Tyler Brooks
Amazon is a great platform to sell your candles, but it is important to be aware of the costs and competition. Before you start selling, it is crucial to research the market and understand the fees involved. Amazon collects a referral fee of 15% on each item sold, and other fees, such as monthly fees, inbound shipping, returns, and advertising, can add up. To begin selling on Amazon, you need to create a selling account and register with Amazon. You can sell your own branded products or generic products, and you can also resell items. It is important to note that Amazon has specific requirements and policies that you must comply with. Additionally, consider joining the Amazon Handmade community of sellers, which offers no fees and showcases your skills as a candle maker.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Step | Researching the market, including competition, successful types and price points |
| Amazon Plan | Individual plan costs $0.99 per sale; Professional plan required for Handmade features |
| Amazon Handmade | Application and approval required; 15% referral fee deducted from sales; no other listing or payment fees |
| Product Detail Page | Where customers find all relevant information about an item; multiple sellers are combined on one page |
| Product ID | Use existing ID or create a new product detail page |
| Maker Profile | Share inspiration, creative process and products to help customers feel connected |
| Categories | Accessories, Artwork, baby, beauty, clothing, home, jewelry, kitchen, pet supplies, toys and more |
| Selling Fees | 35% of each sale plus other expenses such as monthly fees, shipping, returns, advertising |
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$14.99 $14.95
What You'll Learn
- Research the market: Understand competitors, popular types, and price points
- Create a selling account: Register and get approved to access resources
- Join Amazon Handmade: Showcase skills, connect with makers, and save costs
- Product listing: Optimise titles, search terms, and occasion types for discoverability
- Understand fees: Referral, order, FBA, and other fees impact profitability
Research the market: Understand competitors, popular types, and price points
The first step to selling candles on Amazon is to research the market. Knowing your competition, which types of candles are popular, and what price points are successful will help you create a competitive listing.
To research the candle market on Amazon, start by searching for related keywords and checking out the products that come up. Look at how these products are described, their prices, and what customer reviews they have. This information will help you understand what works in the market and what doesn't. You can also browse through product review forums to get feedback from customers about certain brands, scents, or styles that may be trending.
For example, soy candles are currently one of the most fashionable types of candles on the market. They are crafted from soybeans and consist entirely of vegetable ingredients. According to Grand View Research, the soy candle market is expected to expand at an annual CAGR rate of 8.5% between 2019 and 2025. Soy candles are also renewable, burn cleanly, and last longer than traditional candles, making them a good investment for customers.
Another way to research the market is to join Amazon's artisan-only community of sellers. After creating a selling account, you can apply for Amazon Handmade. Once your application is accepted, you can build a profile to tell customers more about you and your creations. You can also interact with other makers and find resources in the Handmade Hub. While Amazon will deduct a 15% referral fee from your sales, there are no other listing or payment processing fees.
Additionally, consider who your target market is and what types of candles they are likely to buy. This will help shape your materials, packaging, and branding. For example, if your target market values sustainability, you might want to offer eco-friendly or vegan wax candles. Conducting thorough market research will help you make informed decisions about your candle business and give you a competitive edge.
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Create a selling account: Register and get approved to access resources
To sell your candles on Amazon, you'll need to create a selling account and register with Amazon.
Registering with Amazon
First, you'll need to choose between the Individual selling plan, which costs $0.99 per sale, or the Professional selling plan. The Professional plan comes with a monthly subscription fee, which varies depending on the marketplace you're selling in, but offers additional tools and services. For example, the North American marketplace charges $39.99 per month.
Once you've chosen your selling plan, you can register and create a Seller Central account. You'll then need to configure your account for your business. This includes adding other users to your selling account if you need help with certain tasks.
Getting Approved
If you're selling handmade candles, you'll need to apply to join Amazon's Handmade program. This maker-only community of sellers has no fees, and you can build a profile to tell customers about yourself and your creations. Once your application is accepted and approved, the Professional Selling Fee is waived, and Amazon deducts a 15% referral fee per item sold—there are no other listing or payment processing fees.
To sell with Handmade, your products must be hand-altered, hand-designed, handcrafted, repurposed, or upcycled. You'll also need to indicate whether your product falls under the Handmade Classification attribute. During listing, you'll provide a product ID or request a product ID exemption.
Additional Considerations
Before selling your candles, it's important to research the marketplace and understand the fees involved. Amazon collects a referral fee on each item sold, and other selling fees may apply. For example, you'll pay a higher percentage in fulfillment fees for heavier items. Amazon also offers optional tools and programs that involve added costs.
If your product is already in the Amazon store, you can use its product ID or GTIN to match an offer to the existing product detail page. If not, you'll need to create a new product detail page.
With the right knowledge and strategy, you can turn your passion for candle-making into a profitable business venture.
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Join Amazon Handmade: Showcase skills, connect with makers, and save costs
If you're looking to sell handmade candles on Amazon, joining Amazon Handmade is a great option. Amazon Handmade is a maker-only community of sellers that offers several benefits for artisans. Firstly, it provides an opportunity to showcase your skills and connect with other makers. By creating a maker profile, you can share your story, creative process, and inspirations with customers, allowing them to feel more connected to your unique offerings. You can also interact with, support, and learn from other makers within the community.
Another advantage of Amazon Handmade is the potential cost savings. While selling on Amazon typically involves various fees, Amazon Handmade has a different cost structure. Creating a Handmade storefront is free, and there are no listing or payment processing fees. When you make a sale, Amazon Handmade deducts a 15% referral fee. Additionally, programs like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) can help streamline your operations and save time, allowing you to focus on crafting your candles.
To get started with Amazon Handmade, you'll need to create a selling account on Amazon. After registering, you'll apply for Amazon Handmade, and once approved, you can begin listing your handmade candles. Remember to add the Handmade Classification attribute to your products, indicating whether they are hand-altered, hand-designed, handcrafted, repurposed, or upcycled. You'll also need to provide a product ID or request an exemption.
When creating your listings, consider optimizing your product titles, search terms, and occasion types to improve discoverability. Additionally, high-quality product photography and descriptive copy can enhance your listings and attract potential customers. By leveraging Amazon Handmade, you can showcase your handmade candles to a global audience, connect with a community of makers, and benefit from cost-effective selling options.
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Product listing: Optimise titles, search terms, and occasion types for discoverability
To sell candles on Amazon, it is important to optimise your product listing. This is key to driving sales and taking your business to the next level. Here are some tips to optimise your product titles, search terms, and occasion types for discoverability:
Product Titles
The product title is crucial as it is the first thing customers see and its keywords tell Amazon's algorithm what your product is and whether it matches what the buyer is searching for. Use highly searched, relevant keywords in your title to enhance visibility. Tools like Google Keyword Planner can help identify high-performing keywords related to your product. Be concise and choose the most relevant keywords as you have a limited character count. Amazon has specific title requirements, such as a maximum length of 200 characters and restrictions on special characters.
Search Terms
Use relevant, high-quality keywords in your backend search terms to improve discoverability. Avoid repeating keywords as Amazon only needs to see a keyword once to match it to customer search queries.
Occasion Types
While not specific to occasion types, it is important to include detailed product information such as burn time, scent options, eco-friendly materials, and safety features. Address potential customer concerns and include clear, high-quality images from different angles to showcase your product effectively.
Additionally, consider utilising Amazon PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising to increase visibility and reach potential buyers actively searching for candles. This strategy can boost your product's visibility and conversions. Regularly monitor your listing's performance and update it based on customer feedback and seasonal trends to stay competitive.
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Understand fees: Referral, order, FBA, and other fees impact profitability
Before you start selling candles on Amazon, it is important to understand the various fees involved, which can impact your profitability. Firstly, there is a referral fee, which is a commission paid to Amazon for each item sold. This is typically around 15% of the selling price. On top of this, there may be other selling fees, such as order fees and FBA fees. FBA stands for "Fulfillment by Amazon", and it refers to a service where Amazon handles the storage, packing, and shipping of your products. While FBA can save you time and effort, it comes at an additional cost.
When selling on Amazon, you also need to consider the selling plan you choose. Amazon offers two main plans: the Individual selling plan and the Professional selling plan. The Individual plan costs $0.99 per sale, while the Professional plan may have a higher subscription fee but could offer more features and benefits. Additionally, there may be other costs associated with selling on Amazon, such as monthly fees, inbound shipping costs, returns processing fees, and advertising fees. These fees can quickly add up, especially if you are selling heavier items like candles, as shipping costs will be higher.
Another fee structure to consider is the Amazon Handmade program. If you are selling handmade candles, you can apply to join the Amazon Handmade community. Creating a Handmade storefront is free, but Amazon deducts a 15% referral fee from each sale, with no additional listing or payment processing fees. This platform can be a great way to showcase your unique, handcrafted products and connect with other makers. However, it is important to note that the Handmade program may have specific requirements and categories for the types of products that can be sold.
To make an informed decision about selling on Amazon, it is recommended to use the Amazon fee calculator to estimate your profits after expenses. By understanding the various fees involved, you can evaluate whether selling on Amazon aligns with your business goals and financial expectations. Additionally, consider researching alternative selling platforms, such as eBay, especially if you are just starting out with limited capital and want to minimize costs.
In conclusion, understanding the fee structure of selling candles on Amazon is crucial for assessing the profitability of your business venture. While Amazon provides access to a vast customer base and simplifies many selling processes, the associated fees can impact your bottom line. By carefully considering the referral, order, FBA, and other fees, you can make strategic choices about your selling plan, product pricing, and overall business strategy.
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Frequently asked questions
First, you need to create a Selling Account and register with Amazon. Then, you will need to configure your Seller Central account for your business. Once you have been approved by Amazon Handmade, you can create a storefront and list your products.
Amazon collects a 15% referral fee on each item sold, and there may be other selling fees involved. It is recommended to use the Amazon calculator to see how much profit you will be making after expenses.
Research the market to understand your competition, which types of candles sell best, and what price points are successful. You can also create a maker profile to tell customers more about you and your creations.
