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Starting to sell on Amazon can seem overwhelming, especially with the plethora of software and tools available that can cost thousands of dollars. However, it's possible to begin your Amazon selling journey with simple and affordable tools. Having started my own Amazon business as a broke college student six years ago, I have successfully scaled it to over five million in sales. Through trial and error, I've identified essential tools that can help you grow your Amazon business without breaking the bank.
The first category of software you need is for product sourcing. Without the right tools, sourcing products can be a daunting task. The first two tools I recommend are Seller Amp and Keepa. Seller Amp is a Chrome extension that allows you to calculate total fees and profits for products you are considering selling. For example, if you purchase an item for $10, Seller Amp can help you determine your profit after accounting for fees and shipping. Keepa, on the other hand, provides historical data on product demand, seller counts, and price history, which is invaluable for making informed sourcing decisions.
Seller Amp is a powerful tool that I use for every product I source. It provides detailed data that can be organized in Google Sheets for easy analysis. Keepa complements this by showing the historical performance of products, including variations in size and color. By using these tools together, you can identify profitable items and understand market trends. For instance, if you find a popular brand with multiple sellers, you can gauge the competition and potential profitability before making a purchase.
To find profitable items, you can explore various storefronts and analyze the brands they carry. It's crucial to ensure that you can get approved to sell certain brands, as some, like Adidas and Nike, have strict gating policies. By purchasing a minimum quantity from authorized suppliers, you can obtain the necessary invoices to get ungated. This strategy can significantly enhance your ability to source profitable products.
In addition to paid tools, there are several free resources that can aid in product sourcing. Seller QVS is a Chrome extension that provides insights into how reseller-friendly a brand is by showing the number of sellers on each listing. Other free tools include cashback extensions like Capital One Shopping and websites like Cashback Monitor, which can help you maximize your profits by providing cashback on purchases.
Once you've sourced products, you'll need tools to manage your listings and analyze your business performance. Boxom is an excellent software that simplifies the process of creating shipments for Amazon FBA. It allows you to track profits, create shipments quickly, and provides analytics to help you understand your business's financial health. With Boxom, you can streamline your operations and save time, which is crucial for scaling your Amazon business.
As your business grows, you'll need to adjust prices to remain competitive. Repricing software like Be Cool and Aura can automate this process, ensuring your prices stay within a profitable range. These tools allow you to set minimum and maximum prices, helping you avoid selling too low or too high. Integrating these tools with your existing software can further enhance your efficiency and profitability.
In conclusion, starting your Amazon business doesn't require an extensive budget for software. With less than $100 a month, you can access high-quality tools that will help you source products, manage listings, and analyze your business effectively. By focusing on the essential tools mentioned, you can build a successful Amazon business without unnecessary complexity or expense.
Q: What are the essential tools for starting to sell on Amazon?
A: The essential tools for starting to sell on Amazon include Seller Amp for product fee calculations and Keepa for historical product data.
Q: How does Seller Amp help in product sourcing?
A: Seller Amp is a Chrome extension that helps calculate total fees and profits for products, making it easier to determine profitability before purchasing.
Q: What is the purpose of Keepa?
A: Keepa provides historical data on product demand, seller counts, and price history, which is invaluable for making informed sourcing decisions.
Q: How can I find profitable products to sell on Amazon?
A: You can find profitable products by exploring various storefronts, analyzing the brands they carry, and ensuring you can get approved to sell those brands.
Q: Are there free tools available for product sourcing?
A: Yes, there are free tools like Seller QVS, which shows how reseller-friendly a brand is, and cashback extensions like Capital One Shopping.
Q: What tools can help manage listings and analyze business performance?
A: Boxom is an excellent tool for managing listings and analyzing business performance, simplifying the process of creating shipments for Amazon FBA.
Q: Why is repricing software important for Amazon sellers?
A: Repricing software like Be Cool and Aura is important as it automates price adjustments to remain competitive, ensuring prices stay within a profitable range.
Q: Can I start an Amazon business on a budget?
A: Yes, you can start an Amazon business with less than $100 a month by using high-quality tools for sourcing, managing listings, and analyzing your business.