Shopify and Amazon are exemplary powerhouses in the e-commerce industry. Shopify merchants often integrate their shops with different platforms to sell their products, and Amazon is one of the top platforms for Shopify merchants. It can help Shopify merchants showcase their products in front of nearly two billion visitors per month.
While selling products on Shopify is definitely useful, selling on Amazon can bring in one of the many challenges faced by merchants in the e-commerce industry: inventory synchronization across Shopify and Amazon.
Shopify Amazon inventory sync refers to keeping your inventories updated across both platforms. Mismanagement can cause several issues, and it is especially difficult to perform manually, even if you have a few products in your store.
To help you combat these issues, we have created a guide to Shopify Amazon inventory sync.
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Benefits of Shopify Amazon Inventory Sync
Linking your Shopify store to Amazon can serve several purposes. It simplifies order management, ensures consistent inventory management across both platforms and generates high yields without exhausting effort.
Inventory syncing across both platforms allows you to combat a prominent issue faced by merchants who sell on Amazon from their Shopify store–overselling and manual inventory management.
Overselling:
- Overselling in e-commerce means selling more products than are available in your inventory. This can cause a flurry of other issues, such as delays in shipment and overworking, and can ultimately result in customer dissatisfaction.
On the other hand, these issues are often caused by manually managing your inventory.
Manual Inventory Management
- Manual inventory management involves updating your inventory on both (or any other platform) each time you make a sale. This can be incredibly taxing and time-consuming and, more often than not, results in overselling.
Automated inventory syncing across both platforms can ensure that you invest your time into making a sale rather than wasting it on a small but necessary and time-consuming task.
Doing this can simplify Shopify Amazon integration, helping you scale your business and lowering the required effort.
Requirements To Integrate Shopify and Amazon
Here is the list of requirements you must fulfill to integrate Shopify and Amazon and sync your inventory from your Shopify store to Amazon Marketplace.
- You must have an active Shopify store.
- You must have an Amazon professional Seller account.
- The currency of your Shopify store must match Amazon Marketplace’s currency.
- Your return policy must align with Amazon’s.
- Lastly, all the UPCs (MPNs, GTINs, etc) must be accurate for all your products.
Ensure that all these are in line to proceed further without any discrepancies. You can apply for UPCs at GS1. You can read this to learn more about how to set up your Amazon seller account.
💡Note that you are exclusively required to have a US-based bank account to sell on Amazon’s US marketplace. You can read more about it in depth here. |
How do I sync my Shopify inventory with Amazon?
Inventory Syncing from Shopify to Amazon can be done in four different ways. You can upload a product data feed (a file containing all product information, including the inventory status) to Amazon.
There are two ways to get the feed file, both of them are listed below:
Create a data feed
A product feed contains structured information regarding the products in your store. It is created in an XML format. It can be created by manually adding product information to an XML file on your device.
Amazon requires users to list different details based on the item they’re selling. Once you select the category of the product you’re selling, you can download the template from your seller account.
Step 1. On your Amazon seller account, navigate to ‘Inventory.’ Click on the ‘Add products via upload’ section
Step 2. Select ‘Download an Inventory file’ and enter the product category to which your products belong.
Step 3. Next, select the type of products that you want to sell. This allows Amazon to add all the required attributes to your feed file based on the product category. Select the Marketplaces you wish to sell your products on.
Step 4. Select the type of template you wish to download, along with the language.
Step 5. Lastly, select ‘Generate template.’ And there you have it.
These are the basic requirements listed by Amazon that every feed file must contain:
- Product title
- The URL for your product page
- Product description
- Price of the product
- SKU
- The URL for your image
- Brand name
- A barcode number (In the US, this is typically the UPC)
- Product category
- Shipping cost
- Bullet points
- Height, length, and width
- Weight
- Keywords
💡Do note that there is a significant disadvantage to opting for this method: merchants are required to update all the changes in their data feeds manually every single day (including updating inventory based on communications from manufacturers or orders they receive during the day). |
Download a data feed from Shopify
This is by far the most straightforward process involving only 2 steps.
Step 1. On your Shopify admin dashboard, navigate to the ‘Products’ section.
Step 2. Select all products or the products you want to select and click on the ‘Export button’ above the list of products.
And voila! A CSV file containing the list of selected products will be sent to your email ID.
This can be directly added to your Amazon Seller account to sync your inventory from Shopify to Amazon.
Marketplace Connect App
Shopify’s Marketplace Connect App allows your Shopify store to connect to Amazon, Etsy, and other marketplaces. The app automatically syncs your product information with these apps and ensures that the inventory remains updated across all your product listings on marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy.
It is an easy-to-install app that can be set up in just a few steps.
Step 1: Install the app from the Shopify app store. You will be redirected to the admin dashboard, and a prompt will appear on your screen. Next to Amazon, click on the ‘Connect Account’ button,
Step 2: You will need to select the marketplace where you want to sell your products, e.g., US/UK/Canada. Select one according to your preference.
Step 3: Lastly, you will be redirected to Amazon Seller Central’s website, where you are required to log in to your seller account.
Once this process is complete, your Shopify product inventory will be automatically synced onto Amazon. You can now create listings and manage orders, and your inventory will stay updated automatically without any additional effort.
| Also, check out other Amazon resources from our side: 1. Understanding Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) 2. Amazon Global Logistics Explained: Shipping Across Borders 3. How to Sell on Amazon Handmade: A Simple Guide For Sellers 4. A Simple Guide to Seller Fulfilled Prime by Amazon |
Shopify Amazon Inventory Sync Apps
Since March 2023, Shopify’s built-in ‘Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)’ channel has been disabled. Many merchants have opted to utilize other apps or use alternative methods to manage their inventories across both platforms.
We have compiled a list of three apps you can use to sync inventories across Shopify and Amazon.
- Feedonomics: Feedonomics offers integrations with many marketplaces, including Amazon. They offer inventory synchronization and other benefits, too. They offer customized plans for merchants based on their requirements.
- Channable: Channable is another excellent option for Shopify merchants. It is a great alternative to Feedonomics, especially for merchants with bigger inventories. They offer an Amazon API connection, and while it may take some time for merchants to get used to it, it is pretty beneficial. They have a 4.3 ⭐ rating on the Shopify app store and their pricing begins at $49/month. Here is a list of the top Channable alternatives that you can pick from.
- CedCommerce: CedCommerce is yet another famed name in the market. Using CedCommerce, you can integrate with several other platforms. They offer a free plan and have a 4.6 ⭐ rating on the Shopify app store too.
Conclusion
Syncing inventories across Shopify and Amazon can provide many benefits to merchants that sell across both platforms. Feed files that are handled manually may pose several disadvantages when compared to automating the process using apps or configurations.
However, what may work for others may not work for you. It is suggested that you gather all content and curate your preferred method according to your shop’s requirements.
We hope this guide will help you successfully sync your Shopify inventory to Amazon.
FAQs
What is Shopify Amazon inventory sync?
Shopify Amazon inventory sync ensures that inventories across both platforms are synced, maintaining stock level consistency and avoiding the risk of overselling. This can be achieved by manually uploading information or by using various third-party apps.
How do I sync my Shopify inventory with Amazon?
To sync inventory, you can use Shopify’s Multichannel Fulfillment app or other third-party apps that facilitate inventory management across multiple channels, including Amazon.
What are the benefits of syncing my Shopify and Amazon inventory?
Syncing Shopify and Amazon inventory across both platforms can help avoid overselling items, and helps merchants improve order management. It streamlines operations, providing a more consistent experience for customers across different platforms
Can I automate the inventory syncing process?
Yes, automating the inventory syncing process is recommended. Third-party applications that sync inventory and offer additional features like real-time updates and order managementcan automate this process.
What should I consider when choosing an inventory sync application?
When choosing an inventory sync app for your store, consider factors based on the requirements of your store, such as the ability to handle high volume data processing, integration with multiple sales channels, cost of the app in contrast with the features it provides, or any additional features that meet your specific business needs.
Are there any limitations to be aware of when syncing inventory between Shopify and Amazon?
Yes, in-depth research about this topic provides many limitations. Some apps may require a subscription fee, and depending on the app, there might be limitations regarding the number of SKUs that can be managed or specific features available in the free versions.
What if I have products that are not listed on Amazon yet?
It is necessary to list your products on Amazon in order to sell them on the Amazon marketplace. This can be done manually by creating individual listings or using Shopify’s Marketplace Connect app, where you can create Amazon product listings on your Shopify dashboard within the app itself.
This can also be done using third-party apps.
Can I sync inventory across multiple warehouses?
Certain apps support syncing inventory across multiple warehouses, including different geographic locations. This is particularly useful for businesses with an international presence or multiple fulfillment centers.
What support is available if I encounter issues with my inventory sync?
If you encounter issues with inventory sync, Shopify’s Marketplace Connect app and most third-party apps offer customer support. You can reach out to them via help centers or community forums and get direct support through email or live chat. It’s essential to choose an app with reliable customer support.
How do I sync my Shopify inventory with Amazon?
Syncing your Shopify inventory with Amazon can be done by manually creating a feed file and uploading it to your seller central account. You can also download a feed file from your Shopify store and upload it to Amazon.
You can use Shopify’s Marketplace Connect app to integrate Shopify and Amazon and directly sync inventories. Similarly, you can use any other app from the Shopify app store to automate inventory sync across both platforms with additional features. This might be a fee based on the app and the plan you wish to use.
Can Amazon be integrated with Shopify?
Yes, Amazon and Shopify integration can be done via Shopify’s official Marketplace Connect app (available on the Shopify app store). It is free and automates inventory syncing and order management, and allows you to create custom listings on Amazon.
You can also utilize a third-party app that might offer API customization or directly allow you to link your store to your preferred Amazon Marketplace.
