Learning how to sell on Amazon involves more than opening an account and uploading a product. New sellers must choose what to sell, understand the fees, create an accurate listing, select a fulfillment method, and calculate whether the product can generate a profit.
This guide explains the essential steps for starting on Amazon.com in the United States.
Scope note: Fees, registration requirements, fulfillment options, and seller programs may differ across Amazon marketplaces. Pricing and registration information was last reviewed on August 6, 2026. Always confirm current requirements in Seller Central before making business decisions.
What Amazon Sellers Should Know in 2026
Three current details are particularly relevant to first-time sellers.
First, Amazon’s US Individual selling plan costs $0.99 per item sold, while the Professional plan costs $39.99 per month. Referral fees and optional fulfillment, storage, and advertising expenses may also apply.
Second, beginning July 27, 2026, Amazon requires product titles in all categories except media to contain no more than 75 characters, including spaces. Sellers can use an additional Item Highlights field for up to 125 characters of searchable product information.
Third, Amazon now provides generative AI tools that can create draft product listings from text, images, spreadsheets, or an existing product webpage. Sellers are still responsible for reviewing the generated information before publishing it.
1. Decide What to Sell
Start by choosing a product and business model.
Common approaches include:
- Creating a private-label product
- Buying products wholesale
- Selling handmade goods
- Selling products manufactured by your business
- Reselling eligible products
- Selling generic or unbranded products
Before purchasing inventory, evaluate:
- Customer demand
- Competition
- Average selling price
- Product and shipping costs
- Product dimensions and weight
- Amazon fees
- Advertising expenses
- Return risk
- Category restrictions
- Expected profit margin
A product with strong sales is not necessarily profitable. High advertising costs, low margins, expensive fulfillment, or frequent returns can consume most of the revenue.
You should also check whether the product requires category approval, safety documents, brand authorization, or other compliance information.
2. Choose a Selling Plan and Register
Amazon provides two primary selling plans in the United States.
Individual plan
The Individual plan may be appropriate if you:
- Expect to sell fewer than 40 units per month
- Are testing an initial product
- Do not need advanced seller tools
- Want to avoid a monthly subscription
The fee is $0.99 for each item sold, plus applicable selling fees.
Professional plan
The Professional plan may be more suitable if you:
- Expect to sell more than 40 products per month
- Want to advertise your products
- Need bulk listing capabilities
- Plan to operate a long-term Amazon business
The subscription costs $39.99 per month, plus applicable selling fees.
Amazon’s registration process covers five areas:
- Business information
- Seller information
- Billing information
- Store and product information
- Identity verification
Applicants may need to provide a government-issued ID, proof of address, bank information, a chargeable credit card, and details about the products they intend to sell.
You do not necessarily need an LLC or incorporated company. Eligible applicants can register as individuals by selecting the appropriate business type.
Make sure the names and addresses entered during registration match your supporting documents.
3. Create a Product Listing
If your product already exists in Amazon’s catalog, you may be able to add your offer to its current product detail page. If it is not already listed, you will generally need to create a new page.
A product listing normally contains:
- Product title
- Brand name
- Images
- Product features
- Description
- Price
- Variations such as size or color
- Product identifier
- Fulfillment method
Write the listing for customers first. Explain what the product is, who it is for, and what makes it useful.
Use relevant keywords naturally, but avoid repeating phrases unnecessarily. Every product claim should be accurate and supported by appropriate evidence.
Amazon’s AI listing features can help create a draft, but sellers should check all titles, descriptions, product attributes, and safety information before submitting the listing.
4. Calculate Your Costs and Price
Your selling price should cover product and packaging costs, shipping, Amazon fees, fulfillment, storage, advertising, returns, taxes, and other operating expenses.
Estimated profit = selling price − total estimated costs
Because Amazon fees vary by category, use the Amazon Revenue Calculator to compare estimated FBA costs with your own fulfillment expenses.
5. Choose Between FBA and FBM
Sellers can use Fulfillment by Amazon, Fulfilled by Merchant, or a combination of both.
Fulfillment by Amazon
With FBA, sellers send inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers. Amazon then handles storage, picking, packing, shipping, customer service, and qualifying returns.
FBA can reduce the amount of day-to-day fulfillment work, but sellers should calculate:
- Fulfillment fees
- Storage costs
- Product preparation expenses
- Aged-inventory charges
- Removal or disposal costs
Fulfilled by Merchant
With FBM, the seller stores products and manages shipping directly or through another logistics provider.
FBM may be appropriate for sellers who already have fulfillment capabilities or who offer oversized, specialized, or slower-moving products.
Amazon allows sellers to choose fulfillment methods at the product level.
6. Launch and Promote the Product
Publishing a listing does not guarantee immediate sales.
Before launching, confirm that:
- The listing is active
- Product information is accurate
- Inventory is available
- The price covers your costs
- Shipping settings are correct
- The product complies with relevant requirements
A launch strategy may include Amazon advertising, eligible promotions, external marketing, and listing improvements based on customer behavior.
Start with an advertising budget you can afford to test. Evaluate campaigns according to profitable orders rather than impressions or clicks alone.
7. Monitor and Improve Performance
After receiving orders, regularly review:
- Sales and conversion rates
- Advertising costs
- Inventory levels
- Returns and refunds
- Customer feedback
- Listing status
- Account health
- Total profit
Use this information to decide whether to change your price, improve the listing, adjust advertising, reorder inventory, or discontinue an unprofitable product.
Amazon policies and seller requirements can change. Review Seller Central notifications and official Amazon documentation rather than relying only on older third-party tutorials.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
First-time sellers should avoid:
- Ordering too much inventory before testing demand
- Ignoring product restrictions
- Calculating profit without advertising and returns
- Publishing incomplete or inaccurate listings
- Making unsupported product claims
- Depending entirely on paid advertising
- Confusing revenue with profit
- Using prohibited methods to obtain reviews
FAQ
How much does it cost to sell on Amazon?
The Individual plan costs $0.99 per item sold, while the Professional plan costs $39.99 per month. Referral fees and optional service costs may also apply.
Do I need an LLC?
No. Eligible applicants can register as individuals, although the appropriate business structure depends on their legal and financial circumstances.
Do I have to use FBA?
No. Sellers can use FBA, fulfill orders themselves, or choose different methods for different products.
Is selling on Amazon profitable?
It can be profitable, but results depend on product selection, pricing, competition, fulfillment expenses, advertising, returns, and operational management.
Final Thoughts
Selling on Amazon begins with careful product research and realistic cost calculations.
Choose an appropriate selling plan, prepare accurate registration documents, create a trustworthy listing, and select a fulfillment method that fits the product. Start with manageable inventory and monitor actual profit rather than focusing only on revenue.
Sources
- Amazon — How to Sell on Amazon in 2026
- Amazon — How to Register as an Amazon Seller
- Amazon — How to Sell Online in 2026
- Amazon — How to Create Amazon Product Listings
- Amazon — How to Use Amazon AI to Create Product Listings
- Amazon Seller Central — Updates to Improve Your Product Titles
