How to Sell on Amazon
Selling on Amazon starts with choosing the right selling plan and preparing your products so they meet marketplace standards. Once your account is live, the real work shifts to listing optimization, inventory management, and building a reputation that earns the Buy Box. This guide walks through each phase a new seller needs to understand before the first order ships.
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Choose Your Selling Plan
Amazon offers two primary plans. The Individual plan charges $0.99 per unit and suits sellers moving fewer than 40 items per month. The Professional plan costs $39.99 monthly and unlocks bulk listing tools, reporting dashboards, and eligibility for certain high-volume categories. Most serious sellers start with Professional because the per-sale fee disappears as volume grows.
Set Up Your Seller Account
You will need a business tax ID, bank account details, a credit card, and government-issued identification. Amazon may also require a phone number and proof of address. During registration you select your marketplace, set your currency, and provide tax information so the platform can handle withholding correctly.
Source and Prepare Your Products
Decide whether you will sell new inventory, used items, or wholesale lots. Each route has different sourcing risks and margin profiles. Regardless of source, your products must meet Amazon's condition guidelines and any applicable safety certifications. Packaging needs to survive transit, and each unit requires a scannable barcode (UPC, EAN, or Amazon barcode) unless you are exempt.
Create Your Product Listings
A strong listing starts with accurate product data. Use the exact product title, brand name, and category Amazon expects. High-resolution images, clear bullet points, and a description that answers common buyer questions improve conversion rates. Backend search terms let you include relevant keywords that do not fit naturally into the visible copy.
Fulfillment and Shipping
You can fulfill orders yourself (Merchant Fulfilled) or use Amazon FBA, which stores, packs, and ships your inventory. FBA also makes products eligible for Prime delivery and simplifies returns. If you handle shipping, you must meet Amazon's delivery commitments and provide valid tracking numbers within the required window.
Pricing, Fees, and Margins
Amazon charges referral fees that vary by category, plus any applicable closing or fulfillment charges. Your price must cover these fees and still leave a sustainable margin. Use the Business Plan tool to project costs before you commit to a product.
Compliance, Performance Metrics, and Growth
Amazon tracks your order defect rate, late shipment rate, and cancellation rate. Staying within the acceptable limits keeps your account in good standing. You will also need to follow restricted product rules, intellectual property policies, and any category-specific approval requirements. As your account matures, use Amazon Brand Registry and advertising tools to protect your brand and improve visibility.