LISTING YOUR PRODUCTS: 10 Things to Do to Avoid A Future Headache
1. Get your title right the first time.
Once set, Amazon makes it difficult to update your title after the product creation. Make sure that your title is a proper and attractive format, so that you won’t feel the need to make any optimizations later.
2. Don’t add a size name to your product if it’s not required.
If you plan to update in the future, you do not need to make the adjustment. If your product is a stand-alone and is not currently sold along a similar kind of product, do not add a Size or a Color to it! If one day, you want to place your product in a variation, you will be forced into opening a multitude of cases with Amazon just to get the field changed. Unless you’re just lucky! Expect difficulty, and just hold off on those extra attributes!
3. Plan for variations and name accordingly.
If you are planning on building your product into a variation, be sure to pick the correct variant identifier, whether that’s color, size, or style. It makes a difference!
4. Take quality pictures for your listing and make sure they are compliant with Amazon's Policies.
Always make sure that your first image is on a clean, white background. This is the most important picture, and will portray the professionalism of your product! This is your first impression to potential customers; make it a good one!
5. Pay attention to the category and make sure it’s correct.
Having your product in an inaccurate category will make it harder for customers to find your listing, even if their search terms align with your product.
6. Write your brand name correctly.
Changing your brand name is a real hassle - you will need to provide documentation of your brand name, whether you have a trademark for your brand or not! Make sure the spelling is correct, and use the correct format you’re looking for! Something as simple as a space between words where it shouldn’t be can create a lot of confusion.
7. Create SKUs that can grow with your product line- always be thinking ahead to what could be next.
Using proper generic alphanumerical SKUs can make it easier to keep track of your product line, or how many products you have under your brand. Utilizing SKUs can also make it easier to keep track of the stock of each of your products, so you can easily integrate across different marketplaces, such as Amazon and your own website!
8. Review Product IDs: Make sure the requirements for product UPCs and GTINs are met.
UPCs and GTINs are essential for selling any product on Amazon. Though there are few exemptions depending on your category and product, you will most likely need some form of an identification number for your product. Be sure to follow the guidelines that Amazon provides, or reach out for help!
9. Choose the right fulfillment type for you; FBA or FBM.
Both fulfillment methods come with their own pros and cons, and not one method fits all. If you have a smaller space and don’t feel like keeping the inventory or having the responsibility of shipping your products, go for FBA! On the other hand, if you don’t want to pay the fees that come with Amazon storage and you’re comfortable with keeping track of your shipments, FBM might work better for you!
10. Know this is just the start! Once the product is listed it’s time to start advertising, get customer reviews, and keep your product healthy.
Overall, it is a great idea to work with an agency who knows their stuff. It can save you time and money in the long run. Amazon is not always the easiest to fix mistakes. So getting it right the first time is important. That’s what we’re here for! It can be overwhelming starting your Amazon business, but we’re here to help ease that stress!
