brand Registry is Amazon’s response to concerns about intellectual property within the marketplace. The platform faced several lawsuits from sellers who claimed that Amazon wasn’t doing enough to prevent counterfeiting. 

Amazon Brand Registry aims to protect the intellectual properties of eCommerce sellers active on the platform. It also provides a slew of valuable tools retailers can use to broaden their reach and make their brands more attractive to potential clientele. 

There have been two versions of this program – Brand Registry 1.0 and Brand Registry 2.0. It is important to note that the first option is already defunct, and sellers who opted into the feature must enroll again for the latest updated version. 

What are the Amazon Brand Registry Requirements?

Unfortunately, not every seller is qualified to sign up for the Amazon Brand Registry program. The requirements and the process are simple, but there are prerequisites. Amazon Brand Registry requirements vary from region to region depending on the area’s trademarking protocols. However, for the most part, here is what’s required:

  • Active Registered Trademark

Sellers need a registered trademark for their brand to sign up for Amazon Brand Registry. This trademark can be text-based or icon-based with text. To enroll in the program, retailers must submit their brand’s logo, images of products and packaging that carry the trademarked brand name, a list of product categories the items belong to, and a list of country origins where their products come from. 

The process of securing a trademark varies by location. Everybody’s free to register for one. The process involves submitting marks, images, stylized words or text, catchphrases, logos, company names, product names and more, used in eCommerce. These assets would go through an examination process and be made public. Amazon will promptly issue a registration number if no one contests the application.   

  • Pre-approved Trademark Office Location

Amazon Brand Registry isn’t available for sellers in all locations. At the time of writing, Amazon only recognizes trademarks issued in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Australia, India, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Singapore, Spain, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Poland, Egypt, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United Arab Emirates. 

Amazon Brand Registry Requirements and Sign Up Process

As mentioned earlier, the process of registering for Amazon Brand Registry is simple, especially if you have your documents in order:

  1. Sign in to the Brand Registry

Only owners of a brand can submit applications for Amazon Brand Registry. For agents working alongside eCommerce businesses, it is crucial to have trademark owners apply for this feature. It is free for use, and signing up goes through Seller or Vendor Central.

  1. Enroll the Business

Once a seller signs up for the program, they would need to provide the following information to push through with their application:

  • Amazon requires sellers to have the brand name on all products and packaging. The marketplace accepts applications for sellers with pending trademark applications. 
  • Sellers must have the trademark registration number from a qualified intellectual property office. Application numbers get accepted for retailers that have yet to secure their official registration details. 
  • Sellers can put their brand from a list of Amazon product categories.

Benefits of Amazon Brand Registry

The Amazon Brand Registry requirements and the sign-up process might seem tedious. After all, it isn’t easy to secure a trademark from your local intellectual property office. It can be a lengthy process if a seller starts from scratch. 

Regardless, the benefits that come with this program are well worth the effort: 

  • Access to Advanced Analytic Tools

When it comes to online selling, big data eCommerce is invaluable. Seeing trends and preparing for a surge or a dip is crucial to success in such a competitive landscape. Amazon Brand Registry offers several advanced analytic tools to its sellers. According to the official Amazon page, the program provides retailers valuable information about “search terms, repeat purchase behavior, market basket analysis, item comparison, alternate purchase behavior, and demographics.”

  • Protect Intellectual Property

Developing a brand is challenging. As such, it is the responsibility of a seller to protect the company’s intellectual rights. Completing the Amazon Brand Registry requirements and signing up for the program comes with a dedicated support team that addresses infringement concerns. Through this program, sellers no longer have to contact Amazon and wait to resolve counterfeiting issues. 

  • Option to Build an Amazon Storefront

Amazon Storefront allows brand-registered sellers to showcase their inventory in a single web location. These pages are highly customizable. Sellers can highlight their top products, use high-resolution images and graphics, and customize the page with brand logos and colors. 

This feature is exclusively available to Amazon Storefront sellers and is entirely free.

Selling on Amazon is often a seller’s next logical step in growing their brand. With millions of visitors each day, the marketplace can reach more potential patrons. But simply selling on Amazon isn’t enough to corner the market. Utilizing Amazon tools and making the most out of these features is essential in edging out the competition. 

To truly take advantage of what Amazon offers, you need a logistic partner that delivers. ZhenHub provides a slew of tech-based logistics solutions that fit every need. Contact us today to learn more about how we can expand your business or get a free quote to get things started. 

]]>
Tips on Creating a Great Amazon Storefront https://zhenhub.com/blog/creating-a-great-amazon-storefront/ Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:41:18 +0000 https://zhenhub.com/?p=12784 Read more]]> Maintaining a presence on Amazon can be the next best (if not profitable) step for most online retailers. Almost 200 million customers visit the marketplace each month. Selling on the platform could take an operation to the next level. 

But making it happen though isn’t easy. Sellers need to do research and strategize. Why? While it’s lucrative to go on Amazon, the marketplace is highly competitive as it hosts millions of active sellers. Retailers must maximize all Amazon tools to compete and stand out from the crowd. 

One of the most compelling features on the marketplace that sellers should know about is the Amazon Storefront. And we’ll tell you what it is, including the set-up, its benefits, and tried-and-tested ways to optimize a page.

What is an Amazon Storefront?

Amazon Storefront allows brand-registered sellers to showcase their inventory in a single web location. These pages are highly customizable. Sellers can highlight their top products, use high-resolution images and graphics, and customize the page with brand logos and colors. 

Essentially, this feature provides sellers with a smaller version of the Amazon marketplace solely for their products for free. 

Getting Started with Amazon Storefront

As mentioned earlier, only brand-registered sellers can create their own Amazon Storefronts. The process of signing up for the feature is pretty straightforward. However, sellers need to check if they qualify for the program as it’s only available in specific locations. 

  • Enroll in Amazon Brand Registry

The Amazon Brand Registry aims to protect the intellectual properties and brand trademarks of companies that transact on the platform. To register, sellers must meet these requirements:

  1. Trademark registration number
  2. Brand Marks such as logos and emblems
  3. Specific product categories
  4. Details about where a brand sources and distributes their products

It is important to note that requirements may vary from location to location. The conditions above are exclusively for US-based sellers.

  • Gather Branding Assets

An Amazon Storefront is a reflection of a company’s unique brand. Using the same design elements on a Storefront is crucial to tell a complete and consistent brand story. Before building out an Amazon Storefront, it is best to have all brand materials and assets in one place. Promptly organizing these assets can streamline the building process. 

  • Build Your Store

Once all assets are in place, it is time to build the Storefront. You can find this feature on Seller Central. As mentioned earlier, Amazon Storefronts are highly customizable. The platform makes it easy to set up their pages as it provides users with several well-designed layout templates. It has a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface so store owners won’t need web development skills. Sellers can create as many pages as they want. However, there is a three-level limit to each page. 

  • Submit Store for Approval

Amazon requires all storefront sellers to submit their pages for approval. This process aims to ensure that the storefront provides a good customer experience.However, getting approved is still manual, and it takes more or less three business days. 

Benefits of Maintaining an Amazon Storefront

The process of building an Amazon Storefront is simple and user-friendly. It is, after all, a drag and drop interface. However, having an effective strategy is core to the success of an Amazon Storefront. Developing this strategy takes time, research, and effort. But the benefits are well worth the investment. 

  • Establish Brand Story

Developing a consistent brand story often separates successful companies from those barely scraping by. Contrary to popular belief, price and convenience aren’t the only factors that drive purchase decisions. Emotions drive most consumers. They want to know a brand’s ethos before buying a product and supporting a business. An Amazon Storefront is an easy way to convey a brand’s journey, business ethics, and stand on specific issues.  

  • Showcase Products

An Amazon Storefront is essentially a big online billboard for a company’s products. It is an effective way to showcase items and answer questions that often deter customers purchasing. It is a space to flesh out what is unique about your products—enough to convince buyers to hit the buy now button. 

  • Get an Amazon URL

A dedicated Amazon URL is a valuable resource. It is an easy way to redirect customers to a page that allows them to make a purchase quickly. It is another added perk to signing up for an Amazon Storefront. 

Tips on Optimizing an Amazon Storefront Page

Not all Amazon Storefront pages are created equal. There are ways to optimize a page to attract more customers and convey a better message. Below are some of the best practices in the industry: 

  • Use Only High-Resolution Images

Most buyers are visual creatures. They want to see a product before making a purchase decision. Sellers should take advantage of this mindset by using only high-quality images, videos, and graphics for their storefront. 

  • Mind the Layout

Amazon provides several Storefront layout templates to sellers who opt into the program. There are pros and cons to each layout, and the right choice is highly dependent on what a retailer is selling. So retailers need to put serious thought into their Storefront’s design. 

  • Optimize for Mobile

Forty percent (40%) of all eCommerce purchases are made through a mobile device. Sellers should optimize an Amazon storefront for mobile users to avoid missing out on a huge market. Before submitting a storefront for approval, check the layout on several mobile devices. 

An Amazon Storefront is a free and effective way to establish your brand and tell your brand’s story on the world’s top marketplace. It is a tool that can improve your reach and boost sales. It can make or break a company. So it’s in your best interest to create an Amazon Storefront so you can acquire new customers and turn them into your loyal clientele. 

If you’re raring to get your Storefront, you need experts to make sure you optimize every step of the retail process. ZhenHub can make that happen. Through our tech-based logistics products, we can ensure that your customers receive their orders seamlessly—every time. Request a free quote now! 

]]>
A Quick Guide on Fulfilled by Amazon Returns and Refunds Policy https://zhenhub.com/blog/fulfilled-by-amazon-returns-and-refunds-policy/ Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:21:21 +0000 https://zhenhub.com/?p=12779 Read more]]> While often overlooked, returns, refunds, and exchanges can hugely impact an eCommerce business. Most customers consider the ease of returns in their buying decisions. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of consumers check a retailer’s returns policy before purchasing. Likewise, 92% of buyers would make a return purchase from an eCommerce store if their return request went smoothly. 

Selling through Amazon FBA can be a godsend or turn into a retail nightmare, especially if reverse logistics and refunds are not processed correctly. This article explores Fulfillment by Amazon Returns, including the returns process, refunds process, and the best ways to minimize Amazon returns as a retailer. 

Fulfilled by Amazon Returns Policy

The marketplace processes return and refunds for retailers that sell on Amazon through their FBA program. Through Amazon’s Automatic Authorization, sellers don’t get notified if a buyer requests a return or a refund on their purchase. Automatic authorization is only applicable for certain purchases. Those that qualify can automatically print their return labels and process their returns on the same day. 

Amazon accepts requests for returns and refunds within 30 days after the purchase. But the marketplace offers exceptions for specific situations. 

In most cases, Amazon accepts all requests for returns and refunds. Below are a few of the most common reasons for returns:

  • Customer Changed their Mind
  • Customer Received Materially Different Item
  • Customer Received Damaged Item 

Fulfilled by Amazon Returns & Refunds Process

As mentioned earlier, purchases that qualify for automatic authorization can print their prepaid return shipping labels and process the returns on the same day. Once the package arrives at the Amazon warehouse, the item is assessed and categorized between saleable and unsellable. Items deemed valuable get returned to the retailer’s inventory. 

Unsellable items get further assessed to determine the cause of the damage.  If it’s Amazon’s fault, the seller gets reimbursed for the cost of the item. Amazon will not be liable for the merchandise if the customer damages it, and the seller won’t get reimbursed. For any item marked unsellable due to customer or seller damage, retailers must submit a removal request within a month after the item arrives at the fulfillment center. 

The refund amount to be awarded to a buyer depends on three factors: 

  • The item’s condition
  • The amount of time the merchandise spent with the buyer
  • Buyer’s payment channel

In returning a product, buyers can choose how to be reimbursed. Return deposits into buyer accounts could take a few hours, days, or even weeks.  It depends on their selected reimbursement channel and their initial payment method:

Payment MethodRefund Processing TimeReimbursement Method
Credit Card3 to 5 business daysCredit Card
Credit CardImmediateAmazon Gift Card / Store Credit
Debit CardMaximum of ten daysDebit Card
Amazon Gift CardImmediateAmazon Gift Card

Aside from Automatic Authorization, Amazon introduced Returnless Refunds for FBA purchases in 2017. This feature allows customers to keep the item they want to be returned as well as reimburse its cost. Amazon has yet to clarify specific parameters that qualify a purchase for Returnless Refunds. But, often, the marketplace issues this option if the value of the item purchased is too low or the cost of return shipping is too high. 

When a customer fails to return an item after 45 days of filing a returns request, Amazon would recharge the buyer and reimburse the seller for the sale. Often, this process happens automatically. But some sellers needed to open support tickets to facilitate the reimbursement. 

Exceptions to Fulfilled by Amazon Returns Policy

As mentioned earlier, Fulfilled by Amazon Returns Policy has a 30-day limit to return requests. There are exceptions to the limit. Buyers may qualify for an extension. Likewise, wedding and baby registry gifts have an extended returns threshold – 180 days and 365 days, respectively. 

Certain items can no longer be returned even within the 30-day limit. These include but aren’t limited to:

  • Perishable Goods
  • Live Insects 
  • Downloadable Software
  • Gift Cards / Store Credit
  • Online memberships / Subscriptions
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Select Personal Care Items
  • Pet Food
  • Live Plants
  • Personalized Jewelry
  • Items with no UPC or Serial Number 

Dealing with Returns as an FBA Seller

The Fulfilled by Amazon Returns Policy favors the buyers and not the sellers on the platform. That said, the marketplace has introduced several ways FBA sellers can recoup their losses from returns and refunds:

  • FBA Liquidations

The FBA liquidations program can assist sellers with excess inventory and returns. Through this program, retailers can recover some funds from returned items instead of having their stock destroyed or paying additional storage fees. 

Retailers can submit a liquidations request through Seller Central. Amazon would then evaluate the product’s average selling price. Afterward, wholesale liquidators pay retailers 5% – 10% of the item’s average selling price. Upon a sale, Amazon pays sellers within 60 days of the sale. 

  • FBA Grade & Resell

Similar to the FBA liquidations programs, the FBA Grade & Resell option allows sellers to recover some funds from returns and refunds. Amazon enables retailers to relist returned products as used items on the marketplace. Once a seller submits returned inventory into the FBA Grade & Resell program, Amazon evaluates the products and marks them according to their condition -Used – Like New, Used – Very Good, Used-Good, or Used – Acceptable. 

  • FBA Donations

For those who aren’t looking to cash in on their returned items,  sellers can opt into the FBA donations program.— it program allows sellers to donate returned or overstocked items to select US charities. 

While Fulfilled by Amazon Returns Policy favors the buyers, it can still benefit sellers. Amazon knows that customer experience satisfaction is at the heart of navigating eCommerce with ease. The happier the customers, the more likely they will buy again.  

Quick Guide on Fulfilled by Amazon Returns and Refunds Policy

Instead of fighting against Fulfilled by Amazon Returns Policy, sellers must understand the rules and make them work for their operation. We at ZhenHub can help you take stock and take advantage of the marketplace’s ever-changing guidelines. Through our tech-based logistics solutions, you can achieve greater success in the world’s top marketplace. Reach out to us today to learn more or request a free quote to get things started. 

]]>
How to Earn More Amazon Seller Reviews https://zhenhub.com/blog/how-to-earn-amazon-seller-reviews/ Mon, 13 Dec 2021 17:23:17 +0000 https://zhenhub.com/?p=12775 Read more]]> Consumers, nowadays, are a different breed. Since they have ready access to information, they have become more conscientious and discerning customers. So today, brands can’t rely solely on billboards and television commercials to capture an engaged audience and turn a profit. 

With eCommerce and the capability to post online feedback instantaneously, most buyers turn to other customers and their reviews before making a purchase. As new buyers who haven’t physically experienced or used a product, thoughts are the closest they can get to an honest opinion. According to research, 91% of consumers read online reviews, while 84% trust recommendations enough to make a purchase decision. Likewise, customers are willing to spend 31% more on eCommerce retailers that past buyers highly recommend. A product is 270% more likely to sell if it has at least five reviews. 

Without a doubt, in today’s retail landscape, reviews are a crucial part of consumer behavior. In this article, merchants can learn how to earn more positive Amazon seller reviews on the marketplace and improve their products’ current review scores.  

Amazon Seller Reviews Guidelines

Before diving into the best practices in earning more Amazon seller reviews, it is vital to familiarize yourself with the marketplace’s guidelines on customer feedback. Amazon takes customer reviews seriously. The platform is known to suspend and even ban sellers that manipulate feedback. This type of deception could severely impact operations, especially for FBA and FBM sellers new to Amazon. That said, staying clear of violations is simple:  

  • Merchants Can’t Incentivize Amazon Seller Reviews

Amazon allows sellers to offer a product at a discount or even free in exchange for reviews at the onset. It was an effective strategy that boosted the reach of plenty of Amazon retailers. However, this method has resulted in a lot of overinflated or, at its worse, false reviews from customers. Since 2016, Amazon has banned this practice. Sellers that choose to employ this tactic can get suspended. 

  • Merchants Can’t Choose the Amazon Seller Reviews on their Page 

Amazon sends a generic email to all customers who made a recent purchase on the platform. Since it does that, sellers aren’t allowed to cherry-pick the reviews that would end up on their product profile. Like incentivizing reviews, this method can get a seller suspended from transacting on Amazon. 

5 Ways to Generate More Customer Product and Amazon Seller Reviews

The simplest way to generate more Amazon seller reviews is to ask for it. Most customers are eager to leave feedback for sellers as it provides them a channel to air out their dissatisfaction (or not) with their recent purchase. While it’s simple, the process can get complicated. It requires finesse and strategy to build an impeccable reputation by earning a significant number of positive product reviews. Below are some tried and tested ways to do so: 

  1. Make it Easy for Buyers to Leave Amazon Seller Reviews

Sellers must make it easy for customers to leave reviews. The more friction there is, the less likely buyers would leave feedback on a retailer’s Amazon page. The trick is to incorporate several ways to gather customer feedback. It is a good idea to cover all the bases – including strategies outside of Amazon, like email marketing and social media. 

  1. Send a Personalized Email to Buyers

As mentioned earlier, Amazon sends a generic templated email asking for feedback after a purchase. Since it is generic, most people ignore the message. Email marketing is an effective means to earn more customer reviews. Sellers may need to personalize these messages to attract the recipient’s attention.

When crafting these personalized review requests, it is essential to include the buyer’s name in the subject line. The mail copy should also contain a direct link to the product page to make it easy to write the review. 

  1. Add an Insert to the Package

Aside from tapping digital to ask for reviews, sellers can also go analog. It’s a good idea for sellers to include an insert on the package asking for reviews. Make sure these inserts are bright and eye-catching. It should provide simple instructions on how to leave a review on the Amazon product page. If possible, provide a QR code that sends the buyer directly to the product page. 

Remember that it is best to ask buyers for their honest reviews for customer feedback instead of requesting a five-star comment. Amazon isn’t keen on sellers that force customers for positive reviews. 

  1. Opt into the Amazon Early Reviewer Program

The Amazon Early Reviewer Program is exclusive for Amazon sellers offering new products. While sellers can’t pay for positive reviews, Amazon reserves the right to incentivize customers to leave feedback on specific product pages through the Amazon Early Reviewer program. 

It is important to note that signing up for this program doesn’t guarantee five-star reviews from every customer. Instead, it is simply the marketplace’s way to get Amazon seller reviews on newly listed items. 

  1. Sign Up for Amazon Vine

Like the Amazon Early Reviewer Program, Amazon Vine is only open to new retailers on the platform and has fewer than 30 reviews across all their products. 

Through Amazon Vine, sellers submit 30 units of their selected products and get shipped to reviewers for free. These reviewers have been vetted by the platform based on the helpfulness of their other reviews. That said, Amazon Vine increases the chances of new sellers getting detailed reviews from a legitimate source. 

Amazon seller reviews are essentially the “word of mouth” in today’s digital age. Therefore, fostering a good reputation from past customers is crucial for successfully navigating Amazon. After all, good reviews can be instrumental in making the seller stand out.  

Logistics is a critical element in ensuring that the customer experience remains high. If you need assistance with your logistics or order fulfillment process, we at ZhenHub can help! We can ensure that your buyers are satisfied with your shipping and delivery time through our tech-based logistics solutions. Are you interested in our tried-and-tested products? Request for a free quote or sign up today to learn more about what we have to offer. 

]]>
The Top 3 Wholesale Products to Sell on Amazon https://zhenhub.com/blog/wholesale-products-to-sell-on-amazon/ Mon, 06 Dec 2021 16:15:30 +0000 https://zhenhub.com/?p=12770 Read more]]> At the time of writing, there were 1.53 million active sellers on Amazon worldwide. That’s why it’s the no.1 global marketplace. Last year, more than half a million retailers started selling on the world’s top marketplace. At an average of 1,592 new sellers every day, the competition within the platform is fierce. As a result, third-party Amazon sellers need to employ effective marketing and product procurement strategies to profit in the marketplace.  

Over 26% of Amazon sellers employ the wholesaler model. Through this selling approach, they can find a lucrative opportunity to increase their profit margins and make a killing on the platform. This time, we’ll tell you about the top wholesale products to sell on Amazon as well as the pros and cons of this sales model.  

Top Wholesale Products to Sell on Amazon

Identifying the right wholesale products to sell on Amazon is key to success on the platform. As mentioned earlier, the competition within the marketplace is stiff. Recognizing the balance between demand and saturation is crucial to finding your footing (and perhaps niche) on Amazon. We’ve collated several suggested products that have relatively low upfront costs but can generate high-profit margins:

  • Clothing, Accessories, and Footwear

Selling wholesale on Amazon requires finding products that are easy to store and appeal to a general market. Clothing and accessory pieces are always in high demand. And the seller doesn’t need to put in significant capital when sourcing clothing wholesale. Likewise, there are plenty of niches to invest in when offering fashion merchandise.  

  • Books

Books continue to be one of the most popular items on Amazon. Buying books wholesale is a relatively simple process. As a result, the profit margins are high – doubly so for retailers that intend to purchase secondhand books in bulk. 

  • Baby & Infant Merchandise

Like clothing, baby & infant merchandise is always in high demand. More often than not, items that fall within this category are relatively easy to store because of their relatively diminutive size. As a result, they are among the best products to purchase in bulk for reselling purposes. 

How to Start Selling Wholesale on Amazon 

Selling wholesale, in simple terms, is buying branded inventory in bulk from authorized suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors. Often, wholesalers can negotiate their prices with the manufacturers directly. As they buy in bulk, often in pallets, wholesale retailers can get steep discounts from their suppliers. 

Generally, there are two different ways to sell wholesale on Amazon – the reseller model and the private label model:

  • Reseller Model

Wholesale resellers purchase brand-name products in large quantities with wholesale discounts. They then list them on Amazon as a reseller of the specific brand. It is important to note that wholesale reselling isn’t the same as dropshipping. Wholesale resellers purchase inventory and store inventory in their warehouses. 

  • Private Label Model

On the other hand, private label sellers purchase generic products wholesale and rebrand them with their packaging and branding. Companies use this model to establish brand recognition beyond Amazon. 

Best Practices in Selling Wholesale on Amazon

There is a misconception that selling wholesale on Amazon can quickly turn a profit. While the profit margins can get high, it isn’t a “get-rich-quick” scheme. Wholesale selling still requires proper research and strategy. Here are a few wholesaling best practices for resellers that want to get into it:

  1. Choose a Product with High Demand

As mentioned earlier, knowing the right wholesale products to sell on Amazon is crucial to succeeding in this merchant structure. 

When choosing inventory, make sure that Amazon isn’t selling the same item. Competing with the world’s top marketplace is never a good idea. They can offer a product for a steeper discount than a reseller can afford. Likewise, it works to your advantage to partner with reputable brands. The beauty of reselling is that you don’t have to do too much marketing. The brand should stand on its own.  

  1. Find the Right Suppliers

Finding suitable name-brand product suppliers is still different from sourcing products from manufacturers. Often, retailers need to approach brand owners themselves. 

  1. Learn to Negotiate

Wholesale selling requires maintaining a healthy relationship with a brand. A seller must prove that they can add value to their brand partners to get the best deals. A retailer is offering a brand the ability to extend its market, and proving your reach can give you leverage. Negotiations can take time. It is best to remain patient and stick to the operation’s worth. 

  1. Fulfill Orders Promptly

Customer loyalty is essential in retail. It is, after all, more expensive to capture new clientele than to keep a loyal one. A streamlined order fulfillment process can positively impact a seller’s wholesaling efforts. On the other hand, any delays can cause customer dissatisfaction – something all retailers should avoid. 

Advantages of Selling Wholesale on Amazon

Wholesaling isn’t for everyone. It requires a significant investment that small and medium operations may not have. But getting into the wholesale business is worth it in the long run. 

Wholesaling carries less risk than establishing a new brand. Established companies already have a reputation, and wholesale sellers only need to piggyback on it. Moreover, with wholesaling, sellers often transact with brand owners themselves. And the chances to get sub-par inventory are relatively minimal. 

Amazon wholesale is an excellent way for sellers to make the most of what the platform offers. But the process of finding the proper inventory can be overwhelming. 

Your best recourse is to partner with experts that know eCommerce and Amazon processes intimately. We at ZhenHub offer a slew of tech-based logistics solutions that can take your operations to the next level. We can get your products from points A to B seamlessly, from inventory management to shipping and delivery. Reach out to us today to learn more about our services. 

]]>
The NEW Amazon Tool: Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer https://zhenhub.com/blog/amazon-tool-amazon-product-opportunity-explorer/ Mon, 22 Nov 2021 13:08:31 +0000 https://zhenhub.com/?p=12765 Read more]]> Over the last few years, Amazon has become an invaluable tool for online sellers of all scales. The marketplace allows small and medium retailers to compete on a global scale. Through Amazon FBA and FBM and their intensive data analytic programs, it is less challenging for sellers to reach new customers, process and fulfill huge volume orders. 

But Amazon is still innovating by improving its analytics features with the introduction of Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer. 

The eCommerce giant rolled out the Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer in October 2021, primarily for the US and Germany-based sellers. The marketplace intends to make the feature available worldwide throughout 2022. Similar to our comprehensive Amazon Seller Guide, this article will provide an overview of this new feature, including an essential guide and a rundown of the pros and cons. 

What is the Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer?

According to Amazon’s official release, the opportunity explorer:

“Opportunity Explorer is a tool to explore customer demand for new product ideas. Opportunity Explorer allows you to understand Amazon customer search and purchasing behavior to evaluate if there is unmet customer demand, and an opportunity for you to meet that demand through new products. You can explore up-to-date and accurate data on customer needs and the current selection on Amazon.” 

The new tool provides sellers with better insight into consumer behavior based on the most popularly searched keywords on the platform. This would be a great tool when it comes to knowing what to sell on Amazon. It hinges on the concept of market niches – which are popular search terms bundled together because of their similarities. Each niche involves measuring the following metrics:

  • Search terms 
  • Search volume
  • Search volume growth
  • Search conversion rate
  • Units sold 
  • Average price
  • Top 3 clicked products 
  • Percentage of products using Sponsored Products
  • Percentage of Prime 
  • Average brand age for the niche
  • Number of new products launched
  • Average product listing quality
  • Click count
  • Click share (within the niche)
  • Average customer rating 
  • Average Best Seller Rank (BSR)
  • The average number of sellers

The Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer aims to help sellers determine profitable products that fulfill a market need within the platform through the statistics above. 

As mentioned earlier, the tool is currently on limited release. Only sellers from Germany and the US have access to the feature. New opportunity explorer features will come out in the next few months. Other regions would be receiving the update in 2022.

How Does the Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer Work?

Active sellers can find the Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer on their Seller’s page. At the forefront, the new feature provides suggested niches based on the retailer’s functional listing categories and sales history. Aside from these suggested niches, the Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer provides two search options – submitting specific keywords and the “browse and filter” button.

The “Browse and Filter” option allows sellers to explore different Amazon niches by searching through search volume and the total number of available products on the marketplace:

Search Volume

This metric provides insight into the total number of searches for a given niche of keywords within the last 90 days. Sellers have the option to filter through results from the previous three months or the previous 360 days. It also provides percentages of search results within the selected timeframe. 

Total Number of Available Products

Identifies the total number of goods within a specific niche. 

Identifying the most profitable and in-demand niche is crucial to the success of an operation. Once sellers select their preferred slot, they can learn more about consumer behaviors within the keyword cluster. Each niche reviews and measures the following metrics: 

  1. Customer needs
  2. Top keywords
  3. Search volume
  4. Search volume growth
  5. Sold units
  6. Total products
  7. Average price

Within a niche, the Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer presents data in three sections:

Products

This tab contains information on the ASIN level. Metrics within this category include:

  • Parent ASIN name
  • Product Brand Name
  • Category
  • Launch deal
  • Number of clicks
  • Click Share
  • Average selling price
  • Total number of reviews
  • Average customer rating
  • Avg. Best-Selling Rank
  • Total number of sellers and suppliers

Searchword

This tab includes data on search terms within a niche. It provides access to the following statistics:

  • Search term
  • Search volume
  • Search volume growth
  • Click Share
  • Search conversion rate
  • Top 3 clicked products

Insight 

The Insight tab includes information that is necessary for assessing the success of launching an ad:

  • Number of products
  • % of products using sponsored products
  • % of Prime
  • Top products Click Share
  • Average Best-Selling Rate
  • Average number of reviews
  • Number of brands
  • Top Brands Click Share
  • Average brand age by niche
  • Number of selling partners
  • Average sales partner age in niche
  • Number of new products launched
  • Number of successful launches

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer

The introduction of Amazon Opportunity Explorer presents a rife data-driven chance for sellers to make strategic inventory decisions for their Amazon stores. 

It provides an excellent way for sellers struggling with their product offering to determine the most profitable items to sell. Likewise, the feature is handy for retailers who are new to the platform. New sellers often do not have a clear picture of navigating through niches and product categories. Miscalculating the demand, after all, can significantly impact profit margins and possibly put sellers out of business.

For seasoned Amazon sellers, the new feature provides an avenue to hone in on one particular niche. Choosing to specialize in a category or subcategory through Opportunity Explorer reduces competition and makes it easier to reach potential customers. 

But remember, it’s only a tool as Amazon Product Opportunity Explorer provides only data and information. It can reveal the issue, but that doesn’t mean the feature can resolve the problem. 

When it comes to eCommerce, big data and insights will always be helpful. Statistics can help a seller find a profitable market and increase their profit margins. Indeed, the Amazon Opportunity Explorer is a welcome addition to the marketplace’s already extensive analytics features. It can eliminate plenty of guesswork and provide insight into consumer behavior. 

But it’s still crucial to know how to use it effectively to enjoy its full potential. With years of experience within the eCommerce industry, ZhenHub can help you get into the world’s top marketplace, navigate its various policies and guidelines and help you achieve business success. Email us at hello@zhenhub.com to discuss your options or request a free quote to see how our best-customized solutions can help your enterprise.

]]>