How to Start Amazon FBA:
Step by Step Guide for Beginners

Ready to start your Amazon selling journey? The first crucial step is setting up your Amazon Seller Account. Whether you're looking for extra income or building a sustainable brand, this is where it all begins. Amazon offers two account types: - Individual Plan (pay-per-sale) – Perfect for testing the waters with fewer than 40 monthly sales. - Professional Plan (monthly subscription) – Best for serious sellers, unlocking bulk listing tools and advertising features. You'll need: - A bank account to receive payments - A valid credit card - Business registration details (if applicable) - Government-issued ID for verification Getting this right from the start saves headaches later. Your first 90 days on Amazon are crucial for establishing your seller metrics and building momentum across any marketplace.

Product selection can make or break your Amazon business. It's not about chasing trends it's about finding items with healthy demand, manageable competition, and solid profit margins across regions. What makes a product worth selling? - Price sweet spot of $15-50/£15-50/€15-50 for better margins - Low competition niche with room for new sellers - Compact and lightweight to minimise fulfilment costs - Year-round demand rather than seasonal spikes Each marketplace has unique opportunities, with certain niches performing differently across regions. Amazon's New Seller Incentives programme offers substantial benefits for new brands in major marketplaces, including bonuses on your first sales.

Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) allows you to store products in Amazon's warehouses while they handle packing, shipping, and customer service. It's brilliant for scaling, but understanding the costs is crucial. Key FBA advantages: - Prime badge eligibility, boosting visibility and sales - Professional customer service handling - Simpler international expansion - More time to focus on growth rather than logistics FBA fees include storage costs based on size and fulfilment fees based on weight. Each region has specific programmes like Small and Light FBA for lightweight, low-cost items and FBA New Selection for first-time FBA products both offering significant fee discounts.

Your product listing is your digital storefront. Even with an excellent product, a poorly optimised listing can result in dismal sales. Each marketplace has unique shopper preferences that affect conversion. Essential elements of high-converting listings: - Keyword-rich title using appropriate regional language (200 characters max) - Professional product images showing scale and usage - Benefit-focused bullet points addressing regional customer concerns - Persuasive product description with appropriate spelling and phrasing - Backend search terms covering regional variations - A+ Content for brand-registered sellers Amazon's algorithm favours listings with higher conversion rates. Spending time on proper keyword research and compelling content can dramatically boost your visibility and sales in every marketplace.

Shipping to fulfilment centres requires understanding Amazon's specific requirements in each region. Getting this right avoids costly delays and penalties, especially when navigating different countries. Key shipping considerations: - Using Amazon's partnered carriers for significant discounts - Region-specific product labelling and barcode requirements - Accurate box content information for streamlined receiving - Compliant packaging that meets Amazon's guidelines - Strategic inventory planning to balance stock levels The Inventory Performance Index (IPI) measures how efficiently you manage inventory. A high score unlocks storage limit increases and can reduce fees, making it vital to master proper shipping practices.

Success on Amazon requires strategic advertising to stand out in competitive marketplaces. Shoppers in different regions respond to different messaging and promotions. Essential advertising options: - Sponsored Products: Pay-per-click ads appearing in search results - Sponsored Brands: Banner ads featuring your logo and multiple products - Sponsored Display: Retargeting ads appearing on and off Amazon Region-specific marketing strategies: - Amazon Vouchers and Lightning Deals (with regional timing considerations) - Amazon Posts for brand storytelling - Social media integration with regional platforms - Email marketing campaigns tailored to different consumer behaviours Understanding regional shopping patterns and seasonal peaks is crucial for maximising your advertising return on spend (ROAS) in each marketplace.

Once you've established a solid foundation in one marketplace, it's time to consider scaling across borders. This requires understanding each region's regulations and consumer preferences. Key scaling strategies include: - Product line expansion with complementary items - Marketplace expansion into UK, US, EU and beyond - Brand Registry and enhanced content development - Operational optimisation to reduce costs - External sales channel development Amazon's global fulfilment networks make expansion more accessible, but each marketplace has unique tax requirements, compliance regulations, and customer preferences that must be navigated carefully.

Building an Amazon business doesn't have to be a lonely journey. Sellers face unique challenges in each marketplace, and having expert support makes all the difference in your success. At Source Central, we provide everything you need to thrive in the UK, US, EU and other major Amazon marketplaces. What our members receive: - Expert-led training sessions covering region-specific selling strategies - Exclusive product research tools calibrated for major markets - A private community of sellers sharing insights and solutions across regions - Monthly strategy calls covering the latest Amazon policies in all marketplaces - Priority support from experienced sellers from key regions - Regular market updates to help you adapt and grow globally Rather than spending hours searching for answers or making costly mistakes, gain immediate access to proven strategies from successful sellers across all major marketplaces.