How to sell your products through Amazon: A Guide for Sri Lankan businesses

Amazon stands as a titan in the global e-commerce landscape, offering a vast marketplace where businesses of all sizes can connect with customers worldwide. For Sri Lankan businesses, Amazon presents a unique opportunity to tap into a massive customer base, leverage an established infrastructure, and utilize powerful marketing tools to reach new heights. 

By understanding how to leverage this e-commerce giant to sell your products, you can position your business for success and establish your brand on an international stage.

1. Product selection: How to find a product to sell on Amazon? 

Choosing the right products to sell on Amazon is crucial for success. Consider factors such as market demand, competition, and profit margins to ensure your products have the potential to thrive in this competitive marketplace.

Here's a tip: Focus on products that align with Sri Lanka's export strengths and unique offerings. Some popular product categories that can offer opportunities for MSME e-commerce businesses to capitalize on include:

• Handicrafts: Sri Lanka has a rich tradition of handicrafts, including intricate wood carvings, handloom textiles, and pottery.
• Textiles: Sri Lankan textiles are known for their vibrant colors, intricate designs, and high quality. Products include handloom sarees, batik fabrics, hand-woven tapestries and cushion covers.
• Spices: The spice market in Sri Lanka is projected to reach US$9.78 million in 2025¹, with nearly half of that revenue generated by shipments to the United States.
• Tea: Tea remains one of Sri Lanka's top exports, generating roughly US$118.15 million² in revenue. Its unique flavor and aroma make it a popular choice for discerning consumers on Amazon.
• Coconut-based products: Sri Lanka's coconut industry offers a variety of export opportunities, from coconut oil and desiccated coconut to coconut milk, coconut water, and coconut flour.
• Jewelry: Sri Lanka is renowned for its precious gemstones, particularly sapphires and rubies. Handcrafted jewelry featuring these exquisite gems can attract a discerning clientele on Amazon, seeking unique and ethically sourced pieces.

By showcasing the country's rich heritage, craftsmanship, and natural resources, you can attract customers seeking authentic and ethically sourced products.

2. How to create an Amazon seller account in Sri Lanka

Once you've identified your products, it's time to set up your Amazon seller account. This is your gateway to the Amazon marketplace, allowing you to list your products, manage orders, and interact with customers.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create an Amazon seller account in Sri Lanka:

1. Go to the Amazon Seller Central website.
2. Choose a selling plan: Amazon offers two main selling plans: Individual and Professional. The Individual plan is suitable for sellers who plan to sell less than 40 units per month, while the Professional plan is ideal for those who expect to sell more and want access to advanced features.
3. Provide the necessary information: You'll need to provide your business information, including your company name, address, and contact details. You'll also need to provide a valid credit card and bank account information for receiving payments.
4. Complete the registration process: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the registration process. This may involve verifying your identity and providing additional documentation.

Amazon's seller policies and guidelines

Amazon has specific seller policies and guidelines that all sellers must adhere to. These policies cover various aspects of selling on the platform, including product listing requirements, customer service standards, and prohibited activities.

Here are some key policies to keep in mind:

• Product Listing Accuracy: Ensure your product listings are accurate, complete, and comply with Amazon's guidelines.
• Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service and respond to customer inquiries promptly and professionally.
• Shipping and Delivery: Meet Amazon's shipping and delivery performance standards to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Prohibited Activities: Avoid engaging in prohibited activities such as selling counterfeit products, manipulating reviews, or infringing on intellectual property rights.

Violating Amazon's policies can lead to account suspension or even termination. Familiarize yourself with the policies and guidelines to avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth and successful selling experience.

3. How to optimize Amazon product listings

Creating compelling and informative product listings is crucial for attracting potential buyers and driving sales on Amazon. Your product listings should showcase your products in the best possible light, highlighting their features, benefits, and value proposition, ultimately ensuring customer satisfaction.

Some tips for optimizing the key elements on your Amazon product listing:

• High-quality images: Use professional, high-resolution images that showcase your product from different angles and highlight its key features.
• Compelling product descriptions: Write clear, concise, and informative product descriptions that accurately describe your product and its benefits. Use persuasive language and highlight unique selling points to entice potential buyers.
• Relevant keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords throughout your product listing, including the title, bullet points, and description, to improve visibility in Amazon's search results.

• Optimize product titles: Use clear and concise titles that include relevant keywords and accurately describe your product.
• Use bullet points effectively: Highlight key features and benefits in bullet points for easy readability and quick comprehension.
• Write detailed and informative descriptions: Provide comprehensive information about your product, including its specifications, uses, and benefits.

Amazon's advertising & marketing tools

Amazon offers a variety of advertising and marketing tools that can help you promote your product listings and increase your reach. These tools include sponsored product ads, display ads, and video ads, allowing you to target specific customer segments and drive traffic to your product pages.

4. Amazon’s fulfillment options: FBA vs. FBM

Amazon offers two main fulfillment options for sellers: Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM).

• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): With FBA, you send your products to Amazon's fulfillment centers, and they handle the storage, packing, shipping, and customer service for your orders.
• Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM): With FBM, you are responsible for storing, packing, and shipping your orders directly to customers.

FBA offers convenience and access to Amazon's fulfillment network, while FBM provides more control and potentially lower shipping fees, especially for businesses that already have established logistics operations or are looking to minimize overseas shipping expenses.

Summary of the features of FBA and FBM respectively:

Choosing the right fulfillment method depends on your resources, product type, and business goals. FBA offers convenience and access to Amazon's fulfillment network, including efficient last-mile delivery, while FBM provides more control and potentially lower costs, especially for businesses that already have established logistics operations.

Tips for success on Amazon

Selling on Amazon can be a rewarding experience, but it requires dedication, strategy, and continuous adaptation to thrive in this competitive marketplace. Here are some additional tips for Sri Lankan businesses to succeed on Amazon:

• Monitor sales performance and customer feedback: Regularly track your sales data and customer reviews to identify areas for improvement and optimize your product listings.
• Adapt to changing market trends and customer demands: Stay informed about the latest e-commerce trends and adjust your strategies to meet evolving customer expectations.
• Build a strong brand presence on Amazon: Create a unique brand identity and showcase your brand story to differentiate yourself from competitors.
• Leverage Amazon's analytics and reporting tools: Utilize Amazon's built-in analytics and reporting tools to gain insights into your sales performance, customer behavior, and market trends.

Integrate Amazon for e-commerce success

Amazon offers a powerful platform for Sri Lankan businesses to expand their reach and increase sales in the global e-commerce market. By understanding the platform's features, optimizing your product listings, and efficiently managing your fulfillment operations, you can unlock significant growth potential for your business.

DHL Express Commerce (DEC) simplifies the process of integrating your Amazon e-commerce platform with DHL's shipping services. This integration allows for streamlined order processing, automated label generation, and real-time shipment tracking, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Sign up for a DHL Express business account today and leverage our expertise in overseas shipping and e-commerce solutions to elevate your Amazon sales and expand your business online.