How to sell on Amazon Marketplace (for small creators)

Amazon can feel like a massive, intimidating marketplace — millions of products, huge brands, and endless competition. But here’s the part most people don’t realize: small creators launch there successfully every single day, using simple tools and a clear, repeatable plan.

In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to get set up, how Amazon listing pages actually work, and how you can use Adobe Express to design scroll-stopping product graphics — even if you don’t have a big budget or a design team.

So if you’ve been asking yourself, “How do you sell on Amazon?” you’re in the right place.

Key takeaways

Summary/Overview

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1

What is Amazon Marketplace?

Amazon Marketplace is the Amazon ecommerce platform for third-party sellers. You create product pages, set prices, choose how orders ship, then Amazon handles checkout and the trust layer. Most shoppers don’t care who fulfills the shipment, as long as the page is clear, reviews are strong, and delivery is fast.

Why should small creators sell on Amazon?

Here are four plug-and-play stats (with sources) that align to each point in your section:

What are the best products to sell on Amazon for beginners?

Start with items that are simple to describe, cheap to ship, and hard to break. Use this as a quick filter before you list:

Beginner-friendly ideas (examples): silicone spatulas or pastry scrapers, microfiber cleaning cloths, cable organizers, notebook/planner inserts, simple pet grooming mitts, resistance bands with a printed guide, greeting-card multipacks, pantry labels or spice jar sets.

Quick validation steps: Search the item on Amazon → read reviews/Q&A on top listings (note complaints you can solve) → estimate fees in Seller Central → make a one-sentence promise and a draft image set → order a small test batch.

What are the components of a high-performing Amazon listing?

Use this checklist:

Tip: Adding A+ Content can lift sales; Amazon reports up to +8% for Basic A+ and up to +20% for well-implemented Premium A+.

How to sell on Amazon for beginners? Here are 7 essential steps

Step 1: Choose your product and tighten the promise

Pick a specific product you can explain in one sentence: “Hand-poured soy candle with clean scents and 40-hour burn.” List 3–5 benefit statements that your images and bullets will prove (e.g., “non-toxic wax,” “no soot,” “gift-ready box”). When you’re brainstorming products to start selling on Amazon, start with simple, lightweight items that are easy to photograph, ship, and describe clearly.

Tip: If you don’t have barcodes, look into GTIN/UPC options (buy UPCs or request a GTIN exemption if eligible).

Step 2: Set up your Seller Central account and fulfillment plan

Step 3: Build conversion-ready listing images with Adobe Express

Images sell the product before anyone reads a word.

Main image (compliance friendly):

Gallery images should answer questions:

  1. How it looks in use (lifestyle).
  2. What’s included (lay everything out, label parts).
  3. Size & scale (hand/room comparison, dimension overlay).
  4. Benefits infographic (3–5 callouts).
  5. Care or how-to (simple steps).
  6. Comparison chart vs. your other options.

How to do it in Adobe Express (fast workflow):

Step 4: Write the title, bullets, and description (plain English > jargon)

Voice rule: If a sentence looks like a keyword salad, rewrite it for a human and weave the keyword in naturally.

Step 5: Price, launch, and protect margins

Step 6: Ship right the first time (and every time)

Returns mindset: Make returns painless; use the comments from return reasons to fix images or bullets causing confusion. Remember that 76% of shoppers say free returns are an important consideration factor when shopping online, so a clear, low-friction policy can boost conversion and trust.

Step 7: Kick-start traffic and reviews (policy-safe)

Amazon best practices (for creators)

Quick launch checklist

✅ Choose one hero SKU; write a one-line promise.

✅ Create Seller Central account; pick FBA or FBM.

✅ Handle UPC/GTIN (buy UPCs or request exemption).

✅ Produce images in Adobe Express: main image + 5–7 gallery graphics.

✅ Write a clean title, 5 benefits-first bullets, and a helpful description.

✅ Set price with fees in mind; prepare packaging and labels.

✅ Launch with a small auto ad; read search terms; start a simple manual campaign.

✅ Monitor sessions, conversion rate, ad ACOS, return reasons; improve weekly.

Selling on Amazon Marketplace is a craft, not a lottery. Lead with a focused product, clear benefits, and gallery images that answer questions before they’re asked. Adobe Express makes that part fast and easy. Choose the fulfillment model that fits your life, gather data gently with small ads, and improve one piece each week. That steady rhythm is how small creators turn Amazon into a reliable sales channel.

FAQs

Do I need an LLC to sell on Amazon?
No. Many creators start as sole proprietors and upgrade later. Check local requirements; an LLC can add liability protection and make banking cleaner, but it’s not required to list products.
How do I know what I need to sell on Amazon?

Use this quick checklist:

  • Seller account: Individual or Professional plan in Seller Central, plus identity verification (government ID), banking details, and tax info.
  • Compliant product: Confirm your item is allowed (no restricted/hazmat without approvals) and meets any category rules.
  • Barcode/GTIN: A UPC/EAN for each SKU or an approved GTIN exemption; FNSKU labels for units you send to FBA.
  • Listing assets: Clear title, 5 bullets, description, backend keywords, and images at least 1000×1000 px (main image on pure white).
  • Fulfillment plan: FBA (Amazon ships) or FBM (you ship), plus packaging that meets Amazon prep/label standards.
  • Policies & paperwork: Return policy, basic safety/compliance docs if your category requires them (e.g., children’s products, electronics).
  • Optional brand layer: Trademark + Brand Registry to unlock A+ Content and a Brand Store when you’re ready.
What do I need to know on how to sell on Amazon without inventory?

Three common paths:

  • Print-on-Demand (POD)/Made-to-Order: Your partner produces and ships after each sale (e.g., custom tees, mugs). You carry no stock.
  • Compliant Dropshipping: Allowed only if you are the seller of record (your name on the packing slip/invoice, you handle returns). Buying from another retailer and shipping directly to the customer is not allowed.
  • Amazon Handmade / Small-batch FBA: Make items to order or in tiny batches; send limited units to FBA as you validate demand.
How much does it cost to sell on Amazon Marketplace?

Expect a few layers of cost:

  • Selling plan: Individual (pay per item sold) or Professional (flat monthly fee).
  • Referral fees: A percentage of the sale price (varies by category; many are around the mid-teens).
  • Fulfillment:
  • FBA fees per unit + monthly storage (and long-term storage if inventory lingers).
  • FBM shipping/packaging costs you manage directly.
  • Optional: Barcodes/GTINs, photography, samples, and advertising.
    Build your price using landed cost (product + packaging + inbound shipping + Amazon/fulfillment fees) and leave margin for promos and ads.
What can I sell on Amazon as a new seller?
Plenty. Start with open categories (many home goods, tools, apparel basics, arts & crafts) and your own brand/private label products. You can also apply for Amazon Handmade if you make items yourself. Some categories are gated (require approval) or restricted (hazmat, certain health/beauty, etc.), so check requirements before listing. When in doubt, begin with a simple, compliant product you can describe clearly.
FBA or FBM; how should I fulfill?
  • FBA: Less manual work, Prime badge, Amazon handles customer service/returns; you’ll pay storage and fulfillment fees.
  • FBM: More control over packaging and margins; you handle shipping speed, tracking, and support. Pick the one that fits your product size, cash flow, and time.
What image sizes should I upload?
Aim for at least 1000×1000 px square to enable zoom; 2000×2000 or larger looks sharper. Keep the main image on pure white with the product centered and filling most of the frame.
How do I get my first reviews without breaking rules?
Use Amazon’s Request a Review tool after delivery, enroll in Vine if eligible, and focus on clarity. Good images and honest bullets reduce negative reviews and earn positive ones over time.
What if my product has variations (size/color)?
Create a parent-child listing so options live on one page. Keep images consistent; include a simple color/size chart graphic (easy to build in Adobe Express) in the gallery.
Do I need A+ Content?
It helps, but it requires Brand Registry. If you’re not there yet, make your standard gallery images do the storytelling heavy lifting. Comparison charts, callouts, and how-to panels can cover most of what A+ would show.
How much should I spend on ads at first?
Start small — just enough to get impressions and data (often a few dollars a day). After a week, move converting search terms to a manual campaign, add negatives for irrelevant terms, and iterate your main image if clicks are low.

Try Adobe Express today