Your brand needs to start selling on Amazon. Here’s why

COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we buy things. Regular retail stores bore the brunt of lock-downs across the world, while e-commerce giants like Amazon expanded its reach. According to emarketer, US consumers are expected to spend $709.78 billion on buying goods online in 2020. This is a remarkable 18.0% increase from 2019.

Many direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands were hit hard by the pandemic. With regular retail no longer being a viable option, many DTC brands switched their strategies to selling online. In order to withstand unexpected market forces, brands have begun to adopt omnichannel fulfillment en masse. It opens up more channels of communication with consumers and customers love having choices! An online brand presence is now more important than ever and the best place to start is Amazon.

Why your brand needs to sell on Amazon

• Amazon gets massive organic traffic. It provides brands a unique opportunity to expand their consumer base.
• Amazon has replaced Google as the default search engine for finding products.
• Amazon ad costs can be up to 10% cheaper. This gives you a cost-effective way to reach customers online.
• You’re also likely to convert more with Amazon ads because customers are usually at the end of the purchasing journey when using the e-commerce platform.

While the switch to selling on Amazon can be very profitable, it’s not always easy. Brands have to make sure their products have great visibility. Listings need to be optimized for search engines and online consumers. Amazon does have a massive user base, but there are also over 120 million products being sold on the platform. If brands don’t pay attention, they’re not going to get sales via the e-commerce giant.

How to make the switch to Amazon

• Always be the first to market your own brands and products. You don’t want other sellers to steal your thunder. Or worse, you don’t want other sellers to sully your brand’s reputation.
• Focus on visibility. Make sure your product shows up on the first page of Amazon’s organic search results. You can ensure visibility with proper keyword research and smart PPC (pay-per-click) campaigns.
• Selling on Amazon can be a full-time job. In order to ensure success, brands need to constantly monitor sales performance and innovate to stand out from competitors.
• Test. Test. Test. I’m not talking about COVID-19 here. Keep testing your product listings in order to optimize them. A/B testing is non-negotiable if you want to find what works best for your brand.

The number of people selling online is only going to increase. Customer behavior is also rapidly changing. As a result of competitive pricing online, more and more customers are looking for value when buying products. COVID-19 also impacted the supply chains for many established brands. Therefore, brand loyalty is on the decline and this is the perfect opportunity for budding brands to create a loyal consumer base online. To do this, brands need to create a unique online identity. This is key for long-term profitability in the online marketplace.

On Amazon, you can create a unique storefront for your brand if it is registered with the retail giant. Personalize the on-site experience and create rich media content targeting your ideal customer. The option to add A+ or Enhanced Brand Content also gives brands a chance to stand out.

Final Thoughts

The world is moving online and brands need to keep up. Strong digital customer experience and cost-effective products and advertising are the way forward for sustainability. Amazon ticks all the right boxes. The retail giant opens up new global markets for brands looking to take advantage. Capitalize on new trends, analyze consumer behavior, and adopt omnichannel selling to shield your brand from further market shocks.

So, what are you waiting for? There’s no time like now to start selling online!