Starting a furniture business is now more affordable than ever, thanks to Amazon. You can easily use Amazon as a selling platform to offer your furniture without facing high costs or requiring a lot of effort. If you’re wondering how to sell furniture on Amazon, we have all the answers you need.
The process is quite straightforward. First, you will need to register as an authorized seller on Amazon by providing the necessary documents and information. Once your account is set up, you can begin listing the furniture items you want to sell on the website.
While this overview gives you a general idea of what to expect, we highly recommend diving deeper into the details. Our comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach and valuable insights to help you navigate the selling process. This information is essential for anyone looking to become a successful furniture seller on Amazon and make the most out of this.
Benefits of Selling Furniture on Amazon
Selling on Amazon presents substantial potential for entrepreneurs, thanks to its massive global customer base and established trust. Amazon.com was the top ranked online furniture retailer in the United States with total sales that amounted to about 233 billion U.S. dollars.
The platform is user-friendly, offering tools for easy setup and management, while fulfillment options like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) streamline logistics. Additionally, sellers can leverage advertising opportunities and data-driven insights to optimize their listings and drive sales, making it an attractive avenue for business growth in the e-commerce landscape.
Massive Customer Base
Amazon boasts millions of active customers globally, providing sellers with a vast audience to reach. This extensive customer base includes diverse demographics, allowing sellers to target various market segments, which increases their chances of making sales and growing their businesses.
Trust and Credibility
Amazon is a well-established brand known for reliability and customer satisfaction. Many consumers prefer shopping on this platform, which translates to higher conversion rates for sellers. Positive customer reviews further enhance product credibility, attracting more potential buyers.
Ease of Use
Setting up a seller account on Amazon is a straightforward process, making it accessible for both new and experienced sellers. The platform offers user-friendly interfaces and integrated tools that help sellers manage their listings, sales, and inventory efficiently.
Fulfillment Options
Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service allows sellers to outsource storage, packaging, and shipping to Amazon. This efficient logistics solution saves time and effort, enabling sellers to focus on business growth while ensuring fast delivery and improved customer satisfaction.
Marketing Opportunities
Sellers can utilize Amazon’s advertising solutions, such as Sponsored Products and Sponsored Brands, to enhance product visibility and drive sales. Participating in promotional events like Prime Day can also attract more customers and create sales spikes throughout the year.
Data-Driven Insights
Amazon provides sellers with analytics tools to monitor sales performance and customer behavior. Access to this valuable data allows sellers to make informed decisions, optimize their listings, and adapt their strategies based on market trends and competitor performance.
Low Entry Barriers
The relatively low start-up costs associated with selling on Amazon make it an attractive option for new entrepreneurs. Unlike traditional retail, sellers can quickly establish their presence on the platform, allowing for easy scalability and the potential to expand their offerings.
Growth Potential
With the increasing trend of online shopping, especially post-pandemic, the e-commerce market continues to grow. Selling on Amazon allows businesses to capitalize on this trend by expanding product lines and exploring new categories, tapping into a wide array of customer segments.
Selling Furniture on Amazon: A Step-by-Step Process
So far we have learned about the benefits of selling furniture over Amazon. This Section will help you know how to sell furniture on Amazon. Firstly, you need to become an Amazon seller to list your product on amazon and start selling them. Without registering your account on amazon, you cannot sell your stuff on the world’s largest e-commerce platform.
Becoming an Amazon Seller
Here is how you can become an amazon seller
Create Your Amazon Seller Account
Creating an Amazon Seller account is a crucial step for anyone looking to sell products on the platform. Below are detailed explanations regarding the two types of seller accounts—Individual and Professional along with the associated fees.
Choose Your Account Type
- Individual Seller Account:
- Monthly Fee: There is no monthly subscription fee for an Individual seller account.
- Per Sale Fees: Instead of a monthly fee, Amazon charges $0.99 per item sold. This means that if you sell 100 items in a month, you will pay $99 in selling fees.
- Features: Individual accounts have limited access to certain selling tools and features compared to Professional accounts. For example, you cannot use bulk listing tools or access advanced reporting.
- Professional Seller Account:
- Monthly Fee: A Professional seller account has a monthly subscription fee of $39.99. This fee is charged regardless of how many items you sell.
- Per Sale Fees: While there is no per-item fee, other selling fees still apply, such as referral fees based on the category of the product sold (usually ranging from 6% to 45%).
- Features: Professional accounts offer access to more advanced selling tools, including:
- Bulk listing capabilities
- Inventory management tools
- Access to Amazon advertising
- Advanced reports and analytics
- Eligibility for the Buy Box, which can significantly increase sales.
Sign Up
- Registration Process:
- Go to the Amazon Seller Central website.
- Click on the “Register” button to start the sign-up process.
- You’ll be prompted to fill in essential information, including:
- Your name and email address.
- Business name and details (if applicable).
- Address and contact information.
- Bank account details for payment deposits.
Set up Your Seller Profile
Setting up your seller profile is an important step in establishing your presence on Amazon. A well-structured profile can enhance your credibility and attract more customers. Below are the key components and information needed to complete your seller profile effectively.
- Business Name: Enter the name of your business as you want it to appear on Amazon.
- Business Address: Provide a physical address where your business is located. This can help build trust with customers.
- Address: Use a professional email address associated with your business. This is crucial for communication with customers and Amazon.
- Phone Number: Include a business phone number where customers can reach you if needed.
- Professional Logo: Upload a high-resolution logo that represents your brand. This helps in creating a professional appearance and increases brand recognition.
Start Listing Your Products
Product Title
Use relevant keywords in your product title to enhance visibility in search results. A well-crafted title should include essential information such as the brand, product type, key features, and specifications. This helps customers quickly identify what your product is and improves the likelihood of clicks and conversions. Your title should not exceed 180-200 characters.
Product Description
Write clear and informative product descriptions that highlight the key features and benefits of your item. This section should explain what makes your product unique and why customers should choose it. A compelling description not only informs but also persuades potential buyers, enhancing their overall shopping experience. In addition, amazon only allows 2000 characters per product discription
Bullet Points
Utilize bullet points to provide quick, digestible information about your product’s main features. This format allows customers to easily scan for important details, making their decision-making process more efficient. Each bullet should focus on a specific feature or benefit, ensuring clarity and helping potential buyers understand the value of your product.
Images
Upload high-quality images that showcase your product from multiple angles. Good visuals are crucial for online shopping, as they provide customers with a better understanding of the product’s appearance and details. Including lifestyle images can also help customers envision the product in their own lives, which can significantly boost sales.
Choosing a Selling Method Between FBA and FBM
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Benefits
Prime Eligibility: Products fulfilled by Amazon are eligible for Amazon Prime, which can significantly boost visibility and sales. Prime members often prefer buying Prime-eligible products due to fast and free shipping.
Streamlined Logistics: Amazon handles storage, packaging, and shipping of your products, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business, such as marketing and customer service. This can save you time and reduce logistical complexities.
Customer Service and Returns: With FBA, Amazon manages customer service inquiries and returns for your products. This not only enhances the customer experience but also reduces the workload on your end, as you don’t have to deal with these issues directly.
FBA Cost: FBA charges include storage fees (ranging from $0.75 to $2.40 per cubic foot per month) and fulfillment fees (approximately $2.50 to $5.00 per unit, depending on the size and weight of the product). These fees can vary, so it’s essential to calculate them based on your specific products.
Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) Benefits
Greater Control: With FBM, you have complete control over the storage, packaging, and shipping processes. This allows you to customize how your products are presented and delivered, catering specifically to your brand’s standards.
Lower Fees: Since you manage fulfillment yourself, you may incur lower fees compared to FBA. You avoid FBA’s storage and fulfillment costs, which can be beneficial for lower-volume sellers or those with large, bulky items.
Flexible Inventory Management: FBM allows you to maintain direct control over your inventory. You can adjust your stock levels based on demand more easily, and you have the option to sell on other platforms without restrictions imposed by Amazon’s FBA requirements.
Launch Your Products
After preparing your product listings, you can go live on Amazon, making them accessible to potential customers. It’s important to actively monitor your listings for customer inquiries, feedback, or concerns to ensure a positive shopping experience. Additionally, consider promoting your listings using Amazon advertising options, such as Sponsored Products.
These advertising tools can enhance your visibility on the platform, drive more traffic to your listings, and ultimately increase your chances of making sales and growing your business.
Do Amazon Marketing or Hire an Amazon Consultant
When considering whether to manage Amazon marketing in-house or hire an Amazon consultant, assess your expertise and resources. An Amazon consultant can optimize your storefront design, ensuring it reflects your brand effectively and attracts customers. They can also manage Amazon PPC campaigns, utilizing targeted ads to increase visibility and drive traffic.
Getting Customer Feedback
Gathering customer feedback is crucial for improving your products and enhancing the overall shopping experience on Amazon. Start by encouraging customers to leave reviews after their purchase; you can do this through follow-up emails or by including a note in the package. Use Amazon’s “Request a Review” button in Seller Central to automate this process and ensure consistent outreach.
Analyze the feedback you receive, both positive and negative, to identify trends and areas for improvement. Responding to reviews can also foster customer loyalty, showing that you value their opinions and are committed to enhancing their experience. Utilize this feedback to refine your products and services, adjust your marketing strategies, and better meet your customers’ needs. Ultimately, actively seeking and acting on customer feedback can lead to improved sales and customer satisfaction.
Leveraging Social Media to Drive Traffic to Amazon Listings
Leveraging social media is an effective way to drive traffic to your Amazon listings and boost sales. Start by identifying the platforms where your target audience is most active, such as Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest. Create engaging content that showcases your products, such as high-quality images, videos, or customer testimonials, to capture attention.
Use strategic hashtags to enhance discoverability and encourage user-generated content by prompting customers to share their experiences with your products. Collaborating with influencers can further amplify your reach, as they can introduce your products to their followers.
Additionally, consider running paid social media ads targeting specific demographics to drive more traffic to your Amazon listings. Regularly engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages, fostering a sense of community around your brand. By effectively utilizing social media, you can increase visibility and ultimately enhance your sales on Amazon.
Some top Furniture sellers on Amazon
Sauder
Sauder is known for its wide range of affordable, ready-to-assemble furniture, including desks, bookshelves, and entertainment centers. The brand focuses on practical design and functionality, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers looking for stylish yet economical options.
- Estimated Price Range: $50 – $300
Zinus
Zinus specializes in mattresses, bed frames, and other bedroom furniture, emphasizing comfort and modern design. Their products often incorporate innovative materials like memory foam and are designed for easy assembly. Zinus has gained a strong reputation for quality at an affordable price point.
- Estimated Price Range: $100 – $500
DHP (Dorel Home Products)
DHP offers a variety of space-saving furniture solutions, including futons, bunk beds, and convertible sofas. Their products are designed to be stylish and functional, catering to urban dwellers and those with limited space. DHP is known for its affordability and trendy designs.
- Estimated Price Range: $75 – $400
Ashley Furniture
Ashley Furniture is a well-established brand offering a diverse selection of home furnishings, from living room sets to bedroom suites. Known for its quality craftsmanship and extensive product line, Ashley Furniture appeals to a wide range of consumers looking for stylish and durable options.
- Estimated Price Range: $200 – $2,000
Furinno
Furinno specializes in affordable and functional furniture, including shelves, coffee tables, and storage solutions. Their products are often designed for easy assembly and are made from environmentally friendly materials. Furinno is popular among budget-conscious shoppers seeking practical home furnishings.
- Estimated Price Range: $30 – $200
Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens offers a wide range of stylish and functional furniture for every room in the house. Their products focus on contemporary design and are often available at competitive prices. This brand is popular among homeowners looking to enhance their living spaces.
- Estimated Price Range: $100 – $600
Conclusion
Selling furniture on Amazon offers a unique opportunity to tap into a vast market with minimal overhead costs. By understanding the platform’s requirements, choosing the right fulfillment method, and optimizing your product listings, you can increase your chances of success. Additionally, leveraging marketing strategies such as social media promotion and customer feedback can further enhance your visibility and sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best selling method for furniture on Amazon?
The best method depends on your business model. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is ideal for convenience and reaching Prime customers, while Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) offers more control and potentially lower fees.
Do I need a professional account to sell furniture on Amazon?
While an Individual account is sufficient for low-volume sellers, a Professional account is recommended for those planning to sell more than 40 items per month, as it offers more features and benefits.
What are the fees associated with selling furniture on Amazon?
Amazon charges referral fees (typically 15% for furniture), fulfillment fees for FBA, and additional storage fees based on the size of your inventory. It’s essential to calculate these costs to ensure profitability.
How can I promote my furniture listings effectively?
Utilize Amazon advertising options like Sponsored Products, engage with social media to drive traffic, and consider influencer partnerships to expand your reach and visibility.
