How to add new products to your Amazon inventory

1. Prerequisites: Setting Up Your Amazon Seller Account

Before you can add products, you need to have a functional Amazon Seller account. There are two types of accounts you can register for: Individual and Professional.

• Individual Account: Suitable for sellers who plan to sell fewer than 40 items per month. With this account, you pay a per-item selling fee.
• Professional Account: This is for sellers who intend to sell more than 40 items per month. This account comes with a monthly subscription fee but provides access to advanced selling tools, bulk listing options, and additional reports.

To register for either account, visit the Amazon Seller Central homepage, click on “Register now,” and follow the prompts to provide your personal and business information.

2. Decide on Your Products

Before adding new products, you need to determine which items you wish to sell. This may involve:

• Market Research: Utilize tools like Jungle Scout, Helium 10, or AMZScout to analyze market trends, demand, and competition.
• Supplier Relationships: Identify and establish relationships with manufacturers or wholesalers who can provide the products.
• Understanding Product Categories: Each category on Amazon has specific requirements and restrictions. Familiarize yourself with these to avoid complications later.

3. Finding Your Product in the Amazon Catalog

Before creating a new listing, check if the product you want to sell already exists in the Amazon catalog. If it does, you can simply add your offer to that existing product listing. This saves time and enhances the visibility of your product since it will inherit the existing reviews and ratings.

To find a product in the Amazon catalog:

1. Go to your Seller Central account.
2. Navigate to the “Inventory” tab.
3. Select “Add a Product.”
4. Use the search bar to input your product name, UPC, EAN, or ASIN.

If your product does not exist, you will need to create a new listing.

4. Creating a New Product Listing

If your product isn’t already in the Amazon catalog, follow these steps to create a new listing:

1. Select “Add a Product”: From the “Inventory” drop-down menu, choose “Add a Product.”
2. Choose “I’m adding a product not sold on Amazon”: This will direct you to the product creation form.
3. Select the Category: Choose the appropriate category for your product. Categories have specific item types, and selecting the correct one is crucial for product visibility.
4. Fill Out Product Information: This step involves entering essential details about your product, including:
   • Product Name (Title): This should be clear, concise, and include relevant keywords to enhance search visibility.
   • Brand and Manufacturer Details: If your product belongs to a specific brand, include this information.
   • Product ID: Enter the UPC, EAN, or ISBN. If you don’t have a product ID, you can apply for a GTIN exemption for certain product categories.
   • Product Description and Bulleted Points: These sections provide information about your product’s features, benefits, and unique selling propositions. Be persuasive but honest.
   • Product Images: High-quality images are essential. Amazon allows multiple images, and the first photo should be a clear view of the product on a white background.
   • Price: Set a competitive price for your product after researching similar items.
   • Quantity: Determine how many units you can sell and set your inventory levels accordingly.
   • Shipping Options: Decide whether you will fulfill orders yourself (Fulfilled by Merchant) or use Amazon’s fulfillment service (Fulfilled by Amazon). If you choose FBA, your inventory will be stored and dispatched from Amazon’s warehouses.

5. Optimize Your Listing

After creating the product listing, it’s crucial to optimize it to improve its visibility in search results. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for Amazon involves several components:

• Backend Keywords: These are hidden keywords that help your product to be discoverable. Ensure they are relevant but do not duplicate keywords already included in your title or bullets.
• Title Optimization: Use relevant keywords but ensure that your title remains clear and compelling. Aim for a balance of keyword integration and readability.
• Bullet Points and Descriptions: Incorporate additional keywords naturally within your bullet points and product descriptions. You want to inform the customer while making it easy for Amazon’s algorithm to understand your product’s relevance.
• A+ Content: If you have a Professional account, you can enhance your listings with A+ Content. This allows for richer media (images, comparison charts) to help convey your product’s advantages more effectively.

6. Adhering to Amazon’s Policies

Every seller must understand and comply with Amazon’s policies and guidelines. This includes rules related to listing requirements, product safety, and customer service. Failure to comply can lead to account suspensions or removal of listings. Prior to launching your product, read through the relevant Amazon policies to ensure that you’re fully compliant.

7. Inventory Management

Once your products are live on Amazon:

• Monitor Inventory Levels: Keep track of your stock levels using Seller Central. Low inventory can lead to loss of sales momentum.
• Restock Promptly: Plan your restocking based on your sales trends. Use tools and reports within Seller Central to understand your inventory turnover rate.
• Adjust Pricing: Monitor your competitors’ prices and adjust yours accordingly to remain competitive.

8. Promotions and Advertising

Once your product is added and optimized, consider promoting it to boost visibility. There are several strategies you can explore:

• Sponsored Products: Use Amazon Ads to create targeted ads that appear in search results and on product detail pages.
• Deals and Discounts: Offer limited-time promotions to attract customers. Consider lightning deals or coupons to enhance interest.
• Social Media and External Traffic: Utilize social media platforms to drive traffic to your Amazon listings.

9. Collecting Feedback and Reviews

Once customers begin purchasing your products, it’s essential to manage feedback and reviews. Positive reviews significantly influence buying decisions on Amazon. To enhance customer satisfaction:

• Encourage Reviews: After a purchase, follow up with an email (if allowed) thanking customers and politely requesting reviews.
• Respond to Customer Inquiries: Offer excellent customer service, as this reflects positively on your seller metrics.
• Monitor Feedback: Regularly check your product reviews and adjust your business practices based on customer feedback.

Adding new products to your Amazon inventory is a multi-faceted process that requires careful planning, market research, and optimization. As an Amazon seller, understanding how to effectively add and manage your products will give you a significant advantage in such a competitive marketplace. By following these steps, from setting up your account and creating your listings to optimizing visibility and managing inventory, you can build a thriving online business on Amazon. Remember, success on Amazon often comes down to ongoing analysis, customer feedback, and continuous optimization of your product listings