Navigating Amazon Selling: Getting Started on Amazon

In our journey to expand our reach and diversify our sales channels, we set our sights on Amazon—a bustling marketplace with endless opportunities.

Being Shopify users, we sought a seamless way to synchronize our inventory between Shopify and Amazon. Initially, we scoured the Shopify app store for a native solution, only to find that Shopify had discontinued support for Amazon sync tools as of September 30, 2022. Undeterred, we explored alternative options and decided to kickstart our Amazon journey with the "Codisto" app (Now Marketplace Connect). This choice was driven by the app's enticing offer of 50 free orders, allowing us to test its efficacy before considering its broader functionalities, including integration with Walmart and other platforms.

With the app selected, the next step was installation—a straightforward process within Shopify. However, before diving into the app, we needed to establish our presence on Amazon Seller Central. Setting up a seller account on Amazon is a meticulous process, requiring comprehensive business information and culminating in a video interview with an Amazon representative. Following this, a waiting period of up to 72 hours for account approval ensued. It's crucial to undertake this process well in advance, as an additional 48-hour wait may be necessary before linking a third-party app like Marketplace Connect to your Amazon account. Despite our initial hiccup in connecting Codisto (now Marketplace Connect) to Amazon, a proactive dialogue with Codisto's customer service shed light on the possibility of awaiting Amazon's approval for the third-party app link.

With the app successfully integrated into our Amazon Seller Central account, our focus shifted to product synchronization. For sellers like us, dealing with salvaged items or items procured through unconventional means presents unique challenges, particularly in the absence of purchase receipts. Starting with niche products where Amazon seeks additional suppliers proved beneficial. While Amazon restricts sellers from offering certain items, diligent customer service and timely order fulfillment gradually pave the way for "ungating" opportunities—allowing sellers to offer a broader range of products without the need for receipts. Although some brands may remain off-limits due to seller restrictions, perseverance is key. Despite the gradual nature of this process, consistent effort yields results, gradually transforming stagnant inventory into active sales on Amazon.

If you're embarking on a similar journey and need assistance navigating the Amazon selling landscape, we're here to offer guidance and support every step of the way.

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