Your Journey to Selling on Amazon Starts Here
This guide breaks down the essential steps and decisions you'll face when setting up your Amazon store. Navigate through the sections to learn at your own pace and build a solid foundation for your e-commerce business.
Your Step-by-Step Roadmap
Follow this path to get your Amazon store up and running. Click on each step to reveal more details about what's involved.
Fulfillment: FBA vs. FBM
One of your biggest decisions is how you'll get products to customers. Amazon offers two main models: Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM). This section breaks down who is responsible for what in each model.
Responsibility Breakdown
📦 Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
You ship your products to Amazon's fulfillment centers. Amazon handles storage, picking, packing, shipping, customer service, and returns. This model makes your products Prime-eligible.
🏠Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM)
You handle the entire process yourself or through a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. You are responsible for storage, packing, shipping, and customer service for all orders.
Understanding the Costs
Selling on Amazon involves several types of fees. Understanding this structure is key to pricing your products profitably. Here’s a look at the main costs and the two selling plans you can choose from.
Example cost breakdown for an FBA product.
Selling Plans & Fees
Other Key Fees
- Referral Fees: A percentage of the total sale price, typically 8-15%, paid to Amazon on each sale.
- Fulfillment Fees (FBA): Fees for storage, picking, packing, and shipping your products.
- Other Costs: Advertising, long-term storage fees, and removal order fees.
How to Choose What to Sell
Product research is the most critical part of building a successful Amazon business. It's about finding a product with high demand and low competition. Use this checklist as a guide for your research process.