Since the advent of e-commerce began, some questions have always popped up for businesses wanting to navigate various online marketplaces. Which platform to choose between the two giants, Shopify and Amazon? Can you sell on both at once? And if you can, for the users of the former at least, how to sell your Shopify products on Amazon?
While both e-commerce platforms have pros and cons, they are essentially celebrated ways for online merchants to function. People go for Shopify because it provides a one-stop, unique place for you to sell your products while reaping the benefits of an online store. In this case, Amazon holds the appeal of a marketplace with 300 million customers, essentially an added sales channel that can help derive more sales. This makes it a viable option for Shopify merchants to branch out towards it.
However, the process is confusing for netizens, with many online sources still outdated about the workings of Amazon Shopify Integration and, ultimately, the relationship between the two platforms. In this guide, we will teach you how to sell your Shopify products on Amazon in 5 easy steps so you can go conquer another platform and reach a new height in your business.
Note: This blog talks about selling Shopify products on Amazon and NOT vice versa. The intent is to help Shopify users sell their products on Amazon.
Table of Contents
Requirements For An Amazon Shopify Integration
- It is necessary to have a Shopify account with a paid plan to access features like bulk product inventory management, among other things.
- You must make a professional seller account on Amazon, which will be the first step in this tutorial, to be eligible for all integration features and apply for restricted product categories.
- You must match the Amazon marketplace with your Shopify store currency for correct functionality. For example, Amazon.com should be matched with US dollars, and Amazon.in should be matched with Indian Rupee.
- Ensure you don’t follow any Amazon fulfillment program like FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon).
Steps on How to Sell Your Shopify Products on Amazon
1. Create a professional seller account
A professional seller account gets more leeway when it comes to opportunities and is host to more features and is thus preferable to a personal seller account. This is why it becomes important to make sure you choose to create a professional seller account.
Sign up here to create a seller account or through a marketplace native to your region. This will be like your Shopify dashboard, where all the magic happens. Complete the sign-in process and fulfill all the requirements.
2. Check and get category approval from Amazon
There are many categories of products on Amazon, with one section being restricted and the other being approved. You must find out which categories your business supports and get the required approvals if needed.
Find the overview of the categories here. You can easily find out if you need any approvals for your category, what are the required procedures, and even what condition you are allowed to sell. Be sure of this step to avoid any complications in the future.
3. Find a third-party app for Amazon Shopify integration
Once you have made sure you have the necessary approvals, the integration process will start with the help of a third-party vendor. Since Shopify delisted Amazon as a sales channel in 2021, the manual method became unavailable for the merchants. The one alternative found was using third-party applications for the Amazon Shopify integration process and the smooth running of the businesses on both platforms moving forward.
There are many of these apps that are found in the Shopify app store, like CedCommerce Amazon Channel, Amazon Importer Spreadr, and even Shopify’s own ‘Marketplace Connect’, which we explain in brief in the next section.
These apps can be extremely beneficial to your business with their simple integration process, highly efficient features, and constant customer support.
4. Set Inventory Tracking
A lot has changed since people used to manually sync their inventory between Amazon and Shopify. Nowadays, it has become the job of the integration application to take care of inventory sync between the two platforms with the manual or the later brought auto option being removed from the Shopify dashboard settings.
You can sync, manage, and customize various features of your inventory to suit your business needs.
Note: Each application works differently and has its own interface; thus, inventory tracking also differs for each.
5. Complete the Amazon orders
This will be the simplest step that you will all be familiar with. You will get the Amazon orders on your Shopify dashboard, and all you have to do is simply fulfill them like you do with your regular orders. Just make sure you follow all the rules and regulations of Amazon since they are very strict with their services, and you will encounter no problems. There is a ‘things to keep in mind’ section just to ensure your business runs smoothly and you can easily traverse the two platforms.
Note: Amazon charges a percentage of your sales on every product sold for listing it on their platform, and the fee can go as high as 45%, depending on the product. On top of that, you must buy their seller plan to be able to use the platform.
Best Shopify Apps To Sell On Amazon
One of the two apps with a strong market share, CedCommerce boasts of a hassle-free and efficient interface that couples well with a flourishing business. Its basic plan is free, while the paid ones range from $15 to $89.
The second of the two apps that have its stronghold in the Shopify app store, it was laucnhed as an alternate way to use Amazon as a sales channel on Shopify. It offers automatic sync and multi-currency facility all the while being free to use.
While its most expensive plan reaches up to $149, the app also offers a ‘Free Forever’ plan to its customer base, who are smitten with the amount of functionality it provides on various platforms like Amazon. Also, it is well know for its active customer support who are quick to come to your aid.
Formerly known as Codisto, this app is Shopify’s solution to a third-party integration process with other marketplaces. It’s free to use, though it takes a 1% commission capped at $99. The only con is that it is not specifically made for Amazon and thus has less customization and features.
Things to keep in mind with Amazon Shopify Integration
- Make sure to follow Amazon guidelines on handling and delivery requirements. They are extremely strict about their policies, and any mistake can lead to suspension or ban.
- You need to have a return policy in line with Amazon’s to fit in with their system.
- Amazon has its own keyword algorithm, so you would have to input your content details accordingly with due research.
- Make sure to use proper identifiers like SKU values and get them converted to barcodes or UPCs with the help of GS1, an organization recognized by Amazon, when you upload your products on the platform.
Conclusion
It is natural for businesses to find ways to reach their potential customers, and Amazon is just like a golden bird born for this very purpose. You get billions of customers browsing through your product catalogs, storing your products in their carts, and ultimately converting them into sales whenever they can. On the other hand, Amazon does most of the marketing and retargeting for you.
Thus, for a Shopify merchant, the integration process provides a chance to have the best of both worlds to increase sales and scale their business. While the process can be expectedly difficult and confusing, it is worth it to take the challenge for the sheer amount of success it promises. It is best to weigh the risk and effort in your business undertaking this process and take a decision accordingly, and if possible, definitely move forward with Amazon Shopify Integration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which app is the best for Amazon Shopify Integration?
Apps like CedCommerce Amazon Channel and Amazon Importer Spreadr are currently the most popular options in the market for Amazon Shopify Integration.
One should always keep a lookout in the Shopify app store for any other viable substitute, as new applications are constantly being made with updated features.
Is Amazon a Sales Channel on Shopify?
Not anymore. Amazon was delisted as a sales channel by Shopify in 2021 and thus spurned third-party apps to help with Amazon Shopify Integration.
How do I sync my Amazon inventory with Shopify?
Most third-party applications for Amazon Shopify integration allow the feature to sync Amazon inventory with Shopify. Simply go to your Shopify dashboard and search inventory in the application’s search feature.
Can I fulfill Amazon orders through Shopify?
Yes, you will get your Amazon orders on your Shopify orders just like regular orders, and you can fulfill them through Shopify.
What fees are associated with selling on Amazon through Shopify?
Both Shopify and Amazon require paid plans to be able to navigate both platforms. Moreover, Amazon takes a percentage of your every sale as a commission to list your product in its marketplace. The percentage depends on the type of product and is fixed by Amazon.
Is there customer support available for Amazon integration on Shopify?
Yes, customer support is always available on the Shopify dashboard and will assist with Amazon integration. Though most third-party apps have their own customer support team that will assist you if you choose their application for the purpose.
Can I use Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) for orders placed on Shopify?
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is only offered by Amazon’s own application called ‘Amazon MCF: US Fulfillment’ on Shopify. As the name suggests, it is only limited to the United States though. You need to fulfill the orders on your own if you are using any other integration app.
Can I transfer my Shopify store to Amazon?
You can integrate your Shopify store to your Amazon seller account, but there is no option to transfer a Shopify store to the platform completely.
