How Local South African Brands Can Go Global with Amazon Retail Services

Intro

With sustainable fashion, handmade homeware, gourmet food items, and ground-breaking beauty products, South Africa is home to several budding entrepreneurs. Their products are loved worldwide, but global expansion is challenging owing to inexperience in the international markets.

Fortunately, Amazon retail services can help them overcome every barrier and expand to every continent easily. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can achieve global growth via Amazon.

Step 1: Research the Market

If you haven’t already chosen a market, begin with thorough research. Check out which of your products are popular in the global market. Remember, not every product that’s a hit in South Africa will become a bestseller on the international platform.

Utilize tools like Amazon’s Product Opportunity Explorer to identify high-demand products with manageable competition. The e-commerce platform’s keyword planner also works well to monitor the search volume and competition across different regions.

If you’re not well-versed with these tools, rely on trustworthy Amazon retail services South Africa. Their professionals will take over all the tedious tasks and technical work, such as demand analysis and market gap identification. They will recommend the best product in your catalog to launch internationally. These experts completely take the guesswork out of the equation.

Step 2: Register as an Amazon Seller

Set up your international Amazon seller account. Prepare documents, including the

• Business information (company name, address, registration documents)
• Identity details (valid passport/ID of primary contact individual)
• Banking account for foreign payments
• Tax information based on the target marketplace (tax identification number for the US and VAT registration for the EU).

Select the right account type. Those new to Amazon pick an individual account, but it offers limited features. A professional account is always ideal for brands ready to grow globally. It also offers special features like advertising, analytics, brand-building tools, and bulk listing uploads.

Step 3: Optimize Product Listings

A well-defined product listing is the secret behind converting browsers into buyers. So, optimize it for customers and the search algorithm with the following strategies:

• Identify high-volume keywords and relevant search terms for the particular listing.
• Make captivating product titles, descriptions, and bullet points using the keywords and search terms. Mention the benefits and unique selling points of the product.
• Post high-resolution, professionally shot images and videos of the product following Amazon guidelines. Show the product in use in relevant contexts,
• Narrate your brand story using enhanced brand content features and craft rich, multimedia listings.

If you’re unsure of how to do it, collaborate with a team of professionals to sell on Amazon South Africa. They will help you establish the brand and product listings efficiently.

Step 4: Price the Listing Strategically

Since you will sell your products worldwide from South Africa, the pricing needs to be done accordingly.

For starters, decide between Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM). Compare shipping costs and operation complexities. Most businesses find FBA more advantageous for global expansion.

Study custom duties, import taxes, Amazon’s referral fees, and FBA/FBM fees. Track currency exchange fluctuations and follow the preferred profit margin. Price the listing according to these elements while also staying competitive.

Step 5: Advertise the Brand

After posting your listings, boost product visibility to the target audience using Amazon’s listing tools, such as Sponsored Product ads and brand campaigns.

However, don’t rely on internal tools alone. Implement social media (Instagram and Facebook) marketing, as 58% of consumers find new businesses through social media. Try content marketing and influencer collaborations to attract the target audience from geospecific buyers.

Always highlight the South African origin to make your ads even more exotic and differentiate yourself from competitors. Narrate stories about brand values, origin, and craftsmanship. A steady presence on multiple platforms helps you stay on your target audience’s mind and boost your chances of making sales!

Step 6: Manage Brand Reputation and Build Social Proof

Social proof is necessary to build your brand reputation. Whenever you get queries, answer them promptly.

If anyone makes a purchase, encourage them to drop a review using the request-a-review feature. In case of negative reviews, attend to customers professionally to help them to the best of your capabilities.

If you have any intellectual property, enroll in the Amazon Brand Registry program to prevent counterfeit sales. You also get access to reliable tools to build your brand presence.

Step 7: Expand with Time

As you gain traction in the global platform, consider expanding the product range. Research more Amazon marketplaces and build a vibrant Amazon Storefront. This will help your brand stand out more to customers.

Conclusion

Amazon’s global reach can help South African brands enter the global market and reach millions of customers effortlessly. So, tap into its infrastructure with the help of professionals and grow fast!