Debunking 5 Myths About Selling on Amazon

Whether you're an Amazon seller or planning to become one, you know it's easy to get lost in the Amazon maze.

There is so much information available online about how to successfully sell on Amazon that it can be difficult to separate fact from myth. Disinformation is your enemy. This can weigh you down and, worse, prevent your business from succeeding on Amazon. 

Learning about Amazon is the key to successful selling. While there are other things you need to do right—like compelling Amazon ad copy and getting positive customer reviews—knowing Amazon certainly helps. We're here to help you navigate the daunting world of America's largest e-commerce site and help you separate fact from fiction.

Myth #1: Amazon is impossible to understand

Misinformation has led you to believe that Amazon is a complex sales site that is difficult to understand. You feel like you need to fully understand every part of the stunning How to Succeed at Amazon Selling series in order to sell profitably, but you don't know where to start. And there's a lot more to know: Amazon fees, fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), how to get permission to start selling, getting paid, and more.

If this list scares you, that's okay! When starting a business, everyone has to start somewhere, and selling on Amazon is no exception. Feeling overwhelmed is something everyone experiences. And while it may seem like everyone has effortlessly figured out how to become a successful Amazon seller, this fact is far from the truth. It takes hard work, finding the right resources and learning from your mistakes. 

There is a lot of knowledge to learn, ranging from creating an Amazon seller account, creating an Amazon bestseller list, getting an Amazon brand registry, and much more

Myth #2: To succeed on Amazon, you need to invent a new product. 

There are already millions of different products on Amazon. With so much competition, do you think the only way to get customers to buy anything is to invent a new product and capture an untapped market for yourself? 

This is not at all necessary. By all means, invent a new product if you are interested in it. But if this is not the right path for your business, you still have a lot of customers even though all the other companies are selling products similar to yours. 

Instead of creating a completely new product, you can improve existing ones. Reviews provide a window into the hearts and minds of your potential customers. Pay attention to what people like about their products and pay special attention to what they hate. Then make it your mission to improve all the problems people complained about. There is no need to create a new product. Just do better. 

Myth #3: Buyers choose the cheapest product.

With so much competition on Amazon, you might think that the only way to get customers to even click on your Amazon product listing is to set your prices lower than your competitors.

Some clients care about the lowest possible price. Some buyers choose only luxury and are willing to pay for high quality. And many other customers are looking for a balance between price, quality and their own decision factors. 

Prices say a lot about your product, and in fact, prices that are too low can seem sketchy to buyers. Low prices tell your customers that your products are cheap and of low quality. They may think your product is unreliable, doesn't work well, won't last long, or breaks easily. They will choose a more expensive product, believing that quality increases along with prices.

Instead, set prices that align with your brand strategy. Prices say a lot about your product and your brand, so think about how you want your brand to be known and set your prices accordingly.

Myth #4: Everyone needs to sell

It's very tempting to try to sell your product to as many people as possible. However, not only can this bad marketing practice affect your Amazon conversion rates, but it can also be very detrimental to the health of your Amazon account.

If there are people who shouldn't buy your product, make that clear. If your product isn't the best in some way, don't talk about it. Describing your product incorrectly will not only create a bad impression on your customers, but it can also lead to high return rates, negative reviews, and costly issues with your Amazon account.

One of the best ways to retain customers is to accurately describe your product in your Amazon listing. People like to know what they are getting. 

It's okay if your product doesn't change your customers' lives. Nobody expects this. This does not apply to every product. Avoid exaggeration. Give your clients the facts, so they can shop with confidence.

Myth #5: You need a ton of employees to help you sell on Amazon.

From accounting to sourcing and creating A+ Content images to logistics, you might think it takes a village to run your Amazon seller account. And while this may require a lot of experience, it doesn't have to increase your monthly salary. Instead of recruiting, hiring, and training a new employee every time your to-do list gets overwhelming, use a combination of services, tools, and contractors to save you time, scale efficiently, and reduce employee costs.