Top 10 Mistakes Amazon Sellers Commonly Make

Selling on Amazon offers incredible opportunities, but many sellers unknowingly make costly mistakes that hurt their success. From poor product choices to weak listings, even small missteps can lead to big losses. In this post, we’ll uncover the top 10 mistakes Amazon sellers commonly make and how to avoid them.

1. Ignoring Amazon’s TOS and Policies

One of the biggest mistakes sellers make is neglecting Amazon’s Terms of Service (TOS). Even minor violations can lead to:

• Account suspensions
• Listing removals
• Loss of selling privileges

Amazon frequently updates its policies to protect buyers and maintain trust. Staying out of the loop can put your entire business at risk.

What to do:

• Review policies on reviews, listings, and restricted products
• Check Seller Central regularly for updates
• Stay compliant to ensure long-term success

Also learn: How to Sell on Amazon South Africa?

2. Poor Product Research

Poor product research can lead to choosing items with:

• Low demand
• Oversaturation
• Slim profit margins

Many sellers rush in without validating the market or analyzing competition. This leads to wasted inventory and low ROI.

What to Do:

• Use tools like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, or AMZScout
• Study customer pain points and gaps in current offerings
• Ensure your product solves a real need with strong demand and healthy margins

A winning product starts with solid research, don’t skip this vital step.

3. Low-Quality Product Listings

A weak product listing can ruin a great product. Common issues include:

• Unoptimized titles
• Generic descriptions
• Lack of strong keywords

Buyers skim listings, so structure and clarity are essential. A well-written listing improves both search visibility and conversions.

What to Do:

• Focus on benefits, not just features
• Include relevant keywords for SEO
• Make your bullets and copy scannable and persuasive

Treat your listing like your storefront, it should inform, engage, and sell.

You need to read: Amazon SEO Tips: Optimise Listings for Maximum Sales

4. Bad Product Images

Images are critical for sales. Poor visuals, like blurry photos or unclear angles, can instantly turn buyers away.

Amazon requires a white background for the main image, but that’s just the start. Strong visuals help communicate value.

What to Do:

• Include lifestyle photos, infographics, and close-ups
• Show product use, scale, and key features
• Invest in professional photography to build trust and credibility

High-quality images increase click-through rates and conversions, don’t cut corners here.

5. Ignoring Customer Reviews and Feedback

Reviews drive conversions and rankings. Ignoring them, especially negative ones, can damage your brand’s credibility.

Customer feedback often reveals recurring product issues, packaging problems, or customer service gaps.

What to Do:

• Monitor reviews and look for patterns
• Respond respectfully and offer resolutions
• Use follow-up emails or Amazon Vine to build review volume

Taking feedback seriously shows buyers and Amazon that you’re committed to quality.

Also read: Understanding Amazon South Africa's Compliance Rules

6. Running Out of Stock

Stockouts not only pause your sales—they also:

• Drop your rankings
• Affect Buy Box eligibility
• Hurt customer trust

Recovering lost momentum can take weeks. Many sellers underestimate lead times or demand spikes.

What to Do:

• Use inventory forecasting tools
• Monitor sell-through rates
• Keep buffer stock for fast movers

Consistent availability supports your ranking, customer satisfaction, and long-term growth.

7. Pricing Mistakes

Mispricing is more common than you think. Sellers often:

• Forget to factor in Amazon fees
• Price too low to compete
• Set prices too high and lose conversions

Your price reflects your brand and perceived value.

What to Do:

• Use pricing tools or automation
• Bundle or offer time-limited promotions
• Monitor competitors and test pricing regularly

Well-thought-out pricing can boost conversions and protect your margins.

8. Ineffective Advertising Strategies (Amazon PPC)

Many sellers waste ad spend by:

• Running auto campaigns without refinement
• Ignoring performance metrics
• Targeting irrelevant or broad keywords

Poor PPC strategy can burn budget fast.

What to Do:

• Segment campaigns by product or keyword match type
• Monitor ACOS, CTR, and keyword performance weekly
• Optimize bids and remove underperformers

A strategic PPC approach boosts sales, brand visibility, and long-term growth.

Know if: Is Amazon Advertising Worth It​? Learn from Industry Experts

9. Ignoring Brand Registry Benefits

Brand Registry unlocks valuable tools like:

• A+ Content
• Sponsored Brands
• Enhanced listing control

Many sellers delay this step and miss out on growth potential.

What to Do:

• Apply once your brand has a registered trademark
• Use A+ Content to boost trust and conversions
• Monitor for hijackers and report unauthorized sellers

Brand Registry helps protect your listings and present your brand professionally.

Also read: Leveraging Amazon's Brand Registry for Sellers

10. Neglecting Customer Service

Strong service builds loyalty. Poor service—like late replies or unprofessional responses—hurts:

• Buyer trust
• Reviews
• Long-term growth

Even FBA sellers need to manage pre- and post-purchase communication.

What to Do:

• Respond to messages within 24 hours
• Be professional, polite, and helpful
• Use templates for FAQs to improve speed

Excellent customer service is key to positive reviews and brand reputation.

Conclusion

Success on Amazon isn’t just about listing a product, it’s about avoiding costly mistakes that can derail your growth. By staying informed, proactive, and customer-focused, you’ll build a stronger, more sustainable business. Learn from these common errors and set your store up for long-term success in the marketplace.

Whether you're just starting out or scaling your Amazon store, avoiding common mistakes is key to success. At fluid/sa, we help businesses streamline operations, source high-quality products, and build resilient supply chains across South Africa. Explore our full range of wholesale solutions or contact us today and power your e-commerce growth with a trusted local partner.