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TikTok, a social platform that is popular in over 150 countries around the world and boasts nearly one billion active users, has already become a huge treasure trove of traffic. Users spend approximately three hours on TikTok every day on average. Among them, around 62% are female, and the young demographic aged between 20 and 39 accounts for about 45.9% of the user base.
Facing such a vast and highly consumer-potential traffic market, numerous sellers have flocked to it, trying to explore new business growth points through video creation, live streaming sales, marketing promotion, and other means. However, as more and more sellers enter the market, the competition in the TikTok live streaming field has become increasingly fierce. How can one stand out in this red ocean and achieve massive sales growth?
Next, we will reveal the three core strategies to boost sales in the live streaming room and share how 4Seller provides comprehensive support for sellers to help skyrocket their store sales!
I. Four Key Points for Traffic Attraction - Injecting Massive Traffic into TikTok Live Streaming Rooms
TikTok, with its large traffic pool and untapped blue ocean of traffic, has attracted countless merchants to shift their advertising and marketing positions here. Compared with short videos, live streaming sales are more intuitive, and users can interact with the hosts in real-time, which greatly enhances the trust between the brand and the users. It is truly an excellent tool for product promotion.
However, different from daily sharing short videos, the promotional short videos before the start of a TikTok live stream play a vital role. The content of the promotional short videos must closely match the theme of the live streaming room so as to achieve accurate conversion of traffic. At the same time, considering that the majority of TikTok users are young people, the promotional short videos need to cater to their preferences, incorporate novel and interesting elements, and create gimmicks by combining with hot topics to achieve effective dissemination of the videos.
For example, during festive marketing periods such as Halloween and Christmas, content full of fun and freshness is often more popular. In addition, young people generally prefer exaggerated and brightly colored visual effects, so promotional short videos often use content with a strong visual impact in terms of appearance.
The promotional short videos also need to clearly convey several key elements to the users: the start time of the live streaming room, the theme of the live streaming room, and the reasons for users to watch the live streaming room. Specifically, it can be carried out from the following aspects:
Pay attention to the date and time of publishing promotional short videos
Generally, it is appropriate to publish promotional short videos about an hour before the live stream starts, so that users can enter the live streaming room when they brush across the videos. For important promotional events, operation staff need to publish preview videos a few days in advance and clearly inform users of the specific date and time of the live stream in the videos.
Clarify the purpose of the live streaming room
The core content of the promotional short videos is to clearly convey the theme of the live streaming room to the target consumers. Its main shooting techniques include story reporting type, product reporting type, and subtitle reporting type.
Take the promotional short video for diaper live streaming as an example. The host tells the story of encountering a toilet leak, making it dirtier when using tissues to deal with it, and finally successfully solving the problem with diapers that have good water absorption. At the end of the video, it is previewed that these diapers with good water absorption will have a live promotion from 9 am to 1 pm the next day, with exclusive preferential prices, and users are reminded with subtitles to participate in the live event on time.
Emphasize the reasons for entering the live streaming room
Among numerous TikTok live streaming rooms, to attract consumers to enter our live streaming room, the content of the promotional short videos must provide users with a sufficient reason. "Having what others don't have and being better at what others have" is an important factor to attract consumers to enter the live streaming room.
Pay attention to the timeliness of promotional short videos
The biggest difference between promotional short videos and regular short videos lies in their timeliness. Too many promotional short videos will affect the consistency of the brand account. Therefore, it is recommended to hide the promotional short videos after the live stream ends instead of deleting them. Because after hiding the videos, the data such as likes, comments, and shares will still be retained in the background. Once deleted, these data will disappear together, which will affect the weight of the account to a certain extent.
In addition, operation staff also need to conduct data analysis on the promotional short videos to continuously optimize the video content and attract more traffic to the live streaming room.
At the same time, the selection of the cover of the promotional short video cannot be ignored. A clear and interesting cover is more attractive to users when they browse the videos.
For example, a picture of a female host holding shoes and clothes with the cover text "Amazon Thanksgiving Day Outfit" can clearly convey the theme of the video and accurately attract interested users to watch. When publishing promotional short videos, sellers can also add relevant hot topics in the title, body text, tags, cover, etc., such as "#Thanksgiving Day", "#NewYork", etc. By leveraging the popularity of hot topics, it can bring more traffic to the videos and convert it to the live streaming room.
II. Master the Operation Skills of TikTok Live Streaming to Retain Viewers and Facilitate Order Placement
Not all products are suitable for sale in TikTok live streaming. Sellers who want to achieve great sales in TikTok live streaming rooms must choose the right products for live streaming sales. A successful live streaming room has certain requirements in terms of layout, product price, host, and live streaming content:
Background Decoration
When users enter the live streaming room, the first thing that catches their eye is the background of the live streaming room. When laying out the background of the live streaming room, it should be kept simple, highlighting the theme of the live stream and the product display, and placing the discount information of the live streaming room in a prominent position to enhance the attractiveness to consumers. The background decoration methods of different product categories also vary:
3C Digital Products
Brands in this category pay more attention to a sense of technology. Operation staff can use the method of projection to display product information on the background board, enhancing the technological atmosphere of the live streaming room. Through projection display, when the host explains the product features, users can more clearly and intuitively understand the product functions.
Home and Living Products
When displaying products, the main products should be placed in a prominent position, such as in the middle of the live streaming table. If the product price is favorable, it is recommended to enlarge the sticker to highlight the price advantage, which is very effective for price-sensitive users.
Beauty and Personal Care Products
For the background decoration, a professional makeup cabinet or a projection background board can be selected. During the live stream, the host needs to focus on demonstrating the usage effects of beauty products. At the same time, operation staff should switch the close-up and long-shot of the live streaming camera in a timely manner. The close-up can show the product details, color test effects, and facial makeup details, while the long-shot helps the host interact with users and promotes users to place orders.
Apparel Products
The host needs to focus on showing the wearing effect of the apparel, so it is best to show the whole body. Operation staff can use stickers in the live streaming room to indicate the host's height, weight, and other information, providing a reference for users. The display methods of different apparel categories also have some differences. For example, when live streaming children's clothing in a maternal and infant special session, the size of the children's clothing can be shown by comparing it with dolls. In a live stream of waist trainer products, a male model can be selected to show the elasticity effect of the product, highlighting the product quality and dispelling users' concerns.
Product Price
Observations show that the prices of products sold in TikTok live streaming rooms usually range from $10 to $45. Products with too low or too high unit prices have a relatively narrow audience, while most people are willing to purchase their favorite products through the live streaming room within this price range. This phenomenon is closely related to the user group of TikTok, which is mainly composed of Gen Z young people. Gen Z users are keen on impulsive consumption and pursue new and interesting things, which also brings business opportunities for merchants. Blind boxes, wigs, beauty products, nail art, DIY tool kits, accessories, home products, smart products, etc. have all achieved good sales results in TikTok live streaming rooms.
Host
The hosts of TikTok live streaming rooms for different products have their own characteristics, but they all possess in-depth knowledge of the products they promote, excellent language organization skills, and good interaction ability with the users in the live streaming room. In addition, for TikTok live streaming sales, it is suitable to select young, energetic, and good-looking hosts, which reflects the market trend.
Specific requirements for hosts include: having good communication, influence, and guiding abilities; mastering professional industry knowledge and being able to introduce products in detail and demonstrate their selling points; having strong oral presentation skills, field control ability, rhythm control ability, and on-the-spot adaptability; during the live stream, showing strong influence through product explanation, display, language, and body movements.
At the same time, the live streaming script needs to be planned in advance, incorporating interactive chats and naturally implanting marketing information around the preset topics. Hosts should avoid problems such as poor speech fluency, highly repetitive content, and forced shopping during their expressions, and also should not remain silent for a long time. In addition, the host's makeup and appearance should match the theme of the live streaming room. For example, it is not appropriate to wear heavy makeup when selling maternal and infant products, and the choice of clothing should avoid excessive exposure and the risk of accidental exposure.
Live Streaming Content
A high-quality live streaming sales event cannot be separated from the careful planning of the live streaming content. Although live streaming is dynamic, the theme and general sales ideas of the live streaming room need to be planned in advance, covering aspects such as the purpose of the live stream, atmosphere creation, discount setting, and the number of products arranged.
Taking the live streaming of puzzle toys such as game consoles, Rubik's Cubes, and Sudoku as an example, in addition to explaining and selling products, it is more important to capture the psychology of consumers. By having the host interact and actually play with the puzzle toys in the live streaming room while explaining, and truly presenting the elements of "fun and interesting", it can enhance users' curiosity and stimulate their purchasing desire.
III. Avoid Common Mistakes in TikTok Live Streaming to Ensure a Smooth Live Stream
Sellers also need to pay attention to many matters during the TikTok live streaming process:
First of all, ensuring the clarity of the live streaming room's broadcast screen is crucial. During the live stream, professional live streaming equipment is usually required for recording and filling light to ensure that the screen pixels are clear and leave a good impression on users. Sellers should debug the lighting, equipment, and network in advance to present the best live streaming effect.
Secondly, the preferential discounts and free lottery activities of merchants can effectively attract users to enter the live streaming room. During the live stream, the host should pay attention to interacting with users and compare the prices before and after the discount when introducing the product price. At the same time, regularly carry out lottery and small gift distribution activities to maintain users' enthusiasm for watching.
Finally, when conducting TikTok live streaming, sellers should fully consider the local consumption habits, select products accordingly, and adopt the ways that local users like for live streaming.
IV. 4Seller Helps Sellers Process Orders Efficiently and Ensures Worry-free Massive Sales
In addition to mastering the secrets of increasing sales in TikTok live streaming rooms, sellers must also correspondingly improve their order processing capabilities to ensure the smooth operation of their business after achieving massive sales. In this regard, 4Seller can provide powerful support for sellers.
4Seller supports batch printing of 1,000 shipping labels, pick lists and packing slips at one time, which greatly improves the printing efficiency and saves the time and labor costs of sellers. Whether it is daily orders or a large number of orders during promotional events, sellers can quickly complete the printing work.
Here is the helping tutorial you could follow to check how to print 1000 shipping labels at once.
At the same time, 4Seller also supports the function of One-click fulfillment. Sellers can simply operate to complete the order printing and delivery process, further improving the delivery speed. When used in conjunction with a barcode scanner, it can achieve the integration of packaging and delivery in one step, simplifying the operation steps and reducing the possibility of errors.
Here is the helping tutorial you could follow to check how to use one-click fulfillment.
In terms of order document management, 4Seller allows sellers to customize the printing templates for picking lists, packing lists, and shipping labels. Sellers can design personalized document templates according to their own business needs and brand styles, making the order processing process more standardized and professional.
Here is the helping tutorial you could follow to check how to adjust the print template.
In addition, 4Seller supports centralized management of return and refund orders. Sellers can clearly view the detailed information of all return and refund orders on one platform, including the reasons for return and the progress of refund, which is convenient for timely processing and improves customer satisfaction.
Here is the helping tutorial you could follow to check how to manage return and refund orders.
At the same time, 4Seller also supports setting logistics rules, which can automatically match the corresponding logistics channels according to the order types. In this way, sellers do not need to manually select the logistics method for each order. The system will intelligently match the most suitable logistics channel according to the preset rules, ensuring that orders can be delivered to customers at the fastest speed and with the best cost.
Here is the helping tutorial you could follow to check how to set logistics rules.
By mastering the above core strategies for achieving massive sales in TikTok live streaming and leveraging the powerful functions of 4Seller in order processing, sellers can better seize business opportunities in the promising TikTok live streaming market, achieve continuous sales growth, and stand out in the fierce competition!
Validated Customer Outcomes
Verified User Testimonial: “Connecting our Shopify store with Temu using 4Seller was incredibly straightforward. We migrated 400 + SKUs in less than 90 minutes, and the automated inventory sync reduced manual errors by 75%. Our sales on Temu have seen a remarkable increase since the integration!” —Amy Evangeline, Multichannel Retailer
For more detailed performance metrics and case studies, check verified customer reviews on Trustpilot. You can also visit the 4Seller Shopify App Store profile.
Final Words
Success on TikTok Live requires strategic prep, engaging execution, and seamless logistics. By combining viral content, optimized live setups, and 4Seller’s automation, sellers can turn TikTok’s traffic into explosive sales growth.
Ready to go live? Start optimizing today—and let 4Seller handle the rest! Irene - 22 Apr,2025
1. Introduction
In the dynamic world of Amazon selling, the choice between FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) and FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant) shipping models can significantly impact your business's success. These two fulfillment methods are the cornerstones of Amazon operations, each with its own set of characteristics, advantages, and challenges.
This article will delve deep into the differences between FBA and FBM, exploring aspects such as shipping processes, costs, customer service implications, and more. By the end, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of which model might be the better fit for your Amazon business, whether you're a seasoned seller looking to optimize your operations or a newcomer eager to make the right start.
2. Understanding Amazon FBA
2.1 What is FBA?
FBA, or Fulfillment by Amazon, is a comprehensive service that allows sellers to outsource their order fulfillment tasks to Amazon. In this model, sellers send their products in bulk to Amazon's fulfillment centers. Once the products are in Amazon's warehouses, Amazon takes over the reins for storage, picking, packing, shipping, and customer service for those items. It's a one - stop - shop solution that aims to simplify the selling process for merchants.
For example, a small - time electronics seller based in the UK can store their smart gadgets in Amazon's European warehouses. When a customer in Germany places an order, Amazon will handle all the logistics from retrieving the product from the warehouse to delivering it to the customer's doorstep in Germany.
2.2 How FBA Works
· Seller Prepares and Ships Inventory: The process begins with the seller preparing their products according to Amazon's guidelines. This includes proper packaging, labeling with FNSKU (Amazon - specific barcodes), and choosing a shipping method to send the inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers. Sellers can use services like Amazon - partnered carriers or third - party logistics providers to transport their goods.
· Amazon Receives and Stores Inventory: Once the products arrive at the fulfillment center, Amazon's staff checks the inventory for any discrepancies in quantity, quality, or packaging. If everything is in order, the products are stored in Amazon's warehouses, with their location tracked within Amazon's sophisticated inventory management system.
· Customer Places an Order: When a customer browses Amazon and places an order for an FBA - fulfilled product, Amazon's system immediately identifies the nearest fulfillment center with the available stock.
· Amazon Picks, Packs, and Ships: The order is then sent to the appropriate fulfillment center, where employees (or in some cases, robots) pick the product from the shelves, pack it securely, and label it for shipping. Amazon then selects the most efficient shipping carrier and method to deliver the product to the customer, often providing tracking information for the customer to monitor the delivery progress.
· Customer Service and Returns: If the customer has any questions, issues, or wants to return the product, Amazon's customer service team takes care of it. For returns, Amazon will either restock the item if it's in good condition or dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way, depending on the product's state.
2.3 Pros of FBA
Fast Shipping and Prime Eligibility
One of the most significant advantages of FBA is the ability to offer fast shipping. Amazon's vast network of fulfillment centers, combined with its advanced logistics technology, enables quick delivery. Many FBA - shipped products are eligible for Amazon Prime, which offers benefits like free two - day shipping (in some regions even same - day or one - day shipping), free streaming of movies, music, and more. Prime members, who are known to be high - spending and frequent shoppers, are more likely to purchase products that are Prime - eligible. This can lead to a significant boost in sales. For instance, a seller of fitness equipment saw a 40% increase in monthly sales after enrolling their products in FBA and making them Prime - eligible, as customers were attracted to the quick delivery option.
Amazon - Handled Customer Service and Returns
Amazon takes on the responsibility of customer service and returns for FBA products. This is a huge relief for sellers, especially those who may not have the resources or expertise to handle large volumes of customer inquiries or returns efficiently. Amazon's customer service representatives are available 24/7 in multiple languages. If a customer has a problem with a product, they can contact Amazon directly, and Amazon will handle the issue. This not only saves the seller time and effort but also helps in maintaining a high seller rating and account health, as Amazon's efficient handling of customer issues leads to higher customer satisfaction.
2.4 Cons of FBA
High Costs (Storage, Fees, etc.)
FBA comes with a range of costs that can add up quickly. There are storage fees, which are charged based on the volume of the products stored in Amazon's warehouses. These fees can increase during peak seasons like the holidays. Additionally, there are order - handling fees, which include picking, packing, and shipping costs. For example, a seller of large - sized furniture items may find that the storage fees in Amazon's warehouses are quite high due to the large volume occupied by the products. Small - scale sellers or those with products that have inconsistent sales volumes may find these costs difficult to manage, as they have to pay for storage even during slow - selling periods.
Limited Control over Inventory Management
Sellers have less control over their inventory when using FBA. Amazon decides where to store the inventory, and in some cases, products may be split across multiple fulfillment centers. This can make it challenging for sellers to accurately track and manage their stock levels. Moreover, if a product has been in the warehouse for an extended period (over 365 days in some cases), Amazon may charge long - term storage fees, which can be substantial. Sellers also have to rely on Amazon's inventory management system, and any glitches or inaccuracies in the system can lead to issues like overselling or stockouts.
3. Unpacking Amazon FBM
3.1 What is FBM?
FBM, or Fulfillment by Merchant, is the self - fulfillment model where sellers are responsible for the entire order - fulfillment process. From the moment an order is placed to its final delivery at the customer's address, the seller manages all aspects. This includes handling inventory, choosing the shipping carrier, packing the products, and even dealing with any post - purchase customer service issues. For example, a handicraft seller on Amazon creates unique handmade jewelry in their home studio. When a customer orders a necklace, the seller, not Amazon, takes on the task of getting the necklace from their studio to the customer's hands.
3.2 How FBM Works
· Receiving the Order: Sellers are notified of a new order through Amazon's seller platform. The order details, including the customer's shipping address, contact information, and the items purchased, are provided to the seller. For instance, a book seller on Amazon receives an order for a best - selling novel. They immediately see the order in their seller dashboard, which shows the customer's address in Australia and the quantity of the book ordered.
· Selecting a Shipping Method: Sellers have the freedom to choose from a wide range of shipping carriers and services. This could include international carriers like FedEx, UPS, or DHL, or even local postal services. They consider factors such as shipping speed, cost, and the carrier's reliability. A seller of small electronics might choose a carrier that offers express shipping options for customers who need their products quickly, while for less - urgent orders, they might opt for a more cost - effective standard shipping service.
· Processing the Package: Once the shipping method is selected, the seller retrieves the product from their inventory (which could be stored at their home, a small warehouse, or a third - party storage facility). They then carefully pack the product, ensuring it is well - protected during transit. For example, a seller of fragile glassware will use bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and a sturdy box to prevent breakage. The seller also attaches the shipping label provided by the chosen carrier.
· Shipping the Order: The seller then drops off the package at the carrier's designated location, such as a post office or a courier service center. Some carriers even offer pickup services, where they come to the seller's location to collect the packages. After the package is shipped, the seller updates the order status on Amazon's platform and provides the tracking number to the customer, allowing them to monitor the progress of their delivery.
3.3 Pros of FBM
Lower Initial Investment
One of the most appealing aspects of FBM is the low initial investment required. Since sellers don't need to send large quantities of inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers in advance, they can start selling with minimal upfront costs. This makes it an ideal option for small - scale entrepreneurs, hobbyists, or those testing the waters with new product ideas. For example, a budding entrepreneur who wants to sell custom - made candles on Amazon can start with just a few dozen candles in stock. They don't have to worry about the high costs associated with bulk manufacturing, shipping to Amazon's warehouses, and paying for storage. This low - risk approach allows them to learn the ropes of Amazon selling without a significant financial commitment.
Greater Control over Shipping and Branding
Sellers using FBM have full control over the shipping process. They can choose a carrier that aligns with their brand values, whether it's a carrier known for its eco - friendly practices or one that offers excellent customer service. Additionally, they can take advantage of the packaging to showcase their brand. By using custom - designed boxes, branded packing slips, or adding small promotional items like business cards or samples, sellers can create a memorable unboxing experience for the customer. A skincare brand selling products via FBM can include a personalized thank - you note and a sample of a new product in the package, enhancing the brand - customer relationship.
3.4 Cons of FBM
Slower Shipping Times
A major drawback of FBM is the typically slower shipping times compared to FBA. When shipping from a seller's location (often outside the country where the customer is based), it can take several days to even weeks for the product to reach the customer. For example, a seller in China shipping a product to a customer in the United States via standard international shipping may take 10 - 15 business days. In contrast, FBA - fulfilled products can often be delivered within 1 - 2 days. This long shipping time can deter customers, especially those who are used to the fast - paced delivery options offered by Amazon Prime. It can also lead to lower customer satisfaction, as customers may become impatient waiting for their orders.
Seller - Handled Customer Service Hassles
With FBM, sellers are responsible for all customer service aspects related to the order. This includes answering customer inquiries about the product, shipping status, handling complaints, and processing returns. This can be a time - consuming and challenging task, especially for sellers who are also managing other aspects of their business. For instance, if a customer receives a damaged product, the seller has to deal with the issue directly, which may involve arranging for a replacement, issuing a refund, or communicating with the carrier to file a claim. Handling these customer service issues efficiently requires significant resources and can be overwhelming for small - scale sellers.
4. Head - to - Head Comparison
4.1 Cost Analysis
· FBA Costs：
Initial Investment: Sellers using FBA need to consider the costs of shipping their inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers. This includes the cost of freight (whether by air, sea, or land), customs clearance fees (if shipping internationally), and any additional handling charges. For example, if a seller in the United States is shipping 1000 units of a small consumer electronics product to an Amazon fulfillment center in Europe, the air freight cost could be around 5000 - 8000, depending on the weight and volume of the shipment.
Ongoing Costs: Amazon charges storage fees, which are calculated based on the volume of the products stored. These fees can vary by season. During the peak season (October - December in the US), the storage fees for standard - sized products can be as high as 2.40 per cubic foot per month. There are also order - handling fees. For a small - sized item weighing up to 1 pound, the order - handling fee might be around 3 - $4 per unit, which includes picking, packing, and shipping.
· FBM Costs
Initial Investment: The initial investment for FBM is relatively low. Sellers don't have to pay for shipping large volumes of inventory to Amazon's warehouses in advance. They only need to have enough capital to purchase the products they plan to sell and cover basic packaging materials. For instance, a small - scale handicraft seller can start with just a few hundred dollars worth of inventory and some simple packing supplies like boxes and bubble wrap.
Ongoing Costs: FBM sellers are responsible for shipping each order individually. The cost of shipping depends on the carrier and the destination. Shipping a small package from the United States to the United Kingdom via a standard international carrier like USPS First - Class Package International Service might cost around 10 - 15 per package. Sellers also need to factor in the cost of packaging materials, which can add a few dollars per unit. If they outsource the packaging to a third - party, there will be additional service fees.
· Cost - Comparison Example: Consider a seller of lightweight books. If the seller uses FBA, for 1000 books stored in Amazon's warehouse for a month (assuming each book takes up 0.05 cubic feet of space), the storage fee would be 120 (0.05 cubic feet * 1000 books * 2.40 per cubic foot per month). If 100 books are sold in that month, and the order - handling fee is 3 per unit, the total order - handling cost would be 300. So, the total FBA - related cost for that month would be 420. If the same seller uses FBM and ships 100 books at 12 per package (including packaging materials), the total cost would be 1200. However, if the sales volume is very low, say only 10 books sold in a month, the FBM cost would be 120, which is much lower than the FBA cost in this case as the FBA storage fees still need to be paid regardless of the low sales volume.
5. Shipping Speed and Customer Experience
· FBA Shipping Speed
FBA offers fast shipping options, especially for Prime - eligible products. In many regions, customers can receive their orders within 1 - 2 days. In some major cities in the United States, Amazon even offers same - day or one - day delivery for certain products. This fast delivery speed significantly enhances the customer experience. For example, a customer who orders a last - minute birthday gift on Amazon and selects an FBA - fulfilled product can have it delivered in time for the celebration, which leads to high customer satisfaction.
Amazon's efficient logistics system also provides accurate tracking information. Customers can easily monitor the progress of their delivery from the moment it leaves the fulfillment center until it arrives at their doorstep. This transparency in the delivery process is highly valued by customers.
· FBM Shipping Speed
FBM typically has slower shipping times. Since the products are shipped directly from the seller's location (which could be a home - based storage, a small warehouse, or even overseas), it can take several days to weeks for the product to reach the customer. For example, a seller in Asia shipping to a customer in North America using standard international shipping might take 7 - 15 business days for the product to arrive.
This long shipping time can be a deterrent for customers. Research shows that a significant number of customers are less likely to purchase a product if the estimated delivery time is more than 5 - 7 days. The slower shipping speed can also lead to negative reviews and lower customer loyalty. For instance, if a customer orders a product for an upcoming event and it arrives after the event due to slow FBM shipping, they are likely to be disappointed and may not purchase from the seller again.
6. Inventory Management and Control
· FBA Inventory Management：
Advantages: Amazon's inventory management system is highly sophisticated. Sellers can access real - time data on their inventory levels, including how many units are in stock at each fulfillment center. This data helps in making informed decisions about restocking. Amazon also takes care of inventory storage in a safe and organized manner, reducing the risk of damage or loss due to improper storage. For example, a seller of delicate glassware can be confident that Amazon will store their products in a way that minimizes the risk of breakage.
Disadvantages: Sellers have limited control over where their inventory is stored. Amazon may distribute the inventory across multiple fulfillment centers, which can make it challenging to manage. If a seller wants to perform a quality check on their inventory or make some modifications, it can be difficult to access all the units. Additionally, if the inventory levels are not managed properly, sellers may face long - term storage fees, which can be costly.
·FBM Inventory Management
Advantages: Sellers have complete control over their inventory. They can store it in a location of their choice, whether it's a rented warehouse or a storage unit at their home. This allows for easy access to the inventory for tasks like quality control, packaging customization, and restocking. For example, a seller of handmade products can quickly access their inventory to add a personalized touch to each item before shipping.
Disadvantages: Sellers need to have a good understanding of inventory management principles. They are responsible for forecasting demand, ordering the right amount of stock, and ensuring that the inventory levels are neither too high (leading to overstocking and increased storage costs) nor too low (resulting in stockouts and lost sales). Without proper inventory management software and skills, it can be easy to make mistakes. For instance, a new FBM seller might overestimate the demand for a particular product and end up with a large amount of unsold inventory taking up valuable storage space.
7. Product Ranking and Visibility on Amazon
· FBA Product Ranking：Amazon's search algorithm generally gives a boost to FBA - fulfilled products. These products are more likely to appear in the top search results. This is because Amazon values the fast shipping and reliable customer service associated with FBA. For example, when a customer searches for "wireless headphones" on Amazon, FBA - fulfilled headphones are more likely to be among the first few products displayed.
The high visibility of FBA products can lead to increased sales. As more customers click on and purchase these products, it further improves their ranking in the search results, creating a positive cycle. Sellers can also take advantage of Amazon's advertising tools more effectively with FBA products, as the algorithm tends to prioritize FBA - fulfilled items in sponsored product placements.
· FBM Product Ranking：FBM products often face more competition in terms of search rankings. Since they don't have the same advantages in terms of shipping speed and Amazon - handled customer service, they may not rank as high as FBA products. However, FBM sellers can still improve their product visibility through effective keyword optimization, high - quality product listings, and positive customer reviews. For example, a seller of unique, hard - to - find collectibles can use detailed product descriptions and relevant keywords to attract customers who are specifically looking for those items, even though their shipping speed may be slower compared to FBA.
FBM sellers may also need to invest more in external marketing efforts to drive traffic to their products. This could include social media marketing, influencer partnerships, or running their own advertising campaigns outside of Amazon to compensate for the lower organic search rankings on the Amazon platform.
8. Which is Better for You--Consider Your Business Scale
·Small - Scale Startups：For small - scale startups with limited resources and a relatively small product range, FBM can be an excellent starting point. Since FBM requires less upfront investment in inventory storage and shipping to Amazon's warehouses, it allows these startups to test the market with minimal risk. For example, a new artisanal soap - making business can start by selling a few dozen soaps through FBM. They can use their home - based storage for inventory and handle the shipping themselves. This way, they can learn about their target customers, product demand, and market trends without the high costs associated with FBA. As they gain more experience and start to see growth in sales, they can then consider transitioning to FBA.
· Medium - Sized Growing Businesses：Medium - sized businesses that have a stable customer base and are looking to scale up may find FBA more beneficial. These businesses often have a larger inventory and need to ensure fast and reliable shipping to meet customer expectations. FBA's fast shipping and Prime eligibility can help them attract more customers and increase their market share. For instance, a medium - sized electronics retailer that has been using FBM and is now experiencing growth may find that the slow shipping times of FBM are starting to limit their sales. By switching to FBA, they can offer faster delivery, improve customer satisfaction, and potentially rank higher in Amazon's search results, leading to increased sales and business expansion.
· Large - Scale Established Enterprises：Large - scale enterprises with high - volume sales and a wide range of products can often afford to use both FBA and FBM strategically. They can use FBA for their best - selling products to take advantage of the fast shipping and high - visibility benefits. At the same time, they can use FBM for products with lower demand or for products that require special handling or customization. For example, a large - scale fashion brand can use FBA for its popular clothing lines, ensuring quick delivery to customers. For its limited - edition or custom - made products, which may have a lower sales volume but require more personalized service, they can use FBM to maintain control over the shipping and customer service process.
9. Evaluate Your Resources and Expertise
· Logistical Resources：If you have in - house logistics expertise and resources, such as a well - equipped warehouse, a team of employees for packing and shipping, and established relationships with shipping carriers, FBM can be a good choice. You can leverage your existing infrastructure to handle the order fulfillment process efficiently. For example, a company that has been in the traditional retail business and is now expanding to Amazon may already have a logistics setup in place. They can use FBM to continue using their existing resources and processes. However, if you lack logistical capabilities and don't want to invest in building them, FBA provides a ready - made solution. You can rely on Amazon's expertise and infrastructure to handle all the logistics, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business, such as product development and marketing.
· Customer Service Resources：If you have a dedicated customer service team with the capacity to handle a large volume of inquiries, complaints, and returns, FBM may be a viable option. You can provide personalized customer service that aligns with your brand values. For example, a high - end art gallery selling artworks on Amazon can offer detailed product information and personalized after - sales service through their in - house customer service team. However, if you don't have the resources to handle customer service effectively, FBA's 24/7 customer service can be a major advantage. Amazon's team can handle all customer - related issues, ensuring high - quality service and maintaining your seller rating.
· Financial Resources：If your financial resources are limited, FBM may be the more affordable option initially. You don't have to pay the high upfront costs associated with shipping inventory to Amazon's warehouses and the ongoing storage and handling fees. This allows you to start selling with a lower investment. As your business grows and you generate more revenue, you can consider transitioning to FBA. On the other hand, if you have sufficient financial resources and are willing to invest in the long - term growth of your business, FBA can be a strategic choice. The potential increase in sales due to faster shipping, higher visibility, and better customer service can outweigh the initial and ongoing costs.
10. Conclusion
In the world of Amazon selling, the choice between FBA and FBM is not a one - size - fits - all decision. FBA offers the allure of fast shipping, high - quality customer service handled by Amazon, and enhanced product visibility, but comes with higher costs and less inventory control. On the other hand, FBM provides the benefits of lower initial investment and greater control over shipping and branding, yet is plagued by slower shipping times and more customer service responsibilities for the seller.
Ultimately, whether you choose FBA, FBM, or a combination of both, the key is to align your shipping strategy with your overall business objectives. By doing so, you can optimize your operations, enhance the customer experience, and drive the growth and profitability of your Amazon business. So, take the time to evaluate your situation, crunch the numbers, and make a decision that will set you on the path to success in the competitive Amazon marketplace.
Amelia - 22 Apr,2025
1. Inventory Management Challenges in Cross-border E-commerce: Challenges Brought by Multiple Channels
In the current era of rapid development of globalization and the digital economy, the cross-border e-commerce industry has already become a crucial part of international trade. With just a click of the mouse, consumers can easily purchase goods from all over the world, and merchants can also take advantage of this trend to expand into overseas markets and gain a broader customer base.
In order to meet the diverse shopping needs of consumers, cross-border e-commerce businesses have successively launched multi-channel sales models, promoting products to different e-commerce platforms, social media, and self-built websites. Although this model brings more sales opportunities, it also makes inventory management increasingly complex, and a series of thorny problems have emerged one after another.
• Inventory Fragmentation: When cross-border e-commerce conducts business on multiple channels, the inventory is also dispersed to the warehouses of each channel. This is like breaking a complete jigsaw puzzle into countless small pieces and scattering them in different corners, and the difficulty of management increases exponentially.
Take cross-border e-commerce sellers who operate simultaneously on multiple platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and Shopify as an example.
Each platform has its own independent warehouse, and the product inventory is stored separately. This not only makes it difficult to centrally control the inventory but also leads to an imbalance in the inventory quantity of the same product across different channels.
In some channels, there is a serious backlog of inventory, occupying a large amount of capital and storage space; in other channels, there are frequent shortages of goods, missing sales opportunities, and seriously affecting the customer experience.
• Demand Uncertainty: The global market is vast and complex, and consumers in different countries and regions have significant differences in culture, economy, consumption habits, etc., which makes market demand fluctuate frequently and is difficult to predict.
For example, in some countries, the demand for certain products will experience explosive growth during specific festivals or seasons; while in other regions, due to cultural differences, consumers may have no interest in these products at all. In addition, the market trends change rapidly, new competitors keep emerging, and consumers' preferences may change at any time, which all pose great challenges to cross-border e-commerce in accurately predicting market demand.
Once the demand prediction is wrong, it will fall into the dilemma of excessive inventory or out-of-stock. Excessive inventory means that a large amount of capital is occupied, storage costs continue to rise, and products may also depreciate due to obsolescence; out-of-stock will directly lead to customer loss, damage the brand image, and in the long run, severely impact the enterprise's market competitiveness.
• Logistics Complexity: The logistics infrastructure, transportation efficiency, and customs policies of different countries and regions are all different, which makes the logistics process full of uncertainties. During transportation, unexpected situations such as bad weather, traffic congestion, and customs inspections may occur, resulting in cargo delays or even losses.
Moreover, under the multi-channel sales model, different channels have different requirements for logistics. Some channels may pay more attention to timeliness and require fast delivery; some channels are more sensitive to logistics costs. This requires cross-border e-commerce to comprehensively consider various factors and balance costs and efficiency when choosing logistics partners and formulating logistics strategies.
However, due to the numerous logistics links and too many uncontrollable factors, it is difficult to achieve perfection. Logistics problems often become a bottleneck restricting the development of cross-border e-commerce and also bring great difficulties to inventory management, because logistics delays may lead to the inability to replenish inventory in a timely manner, thereby affecting sales.
• Data Synchronization Issues: The data generated by multi-channel sales pour in like a tide, and each channel has its own independent data systems for orders, inventory, sales, etc. How to effectively integrate these scattered data and achieve real-time synchronization has become a major technical challenge faced by cross-border e-commerce.
If the data cannot be synchronized in a timely and accurate manner, the situation of inconsistent information will occur. It shows that there is inventory available for sale on one channel, but the actual inventory is insufficient, resulting in overselling; or after an order is shipped on a certain channel, the inventory data of other channels is not updated in a timely manner and still shows that there is stock, causing confusion in subsequent order processing.
This data chaos not only brings great trouble to inventory management but also affects the decision-making of the enterprise, making it impossible for the enterprise to carry out inventory allocation, procurement planning, etc. based on accurate data, and ultimately affecting the operation efficiency and economic benefits of the enterprise.
2. 4Seller ERP: A Powerful Tool for Multi-channel Inventory Management
Facing the challenges of multi-channel inventory dispersion and data asynchrony, cross-border e-commerce sellers urgently need an intelligent tool to achieve global control - 4Seller ERP was born. As a free e-commerce ERP developed by Dianxiaomi specifically for European and American sellers, since its launch in September 2023, it has helped more than 15,000 TikTok Shop US sellers reduce costs and improve efficiency, winning widespread trust.
Why choose 4Seller ERP?
Centralized Control of Inventory across All Channels It deeply connects with mainstream platforms such as TikTok Shop, Amazon, and Shopify, as well as logistics providers such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx, and synchronizes data in real time, completely saying goodbye to inventory fragmentation.
Clear View of Inventory Dynamics No matter where the goods are stored, they can be tracked in real time through a unified panel, and resources can be intelligently allocated to avoid out-of-stock or overstocking.
A Strong Backing for Efficient Operation Through automated processes and accurate data analysis, 4Seller ERP has become the core tool for cross-border sellers' inventory management, escorting business growth.
3. Analysis of the Core Functions of 4Seller ERP
3.1 Real-time Inventory Synchronization
Inventory synchronization, simply put, is to integrate and uniformly update the inventory data of goods scattered in different channels and different warehouses to ensure that the latest and most accurate information can be obtained when checking the inventory on any sales platform or store. 4Seller ERP performs excellently in this regard, and it can achieve the automatic synchronization of inventory data of multiple platforms and multiple stores. Sellers only need to customize and set inventory synchronization rules in the system to keep the inventory data consistent in real time.
Take a cross-border e-commerce seller as an example. This seller has opened stores on multiple platforms including Shopify, TikTok Shop, and Amazon, selling fashionable clothing. In the past, due to the inability to synchronize inventory data of various platforms in real time, overselling often occurred, resulting in a decline in customer satisfaction.
After using 4Seller ERP, the seller set according to their own business needs that when clothing is received into or dispatched from the warehouse, the inventory data of relevant platform stores will be automatically updated immediately; when clothing is sold in a certain store, the inventory of other stores will also be reduced accordingly.
For example, when 10 dresses are sold in the Shopify store, 4Seller ERP will quickly synchronize this sales information to the stores of other platforms and update the inventory data of the warehouse at the same time, keeping the inventory data of all channels consistent. In this way, the seller does not need to switch between various platforms to manually update the inventory, which greatly saves time and labor costs, effectively avoids the occurrence of overselling, and improves the operation efficiency of the store and customer satisfaction.
3.2 Setting Inventory Push Quantity
In cross-border e-commerce inventory management, accurately controlling the inventory quantity is of great importance, and setting the inventory push quantity and out-of-stock settings are important means for 4Seller ERP to achieve this goal. When setting inventory synchronization rules, sellers can decide according to the actual situation whether to push the available inventory quantity in the warehouse or the in-stock inventory quantity to the store.
At the same time, they can also set out-of-stock rules, that is, when the available inventory of a product is lower than a certain set inventory quantity, the inventory data of the specified store within the rules will be changed to 0, effectively preventing overselling.
Suppose a seller stores 1000 smartwatches in Warehouse D, that is, there are 1000 in-stock inventory quantities. These watches are sold simultaneously in Store A and Store B on Shopify and Store C on TikTok.
The seller sets to push the available inventory quantity to the store through 4Seller ERP. At this time, if there are 100 unprocessed orders in Store A on Shopify, then the available inventory quantity of smartwatches becomes 900, and the online inventory quantities displayed in the three stores A, B, and C are also updated to 900. This setting method enables the seller to dynamically adjust the inventory quantity displayed in the store according to the order processing situation, further reducing the risk of overselling. The out-of-stock setting is also very practical. When the available inventory quantity of smartwatches in Warehouse D is less than or equal to 5, the system defaults to pushing 0 inventory to the specified store, avoiding the overselling problem caused by multiple stores receiving orders simultaneously when the inventory quantity is too low.
By reasonably setting the inventory push quantity and out-of-stock rules, sellers can manage inventory more accurately, ensure that the inventory is always at a reasonable level, meet market demand, and avoid losses caused by inventory backlog or out-of-stock, providing a strong guarantee for the stable development of cross-border e-commerce business.
3.3 Support for Multi-warehouse Inventory Synchronization
In cross-border e-commerce business, inventory storage often involves multiple warehouses, including sellers' own warehouses, third-party warehouses, overseas warehouses, and FBA warehouses. Different types of warehouses have their own characteristics in logistics distribution, cost control, etc., but they also bring great challenges to inventory management.
4Seller ERP fully considers this industry pain point and comprehensively supports the inventory synchronization of various warehouses such as self-owned warehouses, third-party warehouses, overseas warehouses, and FBA warehouses, helping sellers achieve unified management of inventory across all channels.
3.4 Viewing Inventory Linkage Records
In the process of multi-channel inventory management, it is crucial to track inventory information in real time and promptly discover and solve inventory synchronization problems. The function of viewing inventory linkage records provided by 4Seller ERP provides convenience for sellers to achieve this goal.
Sellers only need to perform simple operations to browse the inventory linkage records on the full page and have a clear understanding of the synchronization situation of inventory data. Sellers can trace the change history of inventory data at any time, truly achieving order traceability and process monitoring.
Whether in daily operations or when dealing with complex inventory allocation tasks, this function can help sellers promptly grasp inventory dynamics, make scientific decisions, and effectively avoid various problems caused by inaccurate inventory information, escorting the smooth development of cross-border e-commerce business.
4. How to Choose a Suitable Inventory Management ERP
In the environment of multi-channel operation in cross-border e-commerce, choosing a suitable inventory management ERP is of great importance, as it is directly related to the operation efficiency and economic benefits of the enterprise. The following are the key factors to be considered when choosing an inventory management ERP, and 4Seller ERP has demonstrated significant advantages in these aspects.
4.1 Function Completeness
An excellent inventory management ERP should have comprehensive and powerful functions to meet the complex needs of multi-channel inventory management in cross-border e-commerce.
In addition to the functions mentioned above such as real-time inventory synchronization, setting inventory push quantity, supporting multi-warehouse inventory synchronization, and viewing inventory linkage records, it should also cover function modules such as procurement management, sales management, and data analysis. The procurement management function can help sellers automatically generate purchase orders according to inventory status and sales forecasts, communicate efficiently with suppliers, and ensure timely replenishment of goods; the sales management function can achieve rapid order processing, shipping tracking, and customer relationship management, improving customer satisfaction; the data analysis function can deeply mine a large amount of inventory and sales data, providing sellers with accurate market trend analysis, sales forecasts, etc., helping sellers make scientific decisions.
4Seller ERP performs outstandingly in terms of function completeness. It not only provides the above-mentioned core inventory management functions but also integrates all-round SaaS services such as product listing, order management, and customer service, forming a complete e-commerce operation management system that can meet the various business needs of cross-border e-commerce sellers in multi-channel operations and truly achieve one-stop management.
4.2 Price
Cost control is a key link in enterprise operation. For cross-border e-commerce sellers, when choosing an inventory management ERP, they need to comprehensively consider the price of the software and their own budget.
Different ERP systems have different charging models. Some are sold in a one-time purchase way, some are charged according to the subscription method, and some are charged according to function modules, the number of users, etc. When choosing, sellers should select an ERP system with high cost performance according to their own business scale and development plan.
A prominent advantage of 4Seller ERP is that it is free to use. All the connected e-commerce platforms and logistics service providers, as well as the provided functions, are free for domestic and foreign sellers to use. This is undoubtedly a huge benefit for small and medium-sized cross-border e-commerce sellers with relatively tight funds, greatly reducing the operation cost of the enterprise and enabling sellers to enjoy professional and efficient inventory management services at a relatively low cost.
4.3 Security
In the digital era, data security is of vital importance. The inventory data, order data, customer information, etc. of cross-border e-commerce sellers are all stored in the ERP system. Once the data is leaked or damaged, it will bring huge losses to the enterprise. Therefore, choosing an inventory management ERP with a high level of security is the key to ensuring the security of enterprise data.
A secure ERP system should have a complete data encryption mechanism to prevent data from being stolen or tampered with during transmission and storage; it should have strict user permission management functions to ensure that only authorized personnel can access and operate sensitive data; at the same time, it should also have data backup and recovery functions to deal with sudden data loss or damage situations.
4Seller ERP has taken multiple safeguard measures in terms of security. Like large e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and TikTok Shop, it will go through strict reviews and audits to ensure the security and compliance of third-party service tools. The data interaction between 4Seller and the platform is carried out through the official API data interface, which can completely avoid the problem of account association.
As the parent company of 4Seller, Dianxiaomi attaches great importance to the confidentiality and security of user data, files user information with relevant industries and departments, and ensures that user data is not leaked from all aspects, allowing sellers to use it with confidence.
4.4 Data Docking Capability
In the process of multi-channel sales in cross-border e-commerce, it involves data interaction between different systems such as multiple e-commerce platforms, logistics providers, and warehouses. Therefore, the inventory management ERP needs to have strong data docking capabilities, be able to seamlessly connect with various mainstream e-commerce platforms, logistics systems, and warehouse management systems, and ensure the real-time and accurate transmission of data.
Only in this way can the unified management of multi-channel inventory and the efficient coordination of business processes be achieved. 4Seller ERP has deeply connected with mainstream e-commerce platforms in Europe and the United States such as TikTok Shop, Amazon, and Shopify, as well as well-known local logistics providers in the United States such as USPS, UPS, and Fedex.
At the same time, it has also accessed large overseas third-party warehouses such as GoodCang and the well-known domestic JiFeng WMS system. This extensive and in-depth data docking capability enables 4Seller ERP to easily integrate multi-channel data, break down information silos, provide sellers with comprehensive and accurate inventory and business data, and help sellers achieve efficient multi-channel inventory management.
5. In Conclusion
In the complex environment of multi-channel sales in cross-border e-commerce, inventory management is like a difficult battle, full of various challenges. Inventory fragmentation, demand uncertainty, logistics complexity, and data synchronization issues, etc., constantly test the operation ability of sellers. If there is the slightest carelessness, it may lead to inventory backlog or out-of-stock, bringing huge economic losses to the enterprise.
However, with its powerful functions and excellent performance, 4Seller ERP has become a powerful weapon for cross-border e-commerce sellers to deal with these challenges. It not only achieves real-time inventory synchronization, accurately sets the inventory push quantity, but also comprehensively supports multi-warehouse inventory synchronization and enables convenient viewing of inventory linkage records. For cross-border e-commerce sellers who are troubled by multi-channel inventory management, it is advisable to try using 4Seller ERP. It is believed that it will bring unexpected improvements to your business.
Amelia - 18 Apr,2025
In the e-commerce online store era, new sellers face many choices. One of the most important choices is picking the right sales platform.Etsy and eBay both are popular platforms in e-commerce. Each has its own features and attracts different sellers. For novice sellers, understanding the features of these two platforms in depth can help them make a wise choice that suits their development.
1. Platform Positioning and Audience Analysis
Etsy shop is a great place for creativity and crafts. It focuses on handmade items, unique designs, and vintage goods.Here, buyers are passionate about individuality and uniqueness, seeking treasures that are hard to find elsewhere. Its active buyers number more than 95 million.
This attracts many consumers who seek a better quality of life. They enjoy creative products and have strong buying power and loyalty. For example, shoppers highly favor exquisite handmade jewelry, vintage-style home decorations, and more on Etsy.
In contrast, eBay is like a big online store. It has many types of goods.
You can find electronics, fashion clothing, collectibles, sports equipment, and more. Its global active users reach 159 million.
They include many types of people. Some are consumers looking for good deals. Others are bargain hunters who love finding second-hand items. Buyers visit eBay to find affordable branded products or to search for cheap goods among many options.
2. Cost Structure Comparison
2.1 Etsy Cost Composition
In opening an Etsy store, the cost structure is relatively simple and clear. You must pay a listing fee of 0.2 US dollars for product listing, and you can list the product for 4 months. If someone does not sell the goods, they will charge a renewal fee of 0.2 US dollars each time.
After a successful transaction, the platform will take 6.5% of the product price. This includes shipping and gift wrapping fees. In addition, if you use Etsy's payment processing service, they will charge a certain percentage of payment processing fees.
Opening an Etsy store is free. This helps new sellers avoid financial pressure at the start.
2.2 eBay Cost Analysis
The cost structure of eBay is relatively complex. eBay charges a basic listing fee. They also take a percentage of the transaction fees based on the selling price.
eBay also offers extra services like promotional listings and store subscriptions. These can make your store more competitive, but they come with extra fees. For new sellers, they need to carefully calculate these fees to ensure that they do not have a significant impact on their profits.
3. Ease of Use Experience of the Platform
Etsy is committed to creating a convenient operating environment for sellers. Its interface is user-friendly and the operation process is simple and understandable. After a new seller makes an account, they just need to enter the shop name. They should also upload product images and add detailed descriptions.
The platform will help the seller fill out product information and set shipping fees. It provides step-by-step guidance and useful templates. Etsy gives sellers a manual to help them learn skills for boosting sales. This helps new sellers start quickly.
You can easily create an eBay account. You can also register quickly using your Facebook, Apple, or Google account. Listing products on eBay is also relatively convenient.
Sellers can find fair prices by looking for similar products. They can also import listing information to save time. However, eBay has many online sales features. New sellers may need time to learn and get used to it. There is a learning curve involved.
4. Marketing and Promotion Capabilities
Etsy understands that sellers need help with promotion. They provide clear marketing and advertising guidelines in the seller manual. Etsy also offers both internal and external advertising options for sellers.
The platform works well with social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. This makes it easy for sellers to share products with one click, helping them promote their items. For example, sellers can use Etsy's advertising tools to precisely target potential customers, increase product exposure, and convert potential customers into actual orders.
eBay provides sellers with a variety of built-in marketing tools. The promotion manager lets sellers create different promotional activities.
They can offer product discounts and shipping discounts. This helps attract buyers and encourages repeat purchases. eBay's promotion listing feature can help improve product rankings in search results. This allows more potential customers to see the seller's products.
5. Customer Support Strength
Seeking customer support on Etsy is relatively less convenient. When sellers have problems, they first reach out to the help center. The center can solve some common issues. However, for specific and complex problems, it may be hard to give clear and effective solutions.
If you need more help, click the "I still need help" button. Choose the right problem category and contact customer service using the email form.
Currently, we do not support chat or phone communication. However, the Etsy community forum gathers many sellers, and sellers can exchange experiences, share insights, and solve problems together.
eBay is more proactive in customer support. Its help page has an automatic assistant at the bottom that can quickly answer most common questions. If the automatic assistant cannot help, sellers can easily join the queue to talk to a human agent. They can also reach the support team by email. In addition, the eBay community is also active, and sellers can seek help and obtain advice in the community.
6. Comparison of Platform Shipping Methods
Etsy and eBay are two well-known e-commerce platforms that support both individual and small business sellers. However, there are some differences in shipping modes, mainly in platform policies, tool support, and seller freedom. Here are their core differences and characteristics:
6.1. Etsy's Shipping Mode
Independent Shipping Dominance: Sellers take care of order packaging and shipping. The platform does not require them to use certain delivery services. They need to manually upload tracking numbers (for small orders in some countries/regions, this can be exempted).
Sellers can set the processing time to 13 working days or longer, and they must ship the goods within that time. Otherwise, it will affect the store's rating.
Freight setting: Supports custom freight, free freight or calculating freight based on weight/region (please fill in the product weight and size).
You can set differentiated freight for different countries.
Integration tools: Can purchase shipping labels (through Etsy Shipping, supporting USPS, FedEx, etc.), enjoy discounted prices and automatically synchronize tracking information.
International sales: Encourages cross-border transactions. Sellers need to handle tariffs and customs clearance by themselves (can set whether to bear international freight).
6.2. Shipping mode of eBay
Diversified logistics options: Self-fulfillment: Sellers can choose logistics independently (such as USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.), and upload tracking numbers. eBay has a fulfillment service in some countries. It is similar to Amazon FBA. A third-party warehouse, like OrangeConnex in Australia, manages this service.
Flexible freight setting: Supports calculating freight (based on weight/region), fixed freight or free freight. You can set the "freight discount" to attract buyers to purchase in bulk.
Strict shipping time requirements: Need to ship within the promised time (usually 13 days). Delay may affect the "Top Rated Seller" rating. Provide "Same Day/1Day Handling" option to improve search ranking.
Global distribution plan: Sellers send goods to eBay's warehouses in other countries, like the United States. eBay handles international shipping and fees, making cross-border sales easier.
Return management: Return policies are more standardized. Some categories are mandatory to accept returns. Sellers need to clearly define the rules in advance.
4Seller: One-stop multi-platform order management & Cross-border logistics solution
Easy to connect with Etsy and eBay, manage orders efficiently, intelligently match international logistics, help you ship quickly, and improve store operation efficiency!
Seamless connection of orders on both platforms, no need to switch backends, avoiding omissions. Automatically synchronize order information, real-time update logistics status, and improve buyer satisfaction. Integrate mainstream logistics channels such as USPS, Fedex, DHL, UPS, etc.
How to Connect eBay Store to 4Seller?
How to Connect Etsy Stores with 4Seller?
7. In Conclusion
For new sellers, if the goods they have are unique handicrafts, personalized design products, or items with a retro charm, and the target customers are those who pursue individuality and love creativity, then Etsy is undoubtedly the ideal choice. Its focused market positioning, low entry threshold for opening an account, and strong support for creative products provide fertile soil for the sales and brand building of such goods.
If the new sellers have a wide variety of product types, covering new products, second-hand goods, or electronic products, and expect to reach a broader global customer base, eBay is more advantageous. eBay's powerful marketing tools, comprehensive customer support, and good scalability can help sellers expand in the highly competitive e-commerce market.
Of course, some new sellers with energy and resources may consider trying to open stores on both Etsy and eBay to fully leverage the advantages of both platforms. However, it is necessary to plan the inventory reasonably and allocate operational efforts wisely to ensure that both stores can be properly managed. We hope that new sellers can carefully choose the platform based on their product characteristics and development goals, and embark on a successful e-commerce journey.
Amelia - 14 Apr,2025
You might be surprised to discover that Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) isn’t limited to just Amazon orders. With Amazon MCF (Multi-Channel Fulfillment), you can use Amazon’s strong fulfillment services. This helps you process orders from many platforms. These include Shopify, WooCommerce, Walmart, eBay, Shein, Etsy, Temu, TikTok Shop, Otto, and Kaufland.
Using Amazon MCF for orders from these platforms can simplify your fulfillment process. You can enjoy many benefits, like fast and reliable shipping, easy customer service, and simple returns. What’s more, why not capitalize on Amazon’s extensive distribution network and logistical expertise?
Ready to simplify your eBay order fulfillment? Learn how to automate the process using Amazon MCF through 4Seller and make your life a whole lot easier!
How does Amazon MCF (Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment) work?
Amazon MCF (Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment) uses Amazon's warehouses and distribution centers. It is a solution for fulfilling orders from many sales channels, like eBay.
But it's not just about convenience and cost effective-ness. With MCF, you can provide a great customer experience. This is possible because of Amazon's top-notch customer service and return handling.
This means you can focus on growing your business and selling products on eBay. Amazon will handle the logistics and shipping for you.
So, back to how MCF works, here's a five-step walkthrough you'll need.
Step 1: Create product listings for Amazon.
Step 2: Prepare products for shipping.
Step 3: Ship your inventory to Amazon's fulfillment center.
Step 4: Customers place orders on your eBay sales channel.
Step 5: Amazon fulfills your orders (specifically fulfilling orders on ebay via MCF setup).
How to Automate eBay Orders Processing via Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment via 4Seller?
Normally, when eBay receives an order, you must log into the Amazon seller interface to create a shipping order. Based on this information, Amazon will determine which items to pick, pack, and ship to your eBay customer. You'll also need to pay shipping fees and provide the customer's shipping information (based on the weight and size of the item).
4Seller will automatically fulfill your eBay orders via Amazon MCF for shipping. You only need to authorize your ebay store to 4Seller ERP.
4Seller will automatically sync your eBay orders. After you set up the automatic fulfillment rules, 4Seller will send the order information to Amazon. Once Amazon MCF creates a tracking number, 4Seller will send it back to eBay. This marks the order as shipped.
Amazon will handle the rest. Your products will be picked up from your warehouse, packaged, and shipped to the consumer. You can track the shipping status on the Amazon system to determine when the product will be delivered.
Refer this helping article to automate the step to fulfill eBay orders via Amazon FBA.
What are the benefits of using Amazon MCF for eBay orders via 4Seller?
Using Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment can bring several advantages of amazon to e-commerce businesses, including:
Top-notch fulfillment performance: Amazon MCF empowers you to provide robust order fulfillment capabilities for the eBay platform. It lets you use the same global order fulfillment network as Amazon. This enables fast and reliable shipping everywhere.
Customers can enjoy shipping services every day of the week. Our on-time delivery rate is 97%. We also have a package intact delivery rate of 99.98%.
Fast order fulfillment services: Amazon's multi-channel fulfillment lets you pick the shipping speed that works for you. Choose from 1 business day (priority), 2 business days (expedited), or 3-5 business days (standard). You do not need to enter the tracking number on eBay yourself. 4Seller will automatically return it to eBay and mark it as shipped.
Reduced operating costs: MCF offers simple and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. You only pay for shipping and storage. Shipping fees include pickup, packaging, and transportation, and multi-item orders typically receive discounts of up to 50%.
Inventory optimization: You can improve your inventory by using multi-channel fulfillment. This lets you combine your inventory into one pool using 4Seller ERP and inventory sync rules. This helps you fulfill both Amazon and non-Amazon orders. It simplifies logistics and improves efficiency.
Unbranded packaging: MCF sends orders in unbranded packaging for free. This helps businesses keep a consistent brand experience in all sales channels.
Amazon Prime shopping benefits: You can use MCF-supported Buy with Prime to give your customers Amazon Prime benefits. This includes fast and free shipping and an easy checkout experience on Shopify. This idea connects to the larger discussion about Amazon and eBay's service offerings.
(Note: The mention of Amazon Prime with Shopify highlights the wider benefits Amazon provides. This includes how MCF can improve customer experience on different platforms. However, in the context of eBay integration, the main point is the smooth fulfillment experience that MCF offers.)
Tools like 4Seller ERP help businesses link eBay and Amazon MCF. This connection allows companies to improve order fulfillment by amazon FBA on both platforms.
Validated Customer Outcomes
Verified User Testimonial: “Connecting our Shopify store with Temu using 4Seller was incredibly straightforward. We migrated 400 + SKUs in less than 90 minutes, and the automated inventory sync reduced manual errors by 75%. Our sales on Temu have seen a remarkable increase since the integration!” —Amy Evangeline, Multichannel Retailer
For more detailed performance metrics and case studies, check verified customer reviews on Trustpilot. You can also visit the 4Seller Shopify App Store profile.
Final Words
Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) is a service that helps eBay sellers ship orders. It uses Amazon's warehouse network through 4Seller ERP. MCF allows you to manage all your orders and inventory, streamlining the shipping process. It also offers several advantages of amazon, such as fast and reliable shipping, excellent customer service, and convenient returns.
Fulfilling eBay orders via Amazon MCF can simplify the process. You can use 4Seller ERP to automatically create eBay orders on your Amazon seller account via MCF.
Irene - 09 Apr,2025
Recent Blog
TikTok, a social platform that is popular in over 150 countries around the world and boasts nearly one billion active users, has already become a huge treasure trove of traffic. Users spend approximately three hours on TikTok every day on average. Among them, around 62% are female, and the young demographic aged between 20 and 39 accounts for about 45.9% of the user base.
Facing such a vast and highly consumer-potential traffic market, numerous sellers have flocked to it, trying to explore new business growth points through video creation, live streaming sales, marketing promotion, and other means. However, as more and more sellers enter the market, the competition in the TikTok live streaming field has become increasingly fierce. How can one stand out in this red ocean and achieve massive sales growth?
Next, we will reveal the three core strategies to boost sales in the live streaming room and share how 4Seller provides comprehensive support for sellers to help skyrocket their store sales!
I. Four Key Points for Traffic Attraction - Injecting Massive Traffic into TikTok Live Streaming Rooms
TikTok, with its large traffic pool and untapped blue ocean of traffic, has attracted countless merchants to shift their advertising and marketing positions here. Compared with short videos, live streaming sales are more intuitive, and users can interact with the hosts in real-time, which greatly enhances the trust between the brand and the users. It is truly an excellent tool for product promotion.
However, different from daily sharing short videos, the promotional short videos before the start of a TikTok live stream play a vital role. The content of the promotional short videos must closely match the theme of the live streaming room so as to achieve accurate conversion of traffic. At the same time, considering that the majority of TikTok users are young people, the promotional short videos need to cater to their preferences, incorporate novel and interesting elements, and create gimmicks by combining with hot topics to achieve effective dissemination of the videos.
For example, during festive marketing periods such as Halloween and Christmas, content full of fun and freshness is often more popular. In addition, young people generally prefer exaggerated and brightly colored visual effects, so promotional short videos often use content with a strong visual impact in terms of appearance.
The promotional short videos also need to clearly convey several key elements to the users: the start time of the live streaming room, the theme of the live streaming room, and the reasons for users to watch the live streaming room. Specifically, it can be carried out from the following aspects:
Pay attention to the date and time of publishing promotional short videos
Generally, it is appropriate to publish promotional short videos about an hour before the live stream starts, so that users can enter the live streaming room when they brush across the videos. For important promotional events, operation staff need to publish preview videos a few days in advance and clearly inform users of the specific date and time of the live stream in the videos.
Clarify the purpose of the live streaming room
The core content of the promotional short videos is to clearly convey the theme of the live streaming room to the target consumers. Its main shooting techniques include story reporting type, product reporting type, and subtitle reporting type.
Take the promotional short video for diaper live streaming as an example. The host tells the story of encountering a toilet leak, making it dirtier when using tissues to deal with it, and finally successfully solving the problem with diapers that have good water absorption. At the end of the video, it is previewed that these diapers with good water absorption will have a live promotion from 9 am to 1 pm the next day, with exclusive preferential prices, and users are reminded with subtitles to participate in the live event on time.
Emphasize the reasons for entering the live streaming room
Among numerous TikTok live streaming rooms, to attract consumers to enter our live streaming room, the content of the promotional short videos must provide users with a sufficient reason. "Having what others don't have and being better at what others have" is an important factor to attract consumers to enter the live streaming room.
Pay attention to the timeliness of promotional short videos
The biggest difference between promotional short videos and regular short videos lies in their timeliness. Too many promotional short videos will affect the consistency of the brand account. Therefore, it is recommended to hide the promotional short videos after the live stream ends instead of deleting them. Because after hiding the videos, the data such as likes, comments, and shares will still be retained in the background. Once deleted, these data will disappear together, which will affect the weight of the account to a certain extent.
In addition, operation staff also need to conduct data analysis on the promotional short videos to continuously optimize the video content and attract more traffic to the live streaming room.
At the same time, the selection of the cover of the promotional short video cannot be ignored. A clear and interesting cover is more attractive to users when they browse the videos.
For example, a picture of a female host holding shoes and clothes with the cover text "Amazon Thanksgiving Day Outfit" can clearly convey the theme of the video and accurately attract interested users to watch. When publishing promotional short videos, sellers can also add relevant hot topics in the title, body text, tags, cover, etc., such as "#Thanksgiving Day", "#NewYork", etc. By leveraging the popularity of hot topics, it can bring more traffic to the videos and convert it to the live streaming room.
II. Master the Operation Skills of TikTok Live Streaming to Retain Viewers and Facilitate Order Placement
Not all products are suitable for sale in TikTok live streaming. Sellers who want to achieve great sales in TikTok live streaming rooms must choose the right products for live streaming sales. A successful live streaming room has certain requirements in terms of layout, product price, host, and live streaming content:
Background Decoration
When users enter the live streaming room, the first thing that catches their eye is the background of the live streaming room. When laying out the background of the live streaming room, it should be kept simple, highlighting the theme of the live stream and the product display, and placing the discount information of the live streaming room in a prominent position to enhance the attractiveness to consumers. The background decoration methods of different product categories also vary:
3C Digital Products
Brands in this category pay more attention to a sense of technology. Operation staff can use the method of projection to display product information on the background board, enhancing the technological atmosphere of the live streaming room. Through projection display, when the host explains the product features, users can more clearly and intuitively understand the product functions.
Home and Living Products
When displaying products, the main products should be placed in a prominent position, such as in the middle of the live streaming table. If the product price is favorable, it is recommended to enlarge the sticker to highlight the price advantage, which is very effective for price-sensitive users.
Beauty and Personal Care Products
For the background decoration, a professional makeup cabinet or a projection background board can be selected. During the live stream, the host needs to focus on demonstrating the usage effects of beauty products. At the same time, operation staff should switch the close-up and long-shot of the live streaming camera in a timely manner. The close-up can show the product details, color test effects, and facial makeup details, while the long-shot helps the host interact with users and promotes users to place orders.
Apparel Products
The host needs to focus on showing the wearing effect of the apparel, so it is best to show the whole body. Operation staff can use stickers in the live streaming room to indicate the host's height, weight, and other information, providing a reference for users. The display methods of different apparel categories also have some differences. For example, when live streaming children's clothing in a maternal and infant special session, the size of the children's clothing can be shown by comparing it with dolls. In a live stream of waist trainer products, a male model can be selected to show the elasticity effect of the product, highlighting the product quality and dispelling users' concerns.
Product Price
Observations show that the prices of products sold in TikTok live streaming rooms usually range from $10 to $45. Products with too low or too high unit prices have a relatively narrow audience, while most people are willing to purchase their favorite products through the live streaming room within this price range. This phenomenon is closely related to the user group of TikTok, which is mainly composed of Gen Z young people. Gen Z users are keen on impulsive consumption and pursue new and interesting things, which also brings business opportunities for merchants. Blind boxes, wigs, beauty products, nail art, DIY tool kits, accessories, home products, smart products, etc. have all achieved good sales results in TikTok live streaming rooms.
Host
The hosts of TikTok live streaming rooms for different products have their own characteristics, but they all possess in-depth knowledge of the products they promote, excellent language organization skills, and good interaction ability with the users in the live streaming room. In addition, for TikTok live streaming sales, it is suitable to select young, energetic, and good-looking hosts, which reflects the market trend.
Specific requirements for hosts include: having good communication, influence, and guiding abilities; mastering professional industry knowledge and being able to introduce products in detail and demonstrate their selling points; having strong oral presentation skills, field control ability, rhythm control ability, and on-the-spot adaptability; during the live stream, showing strong influence through product explanation, display, language, and body movements.
At the same time, the live streaming script needs to be planned in advance, incorporating interactive chats and naturally implanting marketing information around the preset topics. Hosts should avoid problems such as poor speech fluency, highly repetitive content, and forced shopping during their expressions, and also should not remain silent for a long time. In addition, the host's makeup and appearance should match the theme of the live streaming room. For example, it is not appropriate to wear heavy makeup when selling maternal and infant products, and the choice of clothing should avoid excessive exposure and the risk of accidental exposure.
Live Streaming Content
A high-quality live streaming sales event cannot be separated from the careful planning of the live streaming content. Although live streaming is dynamic, the theme and general sales ideas of the live streaming room need to be planned in advance, covering aspects such as the purpose of the live stream, atmosphere creation, discount setting, and the number of products arranged.
Taking the live streaming of puzzle toys such as game consoles, Rubik's Cubes, and Sudoku as an example, in addition to explaining and selling products, it is more important to capture the psychology of consumers. By having the host interact and actually play with the puzzle toys in the live streaming room while explaining, and truly presenting the elements of "fun and interesting", it can enhance users' curiosity and stimulate their purchasing desire.
III. Avoid Common Mistakes in TikTok Live Streaming to Ensure a Smooth Live Stream
Sellers also need to pay attention to many matters during the TikTok live streaming process:
First of all, ensuring the clarity of the live streaming room's broadcast screen is crucial. During the live stream, professional live streaming equipment is usually required for recording and filling light to ensure that the screen pixels are clear and leave a good impression on users. Sellers should debug the lighting, equipment, and network in advance to present the best live streaming effect.
Secondly, the preferential discounts and free lottery activities of merchants can effectively attract users to enter the live streaming room. During the live stream, the host should pay attention to interacting with users and compare the prices before and after the discount when introducing the product price. At the same time, regularly carry out lottery and small gift distribution activities to maintain users' enthusiasm for watching.
Finally, when conducting TikTok live streaming, sellers should fully consider the local consumption habits, select products accordingly, and adopt the ways that local users like for live streaming.
IV. 4Seller Helps Sellers Process Orders Efficiently and Ensures Worry-free Massive Sales
In addition to mastering the secrets of increasing sales in TikTok live streaming rooms, sellers must also correspondingly improve their order processing capabilities to ensure the smooth operation of their business after achieving massive sales. In this regard, 4Seller can provide powerful support for sellers.
4Seller supports batch printing of 1,000 shipping labels, pick lists and packing slips at one time, which greatly improves the printing efficiency and saves the time and labor costs of sellers. Whether it is daily orders or a large number of orders during promotional events, sellers can quickly complete the printing work.
Here is the helping tutorial you could follow to check how to print 1000 shipping labels at once.
At the same time, 4Seller also supports the function of One-click fulfillment. Sellers can simply operate to complete the order printing and delivery process, further improving the delivery speed. When used in conjunction with a barcode scanner, it can achieve the integration of packaging and delivery in one step, simplifying the operation steps and reducing the possibility of errors.
Here is the helping tutorial you could follow to check how to use one-click fulfillment.
In terms of order document management, 4Seller allows sellers to customize the printing templates for picking lists, packing lists, and shipping labels. Sellers can design personalized document templates according to their own business needs and brand styles, making the order processing process more standardized and professional.
Here is the helping tutorial you could follow to check how to adjust the print template.
In addition, 4Seller supports centralized management of return and refund orders. Sellers can clearly view the detailed information of all return and refund orders on one platform, including the reasons for return and the progress of refund, which is convenient for timely processing and improves customer satisfaction.
Here is the helping tutorial you could follow to check how to manage return and refund orders.
At the same time, 4Seller also supports setting logistics rules, which can automatically match the corresponding logistics channels according to the order types. In this way, sellers do not need to manually select the logistics method for each order. The system will intelligently match the most suitable logistics channel according to the preset rules, ensuring that orders can be delivered to customers at the fastest speed and with the best cost.
Here is the helping tutorial you could follow to check how to set logistics rules.
By mastering the above core strategies for achieving massive sales in TikTok live streaming and leveraging the powerful functions of 4Seller in order processing, sellers can better seize business opportunities in the promising TikTok live streaming market, achieve continuous sales growth, and stand out in the fierce competition!
Validated Customer Outcomes
Verified User Testimonial: “Connecting our Shopify store with Temu using 4Seller was incredibly straightforward. We migrated 400 + SKUs in less than 90 minutes, and the automated inventory sync reduced manual errors by 75%. Our sales on Temu have seen a remarkable increase since the integration!” —Amy Evangeline, Multichannel Retailer
For more detailed performance metrics and case studies, check verified customer reviews on Trustpilot. You can also visit the 4Seller Shopify App Store profile.
Final Words
Success on TikTok Live requires strategic prep, engaging execution, and seamless logistics. By combining viral content, optimized live setups, and 4Seller’s automation, sellers can turn TikTok’s traffic into explosive sales growth.
Ready to go live? Start optimizing today—and let 4Seller handle the rest! Irene - 22 Apr,2025
1. Introduction
In the dynamic world of Amazon selling, the choice between FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) and FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant) shipping models can significantly impact your business's success. These two fulfillment methods are the cornerstones of Amazon operations, each with its own set of characteristics, advantages, and challenges.
This article will delve deep into the differences between FBA and FBM, exploring aspects such as shipping processes, costs, customer service implications, and more. By the end, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of which model might be the better fit for your Amazon business, whether you're a seasoned seller looking to optimize your operations or a newcomer eager to make the right start.
2. Understanding Amazon FBA
2.1 What is FBA?
FBA, or Fulfillment by Amazon, is a comprehensive service that allows sellers to outsource their order fulfillment tasks to Amazon. In this model, sellers send their products in bulk to Amazon's fulfillment centers. Once the products are in Amazon's warehouses, Amazon takes over the reins for storage, picking, packing, shipping, and customer service for those items. It's a one - stop - shop solution that aims to simplify the selling process for merchants.
For example, a small - time electronics seller based in the UK can store their smart gadgets in Amazon's European warehouses. When a customer in Germany places an order, Amazon will handle all the logistics from retrieving the product from the warehouse to delivering it to the customer's doorstep in Germany.
2.2 How FBA Works
· Seller Prepares and Ships Inventory: The process begins with the seller preparing their products according to Amazon's guidelines. This includes proper packaging, labeling with FNSKU (Amazon - specific barcodes), and choosing a shipping method to send the inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers. Sellers can use services like Amazon - partnered carriers or third - party logistics providers to transport their goods.
· Amazon Receives and Stores Inventory: Once the products arrive at the fulfillment center, Amazon's staff checks the inventory for any discrepancies in quantity, quality, or packaging. If everything is in order, the products are stored in Amazon's warehouses, with their location tracked within Amazon's sophisticated inventory management system.
· Customer Places an Order: When a customer browses Amazon and places an order for an FBA - fulfilled product, Amazon's system immediately identifies the nearest fulfillment center with the available stock.
· Amazon Picks, Packs, and Ships: The order is then sent to the appropriate fulfillment center, where employees (or in some cases, robots) pick the product from the shelves, pack it securely, and label it for shipping. Amazon then selects the most efficient shipping carrier and method to deliver the product to the customer, often providing tracking information for the customer to monitor the delivery progress.
· Customer Service and Returns: If the customer has any questions, issues, or wants to return the product, Amazon's customer service team takes care of it. For returns, Amazon will either restock the item if it's in good condition or dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way, depending on the product's state.
2.3 Pros of FBA
Fast Shipping and Prime Eligibility
One of the most significant advantages of FBA is the ability to offer fast shipping. Amazon's vast network of fulfillment centers, combined with its advanced logistics technology, enables quick delivery. Many FBA - shipped products are eligible for Amazon Prime, which offers benefits like free two - day shipping (in some regions even same - day or one - day shipping), free streaming of movies, music, and more. Prime members, who are known to be high - spending and frequent shoppers, are more likely to purchase products that are Prime - eligible. This can lead to a significant boost in sales. For instance, a seller of fitness equipment saw a 40% increase in monthly sales after enrolling their products in FBA and making them Prime - eligible, as customers were attracted to the quick delivery option.
Amazon - Handled Customer Service and Returns
Amazon takes on the responsibility of customer service and returns for FBA products. This is a huge relief for sellers, especially those who may not have the resources or expertise to handle large volumes of customer inquiries or returns efficiently. Amazon's customer service representatives are available 24/7 in multiple languages. If a customer has a problem with a product, they can contact Amazon directly, and Amazon will handle the issue. This not only saves the seller time and effort but also helps in maintaining a high seller rating and account health, as Amazon's efficient handling of customer issues leads to higher customer satisfaction.
2.4 Cons of FBA
High Costs (Storage, Fees, etc.)
FBA comes with a range of costs that can add up quickly. There are storage fees, which are charged based on the volume of the products stored in Amazon's warehouses. These fees can increase during peak seasons like the holidays. Additionally, there are order - handling fees, which include picking, packing, and shipping costs. For example, a seller of large - sized furniture items may find that the storage fees in Amazon's warehouses are quite high due to the large volume occupied by the products. Small - scale sellers or those with products that have inconsistent sales volumes may find these costs difficult to manage, as they have to pay for storage even during slow - selling periods.
Limited Control over Inventory Management
Sellers have less control over their inventory when using FBA. Amazon decides where to store the inventory, and in some cases, products may be split across multiple fulfillment centers. This can make it challenging for sellers to accurately track and manage their stock levels. Moreover, if a product has been in the warehouse for an extended period (over 365 days in some cases), Amazon may charge long - term storage fees, which can be substantial. Sellers also have to rely on Amazon's inventory management system, and any glitches or inaccuracies in the system can lead to issues like overselling or stockouts.
3. Unpacking Amazon FBM
3.1 What is FBM?
FBM, or Fulfillment by Merchant, is the self - fulfillment model where sellers are responsible for the entire order - fulfillment process. From the moment an order is placed to its final delivery at the customer's address, the seller manages all aspects. This includes handling inventory, choosing the shipping carrier, packing the products, and even dealing with any post - purchase customer service issues. For example, a handicraft seller on Amazon creates unique handmade jewelry in their home studio. When a customer orders a necklace, the seller, not Amazon, takes on the task of getting the necklace from their studio to the customer's hands.
3.2 How FBM Works
· Receiving the Order: Sellers are notified of a new order through Amazon's seller platform. The order details, including the customer's shipping address, contact information, and the items purchased, are provided to the seller. For instance, a book seller on Amazon receives an order for a best - selling novel. They immediately see the order in their seller dashboard, which shows the customer's address in Australia and the quantity of the book ordered.
· Selecting a Shipping Method: Sellers have the freedom to choose from a wide range of shipping carriers and services. This could include international carriers like FedEx, UPS, or DHL, or even local postal services. They consider factors such as shipping speed, cost, and the carrier's reliability. A seller of small electronics might choose a carrier that offers express shipping options for customers who need their products quickly, while for less - urgent orders, they might opt for a more cost - effective standard shipping service.
· Processing the Package: Once the shipping method is selected, the seller retrieves the product from their inventory (which could be stored at their home, a small warehouse, or a third - party storage facility). They then carefully pack the product, ensuring it is well - protected during transit. For example, a seller of fragile glassware will use bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and a sturdy box to prevent breakage. The seller also attaches the shipping label provided by the chosen carrier.
· Shipping the Order: The seller then drops off the package at the carrier's designated location, such as a post office or a courier service center. Some carriers even offer pickup services, where they come to the seller's location to collect the packages. After the package is shipped, the seller updates the order status on Amazon's platform and provides the tracking number to the customer, allowing them to monitor the progress of their delivery.
3.3 Pros of FBM
Lower Initial Investment
One of the most appealing aspects of FBM is the low initial investment required. Since sellers don't need to send large quantities of inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers in advance, they can start selling with minimal upfront costs. This makes it an ideal option for small - scale entrepreneurs, hobbyists, or those testing the waters with new product ideas. For example, a budding entrepreneur who wants to sell custom - made candles on Amazon can start with just a few dozen candles in stock. They don't have to worry about the high costs associated with bulk manufacturing, shipping to Amazon's warehouses, and paying for storage. This low - risk approach allows them to learn the ropes of Amazon selling without a significant financial commitment.
Greater Control over Shipping and Branding
Sellers using FBM have full control over the shipping process. They can choose a carrier that aligns with their brand values, whether it's a carrier known for its eco - friendly practices or one that offers excellent customer service. Additionally, they can take advantage of the packaging to showcase their brand. By using custom - designed boxes, branded packing slips, or adding small promotional items like business cards or samples, sellers can create a memorable unboxing experience for the customer. A skincare brand selling products via FBM can include a personalized thank - you note and a sample of a new product in the package, enhancing the brand - customer relationship.
3.4 Cons of FBM
Slower Shipping Times
A major drawback of FBM is the typically slower shipping times compared to FBA. When shipping from a seller's location (often outside the country where the customer is based), it can take several days to even weeks for the product to reach the customer. For example, a seller in China shipping a product to a customer in the United States via standard international shipping may take 10 - 15 business days. In contrast, FBA - fulfilled products can often be delivered within 1 - 2 days. This long shipping time can deter customers, especially those who are used to the fast - paced delivery options offered by Amazon Prime. It can also lead to lower customer satisfaction, as customers may become impatient waiting for their orders.
Seller - Handled Customer Service Hassles
With FBM, sellers are responsible for all customer service aspects related to the order. This includes answering customer inquiries about the product, shipping status, handling complaints, and processing returns. This can be a time - consuming and challenging task, especially for sellers who are also managing other aspects of their business. For instance, if a customer receives a damaged product, the seller has to deal with the issue directly, which may involve arranging for a replacement, issuing a refund, or communicating with the carrier to file a claim. Handling these customer service issues efficiently requires significant resources and can be overwhelming for small - scale sellers.
4. Head - to - Head Comparison
4.1 Cost Analysis
· FBA Costs：
Initial Investment: Sellers using FBA need to consider the costs of shipping their inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers. This includes the cost of freight (whether by air, sea, or land), customs clearance fees (if shipping internationally), and any additional handling charges. For example, if a seller in the United States is shipping 1000 units of a small consumer electronics product to an Amazon fulfillment center in Europe, the air freight cost could be around 5000 - 8000, depending on the weight and volume of the shipment.
Ongoing Costs: Amazon charges storage fees, which are calculated based on the volume of the products stored. These fees can vary by season. During the peak season (October - December in the US), the storage fees for standard - sized products can be as high as 2.40 per cubic foot per month. There are also order - handling fees. For a small - sized item weighing up to 1 pound, the order - handling fee might be around 3 - $4 per unit, which includes picking, packing, and shipping.
· FBM Costs
Initial Investment: The initial investment for FBM is relatively low. Sellers don't have to pay for shipping large volumes of inventory to Amazon's warehouses in advance. They only need to have enough capital to purchase the products they plan to sell and cover basic packaging materials. For instance, a small - scale handicraft seller can start with just a few hundred dollars worth of inventory and some simple packing supplies like boxes and bubble wrap.
Ongoing Costs: FBM sellers are responsible for shipping each order individually. The cost of shipping depends on the carrier and the destination. Shipping a small package from the United States to the United Kingdom via a standard international carrier like USPS First - Class Package International Service might cost around 10 - 15 per package. Sellers also need to factor in the cost of packaging materials, which can add a few dollars per unit. If they outsource the packaging to a third - party, there will be additional service fees.
· Cost - Comparison Example: Consider a seller of lightweight books. If the seller uses FBA, for 1000 books stored in Amazon's warehouse for a month (assuming each book takes up 0.05 cubic feet of space), the storage fee would be 120 (0.05 cubic feet * 1000 books * 2.40 per cubic foot per month). If 100 books are sold in that month, and the order - handling fee is 3 per unit, the total order - handling cost would be 300. So, the total FBA - related cost for that month would be 420. If the same seller uses FBM and ships 100 books at 12 per package (including packaging materials), the total cost would be 1200. However, if the sales volume is very low, say only 10 books sold in a month, the FBM cost would be 120, which is much lower than the FBA cost in this case as the FBA storage fees still need to be paid regardless of the low sales volume.
5. Shipping Speed and Customer Experience
· FBA Shipping Speed
FBA offers fast shipping options, especially for Prime - eligible products. In many regions, customers can receive their orders within 1 - 2 days. In some major cities in the United States, Amazon even offers same - day or one - day delivery for certain products. This fast delivery speed significantly enhances the customer experience. For example, a customer who orders a last - minute birthday gift on Amazon and selects an FBA - fulfilled product can have it delivered in time for the celebration, which leads to high customer satisfaction.
Amazon's efficient logistics system also provides accurate tracking information. Customers can easily monitor the progress of their delivery from the moment it leaves the fulfillment center until it arrives at their doorstep. This transparency in the delivery process is highly valued by customers.
· FBM Shipping Speed
FBM typically has slower shipping times. Since the products are shipped directly from the seller's location (which could be a home - based storage, a small warehouse, or even overseas), it can take several days to weeks for the product to reach the customer. For example, a seller in Asia shipping to a customer in North America using standard international shipping might take 7 - 15 business days for the product to arrive.
This long shipping time can be a deterrent for customers. Research shows that a significant number of customers are less likely to purchase a product if the estimated delivery time is more than 5 - 7 days. The slower shipping speed can also lead to negative reviews and lower customer loyalty. For instance, if a customer orders a product for an upcoming event and it arrives after the event due to slow FBM shipping, they are likely to be disappointed and may not purchase from the seller again.
6. Inventory Management and Control
· FBA Inventory Management：
Advantages: Amazon's inventory management system is highly sophisticated. Sellers can access real - time data on their inventory levels, including how many units are in stock at each fulfillment center. This data helps in making informed decisions about restocking. Amazon also takes care of inventory storage in a safe and organized manner, reducing the risk of damage or loss due to improper storage. For example, a seller of delicate glassware can be confident that Amazon will store their products in a way that minimizes the risk of breakage.
Disadvantages: Sellers have limited control over where their inventory is stored. Amazon may distribute the inventory across multiple fulfillment centers, which can make it challenging to manage. If a seller wants to perform a quality check on their inventory or make some modifications, it can be difficult to access all the units. Additionally, if the inventory levels are not managed properly, sellers may face long - term storage fees, which can be costly.
·FBM Inventory Management
Advantages: Sellers have complete control over their inventory. They can store it in a location of their choice, whether it's a rented warehouse or a storage unit at their home. This allows for easy access to the inventory for tasks like quality control, packaging customization, and restocking. For example, a seller of handmade products can quickly access their inventory to add a personalized touch to each item before shipping.
Disadvantages: Sellers need to have a good understanding of inventory management principles. They are responsible for forecasting demand, ordering the right amount of stock, and ensuring that the inventory levels are neither too high (leading to overstocking and increased storage costs) nor too low (resulting in stockouts and lost sales). Without proper inventory management software and skills, it can be easy to make mistakes. For instance, a new FBM seller might overestimate the demand for a particular product and end up with a large amount of unsold inventory taking up valuable storage space.
7. Product Ranking and Visibility on Amazon
· FBA Product Ranking：Amazon's search algorithm generally gives a boost to FBA - fulfilled products. These products are more likely to appear in the top search results. This is because Amazon values the fast shipping and reliable customer service associated with FBA. For example, when a customer searches for "wireless headphones" on Amazon, FBA - fulfilled headphones are more likely to be among the first few products displayed.
The high visibility of FBA products can lead to increased sales. As more customers click on and purchase these products, it further improves their ranking in the search results, creating a positive cycle. Sellers can also take advantage of Amazon's advertising tools more effectively with FBA products, as the algorithm tends to prioritize FBA - fulfilled items in sponsored product placements.
· FBM Product Ranking：FBM products often face more competition in terms of search rankings. Since they don't have the same advantages in terms of shipping speed and Amazon - handled customer service, they may not rank as high as FBA products. However, FBM sellers can still improve their product visibility through effective keyword optimization, high - quality product listings, and positive customer reviews. For example, a seller of unique, hard - to - find collectibles can use detailed product descriptions and relevant keywords to attract customers who are specifically looking for those items, even though their shipping speed may be slower compared to FBA.
FBM sellers may also need to invest more in external marketing efforts to drive traffic to their products. This could include social media marketing, influencer partnerships, or running their own advertising campaigns outside of Amazon to compensate for the lower organic search rankings on the Amazon platform.
8. Which is Better for You--Consider Your Business Scale
·Small - Scale Startups：For small - scale startups with limited resources and a relatively small product range, FBM can be an excellent starting point. Since FBM requires less upfront investment in inventory storage and shipping to Amazon's warehouses, it allows these startups to test the market with minimal risk. For example, a new artisanal soap - making business can start by selling a few dozen soaps through FBM. They can use their home - based storage for inventory and handle the shipping themselves. This way, they can learn about their target customers, product demand, and market trends without the high costs associated with FBA. As they gain more experience and start to see growth in sales, they can then consider transitioning to FBA.
· Medium - Sized Growing Businesses：Medium - sized businesses that have a stable customer base and are looking to scale up may find FBA more beneficial. These businesses often have a larger inventory and need to ensure fast and reliable shipping to meet customer expectations. FBA's fast shipping and Prime eligibility can help them attract more customers and increase their market share. For instance, a medium - sized electronics retailer that has been using FBM and is now experiencing growth may find that the slow shipping times of FBM are starting to limit their sales. By switching to FBA, they can offer faster delivery, improve customer satisfaction, and potentially rank higher in Amazon's search results, leading to increased sales and business expansion.
· Large - Scale Established Enterprises：Large - scale enterprises with high - volume sales and a wide range of products can often afford to use both FBA and FBM strategically. They can use FBA for their best - selling products to take advantage of the fast shipping and high - visibility benefits. At the same time, they can use FBM for products with lower demand or for products that require special handling or customization. For example, a large - scale fashion brand can use FBA for its popular clothing lines, ensuring quick delivery to customers. For its limited - edition or custom - made products, which may have a lower sales volume but require more personalized service, they can use FBM to maintain control over the shipping and customer service process.
9. Evaluate Your Resources and Expertise
· Logistical Resources：If you have in - house logistics expertise and resources, such as a well - equipped warehouse, a team of employees for packing and shipping, and established relationships with shipping carriers, FBM can be a good choice. You can leverage your existing infrastructure to handle the order fulfillment process efficiently. For example, a company that has been in the traditional retail business and is now expanding to Amazon may already have a logistics setup in place. They can use FBM to continue using their existing resources and processes. However, if you lack logistical capabilities and don't want to invest in building them, FBA provides a ready - made solution. You can rely on Amazon's expertise and infrastructure to handle all the logistics, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business, such as product development and marketing.
· Customer Service Resources：If you have a dedicated customer service team with the capacity to handle a large volume of inquiries, complaints, and returns, FBM may be a viable option. You can provide personalized customer service that aligns with your brand values. For example, a high - end art gallery selling artworks on Amazon can offer detailed product information and personalized after - sales service through their in - house customer service team. However, if you don't have the resources to handle customer service effectively, FBA's 24/7 customer service can be a major advantage. Amazon's team can handle all customer - related issues, ensuring high - quality service and maintaining your seller rating.
· Financial Resources：If your financial resources are limited, FBM may be the more affordable option initially. You don't have to pay the high upfront costs associated with shipping inventory to Amazon's warehouses and the ongoing storage and handling fees. This allows you to start selling with a lower investment. As your business grows and you generate more revenue, you can consider transitioning to FBA. On the other hand, if you have sufficient financial resources and are willing to invest in the long - term growth of your business, FBA can be a strategic choice. The potential increase in sales due to faster shipping, higher visibility, and better customer service can outweigh the initial and ongoing costs.
10. Conclusion
In the world of Amazon selling, the choice between FBA and FBM is not a one - size - fits - all decision. FBA offers the allure of fast shipping, high - quality customer service handled by Amazon, and enhanced product visibility, but comes with higher costs and less inventory control. On the other hand, FBM provides the benefits of lower initial investment and greater control over shipping and branding, yet is plagued by slower shipping times and more customer service responsibilities for the seller.
Ultimately, whether you choose FBA, FBM, or a combination of both, the key is to align your shipping strategy with your overall business objectives. By doing so, you can optimize your operations, enhance the customer experience, and drive the growth and profitability of your Amazon business. So, take the time to evaluate your situation, crunch the numbers, and make a decision that will set you on the path to success in the competitive Amazon marketplace.
Amelia - 22 Apr,2025
1. Inventory Management Challenges in Cross-border E-commerce: Challenges Brought by Multiple Channels
In the current era of rapid development of globalization and the digital economy, the cross-border e-commerce industry has already become a crucial part of international trade. With just a click of the mouse, consumers can easily purchase goods from all over the world, and merchants can also take advantage of this trend to expand into overseas markets and gain a broader customer base.
In order to meet the diverse shopping needs of consumers, cross-border e-commerce businesses have successively launched multi-channel sales models, promoting products to different e-commerce platforms, social media, and self-built websites. Although this model brings more sales opportunities, it also makes inventory management increasingly complex, and a series of thorny problems have emerged one after another.
• Inventory Fragmentation: When cross-border e-commerce conducts business on multiple channels, the inventory is also dispersed to the warehouses of each channel. This is like breaking a complete jigsaw puzzle into countless small pieces and scattering them in different corners, and the difficulty of management increases exponentially.
Take cross-border e-commerce sellers who operate simultaneously on multiple platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and Shopify as an example.
Each platform has its own independent warehouse, and the product inventory is stored separately. This not only makes it difficult to centrally control the inventory but also leads to an imbalance in the inventory quantity of the same product across different channels.
In some channels, there is a serious backlog of inventory, occupying a large amount of capital and storage space; in other channels, there are frequent shortages of goods, missing sales opportunities, and seriously affecting the customer experience.
• Demand Uncertainty: The global market is vast and complex, and consumers in different countries and regions have significant differences in culture, economy, consumption habits, etc., which makes market demand fluctuate frequently and is difficult to predict.
For example, in some countries, the demand for certain products will experience explosive growth during specific festivals or seasons; while in other regions, due to cultural differences, consumers may have no interest in these products at all. In addition, the market trends change rapidly, new competitors keep emerging, and consumers' preferences may change at any time, which all pose great challenges to cross-border e-commerce in accurately predicting market demand.
Once the demand prediction is wrong, it will fall into the dilemma of excessive inventory or out-of-stock. Excessive inventory means that a large amount of capital is occupied, storage costs continue to rise, and products may also depreciate due to obsolescence; out-of-stock will directly lead to customer loss, damage the brand image, and in the long run, severely impact the enterprise's market competitiveness.
• Logistics Complexity: The logistics infrastructure, transportation efficiency, and customs policies of different countries and regions are all different, which makes the logistics process full of uncertainties. During transportation, unexpected situations such as bad weather, traffic congestion, and customs inspections may occur, resulting in cargo delays or even losses.
Moreover, under the multi-channel sales model, different channels have different requirements for logistics. Some channels may pay more attention to timeliness and require fast delivery; some channels are more sensitive to logistics costs. This requires cross-border e-commerce to comprehensively consider various factors and balance costs and efficiency when choosing logistics partners and formulating logistics strategies.
However, due to the numerous logistics links and too many uncontrollable factors, it is difficult to achieve perfection. Logistics problems often become a bottleneck restricting the development of cross-border e-commerce and also bring great difficulties to inventory management, because logistics delays may lead to the inability to replenish inventory in a timely manner, thereby affecting sales.
• Data Synchronization Issues: The data generated by multi-channel sales pour in like a tide, and each channel has its own independent data systems for orders, inventory, sales, etc. How to effectively integrate these scattered data and achieve real-time synchronization has become a major technical challenge faced by cross-border e-commerce.
If the data cannot be synchronized in a timely and accurate manner, the situation of inconsistent information will occur. It shows that there is inventory available for sale on one channel, but the actual inventory is insufficient, resulting in overselling; or after an order is shipped on a certain channel, the inventory data of other channels is not updated in a timely manner and still shows that there is stock, causing confusion in subsequent order processing.
This data chaos not only brings great trouble to inventory management but also affects the decision-making of the enterprise, making it impossible for the enterprise to carry out inventory allocation, procurement planning, etc. based on accurate data, and ultimately affecting the operation efficiency and economic benefits of the enterprise.
2. 4Seller ERP: A Powerful Tool for Multi-channel Inventory Management
Facing the challenges of multi-channel inventory dispersion and data asynchrony, cross-border e-commerce sellers urgently need an intelligent tool to achieve global control - 4Seller ERP was born. As a free e-commerce ERP developed by Dianxiaomi specifically for European and American sellers, since its launch in September 2023, it has helped more than 15,000 TikTok Shop US sellers reduce costs and improve efficiency, winning widespread trust.
Why choose 4Seller ERP?
Centralized Control of Inventory across All Channels It deeply connects with mainstream platforms such as TikTok Shop, Amazon, and Shopify, as well as logistics providers such as USPS, UPS, and FedEx, and synchronizes data in real time, completely saying goodbye to inventory fragmentation.
Clear View of Inventory Dynamics No matter where the goods are stored, they can be tracked in real time through a unified panel, and resources can be intelligently allocated to avoid out-of-stock or overstocking.
A Strong Backing for Efficient Operation Through automated processes and accurate data analysis, 4Seller ERP has become the core tool for cross-border sellers' inventory management, escorting business growth.
3. Analysis of the Core Functions of 4Seller ERP
3.1 Real-time Inventory Synchronization
Inventory synchronization, simply put, is to integrate and uniformly update the inventory data of goods scattered in different channels and different warehouses to ensure that the latest and most accurate information can be obtained when checking the inventory on any sales platform or store. 4Seller ERP performs excellently in this regard, and it can achieve the automatic synchronization of inventory data of multiple platforms and multiple stores. Sellers only need to customize and set inventory synchronization rules in the system to keep the inventory data consistent in real time.
Take a cross-border e-commerce seller as an example. This seller has opened stores on multiple platforms including Shopify, TikTok Shop, and Amazon, selling fashionable clothing. In the past, due to the inability to synchronize inventory data of various platforms in real time, overselling often occurred, resulting in a decline in customer satisfaction.
After using 4Seller ERP, the seller set according to their own business needs that when clothing is received into or dispatched from the warehouse, the inventory data of relevant platform stores will be automatically updated immediately; when clothing is sold in a certain store, the inventory of other stores will also be reduced accordingly.
For example, when 10 dresses are sold in the Shopify store, 4Seller ERP will quickly synchronize this sales information to the stores of other platforms and update the inventory data of the warehouse at the same time, keeping the inventory data of all channels consistent. In this way, the seller does not need to switch between various platforms to manually update the inventory, which greatly saves time and labor costs, effectively avoids the occurrence of overselling, and improves the operation efficiency of the store and customer satisfaction.
3.2 Setting Inventory Push Quantity
In cross-border e-commerce inventory management, accurately controlling the inventory quantity is of great importance, and setting the inventory push quantity and out-of-stock settings are important means for 4Seller ERP to achieve this goal. When setting inventory synchronization rules, sellers can decide according to the actual situation whether to push the available inventory quantity in the warehouse or the in-stock inventory quantity to the store.
At the same time, they can also set out-of-stock rules, that is, when the available inventory of a product is lower than a certain set inventory quantity, the inventory data of the specified store within the rules will be changed to 0, effectively preventing overselling.
Suppose a seller stores 1000 smartwatches in Warehouse D, that is, there are 1000 in-stock inventory quantities. These watches are sold simultaneously in Store A and Store B on Shopify and Store C on TikTok.
The seller sets to push the available inventory quantity to the store through 4Seller ERP. At this time, if there are 100 unprocessed orders in Store A on Shopify, then the available inventory quantity of smartwatches becomes 900, and the online inventory quantities displayed in the three stores A, B, and C are also updated to 900. This setting method enables the seller to dynamically adjust the inventory quantity displayed in the store according to the order processing situation, further reducing the risk of overselling. The out-of-stock setting is also very practical. When the available inventory quantity of smartwatches in Warehouse D is less than or equal to 5, the system defaults to pushing 0 inventory to the specified store, avoiding the overselling problem caused by multiple stores receiving orders simultaneously when the inventory quantity is too low.
By reasonably setting the inventory push quantity and out-of-stock rules, sellers can manage inventory more accurately, ensure that the inventory is always at a reasonable level, meet market demand, and avoid losses caused by inventory backlog or out-of-stock, providing a strong guarantee for the stable development of cross-border e-commerce business.
3.3 Support for Multi-warehouse Inventory Synchronization
In cross-border e-commerce business, inventory storage often involves multiple warehouses, including sellers' own warehouses, third-party warehouses, overseas warehouses, and FBA warehouses. Different types of warehouses have their own characteristics in logistics distribution, cost control, etc., but they also bring great challenges to inventory management.
4Seller ERP fully considers this industry pain point and comprehensively supports the inventory synchronization of various warehouses such as self-owned warehouses, third-party warehouses, overseas warehouses, and FBA warehouses, helping sellers achieve unified management of inventory across all channels.
3.4 Viewing Inventory Linkage Records
In the process of multi-channel inventory management, it is crucial to track inventory information in real time and promptly discover and solve inventory synchronization problems. The function of viewing inventory linkage records provided by 4Seller ERP provides convenience for sellers to achieve this goal.
Sellers only need to perform simple operations to browse the inventory linkage records on the full page and have a clear understanding of the synchronization situation of inventory data. Sellers can trace the change history of inventory data at any time, truly achieving order traceability and process monitoring.
Whether in daily operations or when dealing with complex inventory allocation tasks, this function can help sellers promptly grasp inventory dynamics, make scientific decisions, and effectively avoid various problems caused by inaccurate inventory information, escorting the smooth development of cross-border e-commerce business.
4. How to Choose a Suitable Inventory Management ERP
In the environment of multi-channel operation in cross-border e-commerce, choosing a suitable inventory management ERP is of great importance, as it is directly related to the operation efficiency and economic benefits of the enterprise. The following are the key factors to be considered when choosing an inventory management ERP, and 4Seller ERP has demonstrated significant advantages in these aspects.
4.1 Function Completeness
An excellent inventory management ERP should have comprehensive and powerful functions to meet the complex needs of multi-channel inventory management in cross-border e-commerce.
In addition to the functions mentioned above such as real-time inventory synchronization, setting inventory push quantity, supporting multi-warehouse inventory synchronization, and viewing inventory linkage records, it should also cover function modules such as procurement management, sales management, and data analysis. The procurement management function can help sellers automatically generate purchase orders according to inventory status and sales forecasts, communicate efficiently with suppliers, and ensure timely replenishment of goods; the sales management function can achieve rapid order processing, shipping tracking, and customer relationship management, improving customer satisfaction; the data analysis function can deeply mine a large amount of inventory and sales data, providing sellers with accurate market trend analysis, sales forecasts, etc., helping sellers make scientific decisions.
4Seller ERP performs outstandingly in terms of function completeness. It not only provides the above-mentioned core inventory management functions but also integrates all-round SaaS services such as product listing, order management, and customer service, forming a complete e-commerce operation management system that can meet the various business needs of cross-border e-commerce sellers in multi-channel operations and truly achieve one-stop management.
4.2 Price
Cost control is a key link in enterprise operation. For cross-border e-commerce sellers, when choosing an inventory management ERP, they need to comprehensively consider the price of the software and their own budget.
Different ERP systems have different charging models. Some are sold in a one-time purchase way, some are charged according to the subscription method, and some are charged according to function modules, the number of users, etc. When choosing, sellers should select an ERP system with high cost performance according to their own business scale and development plan.
A prominent advantage of 4Seller ERP is that it is free to use. All the connected e-commerce platforms and logistics service providers, as well as the provided functions, are free for domestic and foreign sellers to use. This is undoubtedly a huge benefit for small and medium-sized cross-border e-commerce sellers with relatively tight funds, greatly reducing the operation cost of the enterprise and enabling sellers to enjoy professional and efficient inventory management services at a relatively low cost.
4.3 Security
In the digital era, data security is of vital importance. The inventory data, order data, customer information, etc. of cross-border e-commerce sellers are all stored in the ERP system. Once the data is leaked or damaged, it will bring huge losses to the enterprise. Therefore, choosing an inventory management ERP with a high level of security is the key to ensuring the security of enterprise data.
A secure ERP system should have a complete data encryption mechanism to prevent data from being stolen or tampered with during transmission and storage; it should have strict user permission management functions to ensure that only authorized personnel can access and operate sensitive data; at the same time, it should also have data backup and recovery functions to deal with sudden data loss or damage situations.
4Seller ERP has taken multiple safeguard measures in terms of security. Like large e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and TikTok Shop, it will go through strict reviews and audits to ensure the security and compliance of third-party service tools. The data interaction between 4Seller and the platform is carried out through the official API data interface, which can completely avoid the problem of account association.
As the parent company of 4Seller, Dianxiaomi attaches great importance to the confidentiality and security of user data, files user information with relevant industries and departments, and ensures that user data is not leaked from all aspects, allowing sellers to use it with confidence.
4.4 Data Docking Capability
In the process of multi-channel sales in cross-border e-commerce, it involves data interaction between different systems such as multiple e-commerce platforms, logistics providers, and warehouses. Therefore, the inventory management ERP needs to have strong data docking capabilities, be able to seamlessly connect with various mainstream e-commerce platforms, logistics systems, and warehouse management systems, and ensure the real-time and accurate transmission of data.
Only in this way can the unified management of multi-channel inventory and the efficient coordination of business processes be achieved. 4Seller ERP has deeply connected with mainstream e-commerce platforms in Europe and the United States such as TikTok Shop, Amazon, and Shopify, as well as well-known local logistics providers in the United States such as USPS, UPS, and Fedex.
At the same time, it has also accessed large overseas third-party warehouses such as GoodCang and the well-known domestic JiFeng WMS system. This extensive and in-depth data docking capability enables 4Seller ERP to easily integrate multi-channel data, break down information silos, provide sellers with comprehensive and accurate inventory and business data, and help sellers achieve efficient multi-channel inventory management.
5. In Conclusion
In the complex environment of multi-channel sales in cross-border e-commerce, inventory management is like a difficult battle, full of various challenges. Inventory fragmentation, demand uncertainty, logistics complexity, and data synchronization issues, etc., constantly test the operation ability of sellers. If there is the slightest carelessness, it may lead to inventory backlog or out-of-stock, bringing huge economic losses to the enterprise.
However, with its powerful functions and excellent performance, 4Seller ERP has become a powerful weapon for cross-border e-commerce sellers to deal with these challenges. It not only achieves real-time inventory synchronization, accurately sets the inventory push quantity, but also comprehensively supports multi-warehouse inventory synchronization and enables convenient viewing of inventory linkage records. For cross-border e-commerce sellers who are troubled by multi-channel inventory management, it is advisable to try using 4Seller ERP. It is believed that it will bring unexpected improvements to your business.
Amelia - 18 Apr,2025
In the e-commerce online store era, new sellers face many choices. One of the most important choices is picking the right sales platform.Etsy and eBay both are popular platforms in e-commerce. Each has its own features and attracts different sellers. For novice sellers, understanding the features of these two platforms in depth can help them make a wise choice that suits their development.
1. Platform Positioning and Audience Analysis
Etsy shop is a great place for creativity and crafts. It focuses on handmade items, unique designs, and vintage goods.Here, buyers are passionate about individuality and uniqueness, seeking treasures that are hard to find elsewhere. Its active buyers number more than 95 million.
This attracts many consumers who seek a better quality of life. They enjoy creative products and have strong buying power and loyalty. For example, shoppers highly favor exquisite handmade jewelry, vintage-style home decorations, and more on Etsy.
In contrast, eBay is like a big online store. It has many types of goods.
You can find electronics, fashion clothing, collectibles, sports equipment, and more. Its global active users reach 159 million.
They include many types of people. Some are consumers looking for good deals. Others are bargain hunters who love finding second-hand items. Buyers visit eBay to find affordable branded products or to search for cheap goods among many options.
2. Cost Structure Comparison
2.1 Etsy Cost Composition
In opening an Etsy store, the cost structure is relatively simple and clear. You must pay a listing fee of 0.2 US dollars for product listing, and you can list the product for 4 months. If someone does not sell the goods, they will charge a renewal fee of 0.2 US dollars each time.
After a successful transaction, the platform will take 6.5% of the product price. This includes shipping and gift wrapping fees. In addition, if you use Etsy's payment processing service, they will charge a certain percentage of payment processing fees.
Opening an Etsy store is free. This helps new sellers avoid financial pressure at the start.
2.2 eBay Cost Analysis
The cost structure of eBay is relatively complex. eBay charges a basic listing fee. They also take a percentage of the transaction fees based on the selling price.
eBay also offers extra services like promotional listings and store subscriptions. These can make your store more competitive, but they come with extra fees. For new sellers, they need to carefully calculate these fees to ensure that they do not have a significant impact on their profits.
3. Ease of Use Experience of the Platform
Etsy is committed to creating a convenient operating environment for sellers. Its interface is user-friendly and the operation process is simple and understandable. After a new seller makes an account, they just need to enter the shop name. They should also upload product images and add detailed descriptions.
The platform will help the seller fill out product information and set shipping fees. It provides step-by-step guidance and useful templates. Etsy gives sellers a manual to help them learn skills for boosting sales. This helps new sellers start quickly.
You can easily create an eBay account. You can also register quickly using your Facebook, Apple, or Google account. Listing products on eBay is also relatively convenient.
Sellers can find fair prices by looking for similar products. They can also import listing information to save time. However, eBay has many online sales features. New sellers may need time to learn and get used to it. There is a learning curve involved.
4. Marketing and Promotion Capabilities
Etsy understands that sellers need help with promotion. They provide clear marketing and advertising guidelines in the seller manual. Etsy also offers both internal and external advertising options for sellers.
The platform works well with social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. This makes it easy for sellers to share products with one click, helping them promote their items. For example, sellers can use Etsy's advertising tools to precisely target potential customers, increase product exposure, and convert potential customers into actual orders.
eBay provides sellers with a variety of built-in marketing tools. The promotion manager lets sellers create different promotional activities.
They can offer product discounts and shipping discounts. This helps attract buyers and encourages repeat purchases. eBay's promotion listing feature can help improve product rankings in search results. This allows more potential customers to see the seller's products.
5. Customer Support Strength
Seeking customer support on Etsy is relatively less convenient. When sellers have problems, they first reach out to the help center. The center can solve some common issues. However, for specific and complex problems, it may be hard to give clear and effective solutions.
If you need more help, click the "I still need help" button. Choose the right problem category and contact customer service using the email form.
Currently, we do not support chat or phone communication. However, the Etsy community forum gathers many sellers, and sellers can exchange experiences, share insights, and solve problems together.
eBay is more proactive in customer support. Its help page has an automatic assistant at the bottom that can quickly answer most common questions. If the automatic assistant cannot help, sellers can easily join the queue to talk to a human agent. They can also reach the support team by email. In addition, the eBay community is also active, and sellers can seek help and obtain advice in the community.
6. Comparison of Platform Shipping Methods
Etsy and eBay are two well-known e-commerce platforms that support both individual and small business sellers. However, there are some differences in shipping modes, mainly in platform policies, tool support, and seller freedom. Here are their core differences and characteristics:
6.1. Etsy's Shipping Mode
Independent Shipping Dominance: Sellers take care of order packaging and shipping. The platform does not require them to use certain delivery services. They need to manually upload tracking numbers (for small orders in some countries/regions, this can be exempted).
Sellers can set the processing time to 13 working days or longer, and they must ship the goods within that time. Otherwise, it will affect the store's rating.
Freight setting: Supports custom freight, free freight or calculating freight based on weight/region (please fill in the product weight and size).
You can set differentiated freight for different countries.
Integration tools: Can purchase shipping labels (through Etsy Shipping, supporting USPS, FedEx, etc.), enjoy discounted prices and automatically synchronize tracking information.
International sales: Encourages cross-border transactions. Sellers need to handle tariffs and customs clearance by themselves (can set whether to bear international freight).
6.2. Shipping mode of eBay
Diversified logistics options: Self-fulfillment: Sellers can choose logistics independently (such as USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.), and upload tracking numbers. eBay has a fulfillment service in some countries. It is similar to Amazon FBA. A third-party warehouse, like OrangeConnex in Australia, manages this service.
Flexible freight setting: Supports calculating freight (based on weight/region), fixed freight or free freight. You can set the "freight discount" to attract buyers to purchase in bulk.
Strict shipping time requirements: Need to ship within the promised time (usually 13 days). Delay may affect the "Top Rated Seller" rating. Provide "Same Day/1Day Handling" option to improve search ranking.
Global distribution plan: Sellers send goods to eBay's warehouses in other countries, like the United States. eBay handles international shipping and fees, making cross-border sales easier.
Return management: Return policies are more standardized. Some categories are mandatory to accept returns. Sellers need to clearly define the rules in advance.
4Seller: One-stop multi-platform order management & Cross-border logistics solution
Easy to connect with Etsy and eBay, manage orders efficiently, intelligently match international logistics, help you ship quickly, and improve store operation efficiency!
Seamless connection of orders on both platforms, no need to switch backends, avoiding omissions. Automatically synchronize order information, real-time update logistics status, and improve buyer satisfaction. Integrate mainstream logistics channels such as USPS, Fedex, DHL, UPS, etc.
How to Connect eBay Store to 4Seller?
How to Connect Etsy Stores with 4Seller?
7. In Conclusion
For new sellers, if the goods they have are unique handicrafts, personalized design products, or items with a retro charm, and the target customers are those who pursue individuality and love creativity, then Etsy is undoubtedly the ideal choice. Its focused market positioning, low entry threshold for opening an account, and strong support for creative products provide fertile soil for the sales and brand building of such goods.
If the new sellers have a wide variety of product types, covering new products, second-hand goods, or electronic products, and expect to reach a broader global customer base, eBay is more advantageous. eBay's powerful marketing tools, comprehensive customer support, and good scalability can help sellers expand in the highly competitive e-commerce market.
Of course, some new sellers with energy and resources may consider trying to open stores on both Etsy and eBay to fully leverage the advantages of both platforms. However, it is necessary to plan the inventory reasonably and allocate operational efforts wisely to ensure that both stores can be properly managed. We hope that new sellers can carefully choose the platform based on their product characteristics and development goals, and embark on a successful e-commerce journey.
Amelia - 14 Apr,2025
You might be surprised to discover that Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) isn’t limited to just Amazon orders. With Amazon MCF (Multi-Channel Fulfillment), you can use Amazon’s strong fulfillment services. This helps you process orders from many platforms. These include Shopify, WooCommerce, Walmart, eBay, Shein, Etsy, Temu, TikTok Shop, Otto, and Kaufland.
Using Amazon MCF for orders from these platforms can simplify your fulfillment process. You can enjoy many benefits, like fast and reliable shipping, easy customer service, and simple returns. What’s more, why not capitalize on Amazon’s extensive distribution network and logistical expertise?
Ready to simplify your eBay order fulfillment? Learn how to automate the process using Amazon MCF through 4Seller and make your life a whole lot easier!
How does Amazon MCF (Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment) work?
Amazon MCF (Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment) uses Amazon's warehouses and distribution centers. It is a solution for fulfilling orders from many sales channels, like eBay.
But it's not just about convenience and cost effective-ness. With MCF, you can provide a great customer experience. This is possible because of Amazon's top-notch customer service and return handling.
This means you can focus on growing your business and selling products on eBay. Amazon will handle the logistics and shipping for you.
So, back to how MCF works, here's a five-step walkthrough you'll need.
Step 1: Create product listings for Amazon.
Step 2: Prepare products for shipping.
Step 3: Ship your inventory to Amazon's fulfillment center.
Step 4: Customers place orders on your eBay sales channel.
Step 5: Amazon fulfills your orders (specifically fulfilling orders on ebay via MCF setup).
How to Automate eBay Orders Processing via Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment via 4Seller?
Normally, when eBay receives an order, you must log into the Amazon seller interface to create a shipping order. Based on this information, Amazon will determine which items to pick, pack, and ship to your eBay customer. You'll also need to pay shipping fees and provide the customer's shipping information (based on the weight and size of the item).
4Seller will automatically fulfill your eBay orders via Amazon MCF for shipping. You only need to authorize your ebay store to 4Seller ERP.
4Seller will automatically sync your eBay orders. After you set up the automatic fulfillment rules, 4Seller will send the order information to Amazon. Once Amazon MCF creates a tracking number, 4Seller will send it back to eBay. This marks the order as shipped.
Amazon will handle the rest. Your products will be picked up from your warehouse, packaged, and shipped to the consumer. You can track the shipping status on the Amazon system to determine when the product will be delivered.
Refer this helping article to automate the step to fulfill eBay orders via Amazon FBA.
What are the benefits of using Amazon MCF for eBay orders via 4Seller?
Using Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment can bring several advantages of amazon to e-commerce businesses, including:
Top-notch fulfillment performance: Amazon MCF empowers you to provide robust order fulfillment capabilities for the eBay platform. It lets you use the same global order fulfillment network as Amazon. This enables fast and reliable shipping everywhere.
Customers can enjoy shipping services every day of the week. Our on-time delivery rate is 97%. We also have a package intact delivery rate of 99.98%.
Fast order fulfillment services: Amazon's multi-channel fulfillment lets you pick the shipping speed that works for you. Choose from 1 business day (priority), 2 business days (expedited), or 3-5 business days (standard). You do not need to enter the tracking number on eBay yourself. 4Seller will automatically return it to eBay and mark it as shipped.
Reduced operating costs: MCF offers simple and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. You only pay for shipping and storage. Shipping fees include pickup, packaging, and transportation, and multi-item orders typically receive discounts of up to 50%.
Inventory optimization: You can improve your inventory by using multi-channel fulfillment. This lets you combine your inventory into one pool using 4Seller ERP and inventory sync rules. This helps you fulfill both Amazon and non-Amazon orders. It simplifies logistics and improves efficiency.
Unbranded packaging: MCF sends orders in unbranded packaging for free. This helps businesses keep a consistent brand experience in all sales channels.
Amazon Prime shopping benefits: You can use MCF-supported Buy with Prime to give your customers Amazon Prime benefits. This includes fast and free shipping and an easy checkout experience on Shopify. This idea connects to the larger discussion about Amazon and eBay's service offerings.
(Note: The mention of Amazon Prime with Shopify highlights the wider benefits Amazon provides. This includes how MCF can improve customer experience on different platforms. However, in the context of eBay integration, the main point is the smooth fulfillment experience that MCF offers.)
Tools like 4Seller ERP help businesses link eBay and Amazon MCF. This connection allows companies to improve order fulfillment by amazon FBA on both platforms.
Validated Customer Outcomes
Verified User Testimonial: “Connecting our Shopify store with Temu using 4Seller was incredibly straightforward. We migrated 400 + SKUs in less than 90 minutes, and the automated inventory sync reduced manual errors by 75%. Our sales on Temu have seen a remarkable increase since the integration!” —Amy Evangeline, Multichannel Retailer
For more detailed performance metrics and case studies, check verified customer reviews on Trustpilot. You can also visit the 4Seller Shopify App Store profile.
Final Words
Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) is a service that helps eBay sellers ship orders. It uses Amazon's warehouse network through 4Seller ERP. MCF allows you to manage all your orders and inventory, streamlining the shipping process. It also offers several advantages of amazon, such as fast and reliable shipping, excellent customer service, and convenient returns.
Fulfilling eBay orders via Amazon MCF can simplify the process. You can use 4Seller ERP to automatically create eBay orders on your Amazon seller account via MCF.
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