Step-by-step guide to start selling on Amazon
Amazon keeps growing. In 2025, over 60% of U.S. shoppers start their search on Amazon. Half say it’s the only store they’d keep if forced to pick one. And Amazon FBA still handles the hard parts: storage, packing, shipping, and customer service.
You just need a product, a seller account, and a plan. This guide shows you how. Step by step. No fluff.

Chapter 1: Amazon FBA Basics
Amazon FBA lets you store products in Amazon’s warehouses. When a customer orders, Amazon picks, packs, and ships—often with 2-day Prime. They also handle returns and customer service.
You handle product selection, branding, and marketing. Amazon handles logistics.
Business Models (2025)
| Model | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
| Private Label | Create your own brand on generic products. 71% of sellers use this. | Full control, higher margins, scalable. | Needs upfront investment. |
| Wholesale | Buy bulk from established brands and resell. | Lower risk, known demand. | Lower margins, brand competition. |
| Reselling (Arbitrage) | Buy discounted items (retail/online) and flip on Amazon. | Fast start, no manufacturing. | Time-intensive, inconsistent supply. |
| Dropshipping | List products; supplier ships direct. | No inventory. | Low control, shipping delays, policy risks. |
| Handmade | Craft and sell your own items. | Unique, loyal customers. | Hard to scale, time-heavy. |
Focus: Private label. It builds equity and scales best in 2025.
How FBA Works (Step-by-Step)
- You: Ship inventory to Amazon (via supplier or self).
- Amazon: Stores in fulfillment centers (robots + staff).
- Customer Orders: Amazon processes payment.
- Amazon: Picks, packs, ships (Prime-eligible).
- Support: Handles tracking, questions, returns.
- You: Get paid (minus fees).
Key 2025 Note: FBA now prioritizes low-inventory level fees. Keep 60–90 days of stock to avoid surcharges.
That’s the foundation. Simple. But execution matters.
Chapter 2: Pick a Winning Product
Don’t guess. Use data.
Key Rules
- Price: $25–$70 Margin stays healthy. New brands can sell at this level. Below $25, fees eat profit. Above $70, buyers hesitate.
- Demand: 300+ sales/month Equals 10 sales/day. Steady cash flow. Less than 200/month? Too slow.
- Competition: Top 10 listings average under 500 reviews 3–5 of them under 50 reviews. Room to enter. Over 1,000 avg? Too crowded.
- Weight: Under 2 lbs (standard size) Keeps FBA fees low. Oversize = higher storage + shipping.
- Season: Year-round demand Skip holiday-only items. Think kitchen tools, not Christmas lights.
Tools That Help
| Tool | What It Does | Cost |
| Jungle Scout | Filters Amazon catalog. Shows sales, revenue, reviews. | $49+/mo |
| Helium 10 | Tracks keywords, sales, competitors. The Cerebro tool is gold. | $39+/mo |
| Keepa | Free. Graphs price, rank, sales history. | Free |
Top Categories (2025)
- Home & Kitchen – 25% of FBA sellers
- Beauty & Personal Care – High repeat buys
- Sports & Outdoors – Growing 18%/year
- Pet Supplies – Loyal buyers
- Baby – Steady demand
Avoid gated categories
Grocery, Nike, Apple, Toys (holidays) — need Amazon approval. It takes weeks. Skip unless ready.
Next Step: Open Jungle Scout or Keepa. Search for your idea. Check the 5 rules above. Fits? Move to supplier. Doesn’t? Try another.
Chapter 3: Find a Supplier
Most sellers start on Alibaba. Others use Jungle Scout Supplier Database or 1688.com (China-only, cheaper).
What to Look For
- Experience: 3+ years making your exact product. Check their Alibaba profile or import records.
- Communication: Replies in 24–48 hours. Clear English.
- Price: Middle range. Too low = poor quality.
- MOQ: 300–1,000 units. Avoid 5,000+ for first order.
- Certifications: CE, FDA, or RoHS if needed.
Steps
- Search 10 suppliers – Use keywords + “OEM” or “custom”. Filter by “Gold Supplier” (paid, not perfect, but better).
- Email all – Use this template:
Subject: Quote for [Product] – 500 units
Hi [Name],
I need 500 units of [product description].
– Material: [list]
– Size: [list]
– MOQ?
– Unit price at 500/1000 pcs?
– Sample cost + shipping?
– Lead time?
Thanks,
[Your Name]
- Pick top 3 – Compare quotes, MOQ, and response speed.
- Order samples – Pay $50–$150 each. Use air shipping (DHL/FedEx). It takes 5–10 days.
- Test samples – Check weight, smell, stitching, function. Take photos.
- Negotiate – Ask for 10–15% off first order. Pay 30% deposit, 70% before shipping.
Pro Tips
- Air samples only – Sea takes 30–45 days.
- Order 2–3 samples from the same factory. Quality must match.
- Use PayPal or Alibaba Trade Assurance for samples.
- Freight forwarder for bulk – Saves 20–30% vs supplier shipping.
Next: Build your listing.
Chapter 4: Build Your Listing
Your listing is your storefront. Customers judge in seconds. Make it clear, trustworthy, and ready to sell.
1. Buy a UPC Barcode
Why: Amazon requires a unique product code.
How: Go to GS1.org → Buy 1 UPC ($30).
Tip: Never reuse. One product = one UPC.
2. Research Keywords
Goal: Show up when people search.
Tools:
- Keyword Scout (Jungle Scout)
- Helium 10 (Cerebro)
- Amazon Search Bar (free)
Find two types:
- Main: “yoga mat” (high volume)
- Long-tail: “thick yoga mat for bad knees” (high conversion)
Action: Save 50–100 keywords in a list. Include misspellings (e.g., “yoga matt”).
3. Write the Title
Rules:
- Under 80 characters (mobile cutoff)
- Start with brand + main keyword
- No keyword stuffing
- Use numbers, not words (6mm, not six)
Formula:
[Brand] [Product] – [Key Benefit], [Size/Color]
Example:
FitMat Pro Yoga Mat – 6mm Thick, Non-Slip, Black
(54 characters)
4. Write 5 Bullet Points
Focus: Benefits first. Then proof.
Structure:
- Start with ✓ CAPS BENEFIT
- Follow with feature + proof
- Keep under 200 characters each
Strong Examples:
- ✓ NO MORE KNEE PAIN – 6mm NBR foam cushions joints (used by 200+ yoga teachers)
- ✓ ZERO SLIPPING – Anti-tear grip works on wood, tile, and sweat
- ✓ EASY CLEAN – Wipe with damp cloth. No odor after 100+ uses
- ✓ ECO & SAFE – Made from recyclable TPE. No PVC or latex
- ✓ PORTABLE – Includes carry strap. Rolls to 10″ diameter
5. Write the Description
Purpose:
- Reinforce bullets
- Tell your brand story
- Add keywords naturally
Tips:
- First 2 lines show on mobile → repeat top benefits
- Use A+ Content (if brand registered) for images, charts, comparisons
- Keep under 2,000 characters
Example Start:
“Joint pain shouldn’t stop your flow. The FitMat Pro is 6mm thick to protect knees and wrists without sinking. Its non-slip surface grips any floor—even when you sweat. Made from eco-friendly TPE, it’s free of PVC and easy to clean.”
6. Fill Backend Search Terms
Hidden field. Amazon uses it for search. You don’t see it.
Rules:
- 250 bytes max
- Lowercase only
- Space separated (no commas)
- No repeats from title/bullets
Example (Yoga Mat):
thick yoga mat non slip 6mm exercise mat eco friendly fitness mat for home workout esterilla yoga tappetino yoga yogamatte mat bag included knee friendly
Pro Tip: Use Helium 10 Scribbles to fill every byte.
7. Add Photos & Video
Photos = 70% of buying decision
Requirements:
- Main image: Pure white, product fills 85%, no text/props
- 7–9 total images
- 1000px+ on longest side (zoomable)
- No Amazon logos or badges
Image Types to Include:
- Main (white background)
- Lifestyle (in use)
- Close-up (texture)
- Size scale (next to hand/phone)
- Infographic (features)
- Packaging
- Before/After (if relevant)
Video:
- 30–60 seconds
- Show setup, use, cleaning
- Upload in Seller Central → Video tab
- Add title + 5 tags
- Boosts conversion 20–30%
Quick Checklist Before Publishing
| Done? | Task |
| ☐ | UPC added |
| ☐ | Title <80 chars |
| ☐ | 5 strong bullets |
| ☐ | A+ Content (if eligible) |
| ☐ | Backend terms filled |
| ☐ | 7+ high-res images |
| ☐ | 1 video uploaded |
Result: A clean, mobile-friendly listing that ranks, converts, and builds trust.
Ready to launch.
Chapter 5: Launch and Sell
Get sales in the first week. Amazon rewards speed and performance.
1. Stay in Stock
- Why: Out of stock kills rank. Amazon stops showing your listing.
- How: Keep 60–90 days of inventory. Use FBA Inventory Dashboard to track.
- 2025 Tip: Low-inventory fees hit at 30 days or less. Avoid them.
2. Get Reviews Fast
- Request a Review
- Click in Seller Central > Orders
- Send 5–10 days after delivery
- 1-click, no incentives allowed
- Amazon Vine
- For brand-registered sellers
- Pay ~$100–$300 for 10–30 honest reviews
- Best for new listings
- Reply to Every Review
- Thank positives
- Fix negatives (refund/replace)
- Shows Amazon you care
Goal: 15+ reviews in 30 days → 10–15% conversion boost
3. Run PPC (Pay-Per-Click)
- Start: Sponsored Products (auto campaign)
- Budget: $30–$50/day
- Goal: ACoS < 30% (Ad Cost of Sales)
Week 1–2:
Let Amazon find keywords. Check Search Term Report.
Week 3+:
Move top 5–10 keywords to manual campaign.
Pause losers. Lower bids on high-ACoS terms.
Pro Tip:
Use Dynamic Bids – Down Only to protect profit.
4. Drive External Traffic
Amazon boosts rank when traffic comes from outside.
| Source | How |
| Instagram/TikTok | Post unboxing + link in bio |
| Facebook Groups | Share in niche communities |
| Email List | Send to past buyers |
| Pin lifestyle images |
Track It:
Add UTM tags → yourlink.com?utm_source=instagram
See in Business Reports > Traffic Sources
Result: 500 external clicks in 30 days = page 1 potential
Launch Checklist
☑ 60-day stock in FBA
☑ 10 review requests sent
☑ Auto PPC running ($40/day)
☑ 3 social posts with UTM links
Do this. Watch BSR drop. Sales follow.
Chapter 6: Grow in 2025
Amazon never stands still. In 2025, small tweaks keep you ahead. Do these every week. Skip them, and you fall behind.
Weekly Tasks
| Task | How | Why |
| Check Search Query Performance | Seller Central → Brands → Search Query Performance | See exactly what buyers typed before buying. Add top 10 new terms to the backend. |
| Test one thing | Manage Your Experiments → New title, main image, or price | Amazon shows both versions. The winner runs in 2 weeks. One test per listing. |
| Restock early | Keep 60–90 days of inventory | Low-inventory fees kick in under 30 days. They eat 8–15% of profit. |
2025 Updates You Need
| Feature | What It Does | Action |
| Rufus AI Search | Amazon’s AI answers questions in natural language | Write bullets and A+ like a friend: “Need a mat that doesn’t slip when you sweat? This one grips.” |
| Climate Pledge Friendly Badge | Shows in search filters. Eco buyers click 20% more | Use recyclable materials. Apply in Seller Central. It takes 1 week. |
| Amazon Posts | Free social feed inside Amazon | Post 1 lifestyle photo weekly. Link to listing. Drives 5–10% extra traffic. |
| Shoppable Video in Search | Videos play in results. Buyers add to cart direct | Upload 30–60 sec clip. Show use + benefit. Title: “How to roll your mat in 5 sec.” |
Scale Smart
| Move | Cost | Payoff |
| Bundle | $200–$500 to source add-on | 30% higher order value. Example: yoga mat + strap. |
| Amazon UK / Canada | Same inventory, new marketplace | 20–40% sales boost. Use FBA Export. |
| Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) | $1–$3 extra per order | Sell on Shopify. Amazon ships. Keep Prime speed. |
Do one new thing this month. Next month, another.
Growth is just consistent small wins.
30-Day Starter Plan (2025)
| Week | Tasks | Why It Matters | Tools/Tips |
| 1 | 1. Pick product (use filters: $25–$70, 300+ sales/mo, <500 avg reviews) 2. Order 2–3 samples from 3 suppliers | Lock in a winner before spending big. Samples show real quality. | Jungle Scout/Helium 10 → filters. Alibaba → RFQ. Pay $50–$150 per sample. |
| 2 | 1. Finalize supplier (best quality + price) 2. Buy UPC (GS1.org) 3. Build listing (title, bullets, photos, backend terms) | Supplier locked = no delays. UPC required to list. Listing done = ready to ship. | GS1 = $30. Use Canva for infographics. Add 7 images + 45-sec video. |
| 3 | 1. Ship to Amazon (use freight forwarder) 2. Launch PPC ($30/day, auto campaign) | Inventory in = live listing. Early PPC = first sales + rank boost. | Freightos for quotes. Start auto → learn keywords. |
| 4 | 1. Request reviews (5–10 days after delivery) 2. Share on social (IG/FB/TikTok, UTM links) 3. Check rank + Search Query Performance | Reviews build trust. External clicks = Amazon reward. Data shows what’s working. | Seller Central → “Request a Review”. Bitly for tracking. |
Startup Costs (2025 Real Numbers)
| Item | Cost Range | Notes |
| Samples | $150–$300 | 2–3 units from 3 suppliers. Air shipping. |
| First Order (500 units) | $2,000–$4,000 | Includes product + sea freight + duties. |
| UPC Barcode | $30 | One-time from GS1.org. |
| Professional Photos + Video | $300–$600 | 7 images + 45-sec demo. Use local or Fiverr pro. |
| PPC (First Month) | $900 | $30/day. Expect 5–10% conversion. |
| Total | $3,380–$5,830 | You can start with 300 units to cut costs. |
Note: Amazon fees (15% referral + FBA) come after sales. No upfront.
Final Word
Amazon FBA works. But only if you show up weekly.
- Check Seller Central every Monday
- Fix one thing at a time
- Never go out of stock
Most sellers quit in month 2.
The ones who track, tweak, and restock?
They hit $10K/month by month 6.
Start with one product.
Follow the plan.
You’ve got this.