Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling on Amazon

Amazon provides sellers with great monetization opportunities. However, many fail to get the most out of the platform due to common mistakes they make. 

These mistakes range anywhere from policy violations to poor customer service, which immensely impact your seller’s reputation. 

If you are an Amazon seller aiming to grow a 6-figure business, then you should be aware of and try to avoid the mistakes mentioned throughout this article. So, if you are ready, let’s take a closer look at each. 

Mistake #1 Having Multiple Accounts 

One of the most common mistakes Amazon sellers make is keeping multiple seller accounts. Amazon has a policy that allows one person to have one account. If you register for multiple accounts, it will be considered a violation and can result in account suspension, which will affect your reputation and sales. 

Mistake #2 Late Deliveries 

Another common mistake sellers make is late order fulfillment. Late deliveries pose significant risks to a business’s reputation, increasing the chances of receiving a negative review. Besides, many competitors offer fast shipping options. Thus, to stay ahead of the competition, make sure you comply with the shipping requirements and fulfill orders as soon as possible. 

Mistake #3 Not Optimizing Product Listings 

Product listings are critical for your store. With an optimized product listing, you increase your chances of ranking high on Amazon searches and making a sale. 

To optimize product listings, make sure to: 

1) Use relevant keywords and optimize product Titles/Descriptions.

2) Write informative and catchy product descriptions. 

3) Use high-quality images and videos to display the best features of your products. 

Optimized product listings contribute to higher chances of making conversions. 

Pro Tip: ensure that information on your listings is accurate and not exaggerated. 

Mistake #4 Including URL of the Store to Product Listing 

Many sellers are unaware of this violation, which is why it is a common mistake. In short, Amazon does not allow you to put your store’s URL to your product listings. 

So, if you are planning to promote your Amazon store, include your Store URL on third-party platforms (e.g., social media) to improve brand visibility. 

Mistake #5 Including Sales/Discount Offers in the Product Titles for Advertising 

If you do not want your Amazon account suspended or, worse, even deleted, then avoid this mistake at all costs. You should not include information regarding coupons, sales, or discounts in the product titles on Amazon, as it is a policy violation. 

Mistake #6 Expensive Shipping Options 

Did you know that shipping costs are one of the biggest factors influencing purchase decisions? Well, now you do. Thus, offering overly high shipping charges decreases your chances of making a sale, as over 80% of shoppers (according to Forbes) will prefer an alternative product shipping price that is cheaper. 

Instead of offering overpriced shipping options, you should conduct research and find logistics companies offering better delivery rates. Another option to lower delivery costs is to join Amazon FBA. Amazon FBA is a program offered by Amazon that allows sellers to outsource order fulfillment to Amazon and offer customers free shipping through Prime.

Mistake #7 Asking for Customer Reviews 

Amazon holds a firm belief that sellers should not ask for customer reviews. Customers should share product reviews if they truly want to leave feedback. More explicit policy violation is when sellers request positive reviews from customers or family members/relatives/friends. 

Some sellers think there is a way of requesting positive reviews without explicitly asking it from the customers, but it is also forbidden. Any initiatives, such as giveaways to customers in return for reviews, are also forbidden by Amazon. 

Mistake #8 Stock Mismanagement 

Poor stock management can cause a variety of inconveniences for the sellers, from overstocking to running out of inventory. In the first scenario, you will have to pay additional storage fees. In the second scenario, you won’t be able to meet the demand, which can harm your business reputation. 

Mistake #10 Ad Campaigns with No Strategy 

Amazon Sponsored Product Campaigns help sellers improve listing visibility, increase conversion rates, and drive sales. However, these results cannot be achieved without a good strategy and the right targeting. 

A common mistake sellers make is creating campaigns without planning ahead. Before creating a PPC campaign, it is vital to do some research and analysis. For instance, analyze competitors and their campaigns. Consult a professional to identify the right budget and figure out other nuances regarding successful campaigns. 

Mistake #11 Improper Tax Management 

Amazon sellers often forget about sales tax obligations. However, this is one of the most important aspects when it comes to running a business. Sales tax obligations can vary from state to state or country to country. Make sure to check the requirements to ensure compliance. 

Mistake #12 Poor Customer Service 

A mistake that can damage a business’s reputation and result in lost sales is poor customer service. Customer service is very important; in fact, over 60% of shoppers prefer quality customer service over the price of the product. 

Examples of poor customer service include the following: 

1) Not addressing customer complaints or taking too long to answer customer questions. 

2) Arguing with the buyers. As a seller, even if you are the one in the right, you should always maintain professionalism and remain polite. 

3) Lying/misleading the customers regarding the details or condition of the product. For instance, claiming the used product is in perfect conduction when, in fact, it has scratches. 

Thus, if you want to grow your business and maintain a good business reputation, avoid bad customer experiences. Try to maximize the quality of customer service by offering timely deliveries, addressing negative feedback, and proactively working through customer complaints. 

Avoid Costly Mistakes with Good Management 

If you want to grow your Amazon Store into a six or even 7-figure business while avoiding costly mistakes, then you are in the right place. Enso Brands is a full-service Amazon Agency that provides all the necessary services for growth acceleration. 

We offer services ranging from PPC campaigns and SEO to brand and seller-central catalog management. Our professional team and dedicated account manager assigned to you will help you with Amazon store management in every aspect. 

Start growing your Amazon Store and improve management with us.