The Viral Launch Miscellaneous Category Archives

12 Tips to Quickly Increase Your E-Commerce Conversion Rate

E-Commerce businesses offer easy shopping from anywhere. However, the market is cluttered, making conversions challenging for businesses. There are 19.8 million e-Commerce sites, and without an effective strategy, conversion is a challenge.

You can measure conversions in terms of conversion rate, which can be measured by dividing the total number of conversions by total interactions. Converting your leads into sales is a challenge when the average attention span for a customer is 8 seconds.

Therefore, for an e-Commerce business to attract, nurture and convert a lead, the time constraint is higher, making strategic planning necessary.

Further, website speeds, personalization, and site navigation can also affect conversion rates. This article will focus on tips to help you improve e-Commerce conversion rates.

First, let’s understand what a good conversion rate is.

How to determine a reasonable conversion rate?

A key question most businesses face while planning for their e-Commerce website is what should be the conversion rate they can target. For example, research suggests that businesses have 2.35% conversion rate on average. At the same time, unicorns have more than an 11% conversion rate, which is five times more than the average rate.

However, companies with 2x conversion rates more than the average rate are at a better advantage. This is why conversion rates should end up being around 2 to 5%.

Top tips to improve conversion rates for your e-Commerce business

1. Speed matters

If you are an e-Commerce business, website speed is an essential aspect you must cover. Slower-loading websites can mean lost customers. If a website takes 2 seconds to load, the conversion rate is 1.68%. However, if the speed reduces to 3 seconds, the conversion rate is 1.12%.

Further, you get a 2.93% conversion rate decline when the website loads in 4 seconds.

There is no denying that improving website speeds significantly influence conversion rates. Now the question is how to ensure website-loading speed is lower, and user experience is better. You can use the page loading speeds easily using Google’s Page Speed tool.

There are many other tools that you can use:

Sematext
Pingdom Speed Test
Google PageSpeed Insights
Uptrends
WebPageTest
GTmetrix
Varvy Pagespeed Optimization
dotcom-monitor

Once you measure website loading speed, it is time to start optimizing it. Here are some tips to optimize website speed,

Segregate Complex content into blocks and sections for better visibility.
Employ visual hierarchy, which helps users to take desired actions; for example, you can highlight a specific CTA within your content that you need the users to click and take the desired action.
Make sure to repeat specific elements related to different CTAs to establish a relationship.

2. Use Skinner’s theory

A scientific way to improve e-Commerce conversion rates is to use Skinner’s theory. It helps in shaping the behavior of customers, in terms of the reinforcement and consequences. E-Commerce businesses can use Skinner’s theory to improve customer conversions by applying the principles to encourage them to complete desirable actions.

Using Skinner’s theory, here are some ways businesses can improve conversions on their e-Commerce website.

Positive reinforcement E-Commerce businesses can offer rewards or incentives to customers when they complete a specific set of actions like signing up for a newsletter, leaving a website review, or making a purchase. These rewards can include free shipping reward points or even discounts.
Negative reinforcement removes undesirable stimuli or factors inhibiting desired behavior from your customers; for example, you can offer limited time sales or exclusive discounts for specific categories of products you want to encourage your customers to buy, helping to keep them away from other products.
Behavioral reinforcement Use a gradual approach to encourage your customers to complete a purchase by strategically designing the entire user experience. For example, you can include personalized product recommendations, CTAs, and a seamless checkout process.

3. Optimize performance marketing!

As an e-Commerce business, you must also focus on performance marketing. It is a form of digital marketing emphasizing tangible results and providing ROI. Performance marketing follows a pay for performance model, which ensures that businesses only pay for successful outcomes.

It involves:

Affiliate marketing is a model where a business works with affiliates who promote e-Commerce products or services in exchange for a commission.
Native ads are blended into the website content so smoothly that it does not disturb the User experience, and the business pays for every conversion through these ads.
Sponsored content where the business pays influences to promote their products and create content that aligns with their brand messaging.
Paid search marketing is the model where businesses create advertising campaigns that tag specific keywords on search engines like Google and Bing.

4. Optimize your listings

There are many E-Commerce marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and others where you need to optimize your listings for better visibility. If your product or service is listed optimally, the chances of e-Commerce conversion rate improvement increase.

Marketplaces like Amazon will have several products in different categories, and to stand out, between those products, you need to have a strategic listing plan.

Here are some tips that you can use to optimize Amazon lists,

Make sure your product has a description that is easy to understand
Don’t forget to add every specification required for the product
Ensure you have an educational video explaining how you can use the product
Use attractive titles and profound keyword research targeting long-tail and short-tail keywords
Conduct A/B testing with varying price points to understand the impact on sales
Use high-quality images to attract customers and display every tiny detail

Apart from Amazon, you also need to optimize listings across other marketplaces. It will help your e-commerce business improve conversions on the marketplace, not just your website. You can use many listing optimization tools.

For example, Viral Launch’s listing optimization tools like listing analyzer, builder, and keyword manager ensure your product listings are optimized. These tools come with intelligent insights and automation features for your product listings.

5. Keep your e-Commerce site secure

Designing your website or applying the principle of skinners theory can help convert better, but if it is not secure, you may lose customers. Trust is crucial for e-Commerce conversions, so you must ensure your website is susceptible to cyber-attacks.

For example, a typical cyberattack that websites face is a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. E-Commerce businesses can leverage SSL certificates and reduce the chances of MITM. Such attacks allow hackers to steal information in transit between a server and a browser. Nowadays, SSL certificate cost is not a hurdle for the security of your site. Many authorized SSL providers offer low cost SSL cert.

Fortunately, SSL certificates use cryptographic encryptions, which secure the data in transit between a server and the browser.

6. Have an enhanced checkout process

Smoother checkouts are a prerequisite for a better e-Commerce conversion rate. Securing your website with an SSL certificate or designing it elegantly may not be enough. You need a checkout process that reduces the time to make the final purchase.

Increasing sales in e-Commerce through a checkout page:

Checkout pages have a direct connection with sales. So think of a customer, who is ready to take the desired action but has issues with:

Payment options
Longer checkout time
Non-responsive elements
Surprise or hidden costs
Higher shipping prices
Navigational issues
Rejection of coupon codes

All of these can lead to cart abandonment. Therefore, an e-Commerce business needs to make sure:

There are multiple payment options
Guest checkout options that do not require logins
Highly responsive website
Transparency of costs
Lower prices or free shipping
Smoother navigation
Discounts support

7. Retarget your customers

Cart abandonment is one of the significant challenges you may face as an e-Commerce business. It can affect conversion rates, so you need to retarget such customers.

Devise a marketing plan with retargeting marketing efforts through:

Introduction of new categories of products
Retargeting the audience and communicating features they missed
Offering discounts on existing services or products
Using personalized recommendations
Leverage experience marketing by offering free trials or samples

Signing Off

E-Commerce business is booming, but at the same time, the market is cluttered with several new players entering it. Therefore, increasing your e-Commerce conversion rate requires special effort amidst several players.

From applying principles of customer persuasion, design thinking, listing optimization, and security, you need to strategize the entire experience. However, which path you choose will depend on the requirements of the site and customer.

How to Find Storefronts on the Amazon App: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever opened the Amazon app with specific brands or influencers in mind was stumped by trying to find their storefronts on the Amazon app?

You are not alone.

In the vast world of online shopping, Amazon stands tall as a leading e-commerce platform with millions of sellers offering an array of products. While many people are familiar with purchasing items from Amazon, finding specific storefronts on the Amazon app can sometimes be a perplexing task. Whether you’re a consumer looking for a particular brand or an entrepreneur interested in exploring competitors’ shops, this guide will walk you through the process of finding storefronts on the Amazon app.

1. Utilize the Search Bar:

When it comes to finding specific storefronts on the Amazon app, the search bar is your trusty companion. By simply entering the desired keyword or store name, you can discover the relevant storefronts. For instance, if you’re searching for a particular business or influencer, simply type in their name. While this seems obvious, many do not consider it as the search bar it typically used for products.

However, it should be noted that this option does not bring you to the storefront itself. Rather it displays products from the brand or within the influencer’s storefront.

2. Utilize the “Shop by Category” Feature:

Amazon provides a convenient feature called “Shop by Category,” which allows you to explore storefronts based on various product categories. This feature can be found in the app’s navigation menu. By selecting a specific category, you’ll be presented with a curated list of storefronts offering products related to that category. For example, if you’re interested in finding storefronts related to electronics, select the “Electronics” category to narrow down your search.

3. Leverage Amazon Inspire & Discover Pages:

In addition to the “Shop by Category” feature, the Amazon app has two other pages that can help one find Amazon storefronts: the Inpsire and Discover pages. Neither are the easiest to navigate to within the app, but they do showcase endless Amazon storefronts. The images below show where these pages can be found within the app.

The Amazon Discover page which can be found in the menu indicated by 3 lines.

4. Leverage the “See All” Option:

When you perform a search on the Amazon app, you’ll often see a list of products related to your query. At the top of the search results, there is usually an option to “See All” the results. By selecting this option, you can access an expanded view that includes multiple storefronts related to your search term. This allows you to explore different options and discover a wide range of sellers.

5. Utilize Third-Party Resources:

In your quest to find specific storefronts on the Amazon app, you can also take advantage of external resources. One external resource being none other than Google. This may be the most straight forward of options even though most of the searching does not occur on Amazon itself.

Wrap Up

Navigating the Amazon app to find specific storefronts doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By using the search bar effectively, leveraging “outside resources”, and exploring the Amazon aoo, you can discover the storefronts you’re looking for. So, whether you’re a consumer searching for a favorite brand or an entrepreneur analyzing competitors, follow these tips and make the most out of your Amazon app experience. Start exploring the diverse world of Amazon storefronts and uncover an abundance of exciting products at your fingertips.

Happy storefront hunting!

If you’re intrigued by the idea of becoming an Amazon seller yourself, look no further! Explore Viral Launch, your ultimate resource for all things Amazon selling. From comprehensive Amazon seller tools to expert guidance, we’ve got you covered on your journey to success. Don’t miss out on this opportunity – start your Amazon selling adventure with Viral Launch today!

FNSKU Vs. ASIN: Understand the Difference Between Them

When selling on Amazon, it is important to have your particular product properly registered so that it can be uniquely identified on the platform. Amazon has an extremely large catalog of products, so your product has to be differentiated from the rest. Now, that unique identifier can come in the form of an ASIN and FNSKU number. Your product will be assigned both of these numbers by Amazon, but what exactly do they mean? Oftentimes people confuse one for the other, but make no mistake, they each provide something different. We will delve into these differences below so that you have a better understanding of what they do.

What is an FNSKU?

An FNSKU represents a type of barcode that Amazon uses to identify a product and connect it with a particular seller. It stands for:

Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit

Just like an ASIN, an FNSKU is also a unique 10-digit code assigned by Amazon. Only an FNSKU is for you, the Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) seller, and encompasses the specific products you are listing. (If you are fulfilling orders by yourself (FBM), then you do not need to worry about an FNSKU.)

Amazon uses the FNSKU code for tracking products within their internal fulfillment centers. After listing your product on Amazon and it shows up on your inventory page, Amazon automatically generates the FNSKU labels that you will need to print off and affix to the packaging of all products you send to Amazon. Any and all UPC or EAN codes that exist need to be covered up with a blank label or the FNSKU label to avoid any confusion or your products ending up in commingled inventory.

Sometimes an FNSKU is confused with a UPC code because they are both used to identify what a specific product is. The difference is that a UPC can be used in every store or online marketplace, whereas the FNSKU is unique only to Amazon.

What is an ASIN?

An ASIN is one of the more common acronyms within the Amazon seller space. It stands for:

Amazon Standard Identification Number

Basically, every product on Amazon utilizes its own 10-digit ASIN, which can be found on its Amazon listing. Usually, the number is near the bottom amongst the “Additional Information” section. It is also present within the product page’s URL.

Even variations of the same product still each get their own, unique ASIN. For instance, if you’re creating two variations of cellphone cases, by color, Black and Grey, you would end up having three ASIN’s: 1 for Black, 1 for Grey, and 1 for the main “parent” item that binds the two together. However, the parent ASIN is never seen in a search.

ASINs can be used by sellers to look up products on Amazon and check to see if they are eligible to list the products. An actual product name can also be searched, however an ASIN will provide a product’s exact match.

FNSKU vs ASIN: The Printing Factor

A common question Amazon sellers have is whether both the ASIN and the FNSKU need to be printed onto their product’s labels. It all depends on whether you ship products directly to your customers (FBM) or ship your products to Amazon who then ships to your customers (FBA).

FBM: Because FNSKUs are generated by Amazon, you do not need to print them on your FBM labels. Feel free to utilize that space for anything else.
FBA: If Amazon is shipping out your products, then you need to follow all regulations it has set forth. In order to be a legit vendor with Amazon, you have to include both the ASIN and FNSKU somewhere easily visible for an efficient fulfillment process.

In Closing

The main difference between an ASIN and an FNSKU is the purpose of the code. An ASIN code is used for identifying items on Amazon’s website as opposed to in the Amazon FBA warehouses. An FNSKU code is used for shipping products to Amazon warehouses and to make sure the products are properly identified in the Amazon FBA warehouses. It may not seem like it, but understanding the difference between ASINs and FNSKUs is very important when starting out as a seller on Amazon. Things can get confusing when there are so many numbers involved. At least now, you have some good sense on what number goes where!

Everything You Need To Know About Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing

Making money through writing has never been easier or as accessible thanks to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing!

Do you have a passion for writing that’s gone unfulfilled due to the logistics and concerns with publishing your work? Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing may be your saving grace!

Like how Amazon’s FBA program streamlined the opportunity to create your own full-scale online business, Kindle Direct Publishing, or KDP, works similarly for creators to publish and own their own work without many of the roadblocks associated with traditional publishing houses.

Does this money-making opportunity sound like it might be for you? Let’s dive in deeper to learn the ins and outs of KDP.

What is Kindle Direct Publishing?

Kindle Direct Publishing is a program that allows anyone the option to self-publish eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcover books for free.

This gives anyone direct access to publish on Amazon, including a product detail page for your book and options to expand your book’s availability globally.

A product detail page for a KDP-published book.

What type of content can be published using KDP?

According to Amazon’s KDP Help page, the following content types typically published using KDP include but are not limited to the following:

Book Series
Children’s Books
Comics
Cookbooks
Journals
Novels
Poetry
Textbooks

Magazines, periodicals, calendars and spiral-bound books are prohibited regarding KDP. If you have questions about whether or not a content type would be allowed, you should contact KDP to clarify the subject.

How much does Amazon self-publishing cost?

Publishing through KDP is absolutely free!

In contrast, traditional publishing in the United States typically ranges from $500 to $5,000! Much of these fees go towards editing, book design services and marketing. Through KDP, these costly elements are thrown to the wayside.

While there’s no fee to publish, Amazon does receive a cut of the revenue created with your content.

How do authors get paid with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing?

Authors receive royalties that are dependent on the type of royalty plan selected. There are two royalty rates: 35% and 70%. Before you do the mental math and choose 70% because you receive a larger cut, you should know there are stipulations to qualify for the 70% royalty plan.

The stipulations for each of the two royalty plans.

As for getting paid, authors just need to verify their identity and include their banking information to receive their monthly royalties.

As for how much do self-published authors make on Amazon? It depends!

At the most basic level, the KDP structure rewards success. If you write the next smash, you can earn royalties well over $1,000 monthly. Most authors earn anywhere from $0 to $500 monthly for their work, which is completely up to the popularity of the created content.

While extremely rare, it can also be rewarding to own the rights to your work, an option that isn’t always the case when submitting work to a publishing house. For example, author E.L. James wrote the best-selling novel Fifty Shades of Grey and actually self-published using KDP.

On top of the revenue generated by its popularity, James sold the rights for what would eventually become a trilogy of movies for $5 million while maintaining some control over the making of the films. Of course, the chances your book becomes a New York Times bestseller and multi-million dollar movie franchise are slim, but it’s equal parts security and motivation to know what the ceiling can be financially if your work succeeds.

Self-Publishing on Amazon Pros and Cons

When weighing the self-publishing on Amazon pros and cons, it’s essential to consider where you’re at with your writing career.

For established authors, the fees incurred by a publishing house may be worth the trouble. After all, these publishing houses offer services such as editing and promotion to help the quality and visibility of the work. Also, publishing houses often offer an advance payment to the author upon completion if the work is likely to earn significant fanfare.

However, this is such a small group that it likely isn’t the case for many with a story to tell.

KDP democratizes authorship by offering to self-publish with zero upfront fees. The speed of publishing (often less than 5 minutes) through KDP is a modern miracle. Additionally, self-publishing on Amazon ensures your book can be promoted and displayed in the Kindle Store. With estimates often ranging around 20 million or so active Kindle readers, this massive audience is alluring for upstart authors.

In short, the pros of KDP are more beneficial for lesser-known authors. The option of publishing work in the first place, visibility from a massive worldwide audience, zero upfront fees, full content ownership, and royalties based on success make it appealing for aspiring authors to get their writing careers off the ground. On top of the digital versions, you can wholesale paperback versions, although you’ll have to pay for the printing cost of each book.

A con for KDP would be the lack of editing and graphic design. If you’ve read books on Kindle and noticed misspellings, poor grammar, imperfect punctuation, or a general lack of professionalism, the lack of editing or approval process can likely be attributed to this. Long-term revenue sharing can also be a drawback, although that’s often a concern with traditional publishing.

How to sign up for Kindle Direct Publishing

Signing up for Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing is a very simple and straightforward process. And once you’ve signed up, you’re virtually 5 minutes away from being able to publish your work.

Select the “Sign Up” button on the Kindle Direct Publishing main page.
Agree to the KDP Terms and Conditions
Fill in the basic information necessary for your profile, payment information, and tax information

Once you’ve completed these steps, you can start publishing your work! The upload process is also quite simple, as Amazon requests information about your work to be visible in the Kindle store and grouped properly to be discovered by readers. In this procedure, you’ll include details about your eBook, content such as a book cover design, and set pricing.

After submitting all this information, your work is ready to be published. Congratulations! You can now update your resume with the accurate claim that you’re a published author.

Your work will be included in the Kindle Store, and you can share your work on social media or advertise with options like KDP Select to boost the visibility of your content.

For more about KDP, check out our post from an author who shared his journey of Amazon self-publishing.

The Influence of Social Media on eCommerce Sales

As of October 2022, there were roughly 4.74 billion social media users around the world. That equates to 59.3% of the total global population. That is an increase in 190 million people from the same time last year (and that number will continue to grow). THAT is why utilizing the influence of social media to advertise your eCommerce business is a good idea. Of course, there is more to it than my mere blanket statement of opinion, but never fear! I will be uncovering the blanket with a list of interesting facts to help prove my point below. Let’s get started!

A Covid eCommerce Miracle?

Let me first be clear that nothing was good about the world being under quarantine for over a year. However, it would be tough to argue that eCommerce did not receive a significant boost during that time. And thank goodness for it because people were still able to purchase food, medicine or any other types of supplies needed without risking their health.

During the span of Covid, eCommerce sales increased by an astounding $244.2 billion. This ended up altering the consumer landscape, shifting the dominance of in-store shopping towards the online experience. In turn, eCommerce businesses started stepping up their game by updating their search functionalities, payment methods, and the personalization of a customer’s experience through artificial intelligence. These positive changes in convenience left a lasting effect that has lingered on after the pandemic ended.

It’s Easy to Connect!

Over the last decade, people’s attention spans have been steadily decreasing. Advancements in technology have left little wiggle room for retailers to make their products known. As of 2022, the average U.S. household has approximately 20 smart devices that includes smartphones, computers, tablets, and TVs. That is a large number of potential connections that can be made through social media. The ease of having access to the World (wide web) at your fingertips is too high a commodity to dismiss. A customer is much more likely to purchase a product or service if the accessibility is easy!

The Advantages of Social Media

Depending on who your target customer is, a strong social media advertising strategy can be a helpful proponent for great success! Here are some of the great social media advantages that can benefit your eCommerce business:

Low Cost – Fortunately, most social media ad models operate on a pay-per-click (PPC) system, which means your business only has to pay when someone has actually clicked on your ad or video. Essentially, you only have to pay when your advertisement is working, which means your chances of earning money increase and could even offset any ad costs! Plus, the average cost for doing a PPC ad on a social media platform such as Facebook is only $1.68.
High Brand Awareness – Social media ads give your brand instant awareness, even before any potential clicks, by showcasing it to millions of people online. Having your business ad up on social media feeds helps keep your products and services fresh in people’s minds, even subconsciously. Increased exposure like this can bring about fresh leads and high conversion rates.
Healthy Brand Loyalty – In addition to promoting your business, social media provides a great opportunity to engage with your audience and develop a strong connection. You can also share testimonials from satisfied customers to help build a positive reputation for your brand.
Detailed Analytics – One very helpful advantage of social media advertising is its ability to quickly provide analytics and statistics regarding how well your campaign is performing. This will help you design future campaigns to optimize what works best. You even have the option of utilizing live campaigns and A/B tests to further refine your strategy.
User-Friendly Software – Yes, again, it’s easy! The majority of social media advertisers provide a simple, user-friendly platform to work with that will walk you through each step for getting set up. You just have to choose an objective, input your audience’s requirements, and specify your budget. Some platforms even allow you to create your own rules and customized reports that should make managing your campaigns even easier!

TikTok Customer Trends

It is being forecasted that in 2023, for the first time, more than half of U.S. social media users will make purchases via social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and especially TikTok. These platforms seem to have mastered the logistics for putting out strong, easy-to-maneuver eCommerce sales content. However, TikTok has by far the largest audience. But how has an app that was known mostly for creating silly dance trends catapulted itself into the eCommerce spotlight? Well, it all started with TikTok providing a different type of eCommerce environment that included native shopping, payments, logistics, and fulfillment. The process benefited from the following:

The app’s commerce monetization follows a unique structure developed by their sister-app, Douyin, based in China.
Douyin already has eCommerce customer fulfillment centers, which enable them to operate like a true retail company. TikTok is looking to open their own fulfillment centers in the U.S. which would make their eCommerce platform even more streamlined.
The majority of TikTok users are younger people whose thoughts and behaviors are more impressionable and more receptive to purchasing products directly through the app.

Brands have also taken note of the advantages of advertising on TikTok and some have seen tremendous, if not overnight growth due to it. The influence of social media has never been more obvious than on TikTok; users frequently saying “TikTok made me buy it”.

Social Media’s Influence: In Closing

The influence of social media is clear and only growing. I hope that you now feel a bit more comfortable engaging your eCommerce business with a social media presence. It truly is a wonderful way of optimizing your brand’s reach without breaking your budget. Next time you’re on any type of social media platform, take a look at how many ads for things you may be into actually show up. You may be surprised how many there are, but know that YOU can have your own wonderful company/product/service up there as well, ready to help the right person who truly needs it!

How To Create An Amazon Seller Account: Step-by-Step Guide

Join the thousands of online entrepreneurs and learn how to create an Amazon Seller Account in a few quick and easy steps!

Are you looking to take the next step toward realizing your entrepreneurial dreams by starting an Amazon business? Don’t know where to start? (Here’s a hint: the Amazon Seller Central login page!) Before you start your Amazon empire, you’ll need to create your Amazon Seller Central account.

With e-commerce thriving, Amazon’s status as the dominant e-commerce platform, and their seller-friendly logistics offering, Amazon is prime (no pun intended) online real estate for entrepreneurially-minded individuals like yourself. On Amazon, the sky is the limit for starting a booming online business, and a great place to begin or expand your business.

To get started, visit the Seller Central Amazon login and sign-up page. Then, select the Learn More option near the top-right of the page to create your Amazon Seller Central account. You can either sign in using your Amazon customer login, or create a new login entirely.

Choose your selling plan

Before providing any of your information, you’ll want to do a little homework and decide which of Amazon’s selling plans makes the most sense. For the most part, the Professional plan fits the need of serious Amazon sellers, but it all depends on your goals, resources, and where you are in your selling journey.

Individual

The Individual seller plan requires a $0.99 fee every time you sell an item.

This plan makes more sense for sellers still deciding on a product or totaling less than 40 units per month. Because of the per-item fees, the Individual plan presents a more cost-efficient option for anyone selling 40 or more items monthly. If you’re still searching for a product or not ready to open up for business, this plan saves you a few bucks while ramping up your store.

The Individual seller plan also makes more sense for anyone testing the waters on Amazon with just a few products. This plan does not provide access to inventory tools, so anyone with a more extensive product catalog or volume of products would be better served on the Professional plan.

You can upgrade to a Professional account at any time once you’ve decided on a product or plan on increasing your sales.

Professional

The Professional seller plan requires a flat $39.99 monthly payment, no matter how many items you sell within the month. In addition to the $39.99 monthly payment, Amazon collects a seller fee (a percentage of the total transaction that varies by product category) on each of your sales.

Additionally, sellers on the Professional plan gain access to Amazon benefits such as Brand Registry, which protects your business from fraud and abuse while allowing additional perks on your listing.

In short, the Professional plan makes more sense for sellers looking to create a brand on Amazon. On top of capping your monthly payment, the Professional plan offers access to the Amazon Advertising platform, qualification for top placement on product detail pages, promotions including free shipping and much, much more.

Both the Professional and Individual seller plans provide an opportunity to add new products to the Amazon catalog and to grow your business with the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service.

What You Need

The signup process is quick and easy, but you’ll need a few items to be approved when signing up. First, create your Seller Central Amazon login and begin the signup process.

In addition to the list of items required to provide below, you’ll need to be a resident of these approved countries to be eligible for seller registration without further information.

Business email address or an existing Amazon customer account
Internationally chargeable credit card
Government ID (for verification purposes to protect sellers and customers)
Tax information
A cell phone and phone number
Bank account information for where Amazon can send your proceeds from sales

This information is requested in a five-part signup process in which Amazon takes Business Information, Seller Information, Billing Information, Store Information, and Verification.

While providing personal information online can be nerve-wracking, it’s vital that Amazon be able to authenticate your existence and business for safe and smooth transactions between buyers and sellers.

Business Information

First, you’ll need to provide basic information about your business.

If you haven’t registered your business with your state or federal government, you’ll need to before completing this step. You can register your business and receive a company registration number, or Employer Identification Number within 24 business hours if you’re a United States seller registering with the IRS.

Amazon will send a one-time PIN to a personal phone number for verification before moving on to providing your seller information.

Seller Information

Next, you’ll be asked to provide information regarding a point of contact for your business. In addition to the basics of name, location and verification, the form will ask to confirm if the contact is a beneficial owner or legal representative of the business.

Unsure about these legal terms? No worries. Amazon provides FAQs about the process on each page to guide you through common roadblocks.

Amazon’s on-page FAQs help make these somewhat complicated terms easy to understand.

Billing Information

While making money is on the horizon, you must invest in your selected seller plan first! As with any online purchase, Amazon will need your card number, card expiration date, cardholder name, and billing address before finalizing the purchase. Your information may already be on file if you used the same Seller Central Amazon login as your Amazon customer account.

Store

You’re this close to wrapping up seller registration! Before the final verification, Amazon asks you to include your store name and answer a couple quick questions.

The store name doesn’t have to be your actual store name and can be a placeholder if you’re undecided on a store name. You can update this field later, but if you have your store name ready, you might as well make it official.

Lastly, Amazon will ask if you have Universal Product Codes (UPCs) for all your products and if you’re the manufacturer, brand owner, agent, or representative for any of the products you will make available on the platform.

The Final Verification

You’re just a few clicks away. All that’s left is to verify that you’re a human to Amazon’s standards. You’ll need to upload a document with your name, date of birth, country of birth, and citizenship. At least two sources of verification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or a recent bank account statement are needed to submit your seller registration.

Upload clear, high-quality images of your documents, and be sure your typed information matches to avoid roadblocks that can pop up during the online verification process. If you upload a recent bank account statement, remember Amazon is a global business and larger, more recognized bank accounts are likely to pass verification without issue than smaller local banks.

Conclusion

Once all this information has been submitted in the signup process, you should hear back soon once they’ve verified the information provided. You may be asked to meet with an Amazon Associate to verify your submission if additional verification is necessary.

After all this, you should be set up with your Amazon Seller Central account. Congratulations! You’re ready to move on to the next stage of creating your online business.

If, for any reason, you encounter any errors or issues during your account setup, reach out to Amazon Seller Central support to check the status of any issues standing in the way of taking the next steps in starting your Amazon business. Feel free to sign in using the Seller Central Amazon login and explore all you can do in Seller Central.

What’s next? Check out how How To Start Selling on Amazon: A Step-by-Step Guide below to move on to the next juncture of launching your online business.

How To Start Selling on Amazon: A Step-by-Step Guide

Amazon Announces 2022 Holiday Peak Fulfillment Fee for FBA Program

During the busiest time of the sales calendar, Amazon sellers are likely to experience rising costs.

Amazon sellers who utilize FBA can expect an additional uptick in their expenses, according to a recent update in Seller Central. Amazon announced a 2022 Holiday Peak Fulfillment Fee for US and Canada FBA sellers that will take place from October 15, 20222, to January 14, 2023. On average, the fee will be an average of 35 cents USD per item.

In the announcement, Amazon cites increased operating costs throughout the supply chain during the peak holiday period as the culprit for the fee increase. It also states that while rising costs in the supply chain have always existed during the busy holiday season, Amazon previously absorbed the costs. Due to already rising prices in the market, the company decided to implement the timebound fee, almost literally passing the buck onto FBA users.

FBA vs FBM: A Full Comparison for Amazon Sellers

An FBA vs. FBM comparison to help you find out which method is right for your business.

The notice states that Amazon’s fulfillment fees during this peak period will remain 30% less expensive for slower standard shipping methods when compared to other third-party logistics providers, and an average of 70% less expensive than comparable two-day shipping alternatives.

Perhaps most notably, UPS, FedEx and the United States Postal Service have also announced increased surcharges for roughly the same time period, which Amazon accurately stated is a regular occurrence for service providers supporting businesses and customers during the hectic holiday season.

Suffice to say, sellers utilizing the FBA program aren’t happy taking on elevated costs that eat away at profit. Nonetheless, there appeared to be a few different perspectives regarding the 2022 Holiday Peak Fulfillment Fee.

One Amazon seller expressed dissatisfaction with the change and outlined its impact on their business.

Another communicated their aversion to the change while stating their understanding.

The change also marks the second time this year that sellers have been hit with an unforeseen fee, with the first being a 5% inflation surcharge in April due to rising fuel and inflation costs.

If the past couple of years has proven anything, it’s that the ability to adapt to market changes on the fly to overcome cannot be understated in the Amazon marketplace. As is the case with many aspects of life, the only constant in the Amazon marketplace is change, and the ones who can strategically conquer the conditions will be rewarded.

Will you be passing these costs on to the customer? Will your competitors? Depending on your product market and business accounting, you may want to consider making calculated changes to your business to mitigate or neutralize the effects of rising rates.

Take advantage of game-changing data provided by Viral Launch’s software to come out on top in your market. Tools like Market Intelligence and Competitor Intelligence allow you to observe your competition in the market, or zero in on specific ASINs to monitor their gameplans for approaching elevated costs.

Spy on your Amazon rivals with Competitor Intelligence to monitor the impact of this change on the market.

As always, we highly recommend monitoring Amazon news and updates closely, as critical changes happen regularly, allowing you opportunities to streamline your business and emerge better than ever in your market to rake in the profits.

For more specific information on which aspects of the 2022 Holiday Peak Fulfillment Fee apply to your business, check out the following Seller Central resources to see how the upcoming changes will affect your business.

What Amazon Sellers Should Know About Tax Day 2021

Everyone’s least favorite holiday is here yet again.

“Nothing is certain but death and taxes.” It is here: tax day 2021.

While it’s certain that you must pay taxes, there’s plenty of uncertainty about filing them.

With the weather warming and a return to normalcy appearing closer every day, you might look forward to filing your taxes as much as your next dentist’s appointment.

But, paying your taxes on time can save you from the plethora of problems that come with the alternative.

Below, we’ll answer some of the basics to help you through Tax Day 2021.

A Beginner’s Guide To Amazon’s FBA Process

Tax Day 2021?

In 2021, Tax Day is Monday, May 17th.

Typically held every year on April 15th, it was delayed to May 17th due to the backlog of millions of unprocessed tax returns. Last year, it was delayed until July 15th as a result of COVID-19 pandemic complications.

What is Tax Day?

In the United States, Tax Day is the last day in which income tax returns can be submitted to the federal government before a late penalty is applied. If you do not pay taxes on time, a late penalty of 5% to 25% of your total taxes owed is applied each month your taxes are late.

Those who do not file or pay their taxes open themselves up for the government to garnish wages, loss of privileges, visits from the IRS, or potentially prosecution.

With severe risks and pesky penalties, the best thing advice we can offer is to pay your taxes and pay them on time.

As an Amazon seller, what do I need to file taxes?

You’ll need your 1099-K form and likely, an accountant or tax expert.

A 1099-K form is used to report payments received through reportable payment card transactions and/or settlement of third-party payment network transactions. If you’re an Amazon seller who totaled at least $20,000 in total sales and 200 individual transactions through Amazon. Both of those thresholds must be met to receive a 1099-K.

Sellers can find their 1099-K by visiting the Tax Document Library within the Reports section within Seller Central.

Wait, why do I need an accountant for tax day 2021?

The fee for an accountant or tax expert can be a dissuading point that encourages you to file your own taxes. However, the fee oftentimes pays for itself and saves you the time and stress of filing taxes near the deadline.

Additionally, there may be new options to claim items not covered in typical years. With more employees working from home, plenty of work from home deductibles exist that you may not be aware of. By delegating taxes to an expert, you can trust that you won’t leave money on the table or make potentially costful mistakes if audited.

In Conclusion

Overall, the act of filing taxes and paying money isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. But they help pay for the many programs that exist in our society.

Best of luck filing your taxes! After this, you won’t have to worry about it for nearly another year.

Want the latest Amazon tips, tricks, and updates sent directly to your inbox? Drop your email below to stay informed on all things Amazon!

Earth Day 2021: The Importance of Sustainability, Eco-Friendliness Growing Among Consumers

As Millennials and Gen Z become a larger share of consumers, businesses can make a lot of green by going green.

Globally, and in the United States, consumer demand for environmentally-conscious products is growing. Welcome to Earth Day 2021.

For decades, social responsibility has gained steam as an important factor among employees and consumers. The next evolution of social responsibility, environmental responsibility, is getting closer to reaching its tipping point as the Millennial and Gen X groups continue to make up a larger segmentation of consumers.

Generation Z consumers who prefer shopping for environmentally sustainable products in Canada and the United States in 2019.

In certain industries, going green has been more noticeable than others.

Patagonia’s ad requesting customers not buy its R2 Jacket.

The beauty industry has exploded in recent years, with brands prioritizing sustainability and without animal testing leading the way. Nike and Adidas have both moved towards emitting fewer carbon emissions and created clothing and footwear from recycled materials. Very fitting for Earth Day 2021.

Perhaps more than anyone, the outdoor sports brand Patagonia has led the charge among major brands shifting towards going green. Most famously, its 2011 Black Friday ad in the New York Times urged customers not to buy its signature jacket, highlighting how much waste was created to make and distribute it to retailers. Additionally, they’ve pledged 1% of all sales go to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment.

While it makes perfect sense that an outdoor brand such as Patagonia would take such a bold stance on the environment, making a committment to sustainability could go a long way for companies in any industry.

What is Sustainability?

Before digging any deeper, perhaps it’s best to answer the question of what “sustainability” actually means. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) answers this question with the following:

“Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment. To pursue sustainability is to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.”

The Statistics

In a 2020 study conducted by IBM and the National Retail Federation that monitors consumer trends, the significance of ecologically ethical products stood out as a significant takeaway.

In the study, experts note that the idea of environmentally responsible shoppers has shifted from a forecast to fruition.

A 2020 IBM and NRF Study

“As consumers increasingly embrace social causes, they seek products and brands that align with their values. Nearly six in 10 consumers surveyed are willing to change their shopping habits to reduce environmental
impact. Nearly eight in 10 respondents indicate sustainability is important for them. And for those who say it is very/extremely important, over 70 percent would pay a premium of 35 percent, on average, for brands that are sustainable and
environmentally responsible.”

Elsewhere in the same study, it’s noted that 81% of shoppers worldwide are considered to be either value-driven (41%) or purpose-driven (40%). While the value-driven shopper has cost and convenience in mind, the purpose-driven shopper prioritizes brand trust, the importance of sustainability and expresses a willingness to change habits to reduce environmental impact.

Ways To Make Your Business More Sustainable for Earth Day 2021

Kudos to sellers who have already taken steps to run a greener business. For many sellers, the idea of changing their business can be quite intimidating, but there are a few basic ways that you could implement environmentally sound practices into your business.

Source a sustainable product
If you’re sourcing a product, whether it’s your first or most recent, consider prioritizing sustainability in your product research. Based on the customer data in the IBM and RTF study, sustainable products have an organic (pun-intended) advantage, as most customers prefer a more sustainable product and some would even spend more for sustainability.

Reconsider your packaging
We’ve all ordered a product that has a ridiculous amount of unnecessary packaging. While the effort for safely delivering a product is appreciated, consider if you could scale down your packaging to create less waste. Additionally, sustainable packaging materials exist, and instructions for recycling any relevant materials would likely be appreciated by your customers.

Get certified
Across industries, there are certifications business owners can earn by a commitment to environmental responsibility. Not only does this exemplify your ecological awareness, but it also can be wonderful for marketing materials.

One of the most popular is a Certified B Corporation stamp of approval. Ben & Jerry’s, Allbirds, and Tillamook are just a few of the thousands of companies from around the world with B Corp certifications. Some customers even begin their product search on sites that aggregate sustainable brands. If this practice becomes more popular, there could be a tremendous advantage to being in these marketplaces sooner rather than later.

Let’s Make Our World A Better Place

While it’s easy to look elsewhere, even the smallest changes incrementally have a positive impact. No matter how small, each step in the right direction leads by example and gives us a reason to feel good about ourselves! Celebrate Earth Day 2021 in style.

We all share one home. Let’s all do our part to take care of it! Happy Earth Day 2021.

Ways to Start, Grow, or Scale Your Amazon Business with $1400

As the largest and latest round of stimulus checks make their way into bank accounts across the USA, we take a look into how you can use it as an investment into your business.

According to the IRS, about 90 million Americans were sent their $1,400 stimulus checks on Wednesday alone, with more to be sent in the coming weeks.

The newfound financial flexibility creates opportunities previously not afforded for those fortunate enough to receive the $1,400 as “extra” money. One popular way to view the stimulus check is as an avenue into investing, but investing isn’t limited to stocks.

Instead of investing in another company, why not invest in your own?

Whether you’re a longtime seller, beginner, or considering leaping into FBA, there are plenty of ways to rejuvenate or jumpstart your Amazon business with $1,400. By investing in your e-commerce business, you could easily turn your stimulus check into a long-term money-making machine.

**[YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: 10 Ways You Can Make Money with Amazon]**

We should mention this isn’t necessarily a guide. Every seller’s journey is different. The options we’ll highlight below are merely a few options you may want to consider. With prudent planning, these options present a promising opportunity for you to get a great return on investment from your stimulus check.

Without further ado, let’s dive into it!

Elevate Your Product Research Game

When it comes to selling on Amazon (and in most aspects of life), having the luxury of reliable data to base your decisions on is a tremendous luxury. For Amazon sellers, this is made possible through product research.

Whether you’ve yet to begin your FBA journey or have a catalog full of successful products, product research is crucial for sustained profitability. When you have access to comprehensive market data, it’s almost like having the answers to a test.

While reliable Amazon sales data is crucial at all stages, it’s especially vital for beginners. The research that goes into deciding upon your first product serves as a foundational aspect of your Amazon career. Choosing to source and sell a product without conducting intensive research with data you can trust is a surefire way to make your first product your last product.

So if you’re beginning to look into FBA, test out a few software providers. Most software providers will offer a free trial, giving you time to see if they’re right for you.

How to Find Successful Amazon Products with Viral Launch

Feel free to test trials from different software providers simultaneously to compare and contrast the data. If you notice any inconsistencies, don’t be shy. Ask their customer service team how they arrive at their numbers. With such an important decision that can pay off handsomely, don’t leave any stones unturned.

Aspiring Amazon entrepreneurs aren’t the only ones who can take their product research game up a notch. Often, Amazon sellers don’t utilize all tools within their toolset.

Whether there are underutilized tools in your current software plan or an opportunity to upgrade your plan for additional access, there’s no better time than now to explore unfamiliar tools. Amazon is constantly evolving, so sellers must evolve with it.

Boost Your Business with Captivating Creatives

It’s springtime! You know what that means. Spring cleaning!

For Amazon sellers, the seasonal cleaning isn’t limited to dusting ceiling fans, clearing out the refrigerator, and giving your home a good deep cleaning. It may be worth considering if your listing creatives are due for an upgrade.

Do your listing’s copy and product photography abide by Amazon requirements and follow the style guidelines? Is your competition doing something with their photos that seems to be working? Are you maximizing your visibility by having a keyword-optimized product listing, or are you missing out on indexation for keywords customers are using to products like yours?

These are just a few of the questions you should ask yourself when considering updating your creatives.

Even if your product photography is in tip-top shape, additional photos can still provide plenty of benefits for your business. For example, possessing extra product images opens the door for creative advertising.

One way you can spruce up your advertising with enhanced photos is Amazon Posts, a relatively new option to increase brand visibility. Amazon Posts is a social media-like platform within Amazon that allows brand registered sellers to flex their advertising muscle. Appearing on product detail pages selected by Amazon, brands get the ever-important chance to poach customers from competing listings.

The best thing about Amazon Posts? It’s totally free. Well, submitting your Posts is free, anyway. You’ll still want professional photos capable of enticing customers to earn a click. Since Amazon Posts is somewhat new, it’s flying under the radar of many sellers, but can be an incredibly efficient weapon for stealing customers from the competition.

Additionally, having extra photos come in handy if you sell outside of Amazon or may consider selling elsewhere at a later time.

Lastly, having extra photos at your disposal provides an even better opportunity to experiment for peak optimization. Once you’ve got premium product photography, don’t forget to split test! With a plethora of split testing sites to choose from, it’s an easy step to maximize your conversions and profitability!

Flex Your Marketing Muscle with PPC

Another great way to invest your stimulus money into your business is by using it to take the next step with Amazon PPC (pay-per-click) advertising.

Although Amazon debuted PPC advertising in 2012, it has grown considerably over the last 2-3 years and shows no sign of slowing down. With Amazon expected to net nearly $13 billion in advertising in the United States marketplace alone, the company has every reason to continue pushing and developing PPC.

Whether this means finally taking that PPC course, creating your first campaign, or trying out an unexplored ad type, doing it with a bonus $1,400 makes it a prime opportunity to experiment with PPC.

For sellers currently selling, it especially makes sense to test out new campaigns now as plenty of customers are flush with their stimulus money and tax season right around the corner.

Want to know more about Amazon PPC? Enroll in our FREE PPC Playbook Course.

After all, you’re not the only one receiving the stimulus. More customers shopping with more money is a recipe for more customer searches. As your product appears more frequently through search and on competitor listings, the sample size for your campaigns grows larger and, thus, more reliable.

Fortunately, the options are flexible for you regarding your PPC campaigns. Set your budgets as low or as high as you feel comfortable with, and barring disaster, let them run until the reporting data begins to stabilize. Once they’ve matured, you’ll have real data on your performance that you can use to optimize to your advantage.

Scale Your Store by Expanding Your Brand

Suppose you feel like you’ve squeezed nearly all the juice you can out of a product. First off, congratulations! It’s every Amazon sellers’ goal to reach and maintain peak performance, but what do you do once you’ve achieved it? For many, it can be a never-ending pursuit of perfection.

However, it may be more beneficial to scale your brand by finding your next home run. Think of your stimulus check as $1,400 off the development of your next product, and this becomes especially beneficial.

Of course, this entirely depends on your goals, resources, and risk appetite. Ideally, the learning curve for launching a new product shortens with each new product. If you’ve built a strong brand on Amazon, the likelihood of your next product being a success increases exponentially.

Instead of squeezing every penny possible out of your current storefront, dig into your sales reporting numbers and do your best to determine the best course of action for your business.

In Conclusion

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to supercharge your Amazon business! Whether jumpstarting your entrepreneurial career or looking to take your existing e-commerce operation up a notch, investing in your business with your stimulus money could provide an excellent, long-lasting return on investment.

No matter what you decide to do with your stimulus money, enjoy it! Without a doubt, extra cash in your pocket is nice. But creating long-lasting, sustainable sources of income is even better.

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