The opportunity to list your products on Amazon is enticing, no doubt, more so because the e-retailer is already going places. With a net revenue of almost 178 billion U.S. Dollars last year, Amazon has grown to become a “seller magnet,” if you will.

Goes without saying, with its wide customer base and seemingly endless traffic, Amazon is where you, as an eCommerce business owner, should be. And while you are out there, you may be tempted to list as many products as possible. Why not? You ought to make the most of it, right?

Oddly enough, Listing products on Amazon is not a child’s play. One wrong move, and you could risk losing your account to suspension. Listing in the wrong category or uploading restricted products – anything can get you suspended, even before you make your first dollar online. Even matching products to the wrong ASIN could pave the way for suspension. But then, if you do know how to go about uploading the products the right way, there’s nothing for you to worry. And for the uninitiated, here’s how you can keep the suspension at bay:

1. Be sure of the category you are selling in

Over the years, Amazon has introduced what are commonly referred to as “gated” or restricted categories. So, if your product does fall in one of these categories, make sure you have the required documentation on you, and are pretty much willing to undergo an approval process, before you get down to selling. While you may simply be asked for an invoice from any of your suppliers, there are times when you might have to go the extra mile and prove your expertise. Not to mention, the approval process and the requirements that follow vary in tandem with the category. Just make sure you get the nod before you begin to sell, and not the other way round.

2. Upload the correct file

Listing quite a few products could be tiresome, agreed, but then you can always upload your products in bulk, or even look for an expert who offers Amazon product upload in New York or wherever you are, for that matter. Either way, all you need to do is to create an Amazon professional seller account, use any of any of their bulk upload file templates, and voila. Or so it seems. How would you choose the correct template, to begin with? Well, the answer lies in determining what you are trying to do:

• If you are uploading a product with all its relevant data, and attempting to create a new listing (ASIN), it’s highly recommended that you select a “category specific file template” This, of course, requires you to zero in on the category your products belong to and download the requisite template. So, if you are selling “Home Decor” products, you now know what to do. Do make sure though that you have the requisite details, including the title, the product type, and the brand name, at your disposal.

Did you know? ASIN, the Amazon Standard Identification Number, is used by Amazon for uniquely identifying and listing a product. No wonder why many of the sellers are seen selling the same product and listing their product under one unique ASIN.

• On the other hand, if you are simply matching a product to an existing listing, as in, one that’s already there on Amazon, you could use the “Inventory Loader” or the “Listing Loader” file template. Using either of the two would require you to have access to fewer details, and you can make do with product ID, SKU, quantity, and the price. Since the existing listing would already have a title, and probably a description too, might we suggest that you take full advantage?
• Lastly, you could simply be making changes to the price, quantity or other data of your existing listing. If that’s the case, use the “price quantity” file template and you are good to go.

3. Combat the ASIN mismatch

Amazon product upload, when done in bulk, could lead to an unwarranted mismatch, wherein your products may be matched to the wrong ASIN, and associated to an altogether different listing. As a result, you may soon be receiving orders for a product that you don’t sell in the first place, with no choice whatsoever, but to cancel. Luckily for you, the said mismatch can very well be prevented.

• For starters, use a category-specific file and let go of the listing loader.
• Also, if you deal in groceries or fragrances, and/or your products come in different sizes or varying packs, it’s highly recommended that you keep an eye out, because unfortunately, the chances of the mismatch occurring are relatively high in this scenario.
• Another way to avert the mismatch is to use a category-specific file and upload a new ASIN. Do keep in mind though that you can’t go about uploading ‘n’ number of ASINs and are required to adhere to the limits, if any.

4. Do not list products from restricted brands

While there is no master list per se, one that you could refer to, you can always scour the lists freely available online, so as to refrain from listing products from brands that do not go down well with Amazon or the rules thereof. That said, while listing such products may not result in an immediate suspension, doing so can definitely cast a shadow on your seller account in the long run. Better safe than sorry!

5. Filter out the restricted products

When uploading the products in bulk, it’s always better to reach out to an expert and seek Amazon data upload services in New York or whatever market it is that you are targeting, because if you do it all by yourself, who’s to say you won’t mistakenly include the products that you are not supposed to, or list the ones that you are rather not authorized to sell on Amazon? And if you do decide to take the matters into your own hands, make it a point to comb through all your products, and ensure that you are not uploading any of the following:

• Samples or tester products
• Warranties (to be sold along the products)
• Restricted products

6. Don’t cancel orders way too often

Do keep a tab on your inventory, and make sure that the products your customers are looking for are in fact, in stock. If you are “drop shipping” from a supplier, it becomes all the more important for you to ensure that the orders are duly fulfilled. Either way, avoid canceling the customer orders one after the other, if you don’t want Amazon to take note and suspend your seller account.

Amazon may have some strict rules in place, but all they are trying to do is to offer a better marketplace, one that welcomes the consumers with open arms and fosters a rather high-quality network of sellers. Do your bit, and go about uploading the products the right way. Not sure how? Well, reach out to us at [email protected], and we’ll guide you through.