How to Get Started Selling on Amazon: Should You Also Have Your Own Ecommerce Website?

24th April, 2025

Beginning your e-commerce journey can feel like a huge task, but with giants like Amazon making it easier than ever to get your products in front of millions of customers, there’s never been a better time to start selling online. However, the question arises: Should you only sell on Amazon, or does running your own ecommerce website alongside your Amazon business make sense? Let’s break it down.

Step-By-Step: How to Start Selling on Amazon

1. Decide What to Sell
Before you open shop, choose your products. Will you sell:

Your own branded creations (private label)?
Wholesale products?
Dropshipped items?
Handmade goods?

Research demand, competition, and profitability using tools like Jungle Scout or Helium 10. Amazon’s Best Sellers and Movers & Shakers pages are also great for product brainstorming.

2. Set Up Your Amazon Seller Account

Go to Amazon Seller Central.
Sign up for an Individual (per-item fees, best for low volume) or Professional account (monthly fee, best for active sellers).
Provide business and tax info, ID, and a bank account.

3. List Your Products
You can either:

Add products already sold on Amazon by matching existing listings.
Create brand new product listings if you’re launching something unique.
Optimise your listings: Use high-quality images, keyword-rich titles, bullet points, and detailed descriptions.

4. Choose Your Fulfilment Method

FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon): Ship inventory to Amazon; they pick, pack, and ship orders, handle returns, and provide 24/7 customer support.
FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant): You list on Amazon and handle storage/shipping yourself.

5. Price Your Products
Research competitor pricing and factor in Amazon’s fees, shipping, and cost of goods. Tools like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa help track price trends.

6. Launch and Promote

Use Amazon PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising for initial visibility.
Encourage reviews (within Amazon’s guidelines).
Enrol in Brand Registry if you have a trademark.

Should You Have an Ecommerce Website in Addition to Selling on Amazon?
The short answer: YES, but only if you have the time and resources to manage it effectively. Here’s why:
1. More Control, Less Risk

On Amazon, you’re at the mercy of their rules, fees, and algorithms.
If your account is suspended, your revenue stops instantly.

Your own website gives you full control over product display, communication, and branding.

2. Build Your Brand
Brand loyalty is hard on Amazon—most shoppers don’t care who sells the product, just that they get it fast and cheap. Your own site is where you build your brand identity, collect emails, and communicate directly with your customers.

3. Diversify Your Revenue Streams
Relying solely on Amazon is risky. An ecommerce site diversifies income, which is crucial as your business grows.

4. Higher Margins
Selling on your site lets you avoid Amazon seller fees (which can eat up 15-50% of your sales) and fetch higher prices with specialised products or bundles.

5. Challenges of Managing Both
Running a site means handling your own traffic generation (SEO, ads, email, social media) and fulfilment. It’s work—but services like Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce make setup straightforward.

Practical Advice: How to Manage an Amazon + Website Strategy

Start with Amazon: Fastest way to learn the ropes and reach customers.
Validate your product: Prove sales on Amazon before investing much in your own website.
Develop a branded packaging experience: Include inserts or instructions to guide customers to your site for future purchases, exclusive deals, or VIP clubs (stay within Amazon’s guidelines).
Run retargeting ads: Use email lists or pixel audiences to lure past customers back to your site.
Consider Multichannel Inventory Management: Tools like Sellbrite or InventoryLab help sync stock levels across Amazon and your site.

Amazon is a marketplace powerhouse and a fantastic launchpad for new e-commerce entrepreneurs. But if you want long-term stability and brand-building potential, your own ecommerce website is a must-have once you’re established and ready to grow.

Start with Amazon, get momentum, then build your own corner of the internet. That way, you’re not just an Amazon seller—you’re a business owner with options.

Ready to start? If you have questions about launching your Amazon storefront or building your ecommerce site, contact us and we can help you on your way!

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A Detailed Guide to Selling on Amazon

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