5 Mistakes New Amazon Sellers Make (and How to Fix Them)

The Amazon platform is a great place for entrepreneurs and businesses to find a large customer base, grow fast, and make huge amounts of money. Nevertheless, with close to 9.7 million sellers on Amazon, competition is stiff; hence simply listing an item does not guarantee success. Many beginners plunge into the Amazon ecosystem without preparation, which leads to common pitfalls that hinder their growth or make them drop out.

This blog will discuss five of the most frequent mistakes made by new Amazon sellers and how to fix or avoid them wisely. Whether you are just starting out or struggling to get your foot in the door, this comprehensive guide will assist you through the intricacies of selling on Amazon.

Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong Product

Why It Happens

Amazon newbies usually select the incorrect product to sell. This is mostly due to decision-making that is emotional or impulsive in nature. Amateurs may select items based on their own tastes, hobbies, or whatever they “think” consumers will like instead of depending upon genuine market information. Others fall for viral social media trends or copycat strategies without doing proper research, assuming that if it worked for someone else, it will work for them too.

Unfortunately, such guesswork often leads to poor outcomes. A product that appears fascinating or trendy at first may have no long-term demand, be highly seasonal, face stiff competition or have thin profit margins that make sustainable growth nearly impossible. What results is a store filled with slow-moving or stagnant inventory, customers left wanting and a seller who feels stuck—or worse yet burnt out and ready to quit.

Symptoms of a Poor Product Choice

Choosing the wrong product becomes obvious pretty quickly—and it can hurt. You might notice signs like:

• Low or inconsistent sales: Despite all your efforts, the product just isn’t catching on.
• Weak product-market fit: The product doesn’t solve a meaningful problem or fails to appeal to your target audience.
• High returns or bad reviews: This often points to quality issues, unmet expectations, or lack of uniqueness.
• Inventory that won’t move: Units just sit in Amazon’s warehouse, racking up fees and tying up your money.

These issues often trace back to skipping proper product validation. The good news? With the right approach, you can avoid—or fix—them.

How to Fix It (or Avoid It in the First Place)

1. Use Proper Product Research Tools
Success starts with solid research. Tools like Jungle Scout, Helium 10, and AMZScout help you spot profitable niches by analyzing sales estimates, pricing, competition, and review counts. These tools give you clarity before you commit.

2. Study Market Demand
Don’t chase short-term trends. Use Google Trends to check long-term interest, and look at Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank to gauge how similar products are performing. Products with year-round demand will always give you more stability.

3. Understand Your Competition
Before entering a niche, ask yourself:

• How many sellers are already offering similar products?
• Do they have tons of reviews or established branding?
• Can you stand out through better design, packaging, or features?

Avoid markets that are too crowded unless you have a very clear edge.

4. Run the Numbers First
It’s not just about the sale price. Consider Amazon’s FBA fees, manufacturing, shipping, advertising, and taxes. Use margin calculators to make sure your profits are healthy—ideally in the 25–35% range.

5. Test Before You Go Big
Found a promising product? Great. Now order a small batch (50–100 units) first. This lets you validate demand, collect real feedback, and fine-tune your listing before scaling up. It’s a smart way to reduce risk.

Remember: your product choice is the foundation of your Amazon business. If you get this part right, everything else becomes easier.

Mistake #2: Poor Listing Optimization

Why It Happens
Many sellers believe that simply uploading a product with a basic title, a few bullet points, and a couple of images is enough to make sales. But on Amazon, visibility is everything—and without optimization, even great products can get lost in the noise.

Your product listing needs to do two things well: show up in search results and convince shoppers to buy. That means using the right keywords and writing compelling, benefit-focused content that addresses customer needs.

Warning Signs of a Poor Listing

• Your product barely shows up in search results
• People see it, but don’t click (low CTR)
• They click, but quickly leave (high bounce rate)
• You get traffic, but few sales (low conversions)

How to Improve It

• Do Keyword Research: Use tools like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, or AMZTracker to find out what real shoppers are searching for. Focus on keywords with solid volume and strong intent.
• Write a Strong Title: Include your main keyword, but make it easy to read. Don’t overstuff it or use clickbait.
• Focus on Benefits in Bullet Points: Instead of just listing specs, explain how the product solves a problem or makes life easier.
• Use Professional Images: Show the product from every angle. Include lifestyle shots and infographics to highlight key benefits.
• Add A+ Content (if brand registered): Use Amazon’s A+ features to tell your brand story, include visuals, and make your listing more engaging.
• Pay Attention to Reviews & Q&A: Monitor feedback, respond to questions, and improve your listing based on what customers are saying.

A well-optimized listing doesn’t just drive traffic—it turns visitors into buyers.

Mistake #3: Skipping Amazon Advertising (PPC)

Why It Happens
Some sellers see advertising as optional or wait until they’ve made a few organic sales to start running ads. Others jump in without a plan and end up burning through their budget.

The reality? Amazon is a pay-to-play marketplace. Without PPC, your product may never get seen—especially when it’s new.

Signs Your PPC Isn’t Working

• Your product doesn’t appear in search results
• No organic traction because sales are too low
• Your ACoS (Ad Cost of Sales) is way too high
• Your budget runs out fast with little return

How to Run Better Campaigns

• Understand the Campaign Types:
• Sponsored Products: Appear in search results and on competitor listings.
• Sponsored Brands: Promote your brand with a custom headline.
• Sponsored Display: Retarget visitors across Amazon and beyond.
• Start with Auto Campaigns: Let Amazon test placements and keywords for you. Use this data to see what works.
• Switch to Manual Campaigns: Take your best-performing keywords from auto campaigns and build more targeted ads with manual control.
• Set Clear Goals: Know what you’re aiming for—rankings, awareness, or profit.
• Track Performance Regularly: Review your metrics (ACoS, CTR, conversions) and make weekly adjustments.
• Use Negative Keywords: Filter out irrelevant searches so you don’t waste your ad spend.

Advertising is an investment in visibility. When done right, it kickstarts momentum and fuels long-term growth.

Mistake #4: Poor Inventory Management

Why It Happens
Inventory planning doesn’t feel urgent—until you run out of stock or rack up high storage fees. Some sellers forget to plan ahead, assume everything will go smoothly, or miscalculate lead times.

When you run out of stock, your listing goes dark. You lose rankings, visibility, and sales. On the flip side, over-ordering leads to fees and cash flow headaches.

Common Issues to Watch For

• Stockouts that interrupt your sales
• Monthly or long-term storage fees piling up
• Drops in ranking due to being out of stock
• Capital tied up in inventory you can’t move

How to Stay on Top of Inventory

• Forecast Demand: Use tools like Forecastly or SoStocked—or track sales trends in Excel. Look at seasonality, promotions, and sales velocity.
• Set Restock Alerts: Use Amazon’s alerts or third-party tools to warn you before stock runs low.
• Balance Your Orders: Keep just enough inventory—not too much, not too little. Turnover is key.
• Have Backup Suppliers: One factory or shipping lane goes down, and you’re stuck. Always have a Plan B.
• Use the FBA Calculator: It helps you see how storage time affects your bottom line.
• Build a Reorder System: Create a schedule to place smaller, more frequent orders based on real-time sales data.

Smart inventory planning keeps your business running smoothly—and profitably.

Mistake #5: Treating It Like a Product, Not a Brand

Why It Happens
Too many sellers see Amazon as a quick cash grab. They slap a label on a generic product, undercut on price, and hope for the best. But without branding, it’s almost impossible to build customer loyalty or stand out.

If your only strategy is “be cheaper,” you’ll always lose to someone willing to go even lower. A real brand gives customers a reason to choose you—and stick with you.

What Poor Branding Looks Like

• Buyers don’t come back
• Nobody remembers your brand name
• Launching new products feels like starting from scratch
• Competitors easily copy your listings

How to Build a Real Brand

• Define Your Unique Value: Why should someone choose your product over the rest? It could be better materials, thoughtful design, eco-friendliness, or great support. Whatever it is, make it part of your message.
• Register Your Brand: Join Amazon’s Brand Registry for access to A+ Content, Sponsored Brands, and added protection.
• Be Consistent: Your packaging, images, tone, and customer experience should all reflect your brand identity.
• Build Outside Amazon: Start a simple landing page, social media account, or email list. Owning your audience gives you long-term control.
• Encourage Reviews: Great reviews act as social proof. Use follow-up emails and customer service to gently ask for honest feedback.
• Expand Strategically: Once your brand has a following, launch related products that serve the same audience.

Branding isn’t optional—it’s what separates lasting businesses from short-term side hustles.

Final Thoughts

Launching on Amazon can be exciting and rewarding—but it’s not as simple as throwing up a product and hoping for the best. Success comes down to preparation, planning, and doing the fundamentals right.

To recap:

1. Choose products based on research and data.
2. Optimize your listings with purpose and polish.
3. Use ads to build visibility and traction.
4. Stay ahead of inventory issues.
5. Focus on building a real brand, not just making sales.

If you need hands-on help with product research, listing creation, PPC campaigns, or branding, Swifsol is here to help. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, we’ve got the tools, experience, and strategy to guide your growth.

Let’s build something successful — together.

Website: www.swifsol.com

Email: info@swifsol.com

Number: +1 815 515 1472