Tag: Inventory health tracking

As an Amazon seller, managing your account can be quite overwhelming, especially if you have a large inventory and multiple sales channels. Fortunately, Amazon provides an easy-to-use platform called Amazon Seller Central that allows sellers to manage their accounts and inventory efficiently. In this article, we will guide you on how to use Amazon Seller Central for account management.

Setting Up Your Account

The first step to using Amazon Seller Central is to set up your account. If you do not have an Amazon account, you will need to create one. Once you have an account, you can sign in to Seller Central by going to the Amazon Seller Central homepage and entering your email address and password.

Setting up your Amazon Seller Central account is the first step towards managing your online store. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Create an Amazon Seller Central account: Go to the Amazon Seller Central website and click on the “Sign up” button. Enter your business details, personal information, and payment information.
2. Verify your email address: After creating your account, Amazon will send you a verification email. Click on the verification link in the email to verify your email address.
3. Complete the registration process: Follow the prompts to complete the registration process. You will need to provide additional information about your business, including your tax identification number and bank account information.
4. Set up your storefront: Once your account is set up, you can start setting up your storefront. Add your product listings, images, and descriptions. You can also customize your storefront with your logo, images, and branding.
5. Set up your shipping options: Determine your shipping options and rates, and set them up in your Amazon Seller Central account. You can also use Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service to handle your shipping and fulfillment.
6. Set up your payment options: Set up your payment options in your Amazon Seller Central account. You can choose to receive payments via direct deposit or check.
7. Start selling: Once you have set up your account, storefront, shipping, and payment options, you can start selling on Amazon.

Setting up your Amazon Seller Central account may seem overwhelming at first, but following these steps will help ensure a smooth setup process. Once your account is set up, you can focus on managing your online store, growing your customer base, and maximizing your sales.

Understanding the Dashboard

The Amazon Seller Central dashboard is the first thing you will see after logging in. It provides an overview of your account and allows you to access various tools and reports.

Once you have set up your Amazon Seller Central account, you will be taken to your dashboard. Your dashboard is the central hub where you can manage your online store, view your sales data, and track your performance. Here’s a detailed overview of the different sections of your dashboard:

1. Home: This section provides an overview of your account health, sales, and inventory. You can view your account status, sales trends, and upcoming events.
2. Inventory: This section allows you to manage your inventory, add new products, and edit existing listings. You can also view your inventory health, which provides information on any potential issues with your listings.
3. Orders: This section allows you to view and manage your orders. You can view order details, update shipping information, and track shipments.
4. Advertising: This section allows you to create and manage advertising campaigns. You can create sponsored product ads, sponsored brand ads, and sponsored display ads.
5. Reports: This section allows you to view and download different types of reports, such as sales reports, inventory reports, and advertising reports.
6. Performance: This section allows you to view your performance metrics, such as your customer metrics, account health, and feedback.
7. Settings: This section allows you to manage your account settings, such as your notification preferences, payment settings, and tax information.

Understanding your dashboard is essential for managing your online store effectively. By regularly monitoring your sales data and performance metrics, you can make informed decisions that will help you grow your business on Amazon. Additionally, taking advantage of Amazon’s advertising tools and reports can help you optimize your sales and increase your visibility on the platform.

Sales Summary

The Sales Summary section provides a quick overview of your sales performance, including the number of orders, units sold, and revenue generated. You can view this information for a specific date range and compare it with previous periods.

The Sales Summary section of your Amazon Seller Central dashboard is where you can view a quick snapshot of your sales data. This section provides an overview of your sales for the current day, week, or month, as well as a comparison to your sales data from the previous period.

The Sales Summary section is broken down into several subsections, including Total Sales, Units Ordered, Average Selling Price, and Total Ordered Products. Let’s take a closer look at each of these subsections:

1. Total Sales: This subsection displays your total sales for the current day, week, or month, as well as a comparison to your sales from the previous period. You can also view your year-to-date sales data.
2. Units Ordered: This subsection displays the total number of units ordered for the current day, week, or month, as well as a comparison to the previous period. You can also view your year-to-date unit data.
3. Average Selling Price: This subsection displays the average selling price of your products for the current day, week, or month, as well as a comparison to the previous period. This data can help you monitor the performance of your products and pricing strategy.
4. Total Ordered Products: This subsection displays the total number of products that have been ordered for the current day, week, or month, as well as a comparison to the previous period. You can also view your year-to-date data for this subsection.

In addition to the Sales Summary section, you can also view more detailed sales data by accessing the Sales Dashboard. Here, you can view your sales data by product, marketplace, or time period. You can also view your best-performing products and top-selling categories.

By regularly monitoring your sales data, you can identify trends and make informed decisions about your pricing strategy and inventory management. You can also use this data to optimize your product listings and advertising campaigns. The Sales Summary section and Sales Dashboard are valuable tools for any Amazon seller looking to grow their business on the platform.

Inventory Health

The Inventory Health section shows the status of your inventory, including the number of units in stock, stranded inventory, and any products that need your attention. You can use this information to manage your inventory efficiently and avoid stockouts.

The Inventory Health section in Amazon Seller Central provides sellers with important insights into their inventory status. Here, you can view the number of units you have in stock, as well as any stranded inventory and products that require your attention.

The section is divided into several subsections, including the following:

1. Stranded Inventory: This subsection displays any inventory that is currently unavailable for purchase by customers. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a product being out of stock, the listing being inactive, or the product being in an unfulfillable state. By resolving stranded inventory issues, you can ensure that your products are available for purchase by customers.
2. Manage Excess Inventory: This subsection displays any inventory that has been in stock for an extended period of time. By managing excess inventory, you can reduce storage fees and ensure that your inventory turnover is optimized.
3. Manage Inventory Age: This subsection displays any inventory that is approaching its expiry date. By managing inventory age, you can avoid any potential product quality issues and ensure that you’re not holding onto inventory that won’t sell.
4. Restock Inventory: This subsection displays any products that are low in stock and need to be restocked. By regularly restocking inventory, you can avoid stockouts and ensure that your products are always available for purchase by customers.

The Inventory Health section also includes a helpful dashboard that provides sellers with an at-a-glance overview of their inventory health. Here, you can view your inventory age, restock inventory status, stranded inventory status, and manage excess inventory.

By regularly monitoring your Inventory Health section, you can ensure that your inventory is managed efficiently and effectively. This, in turn, can help you avoid stockouts and ensure that your products are always available for purchase by customers.

Performance

The Performance section shows your account health, including your Order Defect Rate, Late Shipment Rate, and Cancellation Rate. It also provides access to various performance reports, including the Account Health Dashboard and Customer Metrics.

The Performance section in Amazon Seller Central provides sellers with important insights into the health of their accounts. Here, you can view your Order Defect Rate, Late Shipment Rate, and Cancellation Rate, among other metrics. By understanding your account health, you can take steps to improve your performance and ensure that you’re providing a positive customer experience.

The Performance section is divided into several subsections, including the following:

1. Account Health: This subsection displays your Order Defect Rate, Late Shipment Rate, and Cancellation Rate. These metrics are calculated based on your performance over a specific time period, and they help you understand how well you’re meeting Amazon’s performance standards. By maintaining healthy metrics, you can ensure that your account remains in good standing.
2. Performance Notifications: This subsection displays any notifications or warnings related to your account health. For example, if your Order Defect Rate exceeds Amazon’s performance standards, you may receive a notification encouraging you to take steps to improve your performance.
3. Performance Metrics: This subsection provides access to various performance reports, including the Account Health Dashboard and Customer Metrics. These reports can help you gain a deeper understanding of your account health and identify areas for improvement.
4. Customer Feedback: This subsection displays any customer feedback you’ve received on your orders. By reviewing this feedback, you can gain valuable insights into your customers’ experiences and identify areas where you can improve your service.

The Performance section also includes a helpful dashboard that provides sellers with an at-a-glance overview of their account health. Here, you can view your Order Defect Rate, Late Shipment Rate, and Cancellation Rate, as well as any performance notifications or warnings.

By regularly monitoring your Performance section, you can identify areas for improvement and take steps to ensure that your account remains in good standing. This, in turn, can help you provide a positive customer experience and grow your business on Amazon.

Marketing

The Marketing section allows you to create and manage advertising campaigns, promotions, and coupons. You can also view your advertising performance and access advertising reports.

The Marketing section in Amazon Seller Central is a valuable tool that allows sellers to create and manage advertising campaigns, promotions, and coupons. With this section, sellers can increase their product visibility and drive sales on Amazon.

The Marketing section is divided into several subsections, including the following:

1. Advertising: This subsection allows you to create and manage advertising campaigns for your products. You can choose from various advertising options, including Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and Sponsored Displays. By setting up targeted advertising campaigns, you can increase your product visibility and drive sales.
2. Promotions: This subsection allows you to create promotions and discounts for your products. You can create a variety of promotions, including percentage off, buy one get one, and free shipping. By offering promotions, you can incentivize customers to purchase your products and increase your sales.
3. Coupons: This subsection allows you to create digital coupons for your products. Customers can redeem these coupons at checkout to receive a discount on their purchases. By offering coupons, you can attract new customers and increase sales.
4. Advertising Reports: This subsection provides access to various advertising reports, including Advertising Cost of Sale (ACOS) and Advertising Return on Investment (AROI). By analyzing these reports, you can evaluate the performance of your advertising campaigns and make informed decisions about future advertising investments.

By utilizing the Marketing section, sellers can increase their product visibility and drive sales on Amazon. By creating targeted advertising campaigns, promotions, and coupons, sellers can attract new customers and encourage repeat purchases. Additionally, by regularly analyzing advertising performance reports, sellers can optimize their advertising strategy and maximize their return on investment.

Orders

The Orders section allows you to view and manage your orders, including order details, shipping information, and returns. You can also download order reports and view customer feedback.

The Orders section in Amazon Seller Central is a crucial part of account management, allowing sellers to view and manage their orders effectively. With this section, sellers can access order details, shipping information, and returns, among other features.

The Orders section is divided into several subsections, including the following:

1. Manage Orders: This subsection allows you to view and manage your orders. You can access order details, including the order date, item information, and shipping status. You can also take actions on orders, such as cancelling or refunding an order.
2. Advanced Search: This subsection allows you to search for specific orders based on various criteria, including order ID, buyer name, and shipping address. This feature is helpful when managing a high volume of orders.
3. Order Reports: This subsection allows you to download order reports, which provide detailed information on your order history. You can customize these reports to include specific data points, such as order date, item information, and shipping status.
4. Customer Metrics: This subsection allows you to view customer feedback on your orders. By monitoring customer feedback, you can identify areas for improvement in your products or customer service.

By utilizing the Orders section, sellers can efficiently manage their orders and provide excellent customer service. By accessing order details and shipping information, sellers can ensure that orders are fulfilled accurately and on time. Additionally, by monitoring customer feedback, sellers can identify areas for improvement in their products or customer service and take action to address them. the Orders section is an essential tool for sellers looking to provide a positive customer experience and grow their business on Amazon.

Managing Your Inventory

Managing your inventory is a critical aspect of running a successful business on Amazon. Amazon Seller Central provides various tools and features that can help you manage your inventory efficiently and avoid stockouts.

One of the most crucial features for inventory management in Amazon Seller Central is the Inventory Dashboard. The dashboard provides an overview of your inventory, including the number of units in stock, stranded inventory, and any products that need your attention. You can also view the status of your listings, such as whether they are active or inactive.

To manage your inventory effectively, you can use several features available in Amazon Seller Central, including:

1. Add a Product: This feature allows you to add new products to your inventory. You can provide product details, such as the title, description, and images, and set the price and shipping options.
2. Manage Inventory: This feature allows you to manage your inventory levels, including adding or removing products from inventory and setting up automatic replenishment.
3. Inventory Planning: This feature helps you plan your inventory levels based on historical sales data and projected demand. It can help you avoid stockouts and ensure that you have enough inventory to meet customer demand.
4. FBA Inventory: If you use Amazon’s fulfillment service, Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you can access the FBA Inventory section to manage your inventory stored in Amazon’s warehouses.
5. Inventory Reports: You can access various inventory reports in Amazon Seller Central, including the Inventory Age and Inventory Health reports. These reports provide valuable insights into your inventory, including how long it has been in stock and its sell-through rate.

Inventory Management

Inventory management is a crucial aspect of selling on Amazon. As a seller, you need to ensure that you have enough stock to meet customer demand, without having too much inventory that could tie up your cash flow. Proper inventory management can help you avoid stockouts and overstocks, which can negatively impact your sales and customer satisfaction.

Here are some best practices for managing your inventory on Amazon:

1. Keep track of your inventory levels: Make sure to regularly monitor your inventory levels and adjust your restocking strategy accordingly. You can use Amazon’s Inventory Performance Index (IPI) to help you determine when you need to restock.
2. Optimize your product listings: Ensure that your product listings are accurate, complete, and optimized with relevant keywords. This will help your products appear in search results and increase your chances of making a sale.
3. Use Amazon’s tools for inventory management: Amazon offers various tools and reports to help you manage your inventory effectively. For example, the Manage Inventory tool allows you to view and update your inventory levels, while the Inventory Age report shows you how long your inventory has been in stock.
4. Set up automatic replenishment: You can use Amazon’s automatic replenishment feature to automatically restock your inventory when it falls below a certain level. This can save you time and ensure that you never run out of stock.
5. Consider using FBA: Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) can help you manage your inventory more efficiently by allowing Amazon to handle your shipping and customer service. With FBA, you can also take advantage of Amazon’s Prime shipping, which can increase your chances of winning the Buy Box.
6. Monitor your inventory health: Check your Inventory Health report regularly to identify any issues with your inventory, such as excess inventory, stranded inventory, or inactive listings. This will help you take corrective action before it negatively affects your sales.

FBA

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service offered by Amazon that allows sellers to store their products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Amazon handles the picking, packing, and shipping of the products to the customers. FBA can help sellers to simplify their operations and reach more customers.

To use FBA, you need to create a shipping plan and send your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Once the products are received, Amazon will store them and take care of the fulfillment process. When a customer places an order, Amazon will pick and pack the product, and ship it to the customer on your behalf.

Using FBA can have many benefits, including:

1. Prime eligibility: FBA products are eligible for Amazon Prime, which can increase your sales and visibility.
2. Multi-channel fulfillment: FBA can fulfill orders from other sales channels, such as your own website or other marketplaces.
3. Customer service: Amazon handles customer service for FBA orders, including returns and refunds.
4. Increased efficiency: By letting Amazon handle the fulfillment process, you can focus on other aspects of your business, such as product development and marketing.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to using FBA. These include:

1. Fees: FBA charges fees for storage, fulfillment, and other services. You should carefully consider the costs of using FBA to make sure it is profitable for your business.
2. Loss of control: When using FBA, you are entrusting Amazon to handle your products and the fulfillment process. This can lead to a loss of control over certain aspects of your business.
3. Inventory management: FBA requires you to send your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, which can lead to additional inventory management challenges.

FBA can be a great option for sellers who want to simplify their operations and reach more customers. However, it is important to carefully consider the costs and potential drawbacks before deciding to use FBA.

Multi-Channel Fulfillment

Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) is another option for Amazon sellers to fulfill their orders. It enables sellers to use Amazon’s fulfillment services to fulfill orders from other sales channels, such as their own website, eBay, or Walmart.

To use MCF, sellers first need to enable the feature in their Amazon Seller Central account. Once enabled, sellers can create MCF orders through their seller account or by integrating their other sales channels with Amazon.

When a seller receives an order from a non-Amazon sales channel, they can fulfill the order through MCF. Amazon will pick, pack, and ship the order to the customer, just like a regular FBA order. The seller is responsible for the fulfillment fees and any shipping costs associated with the order.

MCF can be a convenient option for sellers who sell on multiple sales channels and want to centralize their fulfillment operations. It can also provide access to Amazon’s Prime shipping program, which can be a selling point for customers. However, it’s important to carefully consider the fees associated with MCF and compare them to the costs of fulfilling orders through other methods.

Managing Your Orders

Managing your orders is a crucial aspect of running a successful Amazon business. The Orders section in your Amazon Seller Central account allows you to view and manage all of your orders, including order details, shipping information, and returns.

When you receive a new order, it will appear in the Manage Orders tab. From here, you can view order details such as the order ID, buyer information, shipping address, and order total. You can also confirm the order and prepare it for shipment.

Once you’ve confirmed the order, you can choose to fulfill the order yourself or use Amazon’s fulfillment services. If you’re fulfilling the order yourself, you’ll need to prepare the order for shipping and generate a shipping label. If you’re using Amazon’s fulfillment services, the order will be automatically picked, packed, and shipped by Amazon.

After the order has been shipped, you can mark it as shipped in your Seller Central account. This will trigger Amazon to send a shipping confirmation email to the customer, along with tracking information.

If a customer needs to return an item, they can initiate the return process through Amazon’s return center. You’ll receive a notification in your Seller Central account and can choose to approve or deny the return. If approved, the customer will receive a return label and instructions on how to send the item back.

It’s important to regularly monitor your orders and ensure that they are being fulfilled in a timely and efficient manner. Keeping track of your order metrics, such as order defect rate and late shipment rate, can also help you identify areas for improvement in your order management processes.

View Order Details

In Amazon Seller Central, you can view detailed information about each order you receive. This information can help you manage your orders efficiently and provide better customer service.

To view order details, go to the Orders section in Seller Central and click on the order number you want to view. This will take you to the Order Details page, where you can see information such as the order date, shipping address, payment method, and order status.

You can also view the items included in the order, along with their quantities and prices. If the order has already been shipped, you can track the shipment and view the delivery status.

In addition to basic order information, you can also view customer information, such as the customer’s name, email address, and phone number. This information can be helpful if you need to contact the customer regarding their order.

If the customer has left feedback on the order, you can view it on the Order Details page as well. This feedback can help you improve your products and customer service in the future.

Viewing order details in Amazon Seller Central is an important part of managing your orders and providing great customer service. By regularly checking and updating order information, you can ensure that your customers receive their orders on time and with accurate information.

Manage Shipping

Managing shipping is an important aspect of running an Amazon seller account. With Amazon Seller Central, you can easily manage your shipping settings and preferences to ensure timely and efficient delivery of your products to customers.

To manage your shipping settings, go to the Shipping Settings tab in Seller Central. Here, you can set up your shipping rates and methods, including whether you offer free shipping, flat-rate shipping, or shipping based on weight or item quantity. You can also specify which countries and regions you ship to, as well as your shipping carriers and delivery speed options.

Amazon also offers a range of shipping solutions to help simplify and streamline your shipping process. For example, you can use Amazon’s Buy Shipping service to purchase shipping labels directly through Seller Central, or you can enroll in Amazon’s Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) program to have Amazon handle your order fulfillment and shipping.

If you choose to handle your own shipping, it’s important to ensure that you have efficient and reliable shipping processes in place. This includes selecting the right packaging materials, choosing the most cost-effective shipping carriers, and tracking your shipments to ensure timely delivery.

Effective management of your shipping settings and processes is crucial to providing a positive customer experience and growing your Amazon seller business. With Amazon Seller Central, you have the tools and resources to manage your shipping efficiently and effectively.

Handle Returns

Handling returns is an essential part of managing your Amazon Seller Central account. Customers may return products for various reasons, including defects, damages during shipping, or simply changing their minds. Fortunately, Amazon provides a streamlined process for handling returns and issuing refunds.

To manage returns, you can access the Returns section in your Seller Central account. Here, you can view all the return requests you have received and take appropriate actions based on the reason for the return.

If the customer is returning a product due to a defect or damage, you may be able to request that Amazon reimburse you for the cost of the return shipping label. In this case, you can create a return label and send it to the customer or have Amazon send it on your behalf. If the product is eligible for a replacement, you can send a new product to the customer.

If the customer is returning the product due to a change of mind, you can issue a refund to the customer. You can do this by accessing the Order Details page in your Seller Central account and selecting the option to issue a refund. Amazon will then notify the customer and initiate the refund process.

It is essential to handle returns promptly and professionally to maintain a positive relationship with your customers and avoid negative feedback or reviews. By utilizing the tools and resources available through Amazon Seller Central, you can efficiently manage returns and maintain customer satisfaction.

Using Reports

Amazon Seller Central provides various reports that can help you monitor your account and make informed decisions. These reports include:

Sales Dashboard

The Sales Dashboard is an important tool in Amazon Seller Central that provides a quick overview of your sales performance. This dashboard displays various metrics, such as units sold, revenue generated, and fees paid, allowing you to monitor your sales performance over a selected time period.

You can customize the Sales Dashboard to show the data that is most important to you. You can select a time period for which you want to see data and filter by various attributes, such as marketplace, product category, and fulfillment method.

One of the key features of the Sales Dashboard is the ability to track your sales trends over time. By comparing your sales performance over different time periods, you can identify patterns and make informed decisions about your business.

The Sales Dashboard also provides access to other useful reports, such as the Sales and Traffic report, which shows you how customers are finding and purchasing your products on Amazon. This report includes data on sessions, page views, and conversion rates, giving you insights into your product listing performance.

the Sales Dashboard is an essential tool for managing your sales on Amazon. By regularly monitoring your sales performance and using the insights provided by the dashboard, you can make data-driven decisions to grow your business.

Inventory Dashboard

Attention. You can use this information to manage your inventory efficiently and avoid stockouts. The dashboard also provides information on your restock recommendations, so you can ensure that you always have the right amount of inventory on hand.

In addition, you can view your sales and inventory data in more detail by generating custom reports. These reports allow you to analyze your sales and inventory data over a specific time period, by product, or by geographic region. You can use this information to make informed decisions about your inventory management and sales strategies.

Amazon Seller Central is a powerful tool for managing your Amazon business. It allows you to manage your inventory, orders, shipping, and advertising campaigns all in one place. With the help of various reports and dashboards, you can make informed decisions and optimize your business for success.

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If you’re looking for a trusted partner to help you manage your Amazon account, look no further than Fastestrank. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your business goals on Amazon.