Amazon offers the budding entrepreneur lots of different ways to make money. But if you’re looking to make money on Amazon, here’s a technique you might not have heard of: Amazon Webstore.
If you’d like to explore more business opportunities on Amazon then here’s a quick rundown of what Webstore is all about.
What is Amazon Webstore?
Webstore is an e-commerce platform that allows you to operate your own online store using Amazon’s proven technology and systems. But your business is independent, it’s not ‘owned’ by Amazon as such.
Webstore is designed to be simple to set up and run even for those without technical skills. It needs no special hardware or software or site start up investment. You pay for it on a pay-as-you go basis.
Important to know: Amazon Webstore isn’t the same as selling products in Amazon’s own ‘marketplace’ using Sell on Amazon. An Amazon Webstore-based business is you own business that simply makes use of Amazon technology.
What could you sell using Webstore?
You can sell almost any legal product you like… anything that is already sold on Amazon and much more.
You aren’t restricted to the things that Amazon themselves are strong in, such as books (although you can sell those if you want to).
Worth knowing: If you want to sell a product that Amazon stores and ships for you under their Fulfilment by Amazon service you can link that up with your Webstore too.
How to set up your Webstore
To get started, you will need to choose a name for your store and to register your own domain name. You won’t need any hosting or design software for your Webstore as Amazon provides all that for you.
Webstore is a hosted platform. So you can also run it from anywhere there is Internet access.
Seller Central is the key to your Webstore. Seller Central includes the Webstore Design Centre, where you can create, adapt and perfect your Webstore’s storefront. You need only basic design and technical skills to do this.
You can get all the details from the Amazon website. Just go here and follow the instructions: webstore.amazon.co.uk
Running your Webstore
Once you’ve set your Webstore up, and sourced your product, all you need to do is upload your inventory to the system. Then, as products are sold ship them off to the customer (or use Fulfilment by Amazon).
One very important thing you will need to do is market your Webstore thoroughly. Unlike when selling directly on Amazon, Amazon doesn’t merchandise your products for you if you sell via Webstore.
It sounds good… but are there any drawbacks?
Yes, one very important one to bear in mind! Although Webstore makes it very easy to set up and run an online business that looks every bit as professional as Amazon’s you need to remember it makes your operation 100% dependent on Amazon. If they decide to change their terms of service, or charge more for the service, it will have a direct impact on your business.
More information
There are many more useful articles about making money with Amazon in our Amazon Opportunities Library.
Here’s one you might find interesting that’s completely different to Amazon Webstore: Make Money With Amazon Associates.