Amazon is perhaps the world’s biggest marketplace, an e-commerce site that simply goes from strength to strength. If you can’t find what you need on Amazon you’re not looking hard enough! Amazon began as a bookseller, and soon branched out into the giant that of retailing that it is today. Can you make money on Amazon? Many people do, and there are a number of ways you can start an Amazon business.
Following, we take a look at some of the most popular platforms that Amazon has put in place to enable entrepreneurs to start businesses, so let’s start with Amazon Affiliates.
Amazon Associates
Amazon Affiliates is an extremely popular platform and is used by great numbers of people who want to add a passive income. How does it work? It’s actually quite simple, hence the popularity. Here’s an example:
Let’s say you have an interest in tropical fish. You start a blog and launch a website talking about tropical fish. Perhaps you add reviews of products on your website that would appeal to the tropical fish enthusiast. In your blog posts or reviews you post a link to these products on Amazon that has your affiliate tracking code in the link.
Now here’s the good bit: every time a reader clicks your link and buys the product, you get a commission. But, and it’s worth knowing, the commission is not high – the maximum is 12% and there are different rates for various product types – but the sheer number of products you can link to is simply colossal. We’ve used tropical fish as an example, but you may be into dogs, other pets, certain sports or a fashion blogger. The options are endless, so check it further.
Merch by Amazon
If you’re looking for an outlet for your creative design talents, then Merch by Amazon may be the platform for you. In short, it’s about printed t-shirts which you design and upload to the Merch dashboard.
There is an entry process in which you fill out details and become accepted for the programme. You also have to come up with t-shirt designs that are acceptable, and that people will want to buy.
The best thing about it is this: you have no physical stock, no initial outlay, and it is entirely print on demand. Someone orders one of your designs, Amazon print and despatch it, and you get a cut.
There are people who are doing very well with Merch by Amazon, and we recommend you check out this video for more detail and advice on how to use this opportunity successfully.
Amazon KDP
Amazon KDP – Kindle Direct Publishing – began as an e-book publishing service but now allows for physical books to be printed. However, as with the above, if you become a member of Amazon KDP and launch a book for sale, it is printed on demand. You do not see the book itself, as it is designed within the platform using the tools available.
The beauty of Amazon KDP is that it presents an opportunity not only to publish, for example, a novel or non-fiction e-book, but also those known as ‘low content’ books. These are publications that contain little in the way of written content.
For example, you may design a journal – one that features a quote per day or week – or other form of notebook or planner, with a unique twist. Each time an order is placed, you get paid a royalty. You have no stock, and no risk.
Bear in mind that Amazon KDP is very competitive but if you have an idea for a book, then it’s certainly worth investigating further.
Amazon FBA
Finally, we need to mention Fulfilment by Amazon. This is the much-used logistics platform in which people have stock sent to an Amazon warehouse. When an order is placed, the Amazon team handle everything, including returns. The opportunity for a business that takes up little of your time is here if you have a saleable product.
The option is there for getting your own products manufactured or perhaps buying job lots at auction. Some entrepreneurs buy up stock on sale in high street stores, repackage it, send it to the Amazon warehouse and promote it for sale.
Of course, Amazon takes a cut which is quite large, but this is a genuine business opportunity.
Conclusion
The options for making money on Amazon all have their own appeal, but one thing you must remember is that while Amazon does much of the work, you need to actively and successfully promote your product. We hope we’ve given you inspiration for a business idea, so read up more and have a go.
