What is a marketplace?
A marketplace is an online portal where a retailer, manufacturer, wholesaler and a reseller offer different products for consumers to buy online.
Amazon and Walmart Reseller Programs:
Amazon and Walmart are examples of marketplaces where a reseller posts different items on a wall for users to buy.
How does a reseller program work on a marketplace?
I will share the following steps to start and maintain business on different market places.
Generally, every person or a company provides the following information for each market- place separately at the time of Sign Up to sell goods as retailer, reseller, distributor or as a manufacturer.
Each marketplace charges a monthly fee to use an online portal like Amazon professional package is $39.99 whereas Walmart does not have any monthly fee.
- Store Name is provided which you will use to create a store at a marketplace. A business name must be registered with the secretary of state or county.
- Complete legal name of the store owner along with the address, email address and telephone number.
- Business license and sales and use tax permit of the state where the business is registered and conducting business.
- Debit or Credit Card Information and Bank Information including account number, routing number and the complete business address.
- Bank statement and a utility or internet bill to verify the address.
- Passport or a driving license copy.
It generally takes one or two days to approve or ask if any additional information is required.
Step One To Start Business in a Marketplace:
A reseller chooses one or more categories to sale products such as cleaning items or natural supplements.
Step Two To Start Business on a Marketplace:
Find suppliers or the manufacturers to buy products to post on the wall. A reseller is not required to buy or store the inventory, rather a reseller has the following two choices:
i) Pay the supplier later:
May payment to the supplier after receiving an order. A supplier may ask for an immediate payment before shipping to a customer or provide a facility to pay later.
ii) Store products to deliver on demand:
Both the options have advantages and disadvantages. A reseller has to make sure the supplier has an inventory available with options to avoid violation of a marketplace account, whereas in the option one you have a control of the inventory and you can earn more profit.
Step Three To Start Business on a Marketplace:
Create personal profile, shipping and handling policies and the other terms and conditions.
Step Four To Start Business on a Marketplace:
List products on the wall along with images, title, description and keywords to invite potential clients to buy products. A professionally optimized campaign increases sale.
What is an estimated time start sale on any marketplace?
Based on our experience, it normally takes three to four months to start sale on a market place.
How can a Non-US-Resident sign up for a market place?
A Non-US resident who is not physically present in the United States engages with a local person to start whereas a Non-US-Resident who is residing in the USA is not required to engage a local person regardless of the residency status.
What are the downsides to start a business on a Marketplace?
- Charge back from a customer.
- A market place may close an account permanently due to a violation of the terms and conditions.
- It is highly recommended to maintain your own store too, to cover such uncertainties.
- A bad review may lead to a decline in sales.Advantages to start a business on the market places:
Advantages to start a business on the market places:
- It is an instant start for a business.
- A significant investment is not required.
- It can be managed remotely from anywhere.
- Get goods from the different suppliers instantly.
- A marketplace connects you with a buyer instantly.
Reason for deactivation, suspension of the Amazon Seller's Account?
There are many reasons for the suspension and deactivation of the Amazon's account and we will share a few of them for your reference:
- A conflict between the information which is provided to the Amazon to sign up the account deactivates and suspends accounts temporarily.
- The items were not delivered to the customer without sharing any reasonable reason for not delivering.
- Open a new account after the suspension rather than resolving the issue through an appeal to the Amazon.