Selling on Amazon seems simple: list a product, set a price, and wait for the sales to roll in. But behind every successful Amazon store is a seller who’s learned what not to do. The truth? Just one mistake can tank your listing, destroy your margins or worse, get your account suspended.
Luckily, that won’t be your story. You’re in the right place. Below, we’ve broken down the most common Amazon seller mistakes and how to avoid them before they cost you big.
Pro tip: If you want to skip the trial and error, reach out to Manage Amazon. Their team helps sellers build mistake-free, profitable stores from day one.
Common Mistakes That You Must Avoid
Amazon strictly enforces its policies and doesn’t hesitate to take action if you violate them. Here are the most common mistakes sellers make (and how to avoid them before it’s too late).
1. Ignoring Amazon’s Terms of Service
Amazon has strict rules. Many sellers skip reading them. But breaking a rule, even by accident, can lead to account suspension or permanent bans. Common violations include fake reviews, keyword stuffing, or creating multiple seller accounts without approval.
2. Choosing the Wrong Fulfillment Method
Many sellers don’t understand the difference between FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) and FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant). Each has pros and cons. Choosing the wrong one can lead to late deliveries, bad reviews, and higher costs.
Manage Amazon helps sellers switch seamlessly between FBA and FBM. With their Amazon FBM Automation and Automated FBA Store Services, fulfillment doesn’t have to be a guessing game.
3. Poor Product Research
You can’t sell what nobody wants. Many new sellers pick products based on trends or gut feeling without checking demand, competition, or profit margins. That’s a quick way to lose money.
Use research tools like Amazon Brand Analytics, which gives insight into customer search terms, competitor rankings, and click-through data. It’s available to brand-registered sellers and helps guide smarter product selection and marketing decisions.
4. Overlooking Keyword Optimization
Amazon is a search engine. If you don’t use the right keywords, your listing won’t show up. This means fewer clicks and almost no sales.
Optimizing listings with researched keywords makes a massive difference. Some agencies specialize in this if you need support.
5. Skipping LLC or Proper Business Setup
Running a store without a registered LLC puts your personal assets at risk. It also limits your growth and credibility.
Services like LLC formation help sellers set up professionally and protect themselves from legal trouble.
6. Not Using A+ Content (Enhanced Brand Content)
Many sellers ignore Enhanced Brand Content, thinking it’s optional. But A+ Content boosts conversion rates and makes your listing stand out with visuals and comparison charts.
7. Using Low-Quality Product Images or Videos
Blurry images. No videos. Zero context. Bad visuals kill conversions.
Amazon shoppers want to see every angle and understand how the product works. If you can’t create strong visuals yourself, you can outsource it to experienced providers.
8. Poor Inventory Management
Running out of stock means lost sales. Overstocking ties up your cash. Many sellers struggle to find the balance.
Use inventory tools, track trends, and prepare for peak seasons. And if you’re overwhelmed, we help automate inventory tracking and store setup.
9. Weak PPC Strategy
Too many sellers waste money on Amazon ads. They either overbid on bad keywords or forget to track performance.
This is where expert help can turn ad spend into profit. Manage Amazon, for example, offers smart PPC campaign services that focus on conversions not just clicks.
10. Bad Packaging and Branding
Your product might be great. But if it arrives in boring or damaged packaging, you’re risking bad reviews and returns.
Strong branding and thoughtful packaging help make your product memorable and trustworthy.
11. Underestimating Customer Service
Slow replies. Generic answers. Missed messages. Poor customer service can quickly kill your rating and sales.
Use templates, stay responsive, and remember one bad review can hurt more than ten good ones.
12. Not Protecting Your Brand
Brand-registered sellers also get access to Amazon Brand Analytics, a powerful tool for understanding shopper behavior, tracking search term popularity, and identifying profitable eCommerce niches based on real data.
Enroll in Amazon Brand Registry and use Enhanced Brand Content to protect and promote your store.
13. Launching Without Reviews
Many sellers launch their product and wait for reviews to trickle in. That’s a mistake. Without reviews, you’ll struggle to convert buyers.
Use Amazon’s Early Reviewer Program or ask for feedback through follow-up emails.
14. Not Getting Expert Help
Most sellers try to do everything themselves. That works, until it doesn’t. Trying to handle listings, customer support, ads, packaging, and legal work all alone leads to burnout and mistakes.
Partnering with experts like Manage Amazon can help you avoid these issues. Their full suite of services covers everything from Amazon Store Setup and Optimization to PPC, packaging, and brand content.
What Are the Risks of Selling on Amazon?
Amazon as seller is powerful. But it’s not without risks. From account suspension and hijacked listings to ad losses and inventory issues, mistakes are expensive. That’s why it’s smart to get help before you hit those walls.
Final Thought
Selling on Amazon is not just about uploading products. It’s about strategy. Mistakes are part of learning, but some are too costly to make alone. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to scale, the right partner makes a difference.
Manage Amazon isn’t just a service provider. They’re the safety net smart sellers use to stay profitable, protected, and ahead.
