As the internet is connecting people all around the world surpassing the geographical boundaries, Amazon is making an effort to connect merchants with their prospective customers surpassing the international boundaries. With over 310 million active users and over 200 million Prime members, Amazon offers a huge audience and an even bigger scope of expansion for businesses. The seller-centric programs of Amazon allow merchants to reach its massive user base and sell products in the international market. Launched in 2015, Amazon’s Global Selling Program is aimed at creating a global marketplace for sellers without the hassle that comes along with export delivery.
The next 9 minutes of reading will explain all about Amazon’s Global Selling Program. Let’s start with the explanation first!
Explaining Amazon’s Global Selling Program
Amazon’s Global Selling Program gives you access to a digital sales platform, using which you can sell and market your products across nations worldwide. The platform is being utilized by over 100,000 sellers to sell in over 30 product categories listed out by Amazon. Indian exporters get the opportunity to sell their goods in 18 Amazon global marketplaces in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Once you register yourself with the Amazon Global Selling Program, you also get support from Amazon in various areas likes:
- Export Documentation - Amazon provides the sellers with guidance on documents, which are required during their registration process, product shipment, tax, and payment conciliation with Amazon Export Navigator.
- Hassle-free global logistics - The merchants can themselves send their products to their customers using their own logistics through Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN). Also, they can opt for Fulfillment by Amazon FBA, where you can store your products in the Amazon global FCs and leave the worry of picking, packing, and shipping on Amazon.
- Service for every need - The network of qualified third-party service providers supports the merchants on various grounds. Get assistance on registration, management, and growth of your export business across the world.
- Advertising - Sales don’t increase with just an increase in audience, sellers need to advertise their products and increase their visibility to grab orders from international marketplaces. Amazon helps in advertising as well by running sponsored ads, brands, and display ads.
- Growth of your Global Brand: Survival in the international market can become tough sometimes. With tools like A+ Content and Brand Registry, Amazon helps brands not just build and grow but protect them from giants.
- Informative Webinars: One needs to understand the international market before entering and needs solutions to its problems on entering the market. Webinars, events, and training videos by Amazon help sellers optimize their business.
Sell These Products to Maximize Profits
Out of hundreds of products that can be listed on Amazon by Indian sellers to take their business to the international level, here are a few product categories that have shown rapid growth in year-on-year sales:
- Toys and Games: 50% growth
- Kitchenware: 35% growth
- Beauty Products: 25% growth
- Luggage: 20% growth
- Furniture: 20% growth
In addition to the above categories, books, jewellery, home decor, office appliances, and health and fitness are showing good growth. If your business deals in any of the above-mentioned categories, then wait no more to take the deal internationally.
The Global Market of Amazon
Covering 18 marketplaces around the globe, Amazon spans across 220 nations. Here is the list of nations where you can reach with Amazon:
- Europe - 28 countries in Europe, including Germany, the UK, Spain, Italy, France and others.
- Asia-Pacific - India, Japan, Australia & Singapore, and other countries in the Asia Pacific.
- Middle East - UAE, KSA, Turkey, Egypt & other Middle Eastern Countries.
- North America - USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and other countries.
To sell in any of these marketplaces, sellers have to create different accounts for all, except for North America & Europe as Amazon offers unified accounts in both these regions.
Here’s The Registration Process
The registration process for Amazon global Selling program is very simple. Here is a breakdown of each step:
1. Search for the Amazon Global Selling website and create your own selling account by clicking on “Start exploring”. Further, select the target marketplace for your business and go ahead to click on “Register now”.
Note: You can simply log in to your account, if you already have one by verifying your details through OTP.
2. Enter the location and the type of business you are dealing with. If you have a privately registered company, go ahead to enter the company details.
3. Enter details of your business. Make sure that you fill in the address and bank details carefully. Also, add your contact number verified through an OTP. In addition to this, it is important to add details of a primary contact person along with an ID card for identity verification purposes.
4. Enter your (seller’s) details. Add your Aadhaar Card and leave the field related to the export date blank. In the case of a partnership firm, details of all the partners should be added.
5. Enter valid credit and debit card information. The monthly fee will be charged from this card on a monthly basis once the registration is done.
6. Enter store details next. Choose any template from the listing page, which can be changed at your convenience. Add the UPCs (Universal Product Codes) and other necessary details.
7. Add the relevant details as per the national ID proof along with the attached documents.
8. There will be a mandatory video call verification process for registration. Choose a date and time slot at your convenience. Keep a physical copy of your ID proofs during the call.
Voila! You are done with the registration process.
Start with the Selling Part
After knowing all this, your business is just three steps away from going international and selling in 18 different marketplaces across the globe.
Step 1: Thorough analysis and research is very important for any business. As a merchant who wants to go international, know what to sell, where to sell, and at what price. Going international is easy with Amazon’s services but only if you have done your part.
Step 2: Listing of products and services is another crucial part. Get the registration done and finally look for detailed and well-crafted descriptions that are not just explanations but more of marketing.
Step 3: Once all this is done, products need to reach the customer. Make sure that the shipping and returns logistics are well handled. Find yourself a space where you can keep your inventory safe at a reasonable price. You may wish to opt for a third-party agent or use Amazon FBA.
There you start selling!
Select the Right Delivery Channel
Amazon presents merchants with a bucket full of choices for the fulfillment of the products. Merchants can choose to do it themselves or by opting for FBA. Here are a few options you might want to explore:
1. Fulfillment by Self/ Merchant Fulfilled Network (MFN)
You can list your products in Amazon stores and manage the storage yourself. With this, you can manage shipping and customer support independently. There is a scope of customization of shipping in this case in terms of templates, shipping charges, by order, per item, and/or per weight. Not to worry much, if you change your mind. Amazon allows merchants to change plans.
2. Amazon Buy Shipping
This is a logistics solution by Amazon. With this, merchants can buy shipping labels from Amazon partner carriers at a cost-effective range. It caters to everything from pick up to delivery also including customs clearance.
3. Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
This is one of the most important logistics options provided by Amazon. With this, merchants can store their products in their nearest Amazon fulfillment centers and once you get an order, Amazon picks, packs, and ships your products to your buyer within two days.
4. Amazon Global Selling SEND
As the name suggests, this is an international cross-border solution that gives the facility of a hassle-free shipping process along with customer support. This allows the merchants to send their products while tracking shipments, easy pickup, and delivery; all at a reasonable price.
Amazon Global Selling has everything you and your business require to map it on the globe. It is needless to say you will be able to sell to a much wider audience, leveraging all the important sales seasons and not just Indian sales seasons. While you make sales in USD, AUD, pound, etc. you will get your final due in INR, which is another benefit. With easy export of products, you can lessen the load of delivery and focus more on the greater good of your business. Of which, you don't have to worry about the documentation, since Amazon is going to help you here as well. So, wait no more and Go Global.
