As the name suggests, Amazon Seller Central is the website where Amazon sellers manage their products, inventory, pricing, and orders. It is a one-stop resource for all your Amazon sales.
Though it may seem easy, using Amazon seller central platform is a little overwhelming as a beginner. There are many sections that need to go back and forth.
However, once you have a complete go-through, it is as simple as browsing a social media account.
Table of Contents
What is Amazon Seller Central?
Amazon Seller Central is a web-based store for sellers to market and sell their products on Amazon. Through the interface, the sellers can control their regular selling activities.
This includes inventory available for sale, order management, answering customer queries, perform selling analysis, etc.
It has multiple programs for sellers to make sales, including Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), Seller fulfilled prime and automated pricing.
- In the FBA program, the sellers store the products in Amazon’s warehouse. Amazon then takes the responsibility to pack the products, deliver, handle customer concerns, and returns.
- In the Seller Fulfilled Prime program, sellers can directly deliver products from their own warehouse. These sales are for prime customers. The prime badge promises the Fulfilment of orders within two days with no extra shipping charges. Amazon gives transportation rights to the sellers in this case.
- Its automated pricing tool is for self-sufficient sellers. The tools automatically adjust prices on the SKU in your catalogue for responding to events such as Buy Box winning price. The sellers need not revisit SKU every time to change prices manually. The automated pricing tool is entirely free and very efficient for sellers. It ultimately helps them focus on other essential aspects of selling.
It is necessary to know that Amazon charges a small fee for every sale made. In addition, it deducts the applicable tax amount.
Apart from this, if Amazon is handling the shipping (fulfillment by Amazon FBA), you as a seller will have to pay for those as well. However, if you are delivering the product(s) on your own (merchant-fulfillment), no fee will be charged.
But again, it depends on the shipping service selected by buyers.
Moreover, Amazon seller central is open to everyone. It is an interface that lets Amazon sellers make sales directly and efficiently to their customers. In fact, the platform comes with flexible logistical options and easy payment terms.
In addition, you can enhance your brand content through it. Amazon seller central helps the sellers manage the complex sales processes with ease. It however has limited advertising options.
What do you need to create Amazon Seller Central Account?
Creating your Amazon seller central account is pretty simple. All you need is your business email address, chargeable credit card, tax information, and your personal details.
However, if you have a registered Amazon account (as a buyer), you can use the same account as your seller account.
Also, you will need to provide them with your bank details in order to receive the sale money. Of course, after all the deductions like tax, shipping fee, and Amazon fee.
In addition to this, you will have to pay the subscription fee. Amazon charges $0.99 for every sale you make. This applies to individual accounts with a small business.
However, medium to large businesses, have a professional selling plan with a monthly charge of $39.99.
How does it work?
After creating your Amazon seller central account, the first step is to have the product details and images handy. This includes the item name, product description, product images (from different angles), price, and stock availability.
Also, you need the Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) to list your products. However, if you are listing a new product on Amazon, there is an option of exemption. Steps to do so are well-explained in the seller’s platform and can be skipped at the moment.
However, here is a brief. To get GTIN exemption, you can simply choose a “Generic” brand name and relevant category of your product. Amazon then decides whether the category can be approved or not. If approved, you will be able to add a product listing.
To list your product on Amazon, you can either select an existing product listing (sold by another seller) or add a new product not already listed. The options are:
Add products to existing Amazon’s product Catalogue
The sellers can simply add their listing in the existing product catalogue of Amazon. All you do is search the products on catalogue by title, ASIN, or GTIN. As a seller, once you find the match to your product, enter the quantity and price to your Amazon seller central account.
Add new products to Amazon’s product Catalogue
If you have a unique product that’s not listed on the Amazon catalogue yet, you can add it as a new listing. Add basic product details like name, brand, description, images, and product category. The key product details required are product identifiers like ISBN, JAN, EAN, and UPC.
Further add offer details including product condition, quantity, price, and shipping options. You may consider adding relevant keywords to make your product searchable.
Make sure you list your product properly with accurate information. Follow best practices so as to generate more sales and a good buying experience for buyers.
Thereafter, choose your shipping options. As mentioned earlier, either you can deliver the product yourself or through FBA. The option is all yours! There are many Amazon seller tools and resources available right under the Amazon seller account.
That is it! After the product listing, the Amazon team will review the information and set the product status as either “Active”, “Inactive”, or “Suppressed”.
Benefits of Amazon Seller Central
Simplified business model
Amazon seller central is much simpler compared to Vendor Central. From monitoring the inventory, product listings to sales and returns, it helps you easily track your performance on seller central.
Integrated Analytics
Sellers have access to a large amount of customer data on Seller Central free of cost. This data can be used for multiple purposes such as to analyze who is buying what products and where.
The analysis helps sellers make better decisions on making sales to their target customers.
Pricing Control
On Amazon Seller Central, the seller can control retail pricing such that it remains consistent with the documented pricing for other channel partners. The platform allows sellers to compare the competitor’s pricing assisting with competitiveness concerns.
Messaging Control
Seller central has an Amazon brand registry program. It evades the 3rd party sellers from selling older product versions or sell bundles of products without the manufacturer’s consent. Furthermore, it lets the manufactures put down any unauthorized listings.
Who is the Amazon seller central account for?
Retailers
The seller central dashboard is a perfect web interface for retailers. Despite having an offline store for sales, the central widens the opportunities for retailers to expand.
The retailers can quickly list out thousands of products on Amazon’s existing catalogue and even list the new ones. The automated pricing tools and advertising campaigns help retailers remain competitive.
Brand owners
Brand owners and manufacturers can register on the seller central and promote their brand. Amazon delivers various benefits for brands such as A+ content program, Amazon stores, Amazon’s Brand Registry, etc.
Through these programs, the brand owners can add unique branding images and customize Amazon customers’ shopping experience.
Individual sellers
Amazon promotes and given opportunities for part-time and Individual sellers to start selling and exploring the online market. There are various programs such as Amazon Handmade program and Merch by Amazon that open doors for Individual sellers.
Amazon has a free individual plan that lets sellers start making sales right away and without getting into a paid plan.
Conclusion
The Amazon seller central is the basic platform required for every seller out there. It gives an opportunity for both individuals and big brands to explore the world of eCommerce. We can conclude it since it offers both free and premium platforms to its members registered on the platform.
However, Sellers often cannot sell low-priced products on Amazon due to fulfillment costs and shipping costs covering up their profits. This creates an issue for the sellers and they end up removing their listings from the seller central.
Overall, running a business on Amazon is an easy, simple, and most profitable option. People trust Amazon and so having products listed there can definitely reach a wider audience.
