PPC Strategy for Winning the Amazon Buy Box

For Amazon sellers, few things matter more than winning the Buy Box. That little white box on the right side of a product detail page is where the majority of conversions happen—some estimates say over 80% of Amazon sales come through the Buy Box.

But here’s the twist: even if you offer a competitive price, fast shipping, and great customer service, you still might not win the Buy Box consistently—especially if you’re not running a strong PPC (Pay-Per-Click) strategy.

Many sellers overlook how closely PPC and Buy Box ownership are tied together. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to leverage Amazon Ads to win more Buy Box share and boost your visibility.

🧠 First, What Is the Amazon Buy Box?

The Buy Box is the section on a product page where customers click “Add to Cart” or “Buy Now.” When multiple sellers are listing the same item (especially brand-name or wholesale products), only one seller “owns” the Buy Box at any given time.

Winning the Buy Box means your offer becomes the default purchase option—no extra clicks or comparisons required.

🏆 Why Winning the Buy Box Matters

Let’s start with the why:

  • Increased Sales: Most shoppers don’t scroll past the Buy Box. If you’re not there, you’re missing sales.
  • PPC Visibility: Only Buy Box winners can run Sponsored Products ads. No Buy Box = no ads = lost traffic.
  • Mobile Advantage: On mobile devices, the Buy Box is even more dominant—there’s barely any space for other sellers.
  • Brand Control: For private label sellers, Buy Box suppression can tank conversion rates. For resellers, it’s the key battleground.

Bottom line: if you’re not in the Buy Box, you’re out of the game.

🧩 What Factors Affect Buy Box Ownership?

Amazon’s algorithm uses a mix of variables to determine who wins the Buy Box:

  1. Price (including shipping)
  2. Fulfillment method (FBA, FBM, SFP)
  3. Seller performance metrics (order defect rate, feedback score, response time)
  4. Inventory availability
  5. Shipping time
  6. PPC activity and listing traffic

Yes, you read that right—PPC matters. Why?

Because Amazon wants to give the Buy Box to sellers who will deliver the best customer experience and drive conversions. If your ads are driving quality traffic and consistent conversions, it’s a strong signal to the algorithm.

🚀 How PPC Helps You Win the Buy Box

Here’s how an optimized PPC strategy can support Buy Box ownership:

✅ 1. Increases Conversion Velocity

When your PPC campaigns are converting at a high rate, you signal to Amazon that your offer is a strong match for shoppers. That conversion velocity can tilt the Buy Box algorithm in your favor—even if your price isn’t the absolute lowest.

✅ 2. Supports Organic Visibility

Winning the Buy Box gives your ads visibility. But once you’re visible and converting, that can elevate your organic rank, which further reinforces your Buy Box hold.

✅ 3. Compensates for Slightly Higher Prices

You don’t always have to be the lowest price. If your fulfillment method (FBA), ad performance, and reviews are better, you can still win the Buy Box—especially if your PPC drives conversions that justify the price gap.

✅ 4. Unlocks Sponsored Products Ads

Only the Buy Box winner is eligible for Sponsored Products ads. So if you lose the box—even temporarily—your ads get paused. Smart PPC and inventory strategies can help you maintain continuity.

📈 PPC Strategy to Win (and Keep) the Buy Box

Now, let’s break down a winning Amazon PPC strategy that supports Buy Box ownership.

🎯 Step 1: Focus on Sponsored Products First

If you’re fighting for the Buy Box, Sponsored Products should be your top priority. These ads appear on search results and product pages—and only if you own the box.

Focus your ad budget here before Sponsored Brands or Display.

Best Practices:

  • Start with Exact Match for your most profitable and relevant keywords
  • Use Auto Campaigns to discover new high-converting terms
  • Optimize bids based on ACoS and ROAS trends

🧠 Step 2: Know Your Buy Box Eligibility

Not every product is eligible for the Buy Box—even your own. In Seller Central:

  1. Go to “Manage Inventory”
  2. Click “Preferences”
  3. Turn on the Buy Box Eligible column

Make sure the ASINs you’re advertising are eligible. If not, you’re wasting ad spend.

📊 Step 3: Monitor Buy Box Percentage in Your Reports

Use Business Reports in Seller Central or Helium 10/other tools to track:

  • Buy Box percentage
  • Units ordered
  • Sales share

Track this weekly. If your Buy Box percentage drops, your ads may not run—triggering a feedback loop of lost impressions.

💰 Step 4: Stay Price Competitive—but Smart

Don’t race to the bottom. Instead:

  • Price within 2%–5% of the current Buy Box winner
  • Use Amazon’s Automate Pricing Tool (for resellers)
  • For private label sellers, focus more on PPC conversion + FBA fulfillment to hold the Buy Box even at a higher price

If you’re the only seller on the ASIN, you control the box—but PPC and price still impact suppression.

📦 Step 5: Use FBA for Fulfillment

Amazon prioritizes FBA offers for Buy Box ownership. Unless you’re enrolled in Seller-Fulfilled Prime (SFP), FBA gives you the best shot—especially when combined with PPC activity.

Don’t risk your Buy Box with slow FBM shipping speeds.

🛑 Step 6: Avoid Common Mistakes That Hurt the Buy Box

Watch out for:

  • Running out of stock: Zero inventory = lost Buy Box (and ad shutdown)
  • Poor seller metrics: High order defect rate or slow shipping times
  • Suppressed listings: No title, no image, or missing compliance info
  • Uncompetitive pricing: Too far from Buy Box price = low/no share

PPC can only help if you’re maintaining the backend essentials.

🔄 Case Study: Using PPC to Win the Buy Box

A seller in the home decor category was struggling to maintain Buy Box share against multiple resellers. Their price was slightly higher, but they were the brand owner.

Here’s what they did:

  • Launched Sponsored Product campaigns targeting exact match branded and high-intent non-branded terms
  • Used Auto campaigns to identify gaps and new keywords
  • Bid more aggressively on high-converting search terms
  • Ensured 100% inventory availability using FBA
  • Monitored Buy Box share daily and adjusted pricing within 3% of lowest offer

Results after 30 days:

  • Buy Box share increased from 42% → 81%
  • Sales grew 28% month-over-month
  • TACoS dropped from 17% to 11% as organic rank improved

This proves PPC + operational excellence = Buy Box dominance.

🧠 Advanced Tips for Scaling the Strategy

1. Use Dayparting

If you’re only winning the Buy Box part of the day, run ads only during those times to preserve budget. Use tools like Quartile, Perpetua, or Adtomic to automate.

2. Split Campaigns by Fulfillment Type

If you use both FBA and FBM, split ad campaigns by SKU or ASIN. You’ll want to ensure only Buy Box-eligible offers are tied to Sponsored Products.

3. Monitor ASIN-level Performance

Use Search Term Reports to track which keywords are driving profitable conversions—and which may be dragging down Buy Box performance with poor conversion rates.

🧮 Should You Advertise if You Don’t Own the Buy Box?

Short answer: No—unless you plan to win it back fast.

If your PPC campaigns are running but you’re not winning the Buy Box, your ads may not show at all. That means wasted ad spend and poor campaign data.

Either:

  • Improve your offer to win the box
  • Pause campaigns on ASINs where you consistently lose
  • Use Sponsored Brands or Display Ads (which don’t require the Buy Box)

✍️ Final Thoughts: Buy Box + PPC = Sales Powerhouse

Winning the Amazon Buy Box is one of the most important levers in your business—and PPC is one of the best tools to help you get there.

By running strategic Sponsored Products ads, optimizing for conversion, maintaining competitive pricing, and delivering excellent fulfillment, you can turn the algorithm in your favor.

Remember:

  • PPC increases conversion velocity, which supports Buy Box wins
  • Only Buy Box winners can run Sponsored Product ads
  • Your ads and your Buy Box share are connected—treat them as part of one strategy

Need help optimizing your Amazon PPC campaigns or increasing your Buy Box share?
At Marketplace Valet, we help brands create profitable advertising strategies that drive real marketplace growth—without wasting budget.

📩 Let’s talk about scaling your Buy Box share with smarter PPC.

#AmazonFBA #BuyBoxStrategy #AmazonPPC #MarketplaceValet #AmazonSellers #FBA2025 #EcommerceTips #SponsoredProducts #AdvertisingStrategy #AmazonGrowth

Try Before You Buy on Amazon: How 3D Product Modeling Is Changing the E-Commerce Experience

“Try before you buy” used to mean going to a physical store, holding the product in your hands, and deciding if it felt right. But Amazon is bringing that experience online—and it’s happening faster than most sellers realize.

With the rollout of 3D product modeling and augmented reality (AR) tools, Amazon is enabling customers to virtually place products in their home, spin them around, zoom in on details, and see how they fit—before clicking “Buy Now.”

This is more than a flashy feature—it’s a strategic advantage. Brands that leverage Amazon’s 3D capabilities can improve conversion rates, reduce returns, and offer a dramatically better customer experience.

In this post, you’ll learn:

  • What Amazon 3D product modeling is
  • How it works (for customers and sellers)
  • Which categories benefit most
  • How 3D assets are created and submitted
  • The benefits of using 3D and AR for your listings
  • How to get started with 3D on Amazon

Let’s dive in.

🌀 What Is Amazon 3D Product Modeling?

Amazon’s 3D product modeling allows customers to view virtual, interactive models of products directly on the product detail page—especially on mobile devices. Shoppers can:

  • Rotate the product in 360 degrees
  • Zoom in to examine features and finishes
  • Use AR tools like “View in Your Room” to see how the product would look in their physical space
  • Engage with the product in a way that mimics real-life interaction

Think of it as a virtual showroom—one that fits in your customer’s hand.

3D and AR experiences are available for select categories and devices, but Amazon is rapidly expanding both the technology and the catalog of supported products.

👀 How Does It Work for Shoppers?

When a product has a 3D model attached, shoppers will see additional interactive options on the listing.

On mobile devices using the Amazon app (iOS and Android), they may see:

  • A “View in Your Room” button (for furniture, home goods, tools, etc.)
  • A 360-degree image viewer
  • A “Try in Your Home” AR overlay that launches the camera

These tools use the shopper’s phone camera and AR technology to place the item in their environment using scale-accurate models. For example, a customer can:

  • See if a bookshelf fits in their corner
  • View how a lamp matches their color scheme
  • Place a kitchen tool on their counter to check size and style

The goal is to reduce friction and uncertainty—the top reasons customers abandon their carts.

📦 Which Categories Work Best for 3D Modeling?

Not all products are a good fit for 3D modeling—but some benefit tremendously. Amazon prioritizes categories where size, fit, placement, or design influence purchase decisions.

Ideal Categories:

  • Furniture (sofas, desks, nightstands, chairs)
  • Home Decor (lamps, rugs, mirrors, artwork)
  • Appliances (microwaves, coffee makers, air purifiers)
  • Tools & Hardware (drills, toolboxes, garden equipment)
  • Toys & Games (interactive toys, educational kits)
  • Electronics (speakers, monitors, tech accessories)

Basically, if your product would benefit from seeing it in context, it could be a strong candidate for 3D/AR.

Even smaller products like vases, organizers, or kitchen tools can benefit—especially when size is a frequent concern in reviews.

🛠️ How Are 3D Models Created?

Creating a 3D model for Amazon isn’t something you do with your iPhone. It involves professional-grade rendering and file preparation.

Amazon’s Recommended 3D Model Specs:

  • File types: GLB, USDZ, or OBJ (depending on platform)
  • Polygon count: Ideally under 1 million
  • PBR (Physically-Based Rendering) textures for realistic lighting/shading
  • Clean geometry, accurate scale, and well-mapped textures

You can either:

  1. Create a model in-house (using 3D software like Blender or Maya)
  2. Hire a 3D modeling agency with Amazon experience
  3. Use Amazon’s 3D Services (available via Seller Central or by request)

Amazon provides detailed guides for 3D asset creation, and in some cases, offers modeling services for eligible brands through their Product Imaging Service.

📤 How Do Sellers Submit 3D Models to Amazon?

If you’re a Brand Registered seller or vendor, you can submit 3D models through Amazon’s Self-Service 3D Model Portal, located in your A+ Content Manager.

Here’s the submission process:

  1. Login to Seller Central
  2. Navigate to A+ Content Manager
  3. Select your product ASIN
  4. Upload your 3D model file and any required documentation
  5. Amazon will review the model for quality, accuracy, and compatibility
  6. If approved, it goes live on the product listing (typically within 7–10 days)

Once live, shoppers using mobile devices will see the 3D/AR interaction options automatically—no extra effort required.

📈 Benefits of Using 3D Product Models on Amazon

So, is it worth it?

Here’s what early data—and seller experience—suggests:

✅ 1. Higher Conversion Rates

Shoppers who interact with a 3D model spend more time on the listing and are more likely to convert. It builds trust, reduces guesswork, and increases buyer confidence.

✅ 2. Fewer Returns

When shoppers can see the product in their space or get a more accurate understanding of size and design, they’re less likely to be disappointed. This can significantly reduce return rates—especially in categories like furniture and decor.

✅ 3. Better Engagement Metrics

Listings with 3D features tend to have higher interaction times, which may positively influence Amazon’s A9 search algorithm (although Amazon hasn’t confirmed this directly).

✅ 4. Competitive Differentiation

Most sellers still aren’t using 3D models. If your product offers a virtual “try before you buy” experience, it sets your listing apart and conveys a more premium, professional brand presence.

✅ 5. Future-Proofing Your Listings

As Amazon invests more into AR, visual search, and next-gen shopping experiences, being an early adopter positions your brand ahead of the curve.

🚀 How to Know If 3D Modeling Is Right for Your Products

Before you jump into 3D modeling, ask yourself:

  • Do shoppers frequently mention confusion about size or fit in reviews?
  • Does your product rely heavily on design or aesthetics?
  • Do returns often stem from “not what I expected”?
  • Would your product benefit from being placed in a real-world setting?

If the answer is yes to even one of these, a 3D model could be a smart investment.

💡 Pro Tips for 3D Success on Amazon

If you decide to use 3D modeling, keep these tips in mind:

  1. Prioritize your best-sellers: Start with products that already get traffic and could benefit from better engagement.
  2. Use it with A+ Content and Premium Images: 3D modeling works best as part of a full listing optimization strategy.
  3. Match scale perfectly: If your model doesn’t reflect accurate dimensions, it will confuse buyers and could lead to more—not fewer—returns.
  4. Test before going live: Use Amazon’s preview tools or run internal QA to ensure the model loads correctly and functions across devices.
  5. Promote it: If you’ve got 3D models enabled, mention it in your bullets or A+ content—“See it in your space with Amazon AR” adds another conversion hook.

🧠 Final Thoughts: 3D Modeling Is the Future of Amazon Shopping

As more customers shop from mobile devices—and expect immersive, interactive experiences—Amazon is quietly building the tools to meet them there. 3D modeling and AR are just the beginning.

If you’re serious about standing out in 2025 and beyond, now’s the time to:

  • Understand how 3D modeling works
  • Identify which products would benefit
  • Invest in visual experiences that reduce friction and build trust

Try before you buy is no longer limited to showrooms. It’s happening right now on Amazon—and your listings could be next.

Want help implementing 3D product modeling or improving your listing experience?
At Marketplace Valet, we help brands build high-converting listings with visuals that sell. Whether it’s premium images, A+ content, or 3D modeling support, we’re here to make your products shine.

📩 Let’s chat about how to level up your Amazon presence.

#AmazonFBA #TryBeforeYouBuy #3DProductModeling #AmazonSellers #MarketplaceValet #FBA2025 #ProductVisualization #ARShopping #EcommerceInnovation #ListingOptimization

How to Use Helium 10 to Find Keywords and Boost Amazon Sales

If you’re an Amazon seller looking to scale, keyword research isn’t optional—it’s essential. Your ability to rank organically, run effective PPC campaigns, and get your listings discovered depends on how well you choose and use your keywords.

And that’s where Helium 10 comes in.

Helium 10 is a powerful suite of tools designed specifically for Amazon sellers. From keyword research to listing optimization and competitor analysis, it’s a one-stop solution that can transform how you approach selling on Amazon.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to use Helium 10 to find profitable keywords and boost your Amazon sales, step by step.

📊 Why Keyword Research Matters

Every day, millions of Amazon shoppers type something into the search bar—and Amazon’s algorithm serves them products based on those search terms.

If your listing doesn’t match the right keywords:

  • You won’t show up in organic search
  • You’ll overpay for ineffective ads
  • You’ll miss out on valuable traffic and sales

The right keywords do more than get you seen—they help you:

  • Attract high-converting traffic
  • Increase organic rankings
  • Lower ACoS with smarter PPC
  • Understand your competitors
  • Optimize your listings for long-term success

Now let’s get into how Helium 10 helps you make this happen.

🔧 Key Helium 10 Tools for Keyword Research

Helium 10 offers several tools, but for keyword research, we’ll focus on the four core ones:

  1. Cerebro – Reverse ASIN Lookup
  2. Magnet – Amazon Keyword Generator
  3. Keyword Tracker – Monitor keyword ranking
  4. Frankenstein & Scribbles – Listing optimization helpers

Let’s break down each tool and how to use it effectively.

🔍 Step 1: Use Cerebro to Reverse-Engineer Your Competitors

Cerebro allows you to analyze your competitors’ keywords by entering their ASINs. You’ll get a list of the exact keywords their listings are ranking for—both paid and organic.

How to Use It:

  1. Go to your competitor’s product page and copy the ASIN (located in the Product Information section).
  2. Paste the ASIN into Cerebro.
  3. Click “Get Keywords.”

Helium 10 will return thousands of keywords that the product ranks for.

Key Filters to Apply:

  • Search Volume: Start with keywords over 500 monthly searches
  • Organic Rank: Look at keywords where the ASIN ranks in the top 20
  • CPR (Cerebro Product Rank): Indicates how many sales you may need to rank
  • Match Type: Filter by organic vs. sponsored
  • Exclude Brand Terms: Unless you’re targeting branded traffic, remove these

✅ Goal: Build a list of keywords that are high-volume, low-competition, and relevant to your product.

🔍 Step 2: Use Magnet to Expand Your Keyword List

While Cerebro is great for reverse engineering competitors, Magnet helps you generate new keyword ideas from scratch.

How to Use It:

  1. Go to Helium 10 > Magnet
  2. Type in a seed keyword like “camping water filter” or “silicone baking mat”
  3. Click “Get Keywords”

You’ll see a list of related keywords based on your input.

Key Filters to Use:

  • Search Volume: Focus on terms with over 500–1,000 searches/month
  • Magnet IQ Score: A proprietary score that balances search volume vs. competition
  • Word Count: Use this to find long-tail keywords (3+ words)
  • Competing Products: Lower = easier to rank

✅ Goal: Find high-intent, long-tail keywords that competitors might be missing.

🧰 Step 3: Organize & Clean Up Your Keyword List

Once you’ve gathered keyword data from Cerebro and Magnet, it’s time to clean up the list.

Helium 10 gives you two tools for this:

Frankenstein

This tool helps you deduplicate, organize, and prioritize your keyword list.

Steps:

  • Paste your raw keyword list into Frankenstein
  • Remove duplicates, special characters, and unnecessary words
  • Sort by frequency and relevance

Scribbles

Now that you have a clean keyword list, use Scribbles to optimize your listing.

Steps:

  • Import your final keyword list into Scribbles
  • Paste your title, bullet points, and description into the tool
  • Scribbles will track keyword usage in real time
  • Ensure your top keywords are used naturally throughout your listing

✅ Goal: Build an SEO-optimized listing that uses all your most important keywords.

📈 Step 4: Use Keyword Tracker to Monitor Performance

Once your listing is live and optimized, you want to monitor how it performs in Amazon search results.

That’s where Keyword Tracker comes in.

How to Use It:

  1. Go to Keyword Tracker
  2. Add your ASIN
  3. Paste in your target keywords
  4. Monitor your organic and sponsored rankings daily

You can even use Boost Mode to track your rank multiple times per day.

✅ Goal: See which keywords are improving in rank and which ones need support (via PPC or content optimization).

💡 Bonus Tips for Using Helium 10 to Boost Sales

Now that you know the workflow, here are some next-level strategies to squeeze even more value from Helium 10:

📦 Launch Products with CPR Strategy

Use the CPR metric in Cerebro to determine how many units to sell (organically or via promo) to rank for a keyword.

Plan your launch accordingly and support with:

  • PPC campaigns targeting exact match keywords
  • External traffic (social media, email, influencer)
  • Deals or coupons

📊 Track Competitor Changes

Use the Market Tracker tool to monitor changes in your niche. If competitors drop in ranking or change their listing strategy, use that opportunity to gain ground.

🔄 Refresh Listings Regularly

Amazon’s algorithm changes over time—and so does shopper behavior. Use Keyword Tracker and Search Volume Trends to see when interest in certain keywords grows or declines.

Revisit your Scribbles tool every 3–6 months to update your listing with fresh, trending terms.

📉 Cut Non-Converting Keywords from PPC

Use Helium 10’s Adtomic or your own Amazon Ads dashboard to identify keywords that are eating spend without converting. Remove or reduce bids accordingly.

Then feed those learnings back into your listing by emphasizing high-converting search terms in bullets, images, and A+ content.

🧠 Final Thoughts: Let Data Drive Your Keyword Strategy

Amazon is a search engine before it’s a store.

If you want to win on Amazon, you need to speak the language of your customer—and that means understanding what they type into the search bar, how often, and with what intent.

Helium 10 gives you the tools to decode that language, beat your competitors, and grow your sales predictably.

Here’s your 4-step Helium 10 keyword workflow:

  1. Use Cerebro to spy on competitors
  2. Use Magnet to expand your keyword universe
  3. Clean + optimize your listing with Frankenstein and Scribbles
  4. Track + adjust with Keyword Tracker

Do this consistently, and you’ll not only rank higher—you’ll convert more and scale faster.

Need help optimizing your Amazon listings or building a data-driven keyword strategy?
At Marketplace Valet, we help brands increase visibility, improve conversion, and grow profitably using the tools that matter most.

📩 Let’s talk about taking your Amazon keyword game to the next level.

#AmazonFBA #Helium10 #KeywordResearch #MarketplaceValet #AmazonSellers #ListingOptimization #FBA2025 #AmazonTips #EcommerceGrowth #SEOonAmazon #AmazonKeywordStrategy

Why Financial Reporting Should Be Your Focus for Business Growth

Growth is every business owner’s dream. Whether you’re an Amazon seller, agency owner, e-commerce entrepreneur, or service provider—scaling up is the ultimate goal.

But here’s the truth: without financial clarity, growth can crush you.

You can sell more, hire more, and launch new products—but if you don’t understand what’s happening with your cash flow, margins, and profitability, your business can grow itself into a financial mess.

That’s why financial reporting should be at the center of your growth strategy. It’s not about spreadsheets for the sake of compliance—it’s about empowering better decisions at every level of your business.

In this post, we’ll break down:

  • What financial reporting really is (and isn’t)
  • The difference between bookkeeping and financial clarity
  • The reports that matter most
  • How your numbers guide hiring, pricing, investing, and scaling
  • Tools and tips to build a reporting habit that drives growth

Let’s dive in.

📊 What Is Financial Reporting?

Financial reporting is the process of organizing and analyzing your business’s financial performance over time—typically monthly, quarterly, and annually.

This includes structured reports such as:

  • Profit & Loss Statement (P&L)
  • Balance Sheet
  • Cash Flow Statement
  • COGS Breakdown
  • Margin and Expense Reports
  • Revenue by Product/Channel/Client

It’s not just about what you made—it’s about where the money is coming from, where it’s going, and what it all means.

And that’s exactly why it matters.

📉 Bookkeeping ≠ Financial Strategy

A lot of business owners think they’re “on top of the numbers” because they have a bookkeeper or accountant.

But here’s the difference:

BookkeepingFinancial Reporting
Tracks income and expensesAnalyzes what those numbers mean
Prepares for taxesPrepares you for growth
Rearview mirrorForward-facing dashboard
ComplianceStrategic clarity

Bookkeeping is essential. But financial reporting is transformational.

🚨 Why Lack of Financial Clarity Kills Growth

Businesses don’t usually fail because of a bad idea—they fail because of:

  • Poor cash flow planning
  • Over-hiring
  • Undervaluing offers
  • Misjudging margins
  • Scaling ad spend too quickly

And all of these are finance problems.

When you don’t have clear reporting, you:

  • Make gut-based decisions
  • React instead of plan
  • Miss hidden leaks in your profitability
  • Lose control as complexity grows

Growth without numbers is like driving in the dark. It’s not a matter of if you’ll crash—it’s when.

💡 The Core Financial Reports Every Business Should Track

Here are the reports that fuel better decisions across every stage of your business:

1. Profit & Loss Statement (P&L)

Also known as the income statement, this shows:

  • Total revenue
  • Cost of goods sold (COGS)
  • Gross profit
  • Operating expenses
  • Net income

✅ Use it to:

  • Understand if you’re actually making money
  • Compare profitability month-over-month
  • Track trends and set sales goals

2. Cash Flow Statement

Revenue isn’t the same as cash in the bank. This report shows:

  • Inflows: payments received
  • Outflows: what you paid out
  • Cash on hand

✅ Use it to:

  • Avoid cash crunches
  • Time inventory purchases
  • Make investment decisions responsibly

3. COGS and Margin Analysis

COGS includes what it costs to produce, package, and deliver your product. After subtracting COGS from revenue, you get gross margin.

✅ Use it to:

  • Set pricing intelligently
  • Decide what products to scale or drop
  • Know what’s actually profitable

4. Revenue by Channel / Product / Client

This tells you what’s driving your income—and what isn’t.

✅ Use it to:

  • Focus on high-ROI products or customers
  • Kill or reposition underperformers
  • Allocate resources based on what works

5. Operating Expense Breakdown

Break your expenses into categories like:

  • Payroll
  • Advertising
  • Software
  • Fulfillment
  • Professional services

✅ Use it to:

  • Cut unnecessary costs
  • Set budget targets
  • Understand your overhead and burn rate

📈 How Financial Reporting Fuels Smarter Growth

Now that we know what to track—let’s look at how that reporting actually helps you grow.

1. You Can Price More Strategically

Without margin clarity, you might underprice your offers.
With reporting, you can:

  • Set pricing based on target profit margins
  • Add buffers for fulfillment, returns, or ad costs
  • Adjust pricing based on seasonal trends or demand

2. You’ll Know When You’re Ready to Scale Ads

Ads can be a growth engine—or a profit destroyer.

Financial reporting helps you see:

  • How much you can afford to spend per customer
  • What your true ACoS/TACoS is
  • Whether scaling ad spend helps or hurts your bottom line

3. Hiring Decisions Become Smarter

Want to bring on a new team member or VA?
You need to know:

  • What your payroll budget is
  • What kind of ROI you need from that role
  • Whether hiring now will put your cash flow at risk

This insight comes from your numbers.

4. You Can Forecast with Confidence

Once your reports are in place, you can start looking ahead:

  • Predict slow or peak seasons
  • Plan inventory around trends
  • Run “what-if” scenarios for new product launches or ad pushes

Growth becomes intentional, not accidental.

5. You’ll Sleep Better at Night

Knowing you have:

  • 3 months of runway
  • A profitable product mix
  • Controlled expenses
  • A path to scale

…gives you the confidence to lead your business—not just survive in it.

🛠️ Tools and Systems to Get Started

You don’t need a CFO to get financial clarity. Here’s what you do need:

✅ Bookkeeping Software

  • QuickBooks
  • Xero
  • Wave Accounting (free)

Make sure your data is up-to-date and reconciled monthly.

✅ Reporting Dashboards

  • Bench – bookkeeping + monthly reports
  • Fathom – custom reports and visuals
  • Sellerboard (for Amazon sellers)
  • A2X – syncs Amazon/Walmart data to QuickBooks
  • Google Sheets + Templates – for custom builds

✅ Your Reporting Routine

  1. Review reports monthly (not just at tax time)
  2. Track trends: MoM, QoQ, and YoY
  3. Build a simple dashboard of KPIs
  4. Share with your team or accountability partner
  5. Make one key decision or improvement based on the numbers

🧠 Pro Tips for Making Reporting a Habit

  • Block 1–2 hours on your calendar each month
  • Review financials before making major decisions
  • Build a dashboard in Google Sheets or Notion
  • Use visual tools—charts and graphs > raw spreadsheets
  • Don’t obsess over perfection—consistency is what counts

✍️ Final Thoughts: Growth Follows Clarity

You don’t need an MBA to run a great business.
You don’t need a CFO to get clarity.
But you do need to stop guessing—and start leading with your numbers.

Financial reporting isn’t just a backend task. It’s the heartbeat of your business strategy.

So before you scale…

  • Know your margins
  • Understand your cash flow
  • Track your profit trends
  • And build a system that supports smart decisions

Because growth without clarity is chaos. But growth with financial reporting?
That’s how businesses last.

Need help building a reporting system that drives profitable growth?
At Marketplace Valet, we help founders and brands get crystal-clear on their numbers, so they can scale faster and smarter—on Amazon and beyond.

📩 Let’s talk about building your financial dashboard.

#BusinessGrowth #FinancialReporting #MarketplaceValet #Profitability #CashFlow #EntrepreneurTips #ScalingBusiness #AmazonSellers #EcommerceFinance #BusinessStrategy

New vs. Old Products: Which Strategy Drives More Amazon Sales?

Every Amazon seller hits this point eventually:

You’ve got products that are selling, ads are running, inventory’s flowing—but now you’re wondering…

“Do I focus on launching something new, or double down on what’s already working?”

It’s a smart question. The decision to expand your product catalog versus optimize and scale your existing winners can make or break your momentum (and profitability).

In this guide, we’ll break down both sides of the equation:

  • The benefits and risks of launching new products
  • Why scaling proven products might deliver faster ROI
  • Key metrics to help you decide which strategy is right for your brand
  • Real-world examples and tips to execute either path effectively

Whether you’re a seasoned seller or just getting traction, this post will help you make smarter strategic decisions for long-term growth.

🛠️ Option 1: Launching New Products

Launching a new product on Amazon is exciting. It feels like growth. And when done right, it can fuel exponential revenue—especially if you hit on a unique offering or underserved niche.

✅ Benefits of Launching New Products

1. New Revenue Streams

A successful launch means additional income without relying on a single SKU. More products = more stability.

2. Brand Expansion

New SKUs help you build a deeper brand presence and increase your Amazon real estate (especially if you’re using a brand store or A+ Content).

3. Bundling Opportunities

More products give you the flexibility to create kits, cross-sells, or variations that boost AOV (average order value) and conversion rates.

4. Long-Term Market Presence

Building a catalog positions your brand for the long haul. You’re not a one-hit wonder—you’re a portfolio of solutions.

⚠️ Risks of Launching New Products

While launching new products has upside, it’s resource-intensive and risky.

1. High Upfront Costs

You’ll need to invest in product development, packaging, initial inventory, photography, PPC, and possibly compliance or certification.

2. Low First-Time Success Rate

The average seller sees many of their first few products fail or perform below expectations. It takes testing and iteration.

3. Distraction from Core Revenue

Too many launches can pull attention away from your top performers. Poor focus leads to poor execution.

4. Longer Path to Profit

Between ranking, reviews, and refining your listing, it may take months before a new product becomes profitable.

🚀 Option 2: Scaling Existing Winners

There’s a reason you often hear the phrase:

“Don’t add more products—scale the ones that are working.”

If you already have a product that’s profitable and selling consistently, it might be smarter to focus on squeezing every ounce of potential out of it before chasing something new.

✅ Benefits of Scaling Existing Products

1. Faster ROI

With rank, reviews, and proven conversion data already in place, scaling your winners is often the quickest path to more sales.

2. Optimized PPC

You already have keyword data and search term reports. You know what converts. Scaling allows you to refine and spend more efficiently.

3. Better Inventory Planning

With history and sell-through data, you can forecast, replenish, and optimize FBA capacity more confidently.

4. System Efficiency

Your supply chain, customer service, and operational flow are already aligned around your existing products.

⚠️ Risks of Focusing Only on Existing Products

While scaling is smart, it can eventually lead to stagnation.

1. Over-Reliance on One Product

If your top SKU gets suspended, copied, or loses demand, your business takes a hit.

2. Market Saturation

Your category might become more competitive over time, eating into your margins and volume.

3. No Innovation

If you never expand, you may miss out on trends and growth opportunities.

4. Diminishing Returns

Even the best products plateau. Every product has a lifecycle—if you don’t innovate, growth stalls.

📊 Key Metrics to Help You Decide

Before you choose your next move, look at these indicators:

📈 For Scaling Existing Products

Ask:

  • Is my product consistently profitable with a healthy ACoS/TACoS?
  • Do I have at least 30+ reviews and a 4.3+ star rating?
  • Am I ranking on page 1 for multiple keywords?
  • Is my inventory stable and IPI score healthy?
  • Are my competitors improving faster than I am?

If yes, you’re in a good position to scale with confidence.

🚀 For Launching New Products

Ask:

  • Have I maxed out advertising potential on my current product(s)?
  • Are customers asking for variations or related products in reviews or Q&A?
  • Is my market showing signs of saturation?
  • Do I have systems in place to manage new SKUs (prep, storage, listings, PPC)?
  • Have I validated my new product idea through keyword research and demand analysis?

If yes, a new launch may be your next best move.

💡 How to Scale Old Products Effectively

If you choose to scale what’s already working, here are strategies that deliver:

1. Double Down on PPC

Use data from your Search Term Reports to build hyper-targeted exact match campaigns. Add Sponsored Brands and Sponsored Display.

2. Create Variations

Add color, size, or material variations. These can cannibalize competitors while boosting overall conversion.

3. Launch Bundles

Create gift sets, kits, or multi-packs to increase AOV and target new keyword sets.

4. Optimize Listings

Update images, run A/B tests, rewrite your bullets, and improve mobile readability.

5. Expand to Other Marketplaces

Push your winners to Walmart, eBay, Shopify, or international Amazon marketplaces like Canada, UK, or Germany.

🧪 How to Launch New Products Smartly

If you’re ready to launch new SKUs, reduce risk by following this roadmap:

1. Validate the Product

Use tools like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, or Amazon Search Query Performance to:

  • Find underserved keyword demand
  • Spot product gaps in competitor listings
  • Confirm margin potential after all costs

2. Start Small

Test your new product with a small inventory order (ideally under 500 units) and scale based on real demand.

3. Leverage Existing Customer Base

Cross-promote to buyers of your top products using Brand Tailored Promotions, email (if applicable), and retargeting ads.

4. Pre-Optimize for Conversion

Launch with high-quality images, SEO-optimized copy, and a launch-ready PPC strategy. Don’t cut corners.

5. Use a Launch Plan

Drive reviews through Amazon Vine, run promotional pricing, and build ad campaigns around low-competition, high-intent keywords.

🤔 So… Which Strategy Is Better?

The answer is: it depends on your goals, resources, and stage of business.

Choose Scaling If:

  • You have at least one product that’s already converting well
  • You want to increase cash flow before expanding
  • Your team is lean and launching would stretch your focus
  • You’re still optimizing your backend (inventory, ads, listings)

Choose Launching If:

  • You’ve plateaued with your current SKUs
  • You see new product demand based on customer behavior
  • You’ve built operational systems ready to support growth
  • You’ve validated the opportunity with data

🧱 The Best Strategy? Combine Both—Strategically

The most successful Amazon brands do both—but not at the same time or with equal weight.

Here’s a practical hybrid approach:

StageFocus
Early (0–6 months)Focus on getting 1 product right and scaling it
Growth (6–18 months)Expand to 1–3 new SKUs or variations while scaling winner
Expansion (18+ months)Launch new products quarterly based on validated demand and data
OptimizationContinuously improve listings, ads, and backend across all SKUs

✍️ Final Thoughts: Play the Long Game

If you want to build a real brand on Amazon, you’ll need great products and great execution—not just more products.

New products can unlock explosive growth. Existing products can fund and fuel that growth.
The smartest sellers know when to launch, when to scale, and when to focus.

So what’s your next move?

Need help scaling a best-seller or planning your next product launch?
At Marketplace Valet, we help brands make data-driven decisions, optimize listings, and grow smart—on Amazon and beyond.

📩 Let’s talk about your next strategic move.

#AmazonFBA #ProductStrategy #NewProductLaunch #ScalingWinners #MarketplaceValet #FBA2025 #AmazonSellers #EcommerceGrowth #AmazonTips #ListingOptimization

STOP Negating Profitable Keywords! Amazon PPC Tips to Maximize Profit and Minimize Mistakes

Amazon PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal as a seller—but it’s also one of the easiest to mess up.

You know what’s worse than wasting ad spend? Accidentally negating profitable keywords that are quietly driving your sales.

Yep, it happens. A lot.

Many sellers—especially those new to PPC or trying to aggressively cut ACoS—start adding negative keywords based on limited data or misunderstood reports. And in the process, they block search terms that were actually converting or could have converted with just a little more optimization.

In this post, we’re going to break down:

  • What negative keywords are and how they work
  • The biggest mistakes sellers make with them
  • How to spot profitable keywords hiding in plain sight
  • A smarter way to analyze your search term reports
  • How to optimize—not eliminate—potential winners
  • Pro tips to improve ROAS and scale profitably

Let’s make sure you’re not sabotaging your own growth.

💡 What Are Negative Keywords?

Negative keywords are terms you tell Amazon not to show your ad for. If a shopper searches for that phrase (or a close variation), Amazon skips your ad.

This is great for cutting out:

  • Irrelevant traffic
  • Non-converting clicks
  • Keywords that drain budget without sales

For example, if you sell premium leather wallets, you might want to negate:

  • “cheap wallets”
  • “kids wallet”
  • “wallet pattern sewing template”

Those people aren’t your customers.

But here’s where it gets tricky: not every keyword with a high ACoS or no conversions is a bad keyword.

🚫 The Problem: Sellers Are Negating Too Aggressively

Imagine this: you run a broad match campaign and see the search term “men’s leather wallet gift” with 3 clicks and no sales.

It’s tempting to say:

“This isn’t converting. Add it as a negative.”

But here’s the issue:

  • 3 clicks is not statistically significant.
  • That term includes strong buyer intent.
  • Maybe your product image isn’t compelling enough yet.
  • Maybe the price point needs adjusting.
  • Maybe you just need more data.

By negating it, you may be cutting off a term that could’ve been a top converter with just a few tweaks.

🔎 Most Common Negative Keyword Mistakes

Here are the most frequent errors we see:

❌ 1. Negating Based on Too Little Data

Don’t add negative keywords based on 1–3 clicks. That’s not enough volume to make a reliable decision. Wait until you have:

  • 8–10 clicks minimum (for high-ticket items, even more)
  • A clear trend across time (not just 1 day)

❌ 2. Negating Terms That Actually Have Conversions

Sounds obvious, right? But it happens all the time.

Here’s how:

  • You look at a keyword, not a search term, and it has a high ACoS.
  • But one of the search terms under that keyword is performing well.
  • You negate the parent keyword… and accidentally block the good one too.

Always analyze at the search term level before making any decisions.

❌ 3. Broad-Match Negation Wiping Out Entire Opportunities

Adding a broad match negative like “wallet” can unintentionally block:

  • “men’s leather wallet”
  • “wallet gift for dad”
  • “RFID slim wallet”

When using negative keywords, choose the right match type:

Match TypeUse ForWatch Out For
ExactSpecific low-performing search termsToo narrow if overused
PhraseStrings with irrelevant intentCan block useful variations
BroadVery general exclusionsCan unintentionally wipe out lots of traffic

📈 How to Spot Profitable Keywords You Shouldn’t Negate

Here’s what to look for before negating any term:

1. High Clicks, Low Conversions—but Strong Intent

Check:

  • Does the term include words like “buy,” “best,” “for [specific use case]”?
  • Does it exactly describe your product?

If yes, it might just need more time or creative optimization (images, price, etc.).

2. Low ACoS at the Search Term Level

Use Amazon’s Search Term Report (or a tool like Helium 10 or Data Dive) and sort by ACoS, then filter for:

  • Converting search terms under high-ACoS keywords
  • High click-through rate (CTR) + decent conversion rate, even if not profitable yet

Create exact match campaigns for those search terms instead of blocking them.

3. Single Sale Search Terms with High Profit Potential

Sometimes a search term gets just one sale, but that sale is worth $50+ in margin. Don’t ignore it just because it looks small on paper.

Look at:

  • Total revenue vs. total cost
  • Units per order
  • LTV of the customer (especially if you’re using Subscribe & Save or bundles)

🧠 Smarter Keyword Optimization: What to Do Instead

Instead of cutting keywords too early, consider these optimization techniques:

✅ Break Out Search Terms into Their Own Campaigns

Found a promising but inconsistent search term?

  • Pull it out of the broad/phrase ad group
  • Create a new exact match campaign just for that term
  • Set a custom bid and budget
  • Monitor it independently

This lets you test and scale without affecting your main campaign performance.

✅ Adjust Your Listing to Match Intent

If the search term is high intent but low converting, ask:

  • Does your main image reflect what the shopper was looking for?
  • Is the price competitive for that keyword?
  • Are your bullets and title optimized to reflect their use case?

For example, if “gift for dad wallet” isn’t converting, try:

  • Updating your title or bullets to include “great gift for dad”
  • Adding lifestyle images that show it as a gift
  • Offering a bundle with a gift box or card

✅ Bid Down, Don’t Block

Instead of negating a term, just lower your bid.

This reduces your cost without cutting off traffic completely—and lets you continue collecting data.

Use a bid adjustment strategy before reaching for the negative keyword list.

🔁 When You SHOULD Use Negative Keywords

To be clear, negative keywords are essential to a strong PPC strategy. Here’s when you should use them:

  • To block completely irrelevant terms (e.g., “wallet sewing pattern”)
  • To prevent brand terms from showing in competitor campaigns
  • To stop internal cannibalization in branded campaigns
  • To control placements in auto campaigns
  • To eliminate long-term non-converting traffic after 10–15+ clicks

Just use them intentionally—and based on data, not assumptions.

🔄 Summary: Smart Negative Keyword Strategy for Amazon Sellers

Do ThisNot This
Analyze search terms, not just keywordsNegate based on one or two clicks
Use exact match negatives when possibleBroad match negatives for important terms
Break out good terms into exact campaignsBlock high-potential terms too early
Lower bids before blockingRely only on ACoS to judge keyword performance
Watch for intent-rich terms with room to improveAssume no conversions = bad keyword

🧠 Final Thoughts: Optimize, Don’t Overreact

The goal of Amazon PPC isn’t just to lower your ACoS—it’s to drive profitable growth.

Negative keywords help eliminate waste. But when used carelessly, they eliminate opportunity too.

If you’re seeing stalled sales, rising CPCs, or declining impressions, take a step back. Your keyword strategy might be too restrictive. You may be cutting off profitable, long-tail traffic that’s harder to measure but critical to long-term success.

Instead of hitting the brakes with negative keywords, lean into your data and optimize for profitability, scale, and search intent.

Need help auditing your Amazon PPC campaigns or building a smarter ad strategy?
At Marketplace Valet, we help brands scale profitably with data-backed PPC management and keyword optimization that actually works.

📩 Let’s talk about maximizing your ad performance the smart way.

#AmazonFBA #PPCStrategy #NegativeKeywords #AmazonAds #MarketplaceValet #AmazonSellers #FBA2025 #SearchTermOptimization #EcommerceGrowth #ACoSReduction #AmazonMarketing

Use Data and Better Images to Increase Your Amazon Sales

In today’s competitive Amazon marketplace, simply having a good product isn’t enough. With millions of listings competing for attention, the difference between a best-seller and a bottom-feeder often comes down to two things: smart use of data and compelling images.

If your product isn’t getting the traction you expected—low clicks, weak conversion rates, or high bounce rates—it’s likely that your images (especially your main image) and your listing structure are working against you. But there’s good news: with the right insights and strategic visuals, you can turn that around—fast.

In this blog post, you’ll learn how to:

  • Analyze Amazon data to find where you’re losing sales
  • Improve your main image to boost click-through rate (CTR)
  • Design secondary images that tell a story and build trust
  • Use A/B testing to improve your conversion rate
  • Create a data-driven image strategy that sells

Let’s break it down.

📊 Why Data and Imagery Go Hand in Hand

Amazon gives you more data than most sellers realize. And buried in that data are powerful clues about why your product is (or isn’t) converting.

Here are the top data points you should be watching:

  • Search Query Performance (SQP)
  • Click-Through Rate (CTR)
  • Conversion Rate (Unit Session Percentage)
  • Sessions vs. Page Views
  • Customer Reviews & FAQs

When analyzed together, these metrics tell you exactly where your listing is leaking sales. And very often, the problem starts before the shopper even sees your bullets or A+ content.

👉 If your CTR is low, it’s usually an image or price problem.
👉 If your conversion rate is low, it’s usually a copy, image, or review problem.

Fix the image issues first—and results often follow.

🎯 Use Amazon’s Search Query Performance Data

The Search Query Performance dashboard (available in Brand Analytics for Brand Registered sellers) is a goldmine.

It shows:

  • Search volume for specific keywords
  • Your click share and conversion share for those keywords
  • How many people are seeing your listing but not clicking or not buying

Look for keywords where you have:

  • High impressions, low click share → this is a CTR problem
  • High clicks, low conversion share → this is a conversion issue

Use this info to determine:

  • Whether your main image is competitive enough
  • If your pricing looks attractive in search
  • Whether your product looks trustworthy at a glance

📸 Your Main Image: The Ultimate Scroll-Stopper

Your main image is your first impression—and possibly your only chance to get a click.

What Makes a Main Image Work?

  • High resolution (at least 1000×1000 px for zoom)
  • Takes up 85% or more of the image frame
  • Bright lighting and sharp edges
  • Clean white background (per Amazon’s rules)
  • Shows what the customer is actually buying

But that’s just the baseline. To really stand out in 2025, consider:

  • Showing the product slightly angled to give it depth
  • Including packaging (if attractive and relevant)
  • Showing product functionality if allowed (like folding, compartments)
  • Adding bundled items if included in the purchase

Pro Tip: Look at page 1 of your category. What do the best listings have in common? What can you do to stand out?

🖼️ Optimize Your Secondary Images

Once you’ve earned the click, your secondary images must close the deal. Think of them as your silent sales team.

Here’s What You Should Include:

  1. Infographic Images
    • Highlight top features
    • Use icons or callout text
    • Compare to competitors (without naming them)
  2. Lifestyle Images
    • Show the product in use
    • Place it in real-world settings
    • Use diverse models (age, race, gender) to reflect your audience
  3. Size and Dimension Images
    • Include a visual scale
    • Show how big the product is in context (e.g., next to a hand or phone)
  4. Problem/Solution Frames
    • “Tired of messy cables?” → Show your product solving that pain
    • Create a visual transformation story
  5. Trust-Building Graphics
    • Warranty or guarantee badges
    • Certifications (BPA-free, organic, made in the USA, etc.)
    • Customer testimonial quotes

Pro Tip: Your first 6–7 images are what customers see on mobile. Prioritize the best ones at the top of your image stack.

🧪 Use A/B Testing with Manage Your Experiments

If you’re Brand Registered, Amazon gives you access to Manage Your Experiments—a tool that allows you to A/B test:

  • Main images
  • Titles
  • Bullets
  • A+ Content

Start by testing your main image. Run two different versions for at least 4–6 weeks and measure:

  • Click-through rate (CTR)
  • Conversion rate (Unit Session Percentage)
  • Overall sales volume

What you think looks good isn’t always what works. Let the data decide.

🧠 Use Customer Data to Guide Your Image Strategy

Amazon gives you a few more tools to enhance your image strategy:

✅ Customer Reviews

  • Look for frequently mentioned pros and cons
  • Turn top-rated benefits into infographic highlights
  • Address common complaints in visuals

✅ Product Q&A

  • Are customers asking about size? Add a comparison image.
  • Are they confused about functionality? Add a usage shot or graphic.
  • Are there repetitive questions? Turn them into callouts.

✅ Voice of the Customer (VOC)

  • Found in Seller Central > Performance > Voice of the Customer
  • Shows returns and complaints data—if images are misleading, VOC will show it

🔁 Repetition = Retention = Revenue

One of the best image strategies is to reinforce your key value prop throughout the visuals.

Example for a camping water filter:

  1. Main image: Clear product photo with case and accessories
  2. Infographic: “Filters 99.99% of bacteria”
  3. Lifestyle image: Used by hikers on trail
  4. Size graphic: Fits in a backpack pocket
  5. Problem/solution: “Don’t drink from unsafe water sources”
  6. Trust badge: FDA-tested, BPA-free, USA-based brand

This kind of image sequence builds trust, reinforces the benefit, and boosts conversion—without ever reading a bullet point.

🧱 Build a Data-Driven Image Framework

To tie it all together, here’s a step-by-step framework you can use:

1. Audit Your Current Listing

  • Review your CTR and conversion rate
  • Study SQP reports for keyword performance
  • Identify drop-off points

2. Review Top Competitors

  • Screenshot the top 5 listings in your niche
  • Note what their images include—and what they’re missing
  • Benchmark your own against theirs

3. Create a Visual Storyboard

Plan your image set:

Image #PurposeFormat
1Main image (click magnet)Clean product shot
2Feature callout infographicIcons + text
3Lifestyle photoReal-world usage
4Size/dimensionsScale & context
5Problem/solution visualBefore/after
6Trust & credibilityBadges/testimonials
7Bonus or bundle itemsShowcase extras

4. A/B Test and Iterate

  • Use “Manage Your Experiments”
  • Track results every 2 weeks
  • Replace low-performing images
  • Test titles next, then A+ content

🏁 Final Thoughts: Images Sell, Data Tells

If your Amazon sales are stuck, your listing likely has a visibility problem (low clicks) or a conversion problem (low purchases).

The fastest way to fix both?
Use your data to upgrade your images.

With Amazon becoming more competitive than ever in 2025, visual optimization isn’t optional—it’s your first impression, your silent salesperson, and your conversion driver all in one.

Need help optimizing your listings with data-driven visuals?
At Marketplace Valet, we help brands upgrade their images, analyze their performance data, and implement strategies that convert clicks into customers.

📩 Let’s talk about improving your Amazon sales through smarter visuals.

#AmazonFBA #ListingOptimization #ProductImages #CTR #ConversionRate #MarketplaceValet #FBA2025 #EcommerceTips #AmazonSellers #DataDrivenMarketing

How to Update Your LLC Information on Amazon Seller Central

Whether you’re restructuring your business, switching from a sole proprietorship to an LLC, or simply correcting outdated information, it’s crucial to make sure your Amazon Seller Central account reflects your correct legal entity details.

Why? Because inconsistencies in your business information can lead to:

  • 🚫 Delayed payments
  • ⚠️ Verification flags or account holds
  • 🧾 Tax reporting issues
  • ❌ Loss of selling privileges in some cases

Fortunately, Amazon allows sellers to update their LLC, EIN, business address, and tax information—but it needs to be done carefully, with proper documentation, to avoid triggering unnecessary verification requests or disruptions to your selling account.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through:

  • What LLC information Amazon requires
  • When and why to update your business entity
  • A step-by-step walkthrough inside Seller Central
  • What documents you’ll need to submit
  • How to avoid triggering account suspensions or re-verification
  • What to do if Amazon asks for additional verification

Let’s get started.

📜 What Business Information Does Amazon Require?

Amazon requires professional sellers to provide accurate, verifiable information related to their legal business entity. This includes:

  • Legal Business Name (as registered with the IRS and/or state)
  • Tax ID (EIN) – Employer Identification Number
  • Business Type – LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietor, etc.
  • Business Address – Must match official documents
  • Authorized Representative’s Info – Name, ID, contact details

When you first register your seller account, Amazon uses this data to verify your identity, match your information with tax records, and ensure marketplace compliance.

🔄 When Should You Update Your LLC Info on Amazon?

You should update your Amazon business information if:

  • You changed from a sole proprietorship to an LLC
  • You changed the name of your LLC
  • You received a new EIN from the IRS
  • Your business address has changed
  • You made a structural change (e.g. converting to an S Corp or C Corp)
  • Your legal representative (the person tied to the account) changed

Even if the change seems small, mismatched information between Amazon, the IRS, and your bank can cause serious issues down the road.

🧭 Step-by-Step: How to Update Your LLC Info on Amazon

Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth update.

✅ Step 1: Log in to Seller Central

✅ Step 2: Navigate to the “Account Info” Page

  • Hover over “Settings” in the upper-right corner
  • Click on “Account Info”

This page gives you access to all account-related settings, including your legal entity information, tax settings, and deposit methods.

✅ Step 3: Click on “Business Information”

Under the “Business Information” section, you’ll see:

  • Legal Entity
  • Business Address
  • Tax Information
  • Bank Info
  • Identity Info (for individuals or representatives)

Click “Legal Entity” to begin updating your LLC details.

✅ Step 4: Update Legal Entity Type and Name

In this section, you can:

  • Change your business type to “Limited Liability Company”
  • Enter your LLC’s legal name exactly as it appears on your IRS documentation (Letter 147C or EIN confirmation letter)
  • Enter the business registration number if applicable (some states require this)

💡 Pro Tip: Make sure the LLC name matches EXACTLY with what’s on file with the IRS and your state registration.

✅ Step 5: Update Your Tax Information

Still under “Account Info,” go to “Tax Information”.

  • Click “View/Update Tax Information”
  • You’ll be redirected to the Tax Interview tool
  • Select the correct entity type: LLC (US-based)
  • Enter your EIN (Employer Identification Number)
  • Confirm your US Tax Classification (most LLCs are “Disregarded Entity” or “Partnership” unless elected otherwise)

Once completed, Amazon will generate a new W-9 form for your account based on the info provided.

✅ Step 6: Upload Supporting Documents (if prompted)

In some cases, Amazon may request documentation to verify your business change. This might include:

  • IRS EIN Assignment Letter (CP 575 or 147C)
  • State Business Registration Certificate
  • Utility bill or lease agreement showing your business address
  • Photo ID of the authorized representative

Upload documents via the secure document uploader or in response to a case opened by Amazon’s verification team.

✅ Step 7: Update Your Business Address and Contact Info

Still on the Account Info page, click:

  • Business Address → Update if you’ve moved your office or registered agent address
  • Contact Info → Update your business phone number or email address, especially if your LLC now has a dedicated line or rep

✅ Step 8: Review and Confirm

Once all updates are made:

  • Double-check that your LLC name, EIN, and business address match your IRS and state documentation
  • Save and submit your updates
  • Wait for Amazon to process the changes (this typically takes 24–72 hours)

Amazon may confirm via email, or notify you in Seller Central if additional action is needed.

⚠️ What If Amazon Asks for Re-Verification?

It’s not uncommon for a legal entity update to trigger a verification review, especially if:

  • Your EIN or legal name doesn’t match IRS records
  • You’ve made frequent or recent changes to your account
  • Amazon flags inconsistencies between your tax info, banking info, or account history

If this happens:

  1. Stay calm and follow instructions carefully
  2. Upload requested documentation through the secure portal
  3. Monitor your Account Health and Performance Notifications daily
  4. If your account is temporarily suspended, respond promptly to Amazon’s requests and provide clear, accurate information

📌 Common Mistakes to Avoid

To help you get it right the first time, avoid these common missteps:

MistakeWhy It’s a Problem
Using your LLC trade name instead of legal nameAmazon requires the legal registered name, not your DBA or brand name
Entering the wrong EIN or old sole prop infoMismatched tax info can cause account flags or delays in payment
Forgetting to update banking info to match new business entityThis can lead to payout issues
Not uploading requested supporting documents in timeCan result in verification delays or temporary account holds

🧠 Pro Tips to Smooth the Process

  • ✅ Keep copies of your IRS confirmation letter and state registration documents in PDF form
  • ✅ Update your business info with your bank and credit card processor too—consistency matters
  • ✅ Be proactive—don’t wait for Amazon to detect mismatches
  • ✅ If switching to an LLC, use a new bank account under the LLC’s name for Amazon payouts
  • ✅ Consider contacting Seller Support before making major changes to confirm the process

🧾 What Happens to Tax Reporting After You Update Your LLC?

Once your EIN and business entity are updated:

  • Amazon will generate a new W-9 tied to your LLC
  • You’ll receive a 1099-K form (if eligible) reflecting the new business entity
  • Make sure to inform your CPA or accountant of the change for accurate year-end filings

If you changed mid-year, you may receive multiple 1099-K forms—one under your old structure and one under the new LLC.

✍️ Final Thoughts: Keep It Clean, Keep It Compliant

Updating your LLC information on Amazon isn’t difficult—but it must be done precisely to avoid account flags or tax reporting issues.

In 2025, Amazon is more strict than ever about compliance, identity verification, and data matching with external entities like the IRS. The more accurate and consistent your information is across all platforms, the better.

Need help updating your Amazon business info or navigating compliance?
At Marketplace Valet, we help sellers optimize operations, stay compliant, and scale smart—without the headaches.

📩 Let’s chat about getting your account clean and compliant.

#AmazonFBA #LLCUpdate #SellerCentral #EcommerceCompliance #FBA2025 #AmazonSellers #MarketplaceValet #BusinessStructure #TaxInfoUpdate #AmazonHelp

How to Request More Inventory Space at Amazon FBA (Capacity Manager Walkthrough)

One of the most frustrating experiences for any Amazon FBA seller is hitting a storage limit—especially when you’ve got best-selling inventory ready to send in and cash flow tied up in product that can’t move.

You’re not alone. In 2025, FBA storage constraints are more common than ever, particularly for new sellers or those scaling quickly. Fortunately, Amazon introduced a solution: the FBA Capacity Manager.

With this tool, you can request additional inventory storage space—and with the right approach, you can increase your capacity without getting stuck in the system.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll walk you through:

  • Why FBA inventory space is limited
  • How Amazon’s Capacity Manager works
  • Step-by-step instructions to submit a storage increase request
  • How Amazon decides whether to approve your request
  • Tips to improve your chances and manage space effectively
  • What to do if your request is denied

Let’s help you get the space you need to scale your Amazon business.

🚚 Why Does Amazon Limit FBA Storage?

Amazon limits inventory storage to maintain warehouse efficiency, reduce congestion, and encourage sellers to manage inventory responsibly.

Storage limits are generally based on:

  • Inventory Performance Index (IPI)
  • Historical sales velocity
  • Seasonality and peak demand periods
  • Current fulfillment center availability

When sellers overstock slow-moving products or send in too much inventory all at once, it clogs up space Amazon needs for faster-turning items.

To keep things running smoothly, Amazon assigns capacity limits to each seller by month and by storage type (standard-size, oversized, apparel, footwear, etc.).

🔧 What Is the Amazon FBA Capacity Manager?

The Capacity Manager is Amazon’s built-in system that allows professional sellers to request additional FBA storage space on top of their assigned limits.

It was introduced to:

  • Give sellers more control over their fulfillment strategies
  • Let Amazon make data-driven decisions about space allocation
  • Allow Amazon to charge a reservation fee to balance demand

Sellers can now request space up to 3 months in advance and, if approved, get additional capacity—with a performance-based fee refund if your products actually sell through.

📋 Step-by-Step: How to Request More Storage Space

Let’s walk through how to submit a capacity increase request using Amazon’s Capacity Manager.

✅ Step 1: Navigate to Capacity Manager in Seller Central

  1. Log in to Seller Central
  2. Go to Inventory > FBA Inventory
  3. Click on Capacity Monitor
  4. Select the “Capacity Manager” tab (or use the search bar in Seller Central for “Capacity Manager”)

You’ll see your current storage limits, usage by storage type, and any previous or pending requests.

✅ Step 2: Choose Your Timeframe

Amazon allows you to request capacity for the upcoming month, as well as up to two future months.

This helps with forward planning—especially for Q4, Prime Day, or new product launches.

Select the month for which you’re requesting additional space.

✅ Step 3: Enter the Additional Volume You Need

Amazon asks how much extra capacity (in cubic feet) you’d like.

📦 To calculate this:

  • Go to your product catalog
  • Multiply the dimensions of each unit (L × W × H)
  • Multiply by the number of units you want to send
  • Divide by 1,728 to convert to cubic feet

You can also estimate based on historical usage or how much space similar shipments have taken up.

✅ Step 4: Set Your Reservation Fee Per Cubic Foot

This is where it gets strategic.

You’ll be asked to bid a reservation fee—a dollar amount per cubic foot that you’re willing to pay for the space if it doesn’t sell through.

💡 Important:
If your inventory sells through and generates enough sales, Amazon will refund the reservation fee (partially or in full).

So it’s a performance-based system.

Most bids fall in the range of $0.10 to $0.50 per cubic foot, depending on season and demand. Q4 bids are often more competitive.

✅ Step 5: Submit the Request

Review your:

  • Requested cubic footage
  • Target month
  • Reservation fee per cubic foot

Then click Submit Request.

You’ll get a confirmation and can monitor the status under Pending Requests.

Amazon will typically respond within a few days, depending on warehouse space availability and your account performance.

📊 How Amazon Approves Requests: What Matters Most

Amazon’s decision is based on several factors:

1. Your IPI Score

The Inventory Performance Index is Amazon’s core measure of how well you manage inventory.

To increase your chances of approval:

  • Keep your IPI above 400 (ideally 500+)
  • Improve sell-through rate by moving slow inventory
  • Avoid excess inventory or stranded listings
  • Restock smartly and avoid sending in too much at once

2. Your Sales Velocity

Amazon prefers to give space to sellers who:

  • Move inventory quickly
  • Have consistent sales over time
  • Operate in high-turn categories like consumables

If your products sell quickly and predictably, you’re more likely to be approved.

3. Your Bid Amount

Yes, Amazon takes the reservation fee into account. The higher the bid, the more incentive Amazon has to allocate space to you.

But don’t just overbid—only offer what makes sense for your profit margins. Remember, you get refunded if you sell through, but it’s a cost if you don’t.

4. Peak Season Considerations

During Prime Day or Q4, Amazon is more selective.

Plan early, submit requests months in advance, and monitor historical trends in your category.

📈 What to Do After You’re Approved

If your request is approved, here’s how to make the most of it:

  1. Send in inventory promptly – delays can result in missed sales
  2. Track sell-through rates closely – Amazon may reduce future approvals if sell-through is poor
  3. Promote your products with PPC or coupons to ensure strong movement
  4. Use the space wisely – prioritize high-margin, high-demand SKUs

❌ What If Your Request Is Denied?

It happens. Don’t panic.

Here’s what to do:

  • Review your IPI score and make necessary improvements
  • Resubmit with a higher reservation fee
  • Break your request into smaller increments
  • Focus on FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) as a backup
  • Use a 3PL or prep center to hold excess stock and drip-feed to FBA

You can resubmit requests for future months, so keep monitoring your performance and capacity needs.

🧠 Best Practices to Stay Ahead of FBA Storage Limits

Whether you’re submitting a request or trying to avoid hitting limits again, here are some proven tips:

🧹 1. Clean Up Old or Excess Inventory

  • Run Amazon’s Manage Inventory Health reports
  • Create removal orders for non-performing SKUs
  • Liquidate stale inventory through deals or Lightning Deals

📦 2. Use a 3PL to Buffer Inventory

Work with a reliable third-party logistics (3PL) provider to:

  • Store excess stock
  • Repackage and prep for FBA
  • Ship partial replenishments as space allows

This helps you stay nimble without overloading FBA.

📊 3. Forecast Inventory Needs Intelligently

Use forecasting tools like:

  • Amazon’s Restock Inventory Tool
  • SoStocked, Forecastly, or Sellerboard
  • Your own seasonality data from prior years

The more accurately you forecast, the less you’ll rely on storage “emergencies.”

⚖️ 4. Balance FBM and FBA

If you’re constantly maxing out space, use FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) listings as a safety net.

  • You stay in stock
  • You maintain sales rank
  • You don’t sacrifice customer experience

Many successful sellers operate hybrid models during constrained times.

✍️ Final Thoughts: Use Capacity Manager to Unlock Growth

Storage limitations don’t have to hold your business back.

Amazon’s Capacity Manager gives you a way to take control—if you understand how it works and use it strategically.

By combining:

  • Smart forecasting
  • Efficient space usage
  • Competitive (but profitable) bidding
  • A strong sell-through strategy

…you’ll position yourself for faster growth and fewer fulfillment headaches.

Need help managing your Amazon inventory or navigating FBA logistics?
At Marketplace Valet, we help sellers streamline operations, forecast smarter, and unlock growth with custom strategies and expert support.

📩 Let’s talk about optimizing your FBA inventory strategy.

#AmazonFBA #FBAStorage #CapacityManager #InventoryManagement #FBA2025 #MarketplaceValet #AmazonSellers #EcommerceLogistics #FBAHelp #AmazonGrowth

Amazon’s Search Display Update: Reorder Count vs. Orders – What Sellers Need to Know

Amazon is always evolving, and sellers who keep up win. In 2025, one of the most talked-about updates is something small—almost unnoticeable at first glance—but it could have big implications:

Instead of showing “X+ orders in the past month” on search result pages, Amazon is now testing “X+ customers reorder this item.”

If you’ve seen this, you’re not alone. Amazon appears to be running an A/B test across different categories, swapping out the familiar order volume indicator for a new focus: repeat purchasing behavior.

So what does this change mean? Is Amazon shifting its priorities? And how should sellers respond?

In this blog post, we’ll unpack:

  • What the reorder count display is and where it appears
  • Why Amazon might be running this A/B test
  • How reorder count could influence shopper behavior
  • Implications for seller strategy and listings
  • What to monitor if you’re part of the test
  • What you should be doing right now

Let’s get into it.

🔍 What’s Changing in Amazon Search Results?

For years, Amazon has displayed a subtle but powerful piece of social proof in search results:
“1K+ bought in past month” or “500+ purchased in last 30 days.”

This metric gave shoppers a fast and easy way to assess a product’s popularity and credibility.

But now, some sellers are noticing a new phrase in the same place:
“X+ customers reorder this item.”

It’s still positioned beneath the listing title and above the star rating, but the language and intent are different.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Old MetricNew Metric
“1,000+ bought last month”“1,000+ customers reorder this item”

Amazon is essentially swapping volume-based social proof with loyalty-based social proof.

And that tells us something important.

🧪 Why Is Amazon Testing Reorder Counts?

This isn’t just a cosmetic change. It reflects a strategic shift in how Amazon wants shoppers to perceive product value—and how sellers should think about performance.

Here are three likely reasons behind the A/B test:

1. Amazon Wants to Highlight Long-Term Value

By showcasing reorder counts, Amazon is pushing the idea that repeat purchases = trust.

A product that’s frequently reordered likely:

  • Delivers on its promise
  • Provides consistent quality
  • Satisfies a recurring need
  • Keeps customers coming back

This aligns with Amazon’s broader focus on customer lifetime value (CLV) and repeat purchases—especially for FBA, Subscribe & Save, and replenishable goods.

2. It Could Combat Fake or Inflated Order Volume

Let’s face it—some sellers have used shady tactics to inflate order counts, including giveaways, rebates, or artificial traffic. But reorder counts are harder to fake.

This new metric gives Amazon (and shoppers) a more reliable indicator of product trust and loyalty, rather than just initial hype.

3. It Encourages Sellers to Focus on Quality and Retention

If reorder data becomes a key performance signal, sellers will be encouraged to:

  • Improve product quality
  • Deliver excellent post-purchase experiences
  • Use better packaging and follow-up
  • Launch subscription-friendly SKUs

This is good for Amazon’s long-term reputation—and ultimately for sellers who play the long game.

🧠 How Might This Change Shopper Behavior?

So how does a switch from “orders” to “reorders” affect what buyers do?

Here are a few possible impacts:

✅ Builds More Trust for Consumables

Shoppers buying food, supplements, cleaning products, or beauty items will feel more confident seeing “5,000+ customers reorder this item.”

It signals the product is not only good—it’s good enough to buy again.

✅ Prioritizes Loyalty Over FOMO

Instead of triggering impulse buys based on recent spikes, Amazon might be steering customers toward longer-term value.

“Lots of people are buying this” becomes
→ “Lots of people keep buying this.”

That’s a powerful mindset shift.

✅ Changes How We Think About Social Proof

Social proof is all about trust. But not all forms of trust are equal. A high “bought in last month” count can come from a viral trend or aggressive ads. A high reorder count implies real, earned loyalty.

Expect shoppers to start valuing the latter more, especially in 2025 as eCommerce becomes more relationship-driven.

📊 Seller Implications: What This Means for Your Strategy

If this test rolls out platform-wide, it could have serious ripple effects on how sellers launch, advertise, and measure success.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

🔄 1. Reorder Rate Might Become a Key Metric

Today, most sellers focus on conversion rate, ACoS, and session volume.

But if Amazon starts emphasizing reorder counts in search, sellers may need to optimize for repeat purchase rate as well.

Track how many customers come back to buy again. Start analyzing lifetime value (LTV)—not just first-time ROAS.

💬 2. Product Reviews and Quality Matter More Than Ever

A product with 3.5 stars and a bunch of refunds is unlikely to generate reorders. In fact, if reorder data becomes public, it will penalize low-quality products even harder.

Make sure you’re:

  • Addressing negative feedback
  • Updating packaging/instructions
  • Offering post-sale support
  • Using product inserts (within TOS) to encourage retention

🛒 3. Subscribe & Save Just Became Even More Important

If Amazon is shifting focus to reorders, Subscribe & Save sellers have the upper hand.

Start thinking:

  • Can I bundle this for a 30-day supply?
  • Should I launch a Subscribe & Save offer?
  • How can I retain monthly customers?

Reorders + subscriptions = high visibility in this new model.

📸 4. Listing Content Needs to Emphasize Loyalty

If reorder count becomes a selling point, you should highlight your repeat buyer appeal in your content.

For example:

  • Use bullet points like: “Loved by over 10,000 repeat customers”
  • Include lifestyle photos showing long-term use
  • Add testimonials from loyal customers in A+ Content

This builds trust and aligns with Amazon’s direction.

🎯 5. PPC Might Need Adjusting

If reorders influence visibility or conversion rates, PPC bidding strategies may need to adjust.

Products with higher reorder rates may:

  • Perform better on long-tail, high-intent keywords
  • Win more placements at lower bids (due to better conversion history)
  • Require less spend to maintain visibility once a reorder loop is established

Keep a close eye on your search term report and advertising analytics to see what changes over time.

🧪 What to Do If You’re Seeing This A/B Test

Some sellers are already part of this A/B test—whether they know it or not.

Here’s what you should do:

✅ Take screenshots of your listings in search
✅ Compare visibility vs. listings still showing “orders”
✅ Track changes in click-through rate (CTR) and conversion
✅ Monitor feedback from customers and reviews
✅ Ask yourself: “If reorder count becomes permanent, how does that affect my product lineup?”

🛠️ How to Prepare Now—Even If It Hasn’t Hit Your Niche Yet

You don’t need to wait for this test to go global. Proactive sellers can start positioning today:

  1. Focus on customer retention
  2. Launch bundles or variations that encourage repeat purchases
  3. Use Amazon Brand Analytics to understand buyer behavior
  4. Start tracking reorder rate manually with repeat purchase analysis
  5. Incorporate “trust language” into your listing copy (“Over 5,000 loyal buyers,” etc.)

✍️ Final Thoughts: Reorders > One-Time Orders?

Amazon’s move from showing “orders” to “reorders” in search results isn’t just a UI change—it’s a strategic signal.

Amazon is telling sellers and customers alike:
It’s not just about what sells fast—it’s about what sells again.

This subtle shift could:

  • Reward higher quality products
  • Boost long-term-focused brands
  • Help Amazon build a more trusted marketplace
  • Make fly-by-night sellers and low-quality listings less competitive

If you’ve been playing the long game, this is great news.
If not—it’s time to start thinking retention, not just acquisition.

Need help adapting your Amazon strategy to the latest changes?
At Marketplace Valet, we help brands optimize for what matters most—whether it’s visibility, conversion, or now, retention.

📩 Let’s talk about future-proofing your Amazon strategy.

#AmazonFBA #AmazonUpdate #ReorderCount #ABTesting #MarketplaceValet #FBA2025 #AmazonSearch #EcommerceStrategy #AmazonNews #RetentionMarketing