In a world full of side hustle ideas, one opportunity kept popping up: selling on Amazon. From YouTube videos to blog posts and social media influencers, everyone seemed to be talking about how it changed their lives. I was curious—but skeptical.
Could it actually work for someone like me? I wasn’t a tech-savvy entrepreneur or a business expert. I had no experience with eCommerce. But my finances were tight, and I needed a change. That’s when I decided to take a chance on Amazon.
Fast forward a few months, and I can say confidently: it was one of the best decisions I ever made. If you’re wondering how to start selling on Amazon or how to sell on Amazon, this article will walk you through my experience and help you take your first step toward building your own income stream.
Why I Gave Amazon a Try
The pandemic had shaken up my job situation. Hours were reduced, expenses stayed the same, and my savings were disappearing quickly. I needed a way to earn extra money that wouldn’t require quitting my job or investing tens of thousands of dollars.
I kept hearing success stories from people who figured out how to sell on Amazon and shared how their lives had transformed. Most weren’t experts. They were parents, students, and office workers. That gave me hope.
I told myself, “If they can do it, why not me?”
Step 1: Learning the Basics
The first thing I did was research. I spent about two weeks consuming every resource I could find—YouTube tutorials, blog posts, Amazon seller forums, and podcasts.
Here’s what I discovered:
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Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is ideal for beginners because Amazon handles packing, shipping, and customer service.
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Product research is the key to success. If you choose the wrong product, it’s hard to make a profit.
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You don’t need a lot of money to get started, but you do need patience, consistency, and a willingness to learn.
One of the most helpful tips I found was that you can get started with as little as $500–$1000. This covered product sourcing, Amazon fees, and a basic advertising campaign.
If you’re wondering both how to start selling on Amazon and how to sell on Amazon profitably, I highly recommend starting with free content before investing in expensive courses.
Step 2: Setting Up My Amazon Seller Account
Once I felt ready, I created an Amazon Seller Central account. I chose the Professional plan, which costs $39.99/month. While there’s a free individual option, the professional plan is better if you plan to sell more than 40 items per month.
The setup process was simple:
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Go to sellercentral.amazon.com
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Click “Sign Up”
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Provide your business and tax details
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Link your bank account and credit card
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Verify your identity
In less than 24 hours, I was approved and ready to list products.
Anyone looking for how to sell on Amazon will find that registering a seller account is one of the simplest parts of the process.
Step 3: Product Research – The Most Important Step
This part took me the longest—and it should. Picking the right product determines your success. I used free tools like:
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Jungle Scout (free estimator tool)
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Helium 10 (limited free plan)
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Amazon Best Sellers page
I looked for a product that was:
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Small and lightweight (low shipping costs)
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Non-electronic (fewer returns)
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Priced between $15–$30 (ideal for profit margins)
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In steady demand, not seasonal
I settled on a travel accessory that had consistent demand but low competition. I noticed most sellers had poor photos and generic listings, so I knew I could stand out with better branding.
Knowing how to sell on Amazon effectively means learning how to find and validate a great product niche.
Step 4: Finding a Supplier
I found my supplier through Alibaba.com. I contacted several vendors, compared quotes, and requested samples. After reviewing quality and communication, I ordered 100 units for around $400, including shipping.
Pro tips:
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Always request samples before placing a full order.
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Negotiate minimum order quantities if you’re starting small.
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Ask for custom packaging if you want to build a brand.
Sourcing is a critical part of learning both how to sell on Amazon and how to build a scalable brand.
Step 5: Listing My Product on Amazon
While waiting for my inventory to arrive, I created my product listing. This included:
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A keyword-rich title (including phrases like “lightweight travel organizer”)
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Bullet points that focused on customer benefits
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A detailed product description that told my brand story
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Professional images I took with my smartphone and lightbox kit
I also made sure to optimize my listing with keywords related to how to start selling on Amazon and how to sell on Amazon, since many shoppers search for beginner-friendly products or relatable brand stories.
Step 6: Launching and Advertising
Once my inventory arrived at Amazon’s warehouse, my product went live. To get early sales and reviews, I:
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Launched with a 20% discount
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Ran a PPC (pay-per-click) campaign targeting keywords like “travel organizer for luggage”
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Asked friends and family to purchase and leave honest reviews (without violating Amazon’s review policies)
Within the first two weeks, I made my first 10 sales.
By the end of the first month, I had sold 65 units and made a profit of $320 after expenses. It wasn’t life-changing yet—but it paid my phone bill, groceries, and gave me real hope.
What I Learned Along the Way
1. You Don’t Need to Be a Business Expert
I had no background in sales or marketing. Everything I learned came from free online resources and trial-and-error.
2. Mistakes Are Part of the Process
I overbid on ads at first and underestimated the importance of listing images. But I learned, adjusted, and improved.
3. Amazon FBA is Beginner-Friendly
Because Amazon handles storage, shipping, and returns, I didn’t need to manage logistics. That made everything easier.
4. Reinvesting is Crucial
Rather than spend my first profits, I reinvested them into more inventory and ads. This helped me scale gradually.
Learning how to sell on Amazon is a process—but it’s one that rewards consistency.
How Selling on Amazon Changed My Life
Today, I’ve launched two more products under the same brand. My Amazon side hustle now brings in an average of $1,500/month in profit, covering:
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Rent
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Utility bills
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Emergency savings
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Occasional luxuries I used to skip
More importantly, it gave me confidence. Learning how to start selling on Amazon didn’t just change my finances—it changed how I think about business, risk, and opportunity.
Beginner’s Checklist: How to Start Selling on Amazon
If you’re ready to take your own chance, here’s a quick-action checklist:
✅ Create your Amazon seller account
✅ Choose a business model (e.g., private label, wholesale, retail arbitrage)
✅ Research profitable, low-competition products
✅ Source products from Alibaba or local wholesalers
✅ Create an optimized product listing with strong images and keywords
✅ Launch with Amazon FBA to simplify logistics
✅ Run basic ads and ask for reviews
✅ Track performance, adjust, and reinvest
This checklist is your beginner’s roadmap for how to sell on Amazon the smart way.
Final Words: You Can Do This
I’m not special. I didn’t have extra money, business experience, or fancy connections. All I had was a willingness to learn and take action. The decision to try selling on Amazon changed everything.
If you’re reading this and wondering how to start selling on Amazon or how to sell on Amazon, don’t let fear or self-doubt stop you. The platform is built for people like us — people willing to try, fail, learn, and grow.
So here’s my advice: Take the chance. You won’t regret it.
