So, you want to start an Amazon FBA business — but don’t know where to begin.
Maybe you’ve seen the success stories. Or maybe you’re just tired of working for someone else and want to build something you own.
Whatever brought you here, the good news is: you don’t need an MBA, investors, or a warehouse full of inventory to get started.
In fact, with the right steps (and some patience), you can go from zero to launch in just a few weeks.
Here’s how to do it — from scratch.
What Is Amazon FBA and Why It Works
FBA stands for Fulfillment by Amazon. It means you don’t have to deal with packing, shipping, or customer service. Amazon handles all that for you.
You send your inventory to Amazon’s warehouse, and they take care of the rest. Your products are eligible for Prime shipping, which gives you a big trust boost and more visibility on the platform.
That’s why FBA is so powerful — it lets small businesses operate like big brands from day one.
Step 1: Choose a Profitable Product (Not Just What You Like)
This is where most beginners go wrong.
They choose a product they personally like… instead of one the market actually wants.
Use research tools like:
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Helium 10
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Jungle Scout
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Amazon Best Sellers page
Look for:
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Products that sell 300+ units/month
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Low competition (less than 500 reviews)
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Selling price between $20–$50 (sweet spot for impulse buys)
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Light, simple, and easy to ship (think yoga blocks, not treadmills)
The goal is to find a niche product that solves a problem or makes life easier — not to reinvent the wheel.
Step 2: Find a Reliable Supplier
Once you’ve chosen your product, you need someone to make it.
Go to Alibaba.com or GlobalSources.com and search for suppliers. Message at least 5–10, and ask for:
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MOQ (minimum order quantity)
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Price per unit (at 500+ units)
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Sample availability
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Production lead time
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Custom branding options
Don’t rush this. A good supplier relationship is gold — they’ll make or break your business.
Once you’ve chosen one, order samples and test the product yourself before moving forward.
Step 3: Calculate Your Costs and Profit Margins
Before you spend a single dollar on inventory, you need to know your numbers.
Use this free Amazon FBA Profit Calculator to estimate:
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Product cost
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Amazon’s referral fees (typically 15%)
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FBA fulfillment fees (based on size/weight)
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PPC ad spend (factor in $500–$1,000 for launch)
You want at least 30% profit margin after all costs.
If you’re only making $2 per sale, it’s going to be tough to scale.
Step 4: Set Up Your Amazon Seller Account
Go to sellercentral.amazon.com and create a professional seller account. It costs $39.99/month and gives you access to:
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FBA program
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Brand Registry
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Advertising dashboard
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Sales analytics
You’ll need:
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Business name and address
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Government ID
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Tax information
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Bank account details
Once you’re verified, you’re officially in business.
Step 5: Create a High-Converting Product Listing
This is where the magic happens. A great listing = more sales.
Here’s what matters most:
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Title with main keyword
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5 bullet points focused on benefits (not just features)
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A+ images — include lifestyle shots, infographics, comparison charts
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Search Terms in backend for SEO
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Optional: Enhanced Brand Content (if you’ve registered your brand)
Pro tip: Look at the top 3 competitors and make your listing better in every way.
Step 6: Ship Inventory to Amazon’s Fulfillment Center
Your supplier can ship directly to Amazon — or send it to you first.
Amazon will tell you where to send it (usually one of their US warehouses). Use their platform to:
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Generate FBA labels
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Set quantity and prep instructions
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Track delivery
Start with a small test batch (100–300 units) before scaling up.
Step 7: Launch and Promote Your Product
No one will buy your product if they can’t find it.
Here’s how to get initial traction:
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Run Amazon PPC ads (sponsored product campaigns)
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Offer a launch discount or coupon
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Use friends/family to boost early sales (don’t break Amazon’s review rules)
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Enroll in Amazon Vine if eligible (to collect reviews)
Sales velocity and reviews help you rank higher — and that’s what gets you organic traffic.
Step 8: Optimize, Restock, and Scale
Once you’re live, your job isn’t over — it’s just beginning.
Keep an eye on:
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Sales velocity
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Conversion rate
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Ad performance
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Inventory levels
Tweak your listing, test new images, adjust PPC bids, and prepare to reorder before stock runs out.
From here, you can:
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Launch more products in your niche
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Build an email list or off-Amazon brand
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Sell the business later as a package deal
Final Thought
FBA in 2025 isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a real business with real opportunity.
If you follow the steps, stay consistent, and treat it like more than just a side project — you can build something profitable, scalable, and life-changing.
All from your laptop.
And $3K–$5K to get started.
