Logistics & ops
/ 12 minutes
Dov Quint
Feb 20, 2025
Breaking into new sales channels can feel like trying to solve a complicated puzzle. You might worry about Amazon’s fees eating into your margins, fret over juggling your inventory between Shopify and Amazon without making costly mistakes, or wonder if your products will get overshadowed by competitors who know all the platform’s tricks.
These concerns are valid. But, when done strategically, integrating Amazon with your Shopify brand can open the door to a massive audience you’ve been missing out on. As with most things in e-commerce, the key is approaching with a plan.
By understanding the benefits, taking the right steps, and following best practices, you’ll position your Shopify brand to thrive on Amazon. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to make that happen without adding unnecessary headaches to your day-to-day operations.
No matter what kind of products you sell — a unique clothing line, artisanal home goods, or innovative tech accessories — Amazon offers a marketplace bustling with buyers actively looking to discover their next favorite brand. For a Shopify business owner, it’s not just a second digital storefront. It’s a growth engine that can elevate everything from brand awareness to revenue.
Let’s look at some key reasons why expanding to Amazon can be a game-changer:
Before buying something at your Shopify business, customers have to know it exists or to find you through search engine optimization (SEO) or advertising. Amazon, on the other hand, is where shoppers go explicitly to buy. Listing your products there puts you in front of millions of active, ready-to-purchase consumers. Think of it as a way to tap into a pre-built audience, much larger than you might reach through your Shopify site alone.
Presenting your brand consistently on both Shopify and Amazon can reinforce brand recognition.
With strong branding — think clear images, cohesive messaging, and consistent tone — customers start to see your brand in a more professional, established light. Over time, this builds trust and can drive shoppers back to your Shopify business for repeat purchases.
Amazon’s robust infrastructure — both in the U.S. and around the globe — makes it easy for customers to buy from you. Amazon Prime shipping, multiple payment methods, and reliable customer service give buyers confidence. By leveraging Amazon’s systems, you make shopping more convenient for shoppers, which can often translate into higher conversion rates.
At the end of the day, being on Amazon gives your business more opportunity to make sales. Amazon's massive traffic and the trust consumers place in its buying experience can supercharge your revenues. For some Shopify businesses, Amazon becomes a significant sales driver — even outperforming their Shopify site at times.
The bottom line? Increasing sales is good for your business's financial health — which is vital should you ever seek an exit. If you've ever considered pivoting to your next great business idea, focusing on your hobbies, spending more time with family and friends, or simply taking a break, maximizing the value of your Shopify brand can help you get a fair price for the thriving business you've built.
Before you can start showcasing your Shopify products on Amazon, you’ll need to meet a few foundational requirements. If you’re prepared, you can dodge any roadblocks. Here's what you'll need:
You’ll need to create a professional seller account on Amazon. This involves providing essential business details, setting up your payment information, and agreeing to Amazon’s terms.
Make sure your Shopify site is fully functional, with product listings, inventory counts, and shipping settings. The cleaner and more accurate your Shopify setup, the easier the integration process will be.
Before integrating, decide whether you’ll handle fulfillment yourself (with Merchant Fulfilled Network) or use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Also, make sure your inventory numbers are correct. Syncing inventory across platforms is easier when you start from solid data.
Different categories on Amazon have their own rules. For example, certain product categories require approval before selling. Research Amazon’s guidelines relevant to your products to avoid delays in your listings going live.
If you’ve met the prerequisites, it’s time to bring your products to the Amazon stage. While the process can sound intimidating, it’s actually pretty manageable if you break it down step by step. Here’s how to get started:
1. Set up the Amazon marketplace integration in Shopify.
In your Shopify admin, navigate to the Apps section and look for the option to connect or add a new sales channel. Select Amazon (or “Marketplace Connect” in newer versions) and follow the prompts to connect your Amazon Seller Central account.
2. Select which products you want to list on Amazon. It’s often best to start with a few top performers to get comfortable with the process, and then gradually add more products as you gain confidence.
3. Create or match product listings. Shopify provides a way to either create a new Amazon listing for your product or match it to an existing Amazon listing (if you're already an Amazon seller). Choose the best option for each product.
4. Set your product details and pricing. Make sure your product descriptions, titles, and images meet Amazon’s guidelines. Consider optimizing your Amazon listings with keywords (more on that later in this article). Set your price strategically — whether you’re going for a competitive edge or relying on strong branding to justify a premium.
5. Manage inventory and fulfillment settings. Decide if you’ll ship products yourself or let Amazon handle this via FBA. Update your inventory levels and confirm that Shopify and Amazon are syncing correctly. Keeping accurate inventory prevents overselling and ensures a smooth customer experience.
6. Preview and publish your listings. Review all the details carefully. Once you’re satisfied, publish your listings to Amazon. Remember to periodically check how your products appear on Amazon. Sometimes small tweaks to photos or keywords can boost visibility and sales.
While Shopify and Amazon provide direct integration options, an app might help streamline your workflow, handle inventory syncing more elegantly, or provide better data analysis. Some popular solutions include:
Shopify Marketplace Connect: Helps you integrate multiple marketplace channels (including Amazon) directly in the Shopify interface. It excels in maintaining real-time inventory sync and offers bulk editing tools to update product listings at scale.
Sellbrite: Gives you an all-in-one place to list products, sync inventory, and manage orders across multiple channels, including Amazon. It simplifies the day-to-day juggling act of multichannel selling.
Feedonomics: Optimizes your product data so that your Amazon listings are accurate, keyword-rich, and compelling. This can help improve your search rankings on Amazon, leading to more visibility.
A strong product listing on Amazon can mean the difference between a potential customer scrolling past and them adding your item to their cart. Focus on these core elements to make your products stand out.
Titles should be short, descriptive, and filled with relevant keywords.
Unlike on your Shopify site, where you have complete creative freedom, Amazon titles need to follow certain guidelines — usually a brand name, product type, key features, and possibly size or color variants. For example, instead of “Comfy Chair,” try “BrandName Ergonomic Office Chair with Lumbar Support, Adjustable Arms, and Breathable Mesh.” This title not only appeals to search algorithms but also gives the shopper a reason to click.
High-quality, professional images are critical — blurry or low-resolution photos make it harder for a shopper to trust your brand or visualize how your product fits into their life.
Your main image should show the product on a white background, aligned with Amazon’s guidelines. Secondary images can highlight unique features, show the product in use, or present size comparisons.
Think beyond simple bullet points. While Amazon provides space for bullets, the product description (often found further down the page) is where you can truly differentiate your offering.
Explain who the product is ideal for, highlight the materials or ingredients, and describe what makes it stand out from competitors. Incorporate relevant keywords naturally, and don’t forget to include storytelling elements. In other words, help your customer imagine how this product will improve their daily life.
Once your products are live, the real work begins: keeping your listings competitive, visible, and aligned with your brand. Implementing a few best practices helps you get the most out of your Amazon integration.
Before setting prices, running ads, or expanding your product line, dive into market research. Tools like Jungle Scout, Helium 10, or even Amazon’s own Best Sellers lists can reveal what customers want and what competitors are offering. Research can help you with your product positioning, inform pricing, and even spark ideas for new product variations that better resonate with your target audience.
Product reviews on Amazon are social proof — they're crucial for building trust quickly. Gently encourage your Shopify and Amazon customers to share their experiences. This could be through follow-up emails or package inserts. More positive reviews improve your products' credibility and help you stand out in Amazon’s crowded marketplace.
Amazon’s sponsored product ads can push your listing in front of more shoppers. Even a modest ad budget can boost visibility for new products, helping you get initial sales and reviews.
Over time, monitor which keywords and ad placements perform best, then optimize your campaigns. Effective ads can shorten the time it takes to gain traction in a competitive niche.
Pricing on Amazon can be tricky. You’re often competing with brands offering similar products, sometimes at lower prices. Consider testing different price points to find the sweet spot that balances margins with conversion rates. Also, keep an eye on Amazon fees (including referral and FBA fees) and factor them into your pricing strategy. Sometimes a slightly higher price can work if you emphasize quality, brand story, and unique features.
While selling on Amazon can be highly rewarding, some common mistakes can derail your success. Being aware of these pitfalls helps you avoid them from the start.
Violations of listing guidelines — like using all caps in titles or including prohibited claims — can lead to suspended listings. Always review Amazon’s policies thoroughly before uploading product details.
Running out of stock or overselling inventory leads to frustrated customers and may hurt your seller metrics. Implement reliable inventory management processes, and use apps or tools that keep your product counts in sync.
Continually optimizing your listings — like tweaking images, updating descriptions, and experimenting with keyword placements — can help set your products apart from others, especially in crowded categories. On the other hand, static, unoptimized listings can fall behind in Amazon’s search algorithm, causing your products to drop in visibility.
Expanding to Amazon is a milestone, not an endpoint. You might find that Amazon becomes a reliable secondary channel that bolsters your Shopify brand's sales. Or maybe succeeding on Amazon will inspire you to branch out into other marketplaces — like eBay, Walmart, or niche platforms — broadening your brand’s reach even more.
But there's another trajectory to consider. Maybe building your brand has been thrilling, but the time has come to think about your next venture — you’re eyeing an exit strategy that allows you to pass the torch to someone else. That’s where OpenStore can help. Whether you’re looking to measure your business’s efficacy, optimize operations, or even sell your Shopify brand, OpenStore has the tools and resources to guide you. If you’re curious about your brand’s value after all the hard work you’ve invested, it may be time to take the next step and get a free valuation from OpenStore.
Selling on Amazon is about growth, experimentation, and refining your strategy. By following the steps and best practices outlined here, you position your Shopify brand for success — not only in the Amazon marketplace but in whatever future you envision for your business.
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