Twittering on Amazon
Filed Under Amazon Events, Amazon Resources & Tools, Random Stuff | Leave a Comment
Okay, so it’s been almost a week since my last post. Have been out (at the beach) but am working on the follow-up posts to our Catalyst conference with more Amazon insights, but wanted to call out two things in the meantime:
- I have started twittering on Amazon at www.twitter.com/amazonwire. The aim here is to share real-time updates and information on anything Amazon.com.
- Next week is ChannelAdvisor’s Catalyst conference in the UK with staff from Amazon’s UK team present. If you have questions or concerns about selling on Amazon, this is your time to engage them. I will also attend and will share any noteworthy information here.
| 2.9 |
Amazon launches TextBuyIt
Filed Under Amazon Announcements, Amazon Resources & Tools | Leave a Comment
Via SeekingAlpha comes news that Amazon has launched TextBuyIt, a new SMS shopping service that enables consumers to purchase from the extensive Amazon catalog via a mobile device. Simply SMS a UPC or ISBN number to Amazon (SMS number 262966) and receive the first two items (if Amazon offers it).
I queried for a book with ISBN and received a quote within seconds along with commands to buy the item, get more details on the book and see more results. Without 1-Click you will be asked for your Amazon email address and ZIP code, and then get a call on your mobile to payment and shipping details.
The service is free and has been live in Japan for a while but of course there may be additional charges for sending an SMS from your mobile operator. Amazon has plans to put a richer user interface on this somewhat dependent on the adoption, but no timeline is known.
| 2.9 |
I will be at the IMA conference in Las Vegas in early March (03/03 - 03/05) and several representatives from Amazon will be present to talk about Seller Central, Amazon Webstore and Fulfillment By Amazon. These conferences are a great opportunity to (a) build strategic relationships with Amazonites and (b) request help with issues that may stop you from selling on this channel (can’t get into a gated category, account is blocked or throttled, or crazy category). Read more
Amazon has updated its product attributes used by third-party sellers to accurately (problem-free!) list their items on Amazon.com. If you are selling on Amazon Seller Central US and you have not heard from your category manager I highly recommend that you download and review the information for your category to ensure that you get your products up quickly during the holiday season.
| 2.9 |
Okay, so let me come right out before you get too excited and say this is limited to three months. ChannelAdvisor and Amazon are offering a promotion for a three-months-free Amazon Pro-Merchant subscription ($39.99/month) for a total value of $119.97 (beating Amazon’s promotion of a two-months discounted subscription of $19.99).
Stepping away from the telemarketing for a minute, the Pro-Merchant subscription is a must for online retailers and essentially the only up-front cost for selling products on this channel. Designed for volume sellers, it offers:
- Access to bulk listing tools (Upload spreadsheets, Amazon Seller Desktop, API integration)
- Ability to create products (product detail pages)
- Unlimited products (no limits on SKUs you want to sell on Amazon)
In the UK merchants also get a reduced commission on electronics (8.05% vs 11.5% for non-subscribers).
| 2.9 |
Buyer feedback on Amazon is critical to driving incremental sales and making sure you remain a successful seller on this important site (negative feedback is the single biggest reason for seller termination on Amazon). This is particularly critical during the holiday season with Amazon clearing the forest to ensure the best possible consumer experience. Read more