How to Start Selling on Amazon: A Beginner’s Guide
Introduction: Why Amazon Is a Great Place to Start Selling
Amazon is one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, with hundreds of millions of active customers. Every day, millions of buyers search Amazon with clear purchase intent, which makes it an attractive platform for beginners who want immediate access to demand.
One of Amazon’s biggest advantages is trust. Customers already feel comfortable buying on Amazon because of fast shipping, easy returns, and reliable customer service. As a seller, you benefit from this existing trust without needing to build your own website or logistics infrastructure from scratch.
Amazon provides a complete, ready-to-use e-commerce ecosystem. You list products, manage orders through Seller Central, and can choose to let Amazon handle storage, shipping, and returns. This low technical barrier makes Amazon an ideal starting point for new sellers.
Step-by-Step: Creating an Amazon Seller Account
To sell on Amazon, you must first create a Seller Central account.
- Go to Amazon Seller Central
- Visit Amazon’s seller registration page and start the sign-up process. You can use an existing Amazon account or create a new one dedicated to selling.
- Choose a selling plan
- Amazon offers two plans: Individual and Professional. You will select one during registration (details explained below).
- Enter business information
- You can register as an individual or as a registered business. Amazon will ask for your business name, address, and country of operation.
- Provide personal details
- You must enter accurate personal information, including your full name, address, and phone number.
- Add billing and bank details
- A valid credit card is required to cover Amazon fees. You also need a bank account where Amazon will deposit your earnings.
- Set your store name
- This is the public name customers will see. It can be changed later.
- Identity verification
- Amazon requires identity verification. This usually includes uploading a government-issued ID and a proof of address. In some cases, a short video verification is required.
- Submit and wait for approval
- Approval usually takes a few business days. Once approved, you can start listing products.
Choosing the Right Selling Plan
Individual Plan
- No monthly fee
- A small per-item fee is charged for each sale
- Limited access to advanced selling tools
- Best for sellers testing the platform or selling low volumes
Professional Plan
- Monthly subscription fee
- No per-item selling fee
- Full access to advertising, reports, promotions, and Buy Box eligibility
- Best for sellers planning to scale or sell consistently
You can switch between plans at any time.
Deciding What to Sell: Beginner Product Research
Choosing the right product is critical.
- Look for consistent demand
- Browse best-selling categories to understand what customers are actively buying.
- Start with simple products
- Small, lightweight, and non-fragile products are easier to manage and cheaper to ship.
- Avoid restricted or regulated products
- Some categories require special approval or compliance. Beginners should start with open categories.
- Analyze competition
- Read customer reviews to identify weaknesses in existing products and potential improvements.
- Calculate profitability
- Always factor in product cost, Amazon fees, shipping, and taxes. Aim for healthy margins.
Fulfillment Options: FBA vs. FBM
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
Amazon stores your inventory and handles shipping, customer service, and returns. Products are eligible for Prime shipping, which can increase conversions. Fees apply for storage and fulfillment.
Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM)
You store and ship products yourself. This offers more control and can reduce costs for certain items, but requires reliable logistics and fast shipping.
Many sellers use a combination of both methods.
Creating Your First Product Listing
You can either:
- Match an existing product listing, or
- Create a new listing if your product is unique or private label
A complete listing includes:
- Product identifier (UPC/EAN or exemption)
- SKU
- Title and category
- Bullet points and description
- Images
- Price and inventory quantity
High-quality images, clear titles, and accurate descriptions significantly impact sales and customer satisfaction.
Amazon Fees, Policies, and Performance Metrics
Fees
- Referral fee (percentage of sale price)
- Subscription or per-item fee
- Fulfillment and storage fees (if using FBA)
Key policies
- No counterfeit or misleading products
- Accurate listings and honest condition descriptions
- Compliance with restricted product rules
- Ethical selling practices
Performance metrics
- Order Defect Rate
- Late Shipment Rate
- Cancellation Rate
- Customer response time
Maintaining strong performance protects your account from suspension.
Tips for First-Time Success
- Start small and scale gradually
- Focus on accurate listings and customer satisfaction
- Ship orders on time
- Monitor inventory closely
- Respond to customers promptly
- Follow Amazon’s rules strictly
- Be patient and consistent
Final Thoughts
Selling on Amazon is one of the most accessible ways to enter e-commerce. With the right product selection, careful cost planning, and a customer-first mindset, beginners can build a profitable and scalable business.