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Amazon's guide to avoiding pitfalls in the early stages of starting a business
Foreword
I'll be 30 in a few years. It seems like as soon as I reach this age, I'm pushed to a watershed in my life. It seems like I have to do something to count as “making an account”. For example, I'll consider it. Is it time to get married and have a baby?Do you want to switch careers?What if you can't be a leader?If I really became a manager, how should I bring the post-00s underneath?Also, do you want to just start a business alone?
When it comes to starting a business alone, for us Amazon people, this is almost an inescapable topic.
Over the past few years of working at Amazon, I've heard too many stories of buildings rising up and falling. Some people bought cars and houses overnight; others kept struggling and suffering; others silently cleared up their goods and left the market to go back to work or switch careers. So I always remember what Ma Yun said: There are thousands of ways to succeed, but there are always those few reasons for failure.
So if we know where we're going to fall in advance, can we avoid it early?Even if it cannot be avoided, at least the risk must be minimized and the probability of stepping on a pit should be minimized.
In this way, I want to record what I have experienced and what I have heard. Even if it only helps a “rising startup star” who is chasing light to take one less detour, it's worth it.
I'll be 30 in a few years. It seems like as soon as I reach this age, I'm pushed to a watershed in my life. It seems like I have to do something to count as “making an account”. For example, I'll consider it. Is it time to get married and have a baby?Do you want to switch careers?What if you can't be a leader?If I really became a manager, how should I bring the post-00s underneath?Also, do you want to just start a business alone?
When it comes to starting a business alone, for us Amazon people, this is almost an inescapable topic.
Over the past few years of working at Amazon, I've heard too many stories of buildings rising up and falling. Some people bought cars and houses overnight; others kept struggling and suffering; others silently cleared up their goods and left the market to go back to work or switch careers. So I always remember what Ma Yun said: There are thousands of ways to succeed, but there are always those few reasons for failure.
So if we know where we're going to fall in advance, can we avoid it early?Even if it cannot be avoided, at least the risk must be minimized and the probability of stepping on a pit should be minimized.
In this way, I want to record what I have experienced and what I have heard. Even if it only helps a “rising startup star” who is chasing light to take one less detour, it's worth it.
I. Brand/Store Article
(1) Trademark thunderstorm
I'm sure you've heard that some service provider's more than 50,000 trademarks have been determined to be illegal by the US Patent and Trademark Office!Why is that?Because this service provider first sought the cooperation of licensed US lawyers, then misused their certificates and falsified electronic signatures, used other people's names and repeatedly signed documents, submitted false usage samples, and misused USPTO.gov accounts!
RESOLUTION:
1. Subsequent trademark registration can be found in the Amazon SPN service provider network to find a compliant IPA law firm with relevant licenses
I'm sure you've heard that some service provider's more than 50,000 trademarks have been determined to be illegal by the US Patent and Trademark Office!Why is that?Because this service provider first sought the cooperation of licensed US lawyers, then misused their certificates and falsified electronic signatures, used other people's names and repeatedly signed documents, submitted false usage samples, and misused USPTO.gov accounts!
RESOLUTION:
1. Subsequent trademark registration can be found in the Amazon SPN service provider network to find a compliant IPA law firm with relevant licenses
(2) Trademark backorder
If you only focus on the US site in the early stages of starting a business, it is understandable that you only register an American trademark. However, as the business develops and sales increase, the brand's market value will also increase. At this point, if someone else first registered a trademark of the same name in the EU, when you want to expand your EU business, it may take extra time and money to resolve the trademark issue. Because trademarks are territorial, registration in the US is only valid in the US. If EU protection is required, an EU trademark application must be submitted separately; otherwise, the trademark may be squandered in the EU.
So if you want to expand into the EU or other regions, then you can register your trademark right away.
If you only focus on the US site in the early stages of starting a business, it is understandable that you only register an American trademark. However, as the business develops and sales increase, the brand's market value will also increase. At this point, if someone else first registered a trademark of the same name in the EU, when you want to expand your EU business, it may take extra time and money to resolve the trademark issue. Because trademarks are territorial, registration in the US is only valid in the US. If EU protection is required, an EU trademark application must be submitted separately; otherwise, the trademark may be squandered in the EU.
So if you want to expand into the EU or other regions, then you can register your trademark right away.
(3) The video review of agreement 3 did not pass
When verifying the video, refer to the instructions in the performance notice, or use the “Contact Me Now” function to make inquiries, evaluate whether it is necessary to submit social security information for the operation, and invite the operator to participate in the video verification to answer detailed questions related to the operation of the store.
When verifying the video, refer to the instructions in the performance notice, or use the “Contact Me Now” function to make inquiries, evaluate whether it is necessary to submit social security information for the operation, and invite the operator to participate in the video verification to answer detailed questions related to the operation of the store.
(4) Abnormal business license address
An abnormal business license address may result in account suspension.
Possible causes include:
1. I moved to a new address, but the address on my business license hasn't changed
2. The registered address is inconsistent with the actual business address: the company did not change its industrial and commercial registration in a timely manner after the relocation, or the use of the registered address was randomly checked by the industry and commerce department and found that no one had an office.
3. No one receives and processes industrial and commercial letters: the Bureau of Industry and Commerce calls the company several times have gone unanswered, and no one has received the letter when it has been sent to the company.
4. The field inspection revealed that the address did not exist: When the staff of the Administration for Industry and Commerce visited the door, they found that the business license address did not have this company, or if people went to an empty building, they would directly be listed as an abnormal address.
5. False address information: Make up an address that doesn't exist at the time of registration, or provide false proof of address.
Solution:
● Original address unlocked: Applicable when still operating at the original address. You must provide materials such as site certification (such as a lease contract, proof of property rights), utility bills for the past 3 months, a copy of the legal representative's ID card, and the “Address Use Commitment” to apply to the Bureau for Industry and Commerce to restore the address to normal, and cooperate with the on-site inspection.
● Address change cancellation: Applicable when the address has been relocated or the address is no longer valid. It is necessary to prepare proof of the new address (lease contract, real estate certificate, etc.), submit a change application through the official website of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, obtain a new business license after approval, and simultaneously process abnormal removal on the relevant platforms.
An abnormal business license address may result in account suspension.
Possible causes include:
1. I moved to a new address, but the address on my business license hasn't changed
2. The registered address is inconsistent with the actual business address: the company did not change its industrial and commercial registration in a timely manner after the relocation, or the use of the registered address was randomly checked by the industry and commerce department and found that no one had an office.
3. No one receives and processes industrial and commercial letters: the Bureau of Industry and Commerce calls the company several times have gone unanswered, and no one has received the letter when it has been sent to the company.
4. The field inspection revealed that the address did not exist: When the staff of the Administration for Industry and Commerce visited the door, they found that the business license address did not have this company, or if people went to an empty building, they would directly be listed as an abnormal address.
5. False address information: Make up an address that doesn't exist at the time of registration, or provide false proof of address.
Solution:
● Original address unlocked: Applicable when still operating at the original address. You must provide materials such as site certification (such as a lease contract, proof of property rights), utility bills for the past 3 months, a copy of the legal representative's ID card, and the “Address Use Commitment” to apply to the Bureau for Industry and Commerce to restore the address to normal, and cooperate with the on-site inspection.
● Address change cancellation: Applicable when the address has been relocated or the address is no longer valid. It is necessary to prepare proof of the new address (lease contract, real estate certificate, etc.), submit a change application through the official website of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, obtain a new business license after approval, and simultaneously process abnormal removal on the relevant platforms.
(5) Centralize all resources in one store
It's a bit like putting eggs in the same basket, so don't concentrate all your resources and products in one store or brand. It's better to run one store and one brand at a time. In the Amazon world, an account is a resource. Therefore, friends with resources can rationally manage different types or brands of stores on the premise that they comply with Amazon policies. (Remember to ship and operate, cultivate small ones carefully, and focus on a training system).
It's a bit like putting eggs in the same basket, so don't concentrate all your resources and products in one store or brand. It's better to run one store and one brand at a time. In the Amazon world, an account is a resource. Therefore, friends with resources can rationally manage different types or brands of stores on the premise that they comply with Amazon policies. (Remember to ship and operate, cultivate small ones carefully, and focus on a training system).
(6) Store relationships
Amazon policy requires sellers to maintain only one Seller Central account for each region where they sell their products. If you are a seller with multiple accounts, you need to keep all accounts in good standing. If one or more of the accounts are subsequently suspended due to illegal acts, it may cause the store to sit back and forth, and other stores will be suspended due to store connections, causing even greater losses. Here are common correlation reasons officially compiled by Amazon:
Amazon policy requires sellers to maintain only one Seller Central account for each region where they sell their products. If you are a seller with multiple accounts, you need to keep all accounts in good standing. If one or more of the accounts are subsequently suspended due to illegal acts, it may cause the store to sit back and forth, and other stores will be suspended due to store connections, causing even greater losses. Here are common correlation reasons officially compiled by Amazon:
Resolution:
1. In response to common related factors, the official article will teach us how to make accurate complaints
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/LlQs0RB7gqV1uRS6LYwXvA
2. Follow Amazon's official WeChat account “Amazon Global Selling” to get the most accurate and immediate updates. If you want to have a direct conversation with a specialist, you can use the “Contact Me Now” function in the seller's back office to “save your life” at critical times, and you can always know what are the current common complaints, and be alert to yourself.
ps：
1. There are also some relatively rare correlation reasons, such as details such as email format, response method, and IP exposure when images are loaded, which may gradually accumulate associated risks.
2. Be wary of multi-site links. For example, in the early stages of opening a store, one account opens multiple sites, but problems with one site affect other sites. If the site is not in operation, try to shut it down first
1. In response to common related factors, the official article will teach us how to make accurate complaints
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/LlQs0RB7gqV1uRS6LYwXvA
2. Follow Amazon's official WeChat account “Amazon Global Selling” to get the most accurate and immediate updates. If you want to have a direct conversation with a specialist, you can use the “Contact Me Now” function in the seller's back office to “save your life” at critical times, and you can always know what are the current common complaints, and be alert to yourself.
ps：
1. There are also some relatively rare correlation reasons, such as details such as email format, response method, and IP exposure when images are loaded, which may gradually accumulate associated risks.
2. Be wary of multi-site links. For example, in the early stages of opening a store, one account opens multiple sites, but problems with one site affect other sites. If the site is not in operation, try to shut it down first
(7) Unsmooth cooperation between TRO lawyers
I don't really understand the twists and turns; I only know the conclusion is that a small number of TRO lawyers are unreliable. Not only is it a waste of money, but it's also a waste of time.
It is recommended that before dealing with TRO, ask someone to find a large company that is specifically responsible for intellectual property rights to see if any lawyers recommend it, or check the community to see if there are any friends with relevant experience and can recommend it.
I don't really understand the twists and turns; I only know the conclusion is that a small number of TRO lawyers are unreliable. Not only is it a waste of money, but it's also a waste of time.
It is recommended that before dealing with TRO, ask someone to find a large company that is specifically responsible for intellectual property rights to see if any lawyers recommend it, or check the community to see if there are any friends with relevant experience and can recommend it.
(8) Cash flow breakdown
An account period that is too long can easily bring about a false sense of security. Seeing that all the accounts are in cash, it is easy to misjudge the situation and think that the company has a lot of money. It is possible to expand the product line as a result, or continuously increase investment in one product line and continue to increase leverage. As a result, the risks of Amazon's business continue to accumulate, and eventually it is likely to collapse.
Therefore, even when making money, you must set aside at least 30% of your money as an emergency reserve, and you can't put all of your money into the business. Otherwise, once you encounter an unexpected event like a tariff, you may not be able to handle it due to a breakdown in cash flow.
An account period that is too long can easily bring about a false sense of security. Seeing that all the accounts are in cash, it is easy to misjudge the situation and think that the company has a lot of money. It is possible to expand the product line as a result, or continuously increase investment in one product line and continue to increase leverage. As a result, the risks of Amazon's business continue to accumulate, and eventually it is likely to collapse.
Therefore, even when making money, you must set aside at least 30% of your money as an emergency reserve, and you can't put all of your money into the business. Otherwise, once you encounter an unexpected event like a tariff, you may not be able to handle it due to a breakdown in cash flow.
II. Product Selection
(1) Patent infringement
The product was not patented, or the patent was not found. As a result, the link ran up, prepared a large amount of goods, urged the factory to make a lot of money, and as a result, infringement or even TRO was encountered.
Here's an easily overlooked piece of knowledge: it usually takes months or even years from filing a patent to disclosure or licensing. Until a patent is disclosed, a third party cannot search for relevant information. In other words, the technology used in some of the new products may have already been patented, but it has not been disclosed yet. If you follow up on similar products during this window, you may still face the risk of infringement in the future.
Therefore, even if no problems are found in the early search, it is recommended to regularly review relevant patent developments during the product life cycle to reduce potential legal risks.
The product was not patented, or the patent was not found. As a result, the link ran up, prepared a large amount of goods, urged the factory to make a lot of money, and as a result, infringement or even TRO was encountered.
Here's an easily overlooked piece of knowledge: it usually takes months or even years from filing a patent to disclosure or licensing. Until a patent is disclosed, a third party cannot search for relevant information. In other words, the technology used in some of the new products may have already been patented, but it has not been disclosed yet. If you follow up on similar products during this window, you may still face the risk of infringement in the future.
Therefore, even if no problems are found in the early search, it is recommended to regularly review relevant patent developments during the product life cycle to reduce potential legal risks.
(2) Blindly follow popular categories
Some sellers like to keep up with popular products. They think that popularity means high demand and good sales. However, popular products are often extremely competitive and are already occupied by industry giants and a large number of established sellers. If we don't have enough budget, it's hard to stand out when entering these Red Sea fields, we will be able to choose products for a while and operate crematoria.
I have made silicone products before, and when I did research, they were profitable, and when they went on the market, they were all popular (price reduction). Prices were quickly lowered, profit margins were drastically reduced, and in the end, the goods were cleared at a low price as soon as they were on the shelves.
Some sellers like to keep up with popular products. They think that popularity means high demand and good sales. However, popular products are often extremely competitive and are already occupied by industry giants and a large number of established sellers. If we don't have enough budget, it's hard to stand out when entering these Red Sea fields, we will be able to choose products for a while and operate crematoria.
I have made silicone products before, and when I did research, they were profitable, and when they went on the market, they were all popular (price reduction). Prices were quickly lowered, profit margins were drastically reduced, and in the end, the goods were cleared at a low price as soon as they were on the shelves.
(3) Entering the trap dug by very few manufacturers
It's the kind of hot model that sold very well when it first went online. As soon as I looked for it on the supply website, I found that it was in stock. It is possible that the supplier first listed the products from their own factory on Amazon and quickly boosted sales and rankings by purchasing orders or dumping them at ultra-low prices off the site. Afterwards, a large number of products were sold and touted as “hot sellers.” At this time, this kind of product data is very easy to be discovered, and they will go looking for supplies. Manufacturers may say that production capacity is tight, full payment is ordered, minimum order quantity is high, and there are no refunds or exchanges. Once the payment was made, the goods couldn't be shipped or the quality was extremely poor, then the money was stuck.
The first three pitfalls in the product selection article are all caused by popular products, so when we see popular products, we really need to calmly analyze them!
It's the kind of hot model that sold very well when it first went online. As soon as I looked for it on the supply website, I found that it was in stock. It is possible that the supplier first listed the products from their own factory on Amazon and quickly boosted sales and rankings by purchasing orders or dumping them at ultra-low prices off the site. Afterwards, a large number of products were sold and touted as “hot sellers.” At this time, this kind of product data is very easy to be discovered, and they will go looking for supplies. Manufacturers may say that production capacity is tight, full payment is ordered, minimum order quantity is high, and there are no refunds or exchanges. Once the payment was made, the goods couldn't be shipped or the quality was extremely poor, then the money was stuck.
The first three pitfalls in the product selection article are all caused by popular products, so when we see popular products, we really need to calmly analyze them!
(4) Too much premeditating when bargaining
When bargaining, they are too aggressive; they always think about reducing costs and increasing efficiency, and desperately trying to lower prices on the purchasing side or logistics side. But in the early days of the partnership, I wouldn't do this on purpose. Because I know wool comes from sheep. If I ask for a super low price in the beginning, will the other party leave me with trouble in terms of service, product quality, or timeliness?In the end, I was the one to lose. So in the early stages of cooperation, I wasn't in a hurry to press the price. After a period of cooperation, it is confirmed that this manufacturer or logistics provider is reliable, and that my quantity has also increased, then I will use “quantity” in exchange for “price.” In this way, I am comfortable and the other person is also comfortable, so that we can form a healthy, long-term partnership.
When bargaining, they are too aggressive; they always think about reducing costs and increasing efficiency, and desperately trying to lower prices on the purchasing side or logistics side. But in the early days of the partnership, I wouldn't do this on purpose. Because I know wool comes from sheep. If I ask for a super low price in the beginning, will the other party leave me with trouble in terms of service, product quality, or timeliness?In the end, I was the one to lose. So in the early stages of cooperation, I wasn't in a hurry to press the price. After a period of cooperation, it is confirmed that this manufacturer or logistics provider is reliable, and that my quantity has also increased, then I will use “quantity” in exchange for “price.” In this way, I am comfortable and the other person is also comfortable, so that we can form a healthy, long-term partnership.
(5) Blue Ocean selection
The market has always encouraged people to go to the Blue Ocean to choose products, but as a pioneer who has been immersed in the Blue Ocean for a long time, I really recommend that everyone see the disadvantages of choosing products from the Blue Ocean and be careful. There is relatively little demand for Blue Ocean products, few keywords, and relatively few sellers, so sales are generally not too high. Moreover, if there is an unexpected event such as tariffs, consumer demand will decrease, then slow sales may occur. If you want to clear the inventory, no one wants it, so just throw it away.
However, not all Blue Ocean are like this; the site that suits you is a good site!
The market has always encouraged people to go to the Blue Ocean to choose products, but as a pioneer who has been immersed in the Blue Ocean for a long time, I really recommend that everyone see the disadvantages of choosing products from the Blue Ocean and be careful. There is relatively little demand for Blue Ocean products, few keywords, and relatively few sellers, so sales are generally not too high. Moreover, if there is an unexpected event such as tariffs, consumer demand will decrease, then slow sales may occur. If you want to clear the inventory, no one wants it, so just throw it away.
However, not all Blue Ocean are like this; the site that suits you is a good site!
(6) False patents
The supplier falsely claimed that it had a patent, but actually did not have one, and was removed from the shelves by the opponent. Therefore, when asking if the manufacturer has a patent, be sure to ask him to issue a patent certificate, and then check the authenticity on the official website. The following is a reference website:
1) Chinese Patent Search:
http://epub.sipo.gov.cn/index.action
2) Foreign Patent Search:
https://www.google.com/?tbm=pts
https://www.tmdn.org/tmdsview-web/welcome
http://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/
If you don't think you've found it but you're still unsure, consider consulting a compliant IPA law firm with a relevant license on the Amazon SPN Service Provider Network.
The supplier falsely claimed that it had a patent, but actually did not have one, and was removed from the shelves by the opponent. Therefore, when asking if the manufacturer has a patent, be sure to ask him to issue a patent certificate, and then check the authenticity on the official website. The following is a reference website:
1) Chinese Patent Search:
http://epub.sipo.gov.cn/index.action
2) Foreign Patent Search:
https://www.google.com/?tbm=pts
https://www.tmdn.org/tmdsview-web/welcome
http://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/
If you don't think you've found it but you're still unsure, consider consulting a compliant IPA law firm with a relevant license on the Amazon SPN Service Provider Network.
(7) Suppliers cut corners
If you only pick up the goods at one factory, it's likely that this factory will take over you. If they don't provide good service later, or there is a quality problem, cut corners and change the product materials without permission to save costs, then once the link return rate goes up, they make less money, or even directly lose money. You have no way back at all.
Previously, we had a holiday machine. The purchase price was around 120 yuan. The manufacturer used a smaller engine when delivering the goods. We did not find any problems during the full inspection, but after the customer arrived, we found that the feedback and return rate soared. Only then did we learn that there was a problem, which caused the machine to lose more than 60,000. Later, after the holiday season, they asked the manufacturer to pay 20,000.
Resolution:
1. When you first take samples, be sure to find a few more companies to get samples, understand their prices, and use one or two of them as backup factories
2. The product must be sampled before shipping, and a 1% ratio is selected to simulate the consumer's usage time to see if there is a failure during normal time trials
3. If it is the first time that an electronic product or a complex product with a high unit price is on the shelves, it is still necessary to control the amount of goods stocked
4. Sign a contract and clarify terms such as quality, delivery time, and attribution of responsibility
If you only pick up the goods at one factory, it's likely that this factory will take over you. If they don't provide good service later, or there is a quality problem, cut corners and change the product materials without permission to save costs, then once the link return rate goes up, they make less money, or even directly lose money. You have no way back at all.
Previously, we had a holiday machine. The purchase price was around 120 yuan. The manufacturer used a smaller engine when delivering the goods. We did not find any problems during the full inspection, but after the customer arrived, we found that the feedback and return rate soared. Only then did we learn that there was a problem, which caused the machine to lose more than 60,000. Later, after the holiday season, they asked the manufacturer to pay 20,000.
Resolution:
1. When you first take samples, be sure to find a few more companies to get samples, understand their prices, and use one or two of them as backup factories
2. The product must be sampled before shipping, and a 1% ratio is selected to simulate the consumer's usage time to see if there is a failure during normal time trials
3. If it is the first time that an electronic product or a complex product with a high unit price is on the shelves, it is still necessary to control the amount of goods stocked
4. Sign a contract and clarify terms such as quality, delivery time, and attribution of responsibility
(8) Poor rhythm control
The pace of selecting new products is too fast. They are hungry for speed, and progress is not steady.
I haven't finished the first product yet, and haven't gone through the complete process, so I started selling the second, third, and even the second and third stores. As a result, when the understanding of Amazon's business was not deep enough, a large amount of investment had already been made.
Also, I didn't grasp the pace of the product and missed the traffic window. A while ago, a friend in the WeChat group asked, “How can summer products be promoted in May?”In fact, it was too late to launch summer products at that time.
Therefore, to make this kind of seasonal product, or holiday product, you must keep an eye on the peak traffic period in advance, and then reverse your own storage rhythm, listing time, and advertising pace.
Otherwise, you'll only be able to buy the experience in reverse.
The pace of selecting new products is too fast. They are hungry for speed, and progress is not steady.
I haven't finished the first product yet, and haven't gone through the complete process, so I started selling the second, third, and even the second and third stores. As a result, when the understanding of Amazon's business was not deep enough, a large amount of investment had already been made.
Also, I didn't grasp the pace of the product and missed the traffic window. A while ago, a friend in the WeChat group asked, “How can summer products be promoted in May?”In fact, it was too late to launch summer products at that time.
Therefore, to make this kind of seasonal product, or holiday product, you must keep an eye on the peak traffic period in advance, and then reverse your own storage rhythm, listing time, and advertising pace.
Otherwise, you'll only be able to buy the experience in reverse.
III. Operation section
(1) Blind advertising
Some entrepreneurs continue the company's operating habits in the past and believe in “fighting high”. As soon as a new product is launched, they fill up their budget and run with a wide range of matches. Regardless of whether the keyword is accurate or not, they throw money first to get exposed.
The result is often that ads burn fast, with lots of clicks and few conversions. ACoS remains high. Once the accounts are settled, the loss is much greater than sales.
Also, there is no focus on not having experience with advertising adjustments, and there is a lack of system review.
Some entrepreneurs continue the company's operating habits in the past and believe in “fighting high”. As soon as a new product is launched, they fill up their budget and run with a wide range of matches. Regardless of whether the keyword is accurate or not, they throw money first to get exposed.
The result is often that ads burn fast, with lots of clicks and few conversions. ACoS remains high. Once the accounts are settled, the loss is much greater than sales.
Also, there is no focus on not having experience with advertising adjustments, and there is a lack of system review.
(2) Improper inventory management
Improper inventory management is a “pit” that many sellers have stepped on, and it is also a fatal problem affecting the health and cash flow of stores.
There are two common situations:
One is too many purchases, and the other is excessive delivery.
As a result, a large amount of inventory is piled up in FBA warehouses, and cash flow is seriously taken up. At the same time, it also causes high storage fees, and even faces slow sales, clearance, and losses.
Conversely, if stocks are insufficient, they can easily lead to outages.
As soon as the goods were out of stock, rankings declined, ad conversion declined, review accumulation was interrupted, and the hard-earned traffic went back to zero overnight, making it even more difficult.
Improper inventory management is a “pit” that many sellers have stepped on, and it is also a fatal problem affecting the health and cash flow of stores.
There are two common situations:
One is too many purchases, and the other is excessive delivery.
As a result, a large amount of inventory is piled up in FBA warehouses, and cash flow is seriously taken up. At the same time, it also causes high storage fees, and even faces slow sales, clearance, and losses.
Conversely, if stocks are insufficient, they can easily lead to outages.
As soon as the goods were out of stock, rankings declined, ad conversion declined, review accumulation was interrupted, and the hard-earned traffic went back to zero overnight, making it even more difficult.
(3) Don't sell too fast when looking for a service provider to clear the goods
If you check out through an off-site service provider, control the pace. Communicate with service providers to set daily/weekly shipping limits to avoid concentrated explosive sales in the short term.
If you check out through an off-site service provider, control the pace. Communicate with service providers to set daily/weekly shipping limits to avoid concentrated explosive sales in the short term.
(4) SP advertising off-site function
SP ads are omni-channel by default, including on and off site, but the problem is — the back office doesn't show specific data on off-site traffic at all!I can't even see how many impressions, clicks, or conversions from outside the site, and I don't know if it's worth the money spent.
Some sellers will always launch off-site listings, and feel that driving is better than not opening. However, if you are a small seller, the brand is not well known, and the product competitiveness is not outstanding, it is recommended that you turn off off-site marketing manually.
SP ads are omni-channel by default, including on and off site, but the problem is — the back office doesn't show specific data on off-site traffic at all!I can't even see how many impressions, clicks, or conversions from outside the site, and I don't know if it's worth the money spent.
Some sellers will always launch off-site listings, and feel that driving is better than not opening. However, if you are a small seller, the brand is not well known, and the product competitiveness is not outstanding, it is recommended that you turn off off-site marketing manually.
(5) Price setting error
Once, I synced the product to the Swedish site, but as a result, I forgot to revise the price simultaneously. Many orders were placed the next day, and the price was far below the cost, causing this product to lose a lot.
It was only then that I really realized that as soon as the product was transferred to the new national site, the first thing to do was to immediately check and adjust the local sales price.
Exchange rates, logistics costs, and tax structures are not the same at different sites. Direct use of prices on the original site will most likely cause pricing to be too low, or even reverse the order.
Once, I synced the product to the Swedish site, but as a result, I forgot to revise the price simultaneously. Many orders were placed the next day, and the price was far below the cost, causing this product to lose a lot.
It was only then that I really realized that as soon as the product was transferred to the new national site, the first thing to do was to immediately check and adjust the local sales price.
Exchange rates, logistics costs, and tax structures are not the same at different sites. Direct use of prices on the original site will most likely cause pricing to be too low, or even reverse the order.
(6) Product labeling errors
When the factory helped label, there were several product labeling errors. For example, product A and product B were mixed up, and the label was reversed.
We discovered some in time and made corrections right away; however, some didn't have time to find out and have already been shipped out.
Those sent domestically can also be intercepted, but those sent overseas can only be intercepted with the help of overseas warehouses, and re-unboxed and re-ordered.
This trip ended up costing several thousand yuan, both distressed and helpless.
Later, we learned our lesson and added a line of small Chinese comments to the FNSKU (Fulfilment Network Stock Keeping Unit) label to indicate which product this label corresponds to.
In this way, factory labeling can be clearly seen at a glance, greatly reducing the probability of mislabeling.
At the same time, our department has also strengthened internal controls: for each batch of shipments, several sets of products are randomly unpacked and checked to see if the labels are attached correctly.
After a two-pronged approach, the labeling error rate is now almost zero.
When the factory helped label, there were several product labeling errors. For example, product A and product B were mixed up, and the label was reversed.
We discovered some in time and made corrections right away; however, some didn't have time to find out and have already been shipped out.
Those sent domestically can also be intercepted, but those sent overseas can only be intercepted with the help of overseas warehouses, and re-unboxed and re-ordered.
This trip ended up costing several thousand yuan, both distressed and helpless.
Later, we learned our lesson and added a line of small Chinese comments to the FNSKU (Fulfilment Network Stock Keeping Unit) label to indicate which product this label corresponds to.
In this way, factory labeling can be clearly seen at a glance, greatly reducing the probability of mislabeling.
At the same time, our department has also strengthened internal controls: for each batch of shipments, several sets of products are randomly unpacked and checked to see if the labels are attached correctly.
After a two-pronged approach, the labeling error rate is now almost zero.
IV. Logistics
(1) Logistics delays during peak season
Especially in the second half of Q4, ports are prone to congestion and long transit times. Festive products need to be delivered in advance. Otherwise, it is easy to miss the peak sales period. Slow sales will take a whole year or be directly discarded.
Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the goods in advance, ship in small quantities and several times a week, and reserve enough time for the goods to be transported. Also beware of being sold until 2/3, products are transferred to warehouses, resulting in no inventory being sold and missing out on holiday sales.
Especially in the second half of Q4, ports are prone to congestion and long transit times. Festive products need to be delivered in advance. Otherwise, it is easy to miss the peak sales period. Slow sales will take a whole year or be directly discarded.
Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the goods in advance, ship in small quantities and several times a week, and reserve enough time for the goods to be transported. Also beware of being sold until 2/3, products are transferred to warehouses, resulting in no inventory being sold and missing out on holiday sales.
(2) The estimated time of arrival of the shipment is inaccurate
The estimated time of arrival will be inaccurate due to ship inspections, port blockages, and the inability to enter the warehouse due to bursts, etc., which will cause performance issues. So basically, we check where the logistics are going every week to see if we need to adjust the estimated arrival time of the shipment. In fact, this matter can also be left to RPA to do, freeing up manpower.
The estimated time of arrival will be inaccurate due to ship inspections, port blockages, and the inability to enter the warehouse due to bursts, etc., which will cause performance issues. So basically, we check where the logistics are going every week to see if we need to adjust the estimated arrival time of the shipment. In fact, this matter can also be left to RPA to do, freeing up manpower.
(3) Goods found lost when delivered to the warehouse
Logistics shows that the shipment has been delivered, but the Amazon warehouse has not received it, so you can only buy shelf insurance for the goods before shipping.
Logistics shows that the shipment has been delivered, but the Amazon warehouse has not received it, so you can only buy shelf insurance for the goods before shipping.
(4) Box mark damage
If the box label is damaged and Amazon cannot scan it, it will affect the box's entry into storage.
Therefore, be sure to use high quality coated paper to print the face sheet, and be sure to check it before shipping.
Also, try to label each FBA box more than two, and don't put tape on the box label — especially those who hand it over to the factory for labeling must pay attention!
Many factories mainly do domestic business. They don't pay attention to these details, and it's easy to have problems (I just label the factory, and I've suffered losses. )
If the box label is damaged and Amazon cannot scan it, it will affect the box's entry into storage.
Therefore, be sure to use high quality coated paper to print the face sheet, and be sure to check it before shipping.
Also, try to label each FBA box more than two, and don't put tape on the box label — especially those who hand it over to the factory for labeling must pay attention!
Many factories mainly do domestic business. They don't pay attention to these details, and it's easy to have problems (I just label the factory, and I've suffered losses. )
5. Freelance section
(1) Mentality management
The early stages of opening a store are exploration, continuous trial and error. If you're lucky, you'll be able to screen out a few products that you can eat for a few years; if you're unlucky, you've lost all of your money. You may then experience anxiety every day that you can't sleep, or even only sleep for an hour. I lay in bed and closed my eyes, and my mind was full of the store's slow-selling inventory.
Moreover, while being overwhelmed by inventory, I also doubt my abilities all along.
No matter what, don't be stood—be sure to keep some money for daily use. Make good expectations before starting a business and figure out how much money you can lose. If you go to work, how long will it take to make this money back?Once you understand all of this, make the decision to start a business. Don't be impulsive!Don't be impulsive!Don't be impulsive!
Otherwise, if you go too fast and make a wrong decision, this decision will directly slow down your startup progress, which in turn affects your pace of life. Also, if you have a strong heart, you won't be able to bear it when things happen!If you really can't stand it, find a few more good friends to chat and find someone to help you. If you can't say it, go look for bean buns!Listening and comforting this piece is real work!
The early stages of opening a store are exploration, continuous trial and error. If you're lucky, you'll be able to screen out a few products that you can eat for a few years; if you're unlucky, you've lost all of your money. You may then experience anxiety every day that you can't sleep, or even only sleep for an hour. I lay in bed and closed my eyes, and my mind was full of the store's slow-selling inventory.
Moreover, while being overwhelmed by inventory, I also doubt my abilities all along.
No matter what, don't be stood—be sure to keep some money for daily use. Make good expectations before starting a business and figure out how much money you can lose. If you go to work, how long will it take to make this money back?Once you understand all of this, make the decision to start a business. Don't be impulsive!Don't be impulsive!Don't be impulsive!
Otherwise, if you go too fast and make a wrong decision, this decision will directly slow down your startup progress, which in turn affects your pace of life. Also, if you have a strong heart, you won't be able to bear it when things happen!If you really can't stand it, find a few more good friends to chat and find someone to help you. If you can't say it, go look for bean buns!Listening and comforting this piece is real work!
(2) Learning management
After starting my own business, I had to be busy and busy. I didn't have much time to study, and it even reduced the time to resume trading. I only found out later that it was very dangerous!Once you stop learning and make mistakes, you don't even know where your mistakes are, and the wrong experiences will always mislead you.
An experienced practitioner shared that his students can listen to a book 100 times, write notes of a few thousand words for each lesson, and update what they have learned on the public account every day. So ah, you can allow yourself to walk slowly, but always keep on the right path. I myself am so impatient that I can't help but see a satisfactory result within a year, and I want both. As a result, my time and energy were seriously lacking, and I didn't have any extra time to learn new content on Amazon. The losses were reflected in the monthly profit situation.
It's a bit like using tactical diligence to mask strategic laziness.
After starting my own business, I had to be busy and busy. I didn't have much time to study, and it even reduced the time to resume trading. I only found out later that it was very dangerous!Once you stop learning and make mistakes, you don't even know where your mistakes are, and the wrong experiences will always mislead you.
An experienced practitioner shared that his students can listen to a book 100 times, write notes of a few thousand words for each lesson, and update what they have learned on the public account every day. So ah, you can allow yourself to walk slowly, but always keep on the right path. I myself am so impatient that I can't help but see a satisfactory result within a year, and I want both. As a result, my time and energy were seriously lacking, and I didn't have any extra time to learn new content on Amazon. The losses were reflected in the monthly profit situation.
It's a bit like using tactical diligence to mask strategic laziness.
(3) Time management
In the early days of starting a business, working alone, I experienced all kinds of distractions and all kinds of laziness. Before going to bed, I felt like I hadn't done much or finished my work; this day was over.
Also, there is no fixed commute time, no alarm clock, and not being able to feel the pain of Monday, the happiness of Friday and Saturday, and there is a sense of isolation from society.
It is recommended that every day be divided into four quadrants for what needs to be done for the day: important and urgent, important not urgent, and not urgent. Not important, not urgent. There are no more than three important and urgent matters, which must be completed when the sky falls. Also, register where you spend your time each day. If you look at your time expenses before going to bed, you can know which tasks to optimize the use of time.
Also, set up a social media account and post everything you do every day. After a long time, you may also reap like-minded friends, as well as regular “feeders” from the financial owner's dad.
In the early days of starting a business, working alone, I experienced all kinds of distractions and all kinds of laziness. Before going to bed, I felt like I hadn't done much or finished my work; this day was over.
Also, there is no fixed commute time, no alarm clock, and not being able to feel the pain of Monday, the happiness of Friday and Saturday, and there is a sense of isolation from society.
It is recommended that every day be divided into four quadrants for what needs to be done for the day: important and urgent, important not urgent, and not urgent. Not important, not urgent. There are no more than three important and urgent matters, which must be completed when the sky falls. Also, register where you spend your time each day. If you look at your time expenses before going to bed, you can know which tasks to optimize the use of time.
Also, set up a social media account and post everything you do every day. After a long time, you may also reap like-minded friends, as well as regular “feeders” from the financial owner's dad.
Management of emotions
Sometimes, the state of starting a business becomes whatever you want. You are in a good mood and full of energy, and you can't help but spend the whole night optimizing links, writing advertisements, and reviewing data. But as soon as they get depressed, they don't want to worry about anything, and don't even want to open the backstage.
Especially when you encounter a product that is particularly difficult to promote. It just so happens that this product is still in high inventory value, and the pressure instantly fills up: advertisements can't be processed, organic traffic cannot be generated, competition is strong, conversion is still low... All kinds of problems are piled up, and people are easily crushed.
At this point, my mood began to fluctuate violently, and I asked myself over and over again: Am I not good at my abilities?Is it wrong to choose the wrong product?Isn't this really inappropriate to do?
The more you think about it, the more you doubt it, the more you doubt it, the less powerful it becomes, and in the end, it just falls apart. No optimization, no ads, no more data. Just let that link hang on its own. Sell as much as you like, and die by itself.
Work is not based on strategy and rhythm, but is driven by current mood and pressure.
Ah, I don't know what happened. Obviously, I spent my own money, and I should cherish it even more, yet emotional management revealed my own shortcomings. How dare the company do this? Leaders must immediately raise their spirits as soon as they speak. Therefore, when no one is supervising them, they really indulge their emotions.
So how do I manage it?
Now that it's out of order, let's break it up for a few days. Go out for a walk, go back to your hometown to see your parents, and meet more of your friends offline. Clean up your mood, start again, make 5% changes every day, do a little bit to change what you can change, accept what you can't change, focus your energy on profitable products, and give yourself more positive feedback on profitable products. Only then can you be motivated to face bad problems. Even if you only optimize one title and adjust only one bid, you are pulling yourself back from “whatever you want+mess” back to “having rules to follow.”
Especially when you encounter a product that is particularly difficult to promote. It just so happens that this product is still in high inventory value, and the pressure instantly fills up: advertisements can't be processed, organic traffic cannot be generated, competition is strong, conversion is still low... All kinds of problems are piled up, and people are easily crushed.
At this point, my mood began to fluctuate violently, and I asked myself over and over again: Am I not good at my abilities?Is it wrong to choose the wrong product?Isn't this really inappropriate to do?
The more you think about it, the more you doubt it, the more you doubt it, the less powerful it becomes, and in the end, it just falls apart. No optimization, no ads, no more data. Just let that link hang on its own. Sell as much as you like, and die by itself.
Work is not based on strategy and rhythm, but is driven by current mood and pressure.
Ah, I don't know what happened. Obviously, I spent my own money, and I should cherish it even more, yet emotional management revealed my own shortcomings. How dare the company do this? Leaders must immediately raise their spirits as soon as they speak. Therefore, when no one is supervising them, they really indulge their emotions.
So how do I manage it?
Now that it's out of order, let's break it up for a few days. Go out for a walk, go back to your hometown to see your parents, and meet more of your friends offline. Clean up your mood, start again, make 5% changes every day, do a little bit to change what you can change, accept what you can't change, focus your energy on profitable products, and give yourself more positive feedback on profitable products. Only then can you be motivated to face bad problems. Even if you only optimize one title and adjust only one bid, you are pulling yourself back from “whatever you want+mess” back to “having rules to follow.”
Starting a business vs going to work
I've been in business for a long time, and I'm disenchanted. Starting an online store is a type of freelancing. Freedom as a freelancer means freedom in time and space arrangements. For example, if you used to work at 9 o'clock, but now you start your own business, you can choose to work at 7 a.m. or 10 a.m. Or go to work at 2 p.m. In terms of space, you can choose to work in a library, in an entrepreneurial space, or in a small den. However, due to the intensity of the work, the work is not at all as difficult as when going to work.
When starting a business, our entrepreneurs were operators, but also customer service, finance, warehousing, art, advertising pitchers... as long as no one did it, we did everything ourselves. However, when you go to work, you probably don't need to work multiple jobs, unless you are an early pioneer. If something goes wrong, the company can also get to the bottom of the game. But starting a business is not the same. If something goes wrong, take care of it yourself.
When starting a business, our entrepreneurs were operators, but also customer service, finance, warehousing, art, advertising pitchers... as long as no one did it, we did everything ourselves. However, when you go to work, you probably don't need to work multiple jobs, unless you are an early pioneer. If something goes wrong, the company can also get to the bottom of the game. But starting a business is not the same. If something goes wrong, take care of it yourself.
epilogue
These are just a few of Amazon's pitfalls.
In the process of starting a business, we may need to constantly explore and experience a cycle of success and failure. Succeed, fail, and succeed time and time again. Learn from every setback, then move forward and learn to quickly adjust and improve until you find your own path of sunshine.
You should even learn to accept that the effort you put in may not be directly proportional to the rewards you get (results will have to wait, and you should always follow up and comply with Amazon policies)
But no matter what,
Don't start a business easily. Accumulate a collection of wrong questions, read more community sharing posts and social media content from solo entrepreneurial bloggers, and refine more.
If you've already started, go step by step and get down to earth. Never mind, forge ahead courageously, and move forward steadfastly.
If you want to keep eating the Amazon bowl of rice, you still have to be in awe and stick to the long-term principle.
Finally, I'll end this article with a passage from reading “People's Daily” at night. For you and for me.
Be a long-term practitioner, and time will give you the answers.
The effort is simple, but it's also very difficult.
Simple in its simplicity, 10,000 hours can pay off; it's hard to persist; few people can block the noise, temptation, and comfort, and stay motivated even after 10,000 hours of loneliness.
We are moved by the long-term activists because of their endurance, perseverance and courage. There are no coincidental successes in the world; behind the brilliance is hard work day after day.
The times live up to the long-term activists. Don't be afraid of long roads or small steps; if you persist, every step counts. There is no path in life in vain; persistence for a long time will usher in an amazing turning point.
Start now and do the hard but right thing. One day you will discover that the roses of time planted have turned into the fragrance of life.
In the process of starting a business, we may need to constantly explore and experience a cycle of success and failure. Succeed, fail, and succeed time and time again. Learn from every setback, then move forward and learn to quickly adjust and improve until you find your own path of sunshine.
You should even learn to accept that the effort you put in may not be directly proportional to the rewards you get (results will have to wait, and you should always follow up and comply with Amazon policies)
But no matter what,
Don't start a business easily. Accumulate a collection of wrong questions, read more community sharing posts and social media content from solo entrepreneurial bloggers, and refine more.
If you've already started, go step by step and get down to earth. Never mind, forge ahead courageously, and move forward steadfastly.
If you want to keep eating the Amazon bowl of rice, you still have to be in awe and stick to the long-term principle.
Finally, I'll end this article with a passage from reading “People's Daily” at night. For you and for me.
Be a long-term practitioner, and time will give you the answers.
The effort is simple, but it's also very difficult.
Simple in its simplicity, 10,000 hours can pay off; it's hard to persist; few people can block the noise, temptation, and comfort, and stay motivated even after 10,000 hours of loneliness.
We are moved by the long-term activists because of their endurance, perseverance and courage. There are no coincidental successes in the world; behind the brilliance is hard work day after day.
The times live up to the long-term activists. Don't be afraid of long roads or small steps; if you persist, every step counts. There is no path in life in vain; persistence for a long time will usher in an amazing turning point.
Start now and do the hard but right thing. One day you will discover that the roses of time planted have turned into the fragrance of life.
The above content only represents the creators' personal opinions. The data is for reference only, and does not represent the official views of Amazon Global Store.
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