Month: December 2022

Are you a business owner, ecommerce brand or logistics manager looking to streamline your supply chain and logistics operations? One option to consider is partnering with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider.

A 3PL is a company that provides outsourced logistics services for the transportation, warehousing, distribution of goods, forwarding & returns. They handle the storage, handling, and transportation of your products, allowing you to focus on your core business activities (marketing, branding, customer service, product development, etc) 

There are several advantages to partnering with a 3PL, including:

1. Cost savings: By outsourcing logistics to a 3PL, you can save on the costs associated with maintaining your own warehouses, transportation fleet, and logistics staff. This can lead to significant cost savings and increased profitability for your business.
2. Improved efficiency: 3PLs specialize in logistics and have the expertise and resources to optimize your supply chain and logistics operations. They can provide real-time tracking of your shipments, improve delivery times, and reduce errors and delays.
3. Increased flexibility: 3PLs offer a range of services and can be customized to meet your specific needs. This allows you to scale up or down your logistics operations as needed, providing increased flexibility for your business.
4. Improved customer service: By outsourcing logistics to a 3PL, you can improve the level of service you provide to your customers. 3PLs can handle order fulfillment, returns management, and other customer service tasks, allowing you to focus on building relationships with your customers.
5. Access to technology: 3PLs often have access to advanced logistics technologies, such as warehouse management software (WMS), automated warehouses and real-time inventory tracking. By partnering with a 3PL, you can benefit from these technologies without the need to invest in them yourself.

Overall, partnering with a 3PL can provide numerous benefits for your business, including cost savings, increased efficiency and flexibility, improved customer service, and access to advanced logistics technologies. If you’re considering outsourcing your logistics operations, a 3PL may be the right solution for you.

It’s no secret that Amazon is the largest marketplace on the planet

Chances are you shop with Amazon for most purchases. They’ve made it easy & simple to get everyday items.

But how can you be selling on the platform & converting those 200 million + shoppers into your brand customers?

In this article I’m highlighting 7 foundational strategies you can use to increase your visibility & sales on Amazon in 2023 

1. Optimize your product listings: Make sure that your product titles, descriptions, and images are clear, concise, and visually appealing. This will help your products stand out and attract more customers. 
   • Make sure to split test images to see which is the clear main image, 2nd, 3rd and so on
   • I highly recommend running tests on https://intellivy.net/ to get high converting products & listings to real feedback 
2. Use keywords effectively: Use relevant keywords in your product titles and descriptions to make it easier for customers to find your products.
   • You want to make sure you have a master keyword list, which is all the keywords your customers are searching for on Amazon. 
   • You can use https://www.helium10.com/ & https://datadive.tools/ to get an entire keyword list from your competitors on Amazon 

1. Offer competitive pricing: Consider the prices of similar products on Amazon and try to offer a competitive price for your products.
   • Discounts 
   • Coupons 
   • Daily Deals 
   • BOGO 
   • All help push eyeballs to your listing & win the click!  
2. Utilize Amazon advertising: Use Amazon’s advertising platform to promote your products to a wider audience. You can use sponsored products, sponsored brands, and other types of Amazon advertising to increase visibility for your products.
   • Amazon Pay Per Click can be daunting but with your master keyword list & Amazon’s auto suggestions you can start testing with relative ease. 
   • Start an auto campaign to let Amazon know your listing is live 
   • Start exact campaigns on the most relevant keywords (you’ll get this data from DataDive) 
   • Constantly improve your listing as your sending paid traffic to it 
3. Improve your product reviews: Encourage customers to leave reviews for your products, and respond to any negative reviews in a constructive and professional manner. Positive reviews can help improve the credibility of your products and increase sales.
   • Use Vine on Seller Central to get your first 30 reviews! 
   • Reach out to 100 influencers on social & exchange a free product for a social media post & review. 
4. Utilize Amazon’s fulfillment services: If you use Amazon’s fulfillment services, your products will be eligible for Prime shipping, which can increase sales.
5. Offer excellent customer service: Make sure to respond to customer inquiries and complaints promptly and professionally. Providing excellent customer service can help improve your seller rating and increase customer loyalty.

With these 7 foundational strategies you’ll be way ahead of your competitors on Amazon!

Add in some advanced tactics & you’ll be in a league of your own!

Want 7 more advanced strategies to outrank your competitors?

Comment below & I’ll write it in the next blog

1. Choose your product and create a listing

The first step to selling on Amazon is to choose a product to sell and create a listing for it. You can use the Amazon Best Sellers list or the Amazon Marketplace Web Service (MWS) Product Advertising API to find popular products to sell. When creating your listing, be sure to include detailed and accurate product information, as well as high-quality product images.

2. Set up your own fulfillment process

Once you’ve created your product listing, you’ll need to set up your own fulfillment process. This means you’ll be responsible for storing, packing, and shipping orders to your customers. You’ll need to decide on a fulfillment method that works for you, such as storing your products in a warehouse or fulfilling orders from your own home or office.

3. Choose a shipping carrier and set up shipping options

Next, you’ll need to choose a shipping carrier and set up shipping options for your products. Some popular carriers include USPS, UPS, and FedEx. You’ll need to consider factors like shipping speed, cost, and tracking options when selecting a carrier. You’ll also need to set up shipping options in your Amazon seller account, including the countries you’re willing to ship to and any applicable shipping fees. Do you have rates set up yourself?

4. Manage returns and customer service

As with any ecommerce business, it’s important to have a process in place for handling returns and customer service inquiries. When selling on Amazon without FBA, you’ll be responsible for managing these aspects of your business. This includes responding to customer inquiries, processing returns, and issuing refunds as needed. You want to make sure you have solid SOP’s in place so that you can satisfy your customer needs in a timely fashion.

5. Monitor your performance and make adjustments as needed

As with any business, it’s important to monitor your performance and make adjustments as needed. This includes tracking your sales and profitability, as well as monitoring customer feedback and ratings. By regularly reviewing your performance, you can identify areas for improvement and make changes to your business strategy as needed.

I hope this blog post has provided you with a helpful overview of how to sell on Amazon without using the FBA service. While FBA can be a convenient option, there are alternative fulfillment methods that may be more cost-effective and better suited to your business needs. By setting up your own fulfillment process, managing returns and customer service, and monitoring your performance, you can successfully sell on Amazon without using FBA.

By optimizing your listings, you can improve your product’s discoverability, increase its credibility, and ultimately drive more sales. Here are some tips on how to optimize your Amazon product listings for sales:

Optimizing your Amazon product listings is crucial for increasing sales and standing out among the competition. By optimizing your listings, you can improve your product’s discoverability, increase its credibility, and ultimately drive more sales. Here are some tips on how to optimize your Amazon product listings for sales:

1. Use relevant keywords in your product title and bullet points: Amazon’s search algorithm heavily relies on keywords to surface relevant products to customers. Make sure to include relevant keywords in your product title and bullet points, as well as in the product description. You can use https://www.helium10.com/ to do a deep dive keyword research into the top 100 listings for your search terms
2. Use high-quality product images: Product images are a crucial part of your listing and can greatly impact a customer’s decision to purchase. Use high-quality images that clearly show off your product and its features. You should also include multiple images from different angles to give customers a complete understanding of what they are purchasing. We recommend using https://nlc.com/ for all your creative needs for Amazon. They have insightful stats around converting & optimized images.
3. Write a detailed and compelling product description: Your product description should clearly and concisely describe your product’s features and benefits. It should also address any potential questions or concerns a customer may have.
4. Utilize Amazon’s enhanced brand content: If you are a brand owner, you can use Amazon’s enhanced brand content to add more information and visuals to your product page. This can help differentiate your brand and increase customer trust.
5. Include customer reviews and ratings: Customer reviews and ratings can greatly impact a customer’s decision to purchase. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and respond to any negative reviews in a timely and professional manner.
6. Utilize Amazon’s A+ content: Similar to enhanced brand content, A+ content allows you to add more information and visuals to your product page. This can help increase customer trust and improve the overall appearance of your listing.
7. Utilize Amazon’s sponsored products: Sponsored products allow you to bid on keywords and have your product appear in search results and on product pages. This can increase the visibility of your product and drive more sales.

By following these tips, you can optimize your Amazon product listings and increase your chances of making a sale. Remember to regularly review and update your listings to ensure they are accurate and up-to-date.

Third-party logistics (3PL) services are a popular choice for businesses looking to outsource their supply chain management and logistics operations. By partnering with a 3PL provider, companies can focus on their core competencies and leave the logistics and distribution to experts.

However, working with a 3PL can also bring its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. In this blog post, we’ll explore some best practices for maximizing the benefits of 3PL services and ensuring a smooth and successful partnership.

1.       Clearly define your goals and expectations

Before partnering with a 3PL, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your goals and expectations. What are you hoping to achieve by outsourcing your logistics operations? Do you want to reduce costs, improve delivery times, or increase efficiency? Clearly defining these goals will help you choose a 3PL provider that aligns with your needs and will be able to deliver the desired results.

It’s also important to be specific about your expectations. This includes outlining your delivery requirements, the type of products you’ll be shipping, and any special handling or storage needs. By clearly communicating your needs and expectations, you can help ensure that your 3PL provider is able to meet them effectively.

2.       Choose the right 3PL provider

Not all 3PL providers are created equal, so it’s important to do your research and choose a provider that aligns with your needs and goals. Some things to consider when choosing a 3PL provider include:

–          Services offered: Does the provider offer the types of services you need, such as warehousing, distribution, and transportation?

–          Flexibility: Can the provider accommodate changes in your business or shifts in demand?

–          Scalability: Is the provider able to scale with your business as it grows?

–          Cost: Does the provider offer competitive pricing?

–          Reputation: What do other customers have to say about the provider’s services?

3.       Establish clear lines of communication

Effective communication is key to a successful partnership with a 3PL provider. Make sure to establish clear lines of communication from the start, including who to contact for updates and any issues that may arise. It’s also a good idea to have regular check-ins with your 3PL provider to discuss performance, address any concerns, and make any necessary adjustments.

4.       Leverage technology

Technology can play a significant role in maximizing efficiency and effectiveness with a 3PL provider. Many 3PL providers offer advanced tracking and reporting systems, which can help you monitor the progress of your shipments and make informed decisions.

It’s also worth considering investing in a transportation management system (TMS) to help streamline your logistics operations. A TMS can help you plan and optimize routes, track shipments, and manage inventory in real-time. By leveraging technology, you can improve visibility and control over your supply chain and make better-informed decisions.

5.       Monitor and measure performance

To ensure that your 3PL provider is meeting your goals and expectations, it’s essential to regularly monitor and measure their performance. This can include tracking key metrics such as on-time delivery rates, order accuracy, and overall customer satisfaction. By regularly tracking these metrics, you can identify any areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments.

6.       Foster a long-term partnership

A 3PL provider can be a valuable partner in managing your supply chain and logistics operations. By fostering a long-term partnership and continually working to optimize and improve your logistics processes, you can maximize the benefits of 3PL services and achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness