May 31, 2025
10 Best Leadership Books of All Time
Discover the 10 best leadership books of all time to inspire and guide you on your leadership journey. Explore timeless classics and must-reads for future leaders.
Read More
Self-Development
Amazon is more than a shopping site. It’s a launchpad for entrepreneurs, creators, and anyone ready to turn an idea into real income. Knowing how to sell on Amazon puts you in front of millions of active buyers who are not just scrolling, but searching with purpose.
You do not need to be a brand or even have a warehouse. You can start with one product, a clear plan, and a willingness to learn as you go.
Think of this platform as your shortcut past many of the roadblocks new sellers face elsewhere.
You do not have to build a website, run ads from scratch, or handle every part of the shipping process. Amazon has already done the heavy lifting, and your job is to plug into it. If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry. We will walk you through every step clearly, from creating an account to your first sale.
Along the way, you will learn tips that help you avoid rookie mistakes and build a business that works for you.
Amazon already has what most sellers need: buyers, tools, and trust. You do not need to build a store from scratch. When you sell here, you tap into a massive network that handles much of the heavy lifting, especially with fulfillment and customer support. This convenience makes it one of the best ecommerce platforms worldwide.
Every day, millions of shoppers head to Amazon with one goal: to buy. These are not casual browsers or window shoppers; they come with intent.
For new sellers, that means skipping the hardest part of e-commerce: building trust and traffic from scratch. Instead of pouring energy into growing a social media page or convincing people to visit your site, Amazon already brings the crowd to you.
Here is what makes Amazon's customer base so powerful:
Learning how to sell on Amazon puts your product in front of people who are already halfway to checkout. The platform handles the traffic while you focus on offering something worth buying.
One of Amazon's biggest advantages is Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), a service that takes care of the most time-consuming parts of selling. When you use FBA, you ship your products to Amazon's warehouses, and they handle everything that happens after someone clicks 'buy.'
This includes storing your items safely, picking and packing each order, shipping to customers, processing returns, and handling support inquiries.
You do not need a warehouse, a delivery van, or even a customer service team. Amazon becomes your logistics partner. For beginners or solo sellers, FBA opens the door to selling at scale without the traditional overhead.
It also gives your listings the Prime badge, which boosts visibility and builds trust with buyers.
Many shoppers filter for Prime-only products, so having that icon next to your product increases your chances of making a sale. Learning how to sell on Amazon becomes easier with FBA. You can focus on sourcing good products, optimizing your listings, and growing your brand while Amazon takes care of the backend.
The first step in learning how to sell things on Amazon is creating your seller account. The process is straightforward, but there are a few details to note.
To begin your journey, visit Amazon Seller Central and start the sign-up process. Creating your seller account is straightforward, but it helps to have a few key documents ready. Amazon will ask for your business and tax information, so gather everything before you begin to avoid interruptions.
To register, you'll need the following:
Next, you will need to choose your seller plan:
Your choice depends on your goals. If you are unsure how often you'll sell, start small and upgrade later. Either way, creating your account is the first official step in learning how to sell on Amazon.
Now, how much does it cost to sell on Amazon? It depends on your volume. If you're just starting, the Individual plan might be fine. If you're serious or expect to sell fast, the Professional plan is a better fit. You also pay referral fees (a percentage of each sale) and, if using FBA, fulfillment fees.
Not every product is allowed, but there are still countless options for sellers. Amazon supports a wide range of categories, giving you the freedom to choose what fits your interests, niche, or business goals. Some great examples include:
Learning how to sell books on Amazon is one of the easiest ways to start. Books are simple to list and ship, and you can source them from thrift stores, your personal shelf, or even local publishers. Some sellers flip textbooks and rare titles for profit.
You can also learn how to sell items on Amazon across categories like home goods, electronics, clothing, and more. Be aware that some categories are restricted (called "gated") and need approval. Amazon provides a list of these in Seller Central.
Once your account is live, the next step is creating listings that get noticed.
Here’s how to list a product:
This step determines if shoppers will find and trust your listing.
Once you know how to sell stuff on Amazon, the real work begins: managing inventory and fulfilling customer orders efficiently.
This is where many new sellers either find their rhythm or fall behind.
Staying on top of your stock levels ensures you do not miss out on sales due to items being out of stock, while overstocking can lead to unnecessary storage fees, especially if you are using FBA.
You have two main options for fulfillment: handling shipping yourself (known as FBM or Fulfilled by Merchant) or letting Amazon take care of it through FBA. Each has its own pros and cons. With FBM, you control packaging and shipping but carry all the responsibility.
With FBA, Amazon handles the logistics, customer service, and even returns, but you pay more in fees.
Regardless of the method, you will use Amazon Seller Central to track your orders, check your performance metrics, update quantities, and respond to customer issues. Managing this part well is what turns a beginner into a serious Amazon seller.
If storing products is not for you, there are other ways to start. You can run a successful Amazon business without managing stock, packaging, or even handling the products yourself. It all comes down to choosing the right approach.
You can sell products on Amazon without ever physically handling them. This model works well for people who want a hands-off approach or have limited space for storing inventory. Instead of keeping products in your home or renting a warehouse, you rely on third parties to fulfill your orders. Two common methods make this possible: dropshipping and Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
In dropshipping, you list a product for sale, and when someone buys it, your supplier handles the shipping directly to the customer. You never touch the item, and your main responsibility is managing the online storefront and customer communication.
FBA is slightly different. You send bulk inventory to Amazon's warehouses ahead of time. Once someone places an order, Amazon picks, packs, and ships the item for you. This method still frees you from hands-on shipping duties while giving you access to Prime buyers and Amazon’s support infrastructure.
Learning how to sell on Amazon without inventory can reduce overhead, streamline operations, and make it easier to start your business with minimal risk.
Dropshipping means you act as the middleman between a customer and a supplier.
You list items for sale on Amazon, and once a customer places an order, your chosen supplier takes over by packing and shipping the product directly to the buyer. You never handle the product physically, making it an appealing option for those with limited space or who want to avoid upfront inventory costs.
However, Amazon has firm guidelines for dropshipping. You must ensure your name appears on packing slips, invoices, and all external packaging.
The supplier cannot send packages or branded materials that suggest they are the seller.
If the buyer receives an order with another company’s branding or invoice, your account could be penalized. Despite outsourcing fulfillment, you remain entirely responsible for customer satisfaction, product quality, and timely shipping.
If executed well, dropshipping can be a low-barrier entry into e-commerce. Just be sure to vet suppliers carefully, monitor delivery performance, and stay compliant with Amazon’s policies to maintain your seller privileges.
With FBA, you send your inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers in advance.
When a customer places an order, Amazon takes over: picking the item from their warehouse shelves, packing it securely, and shipping it directly to the buyer. They also manage customer inquiries and handle returns, which takes a major load off your plate.
This setup allows you to sell at scale without worrying about the logistics of each order.
FBA also supports business sustainability. Instead of scrambling to fulfill each order, you operate on a more stable, scalable system. Amazon’s infrastructure helps you manage high-volume sales, seasonal demand, and customer service without burning out or expanding a full logistics team. For long-term success, FBA offers a solid, reliable foundation.
Although FBA comes with additional costs, such as storage and fulfillment fees, it often pays off. One of the biggest benefits is Prime eligibility. Products fulfilled through FBA receive the coveted Prime badge, making them more likely to appear in search results and attracting customers who prefer fast, free shipping.
Shoppers trust Prime listings more, which can significantly improve your conversion rates.
For sellers who want to save time, reach more buyers, and simplify operations, FBA is one of the smartest ways to start selling on Amazon.
Here’s a breakdown of potential costs:
For example, selling a $30 item could cost you around $7 in fees if using FBA.
Selling on Amazon moves fast, and standing out takes more than just listing products. These tips will help you stay sharp, build momentum, and increase your chances of long-term success.
Amazon relies on a search algorithm called A9 to decide which products show up first when customers browse or search.
This algorithm evaluates multiple factors, including how well your listing matches a customer’s search query and how your product performs over time. To give your listings the best chance, include relevant, high-traffic keywords in your product titles, bullet points, descriptions, and backend search terms.
The more relevant your listing appears, the more visibility it gains.
But keywords alone are not enough. High-quality product images and detailed descriptions help customers trust what they see. Strong reviews also signal value and reliability, which can improve both your conversion rate and your organic rank. Think of it as building a complete profile that convinces both the algorithm and the customer to give your product a chance.
Optimizing your listings for Amazon’s search engine is one of the most important parts of knowing how to sell on Amazon successfully. When done right, your product will stand out even in crowded categories.
Happy customers are usually satisfied in silence, which is why gathering reviews takes active effort.
After a sale, Amazon gives you tools to politely nudge buyers for feedback. The "Request a Review" button in Seller Central sends a standardized follow-up asking for a rating. You can also use approved messaging to follow up with buyers and encourage them to leave honest feedback.
Reviews matter more than most new sellers realize. They influence your product's search ranking, reassure potential buyers, and help build long-term credibility.
Products with strong reviews often convert at much higher rates. Think of reviews as both marketing and quality control. They tell Amazon’s algorithm and your audience that your product is trustworthy and worth buying.
Amazon offers a suite of marketing tools that can give your product an extra push, especially in competitive categories.
Sponsored Products are paid ads that place your listings in prominent spots, such as the top of search results or product detail pages. These ads are pay-per-click, which means you are only charged when someone clicks on your product.
They are one of the fastest ways to drive visibility, especially for new listings.
In addition to ads, you can run time-sensitive deals like Lightning Deals or offer coupons that appear directly on your product page. These promotions can attract bargain-hunters and increase your product’s click-through rate.
However, before investing in these tools, make sure your listing is polished. This means high-resolution photos, a clear and compelling title, keyword-optimized descriptions, and competitive pricing.
The best marketing cannot fix a weak listing. Use Amazon’s promotional tools strategically, and only when your product page is fully ready to convert traffic into actual sales.
Now that you understand how to sell on Amazon, the next step is yours. Start with a single product and use this guide as your blueprint. You do not need to have all the answers before starting. Amazon rewards action, not perfection. The tools are already there, the buyers are already searching, and the systems are built to support you.
As you begin, expect to learn by doing. Mistakes will happen, but every listing, every review, and every fulfilled order helps shape your approach. The key is to stay consistent, adjust when needed, and focus on delivering value.
Elevate your entrepreneurial game with actionable advice and inspiring interviews from high-level entrepreneurs, business owners, and overall badasses in the game. Get more insight and inspiration on our blog posts, podcast episodes, or invite-only community.
You can register as an international seller through Amazon Global Selling. To receive payments, you will need a U.S. bank account or an approved third-party payment provider like Payoneer. Ensure your local tax documents are ready, and understand Amazon’s fulfillment and shipping requirements for international sellers.
You can sell without holding inventory by using dropshipping or Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). With dropshipping, a third party ships directly to the customer. With FBA, Amazon stores your products and handles shipping, returns, and customer service. Both methods reduce your need for storage and logistics management.
To contact a seller, visit the product page and click on the seller’s name under “Sold by.” Then select “Ask a question” to open Amazon’s message form. You can send inquiries about shipping, returns, or product details. Sellers typically respond within two business days through Amazon’s system.
Create an Amazon Seller Central account, choose between an individual or professional plan, then list your products. Decide between fulfilling orders yourself or using Amazon FBA. Start with a few products, monitor performance, optimize listings, and learn Amazon’s policies. Growing gradually helps you build experience and avoid mistakes.
Amazon allows the sale of used items in many categories, especially books, electronics, and media. Clearly describe the condition, used, very good, or acceptable, and include detailed notes about wear, functionality, or missing parts. Accurate descriptions build trust and reduce returns, helping you maintain a good seller rating.
Alex Quin is a full-stack marketing expert and global keynote speaker. Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of UADV Marketing - a member of the Forbes Agency Council.
