Have a killer idea for a new Amazon startup business but don’t know how to begin? Don’t worry, with Amazon Launchpad, you’re in safe hands. Amazon Launchpad program is designed to help new sellers “launch, market and distribute their products.”
What is Amazon Launchpad?
Amazon Launchpad is a unique program for the innovative Amazon startups that serves two basic purposes. Its a tiny marketplace within the giant marketplace to allow the customers get their hands on cutting-edge products. Secondly, this useful program provides incredible help for the new and small businesses on Amazon.
What Does it Do?
The idea is not new. Other Marketplaces (like Shopify) and websites (like Kickstarter) have already done similar things. However, with Launchpad, not only will you be helped by the biggest ecommerce retailer but you will also use Amazon for a number of other things. These include setting up a storefront, customizable product listing pages, marketing help, managing your stock and an easy onboarding process. Basically, they’ll get your Amazon startup business through the initial phase of selling. All in all its a great options for the new sellers to start making sales from the get going.
Startups get these benefits:
- Brand Development: Showcasing the product effectively with the help of custom landing page for Amazon product, images and videos. Startup founders have option to share the story behind the development of the product and engage with the customers interactively with questions and answers. Mainly these innovative products are displayed in the separate mini Launchpad marketplace that is built right in the Amazon.
- Customer Reach: Founders can get their hands on the Amazon’s most powerful marketing tools such as Vine program for getting reviews, recommendations, etc. These tools help to gain more visibility and increase the customer reach. That’s not all, Amazon’s global fulfillment, fast and free shipping with Amazon Prime, and customer service are the incredible benefits for the startups.
- Global Expansion: Launchpad products can reach to the customers outside the U.S. with the help of already established network of about 13 marketplaces worldwide.
Why Amazon Sellers are Better Off
Despite the fact that other ecommerce websites have already done something similar to this product, Amazon will be a whole lot better for startups. This is because the firm has a customer base in millions.
Amazon also provides easy fulfillment services that open entrepreneur’s access to numerous customers all over the world, saving you a lot of money you would’ve otherwise spent on marketing. The firm also spends a lot on Amazon research tools to help new sellers study data. Amazon Startups that begin through Launchpad also get an invitation to the only legal incentive based review system; Amazon Vine program.
The Risks for Amazon Startup
While it’s great for Amazon startups to have access to shipping routes, storage facilities and a robust customer-care center, it’s also true that you will lose a lot of control over your company.
Amazon is a notoriously secretive company, with executives only releasing the figures that they absolutely have to. However, it is true that while Amazon is a third-party company, they are incredibly good at their job. If you are outsourcing Amazon customer service and shipping to them, they’ll do a great job.
Partnerships for Amazon Launchpad Program
Amazon has brought on numerous crowd funding companies that co-run the initiative. These include venture capital programs like Y Combinator, Indiegogo and CircleUp who are invited to send startups they fund to Amazon, to help them sell.
Related Article: How to successfully launch an Amazon product
Amazon’s Dedication to Startups
Amazon is particularly enthusiastic about getting more and more sellers on Amazon, to ensure their marketplace continues to grow. They have made such initiatives all over the world, especially in India, with the chai cart and taktal initiatives bringing on a truckload of sellers to the Marketplace.
Currently, there are few thousands products listed on Amazon Launchpad Program, with more and more sellers aiming to get onboard from partnership companies, every day.
If you have an idea you’d like to share with the world, approach Amazon and get started with your business.