In the early 1990s when the internet was just being introduced to the mainstream consumer, the notion of an e-commerce world of online buying and selling, with individuals offering products for sale via the internet was a far-off idea that most people did not even consider as a possibility. Now, looking back after a few short years from the onset of the world wide web as we know it, the quick rise of .com companies, including e-commerce giant Amazon, has changed the course of the global economy and international trade.
Now, Amazon has become a multibillion-dollar selling platform for millions of sellers and shoppers from all around the globe.
If you are among one of those ambitious entrepreneurs who has entered the Amazon market with the hopes of successfully launching a store, then you are familiar with what it takes to be a seller in this day and age as consumers have become more open to the idea of completing transactions online, leading to fierce competition.
As the potential for profit earned by Amazon and its sellers grows, so does the responsibility that sellers take on. Because the number of sellers is increasing exponentially every month, competition also continues to heighten, which requires strong and effective strategies guaranteed to comprehensively manage and help you scale your Amazon business.
Not every seller may be so adaptable and aggressive when it comes to constantly vying for consumer attention and always one-upping the competition, in addition to the daily pressures of running a business. Many who become sellers on Amazon don’t anticipate the challenges brought about when running an FBA business and the demands that accompany trading on an extensive platform. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; once you realize that you are ready to let go of your FBA business, you may find that what you have in store in your future after making a successful exit is much more rewarding.
If you are considering putting a close to your Amazon business, but you’re still on the fence, pay attention to the following concerns that may determine whether leaving the platform is the right decision for you to make right now.
1. Selling FBA & Amazon Seller Central Are Getting More Complicated
In the early days when Amazon was just starting out as an online bookshop, hosting the platform for a handful of sellers, managing inventory and marketing strategies were much simpler compared to the many options that are open for FBA sellers. Although there are tools and software available, created specifically to make operating an FBA store more efficient and convenient for sellers, they require investment both monetarily and mentally so you can properly learn the systems to get the most out of them. For some people this offers much needed relief, while others may find this overwhelming and an added task to see to.
There may be a point when you feel that everything is getting too complicated to keep up with. When this happens, you might want to consider your next step, whether you are going to stick it out and weather the growth of the platform, or if you want to call it a day and start to look towards a different path for the future.
2. You Want to Expand Your Profit Channels But FBA Doesn’t Cut It Anymore
The extensive demand of managing an Amazon FBA business makes it evident that a huge portion of an entrepreneur’s time is dedicated to improving sales. Stiff competition means that every seller needs to stay on their toes and remain alert, always engaging with the consumer while outsmarting competitors. When selling on a platform like Amazon, it’s a given that shoppers have endless options when it comes to variety. Because of this, some sellers may start to yearn for a retail model where their competition is limited or customers specifically seek them out. Also considering that FBA selling requires almost 100% of a business owner’s attention, it leaves little room to branch out.
So, if you are aiming to divide your time and attention among other sales channels and profit-generating means, the smartest choice for your FBA business may be to pass it onto someone else to manage. This leaves you in a comfortable position, both financially after making a successful exit and being compensated for your business, and time-wise you’ll be freed from previous stressors, allowing you to focus on the next endeavor.
3. As Your Business Booms, You Feel Too Pressured With the Changes
As with every business, changes are bound to happen when expansion is at hand. Often, growth results in more dynamic tools and other effective systems. Nonetheless, some changes may be hard to keep up with, while others require new procedures, leaving you feeling overwhelmed with constant adjustments to keep up with the changing landscape of the Amazon platform.
There may come a turning point in your business where the stress is not worth the reward; it’s perfectly normal to leave a job or business once you no longer feel fulfilled. If it happens to be from your own company, there shouldn’t be any shame. Another factor to consider is the balance you have between personal and professional life. If you feel your professional life slowly encroaching on your personal life, taking away free time or affecting your health, then make the smart decision for you.
Remember that money comes and goes, while your health is something that requires care. Nothing else matters if you end up sick. So, once you start feeling too much pressure, you always have the option of selling your Amazon business to an aggregator, or at the very least checking out the valuation of your business so you know what kind of payout you can expect.
4. International Expansion is Overwhelming
Amazon’s large pool of sellers are now looking into larger opportunities. This means going international. And when it comes to international operations, several additional responsibilities come into the picture.
If you are already exhausted merely handling the growing responsibilities of the Amazon seller’s market, increasing your store internationally will demand far more, as you will be required to deal with new fees and taxes, policy defined by foreign markets, more extensive service, most likely in another language, and inventory and shipping plans, among other logistics.
As these expansions are considered, Amazon FBA sellers most likely need to gather teams from different parts of the globe to make sure all operations run smoothly, especially when it comes to operating in various time zones. Making the decision not to sell internationally is not necessarily a dealbreaker for your FBA business. You can still maintain a successful FBA operation within just one country like the US; however you may also find that you aren’t ranking as well or don’t have the same draw for shoppers as you once did when other sellers grow their customer base both locally and internationally, overtaking yours. At this point, you may start looking into how to sell your business.
5. Competition Is Getting Tougher and Harder to Handle
Amazon provides a great opportunity for anyone–and everyone–who wants to grow alongside the company. This is a double-edged sword in that almost anyone can get in on the game, but that creates endless competition and most cannot make it to page one of the search results.
What is clear for sellers on Amazon is that if you have a product that gets the attention of the market and an appealing brand, expansion is inevitable. Once the growth creates more competition and pressure than satisfaction, then perhaps it is time to let go of your Amazon FBA Business.
6. You Want More Financial Freedom
Financial freedom equates to freedom of your time. To be able to acquire financial freedom along with more personal time, you need to delegate tasks to others, otherwise you’ll wind up doing everything on your own, and may find you are less and less fulfilled operating an FBA business.
One way to come out on top and get your time back and be rewarded for all your efforts and investments is to find an Amazon aggregator that will take over your business and continue the work that you have put in. You’ll gain financial freedom and the freedom to do with your time what you please.
What to Remember & How to Sell Your Amazon Business
Letting go of your Amazon business does not equate to completely losing everything that you have worked for; on the contrary it can relieve you of stress and you may see much larger financial gains than you had ever imagined. Your work need not go to waste, especially once you find the right Amazon acquisition company that learns about your brand and is more than willing to give you your money’s worth, as they invest in your business and your brand.