How to Scan and Sell on Amazon

Selling products on Amazon can be a lucrative business, especially if you know how to find the right products at the right prices. One of the most effective ways to do this is by using a scanning app to check prices, demand, and competition while you are shopping in stores. This article will guide you through the process of scanning and selling on Amazon, from finding products to listing and selling them.

1. Understanding the Scanning Process

Scanning products involves using a smartphone app that allows you to scan the barcodes of items in stores to see how much they are selling for on Amazon. This helps you determine whether you can make a profit by purchasing the item and then reselling it on Amazon. There are several apps available for this purpose, such as Amazon Seller, Scoutify, and Profit Bandit.

2. Choosing the Right App

Selecting the right app for scanning is crucial. The Amazon Seller app is free and directly connected to your Amazon seller account, providing accurate data. Scoutify and Profit Bandit are popular paid options that offer additional features like profit calculations, sales rank tracking, and more. Choose an app based on your needs and budget.

3. How to Use a Scanning App

Once you've chosen an app, the next step is to learn how to use it effectively:

• Download and Set Up: First, download the app from the App Store or Google Play, and then set it up by linking it to your Amazon seller account.
• Scanning Products: Use the app to scan the barcode of a product you are interested in. The app will display information such as the current selling price on Amazon, sales rank, and the number of sellers offering the product.
• Analyzing the Data: Look at the selling price and compare it to the price you can purchase the item for. The app may also show estimated profit margins after considering Amazon fees and shipping costs. Ensure that the product has a strong sales rank (indicating high demand) and relatively low competition.

4. Deciding What to Buy

Not every product you scan will be worth buying. Here are some tips to help you decide:

• Profit Margin: Make sure the potential profit margin is high enough after Amazon’s fees and shipping costs.
• Sales Rank: Products with a low sales rank (under 100,000 in most categories) tend to sell faster.
• Competition: If there are too many sellers offering the same product, it may be difficult to compete on price.

5. Listing Your Products on Amazon

Once you’ve purchased items, the next step is listing them for sale on Amazon:

• Create a Listing: Log into your Amazon Seller account and create a new listing for each product. You will need to provide details like the product condition, price, and quantity.
• Optimizing Your Listing: Use keywords in your title and description to make your listing more discoverable. High-quality images and detailed product descriptions can also help increase sales.
• Pricing Strategy: Price your products competitively, considering both your costs and the prices of competing sellers.

6. Shipping Your Products

After listing your products, you need to decide on a shipping method. Amazon offers two main options:

• Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): With FBA, you send your products to an Amazon warehouse, and Amazon takes care of storage, packing, and shipping to the customer. This option is convenient but comes with additional fees.
• Merchant Fulfillment: You handle all aspects of storage, packing, and shipping yourself. This option is less expensive but requires more time and effort.

7. Managing Your Inventory and Sales

Keeping track of your inventory and sales is crucial to maintaining a successful Amazon business:

• Inventory Management: Use tools within your Amazon Seller account to track inventory levels and restock items as needed.
• Sales Monitoring: Regularly monitor your sales and adjust your pricing strategy as necessary. The Amazon Seller app can also provide real-time updates on your sales performance.

8. Tips for Success

Here are some additional tips to help you succeed in scanning and selling on Amazon:

• Start Small: Begin with a few products to get the hang of the process before scaling up.
• Keep Learning: Stay updated on Amazon’s policies and market trends to stay competitive.
• Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service to build a strong seller reputation.

By following these steps, you can start a successful business selling products on Amazon using scanning apps to find profitable items.