1. Choose a product on evidence
- Look for steady demand, not just a spike.
- Check competition: how many sellers, how strong are the reviews and brands, how crowded are the ads.
- Work out landed cost, fees and margin before you fall for the idea.
- Avoid products with high return rates, complex compliance or fragile parts, at least for a first product.
2. Source carefully
- Request quotes from several suppliers and compare quality, price and lead time.
- Order samples and test them yourself.
- Agree specifications, packaging and quality checks in writing.
- Plan inspection before shipment.
- Confirm who owns the tooling, artwork and brand assets.
3. Check compliance early
Many categories need certifications, testing, labelling or marketplace approval. Find out what applies to your product and your target country before you commit to a large order. Skipping this step can leave stock that cannot be sold.
4. Build the brand
- Choose a name that is available and not in conflict with existing trademarks.
- Consider trademark registration, since Amazon Brand Registry generally requires an active trademark.
- Design packaging and inserts that look professional and protect the product.
- Plan consistent images and tone across the listing.
5. Create the listing
Write the title, bullets, description and images from the shopper’s point of view. Use the checklist in our listing optimisation guide and plan A+ Content once Brand Registry is available.
6. Ship to FBA correctly
- Make sure your product has the right barcode and labels, and that packaging meets requirements.
- Create the inbound shipment accurately and send stock to the assigned locations.
- Track the shipment until it is received and available.
7. Plan the launch
A launch usually combines competitive pricing, sponsored ads on proven terms and a plan to gather genuine reviews through allowed channels. Decide how much you will spend, what ACOS you will tolerate and when you will review.
8. Protect what you built
- Register the brand if eligible and monitor for hijackers and copycats.
- Keep supplier agreements clear about exclusivity and intellectual property.
- Monitor reviews, returns and account health from the first week.
Common first-time mistakes
- Ordering a large quantity before testing a sample.
- Underestimating fees, returns and advertising costs.
- Ignoring compliance until after production.
- Launching with weak images and a vague listing.
- Running out of stock right after the launch gains momentum.
A simple launch budget outline
- Product samples and testing.
- First production order and quality inspection.
- Freight, duties and local transport.
- Marketplace fees and storage.
- Photography and listing creation.
- Advertising during the launch period.
- A reserve for returns, reorders and surprises.
Fill each line with real quotes and write the total before you place an order. If the number feels too high, test a smaller order or a different product.
Keep the second order in mind
Stock-outs after a good launch are expensive. Agree lead times with your supplier, track sell-through and plan the second order early enough to arrive before the first sells out.
Questions to ask your supplier
- What is the minimum order and the price at different quantities?
- What are the exact materials and tolerances?
- What quality checks do you do before shipping?
- How do you handle defects and replacements?
- Who owns the molds, artwork and packaging files?
How we can help
We support Product Research and Sourcing, Listing Creation, FBA Shipment Setup and Brand Registry Support. We do not guarantee that a product will sell, and we help you test an idea before you commit a large budget.
