If you are looking to become an Amazon seller, this comprehensive Amazon seller glossary from A-Z can assist you in understanding and navigating through the various jargon, abbreviations, and technical terms commonly found on the biggest marketplace in the world.
Here is the Amazon Seller Glossary from A-Z:
A/B Testing: Comparing two versions of a product listing to see which performs better.
ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sales): A metric that shows the ratio of ad spend to sales revenue.
Amazon A+ Content: Enhanced content that provides more detailed product information and storytelling.
Amazon Advertising Console: A platform for managing Amazon ads.
Amazon Best Seller Rank (BSR): A ranking given to products based on their sales performance.
Amazon Brand Registry: A program that helps brand owners protect their trademarks on Amazon.
Amazon Business: A marketplace for business customers with features like quantity discounts.
Amazon Currency Converter: A tool for converting earnings to different currencies.
Amazon Early Reviewer Program: A program encouraging buyers to leave reviews for new products.
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon): A service where Amazon stores, picks, packs, and ships products on behalf of sellers.
Amazon FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant): When the seller handles storage, packing, and shipping.
Amazon Global Selling: A program that enables sellers to sell products internationally.
Amazon Launchpad: A program that supports startups and entrepreneurs.
Amazon Prime: A subscription service offering free two-day shipping and other benefits.
Amazon Renewed: A program for selling refurbished products.
Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN): A unique identifier for products on Amazon.
Amazon Transparency: A program that uses unique codes to verify the authenticity of products.
Amazon Vine: An invitation-only program where top reviewers receive free products in exchange for reviews.
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Tools that allow different software systems to communicate with each other. In the context of Amazon, APIs can be used to automate tasks such as inventory management, order processing, and data analysis.
Automated Pricing: Tools that adjust prices based on competition and demand.
Backend Keywords: Hidden keywords used in product listings to improve search visibility.
Bookkeeping: The process of recording and organizing financial transactions for a business. For Amazon sellers, this includes tracking sales, expenses, inventory costs, and other financial data to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance with tax regulations.
Bulk Inventory Upload: A method for adding multiple products to Amazon in one go.
Buy Box: The section on a product detail page where customers can begin the purchasing process.
Chargeback: A payment dispute where the customer requests a refund through their credit card company.
Child ASIN: A unique identifier assigned to a specific variation of a product. For example, different sizes or colors of the same product will have different child ASINs.
Click-Through Rate (CTR): The percentage of people who click on an ad after seeing it.
Clothing Size Mapping: Ensuring correct size information for apparel products.
Condition Guidelines: Standards for listing products in new or used condition.
Conversion Rate: The percentage of visitors who make a purchase.
Co-Packers: Companies that manufacture and package products on behalf of another company. This is often used by sellers who have developed a product but do not have the facilities to produce it at scale.
Customer Reviews: Feedback left by customers on a product.
Defect Rate: A metric that measures the percentage of orders with issues such as returns, refunds, or negative feedback. Maintaining a low defect rate is essential for a healthy seller account.
Dropshipping: A retail fulfillment method where the seller doesn’t keep products in stock.
EBC (Enhanced Brand Content): A feature that allows brand owners to enhance their product descriptions with images and text.
Enhanced Content: Additional media, like images and videos, to enhance product listings.
Exclusivity Agreement: An agreement where the seller is the only distributor of a product.
Export Settings: Options for selling products internationally.
Feedback: Comments and ratings left by customers about their purchase experience.
Flat Files: Spreadsheet files used to create or update Amazon product listings in bulk. Flat files include multiple product attributes and can simplify the process of managing large inventories.
FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit): A unique identifier used by Amazon to track products in their fulfillment centers.
Fulfillment Centers: Amazon warehouses where products are stored and shipped from.
Gross Margin: The difference between sales revenue and the cost of goods sold (COGS), expressed as a percentage of sales revenue. It indicates how much profit a company makes after accounting for production costs.
Hazmat (Hazardous Materials): Products that require special handling due to potential hazards.
Hijacking: When another seller lists their product on your listing.
Individual Seller Plan or Individual Account: A selling plan with no monthly fee but a per-item fee.
In-Stock Rate: The percentage of time a product is in stock and available for purchase.
Inventory Health: The overall condition and performance of a seller’s inventory.
Inventory Performance Index (IPI): A score that measures how well a seller manages their inventory.
Inventory Turnover: A metric that measures how often inventory is sold and replaced over a certain period. High inventory turnover indicates efficient inventory management and strong sales.
Keyword: A word or phrase used to describe a product and attract search traffic.
Lightning Deals: A limited-time promotion where products are offered at a discount.
Listing Optimization: Improving product listings to increase visibility and sales.
Long-Term Storage Fees: Fees charged for inventory stored in fulfillment centers for an extended period.
Long-Tail Keywords: Specific, longer phrases that are less competitive and often convert better.
Lost Buy Box: When a seller no longer has the Buy Box on their listing.
Marketplace: The platform where third-party sellers can list and sell products.
MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price): The price at which the manufacturer recommends retailers sell a product. It is often used as a benchmark for pricing strategies.
Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF): Amazon’s service that fulfills orders from other sales channels.
Negative Feedback: Low ratings or complaints from customers.
Net Profit: The total earnings of a business after all expenses, taxes, and costs have been deducted from total revenue. It represents the company’s overall profitability.
Online Arbitrage: Similar to retail arbitrage, but involves purchasing products from online stores instead of physical retail locations, and reselling them on Amazon at a higher price.
Parent ASIN: The main product listing under which variations are grouped.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC): An advertising model where sellers pay each time their ad is clicked.
Performance Notifications: Alerts from Amazon regarding account health and policy compliance.
Premium Placement: Enhanced visibility for product ads on Amazon.
Private Label: Products manufactured by a third party but sold under a retailer’s brand.
Product Compliance: Adherence to legal and safety standards for products.
Product Insert: A small piece of marketing material included with a shipped product.
Product Listing: The product page on Amazon that includes images, descriptions, and pricing.
Product Research: The process of finding profitable products to sell on Amazon.
Q4 (Fourth Quarter): The last quarter of the year, including the holiday season.
Ratings: Numerical scores given by customers based on their satisfaction.
Reimbursement: A refund given by Amazon for various reasons, such as lost inventory.
Removal Order: A request to remove inventory from Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
Replenishment Alerts: Notifications to restock inventory.
Repricing: Adjusting product prices to stay competitive.
Restock Limits: Limits set by Amazon on how much inventory a seller can send to fulfillment centers.
Retail Arbitrage: The practice of buying products from retail stores at a low price and reselling them on Amazon at a higher price for profit.
Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA): A process for handling product returns.
Return Rate: The percentage of products returned by customers.
Sales Rank: Another term for Amazon Best Seller Rank (BSR).
Sales Velocity: The speed at which a product is selling.
Scalability: The ability to grow sales without compromising performance.
Seasonality: The effect of seasonal trends on product sales.
Seller Account: An account on Amazon used to manage sales and inventory.
Seller Central: The web interface used by Amazon sellers to manage their accounts.
Seller Feedback: Ratings and comments left by customers about the seller.
Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP): A program that allows sellers to deliver directly to domestic Prime customers.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): The practice of optimizing product listings to rank higher in search results.
Settlement Report: A report detailing account transactions and settlements.
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit): A unique identifier used by retailers to track inventory. Each SKU represents a specific product and variation within the inventory.
Sponsored Brands: Ads that promote a brand and multiple products.
Sponsored Display Ads: Ads that appear on and off Amazon to promote products.
Sponsored Products: Ads that promote individual product listings on Amazon.
Standard Inventory Storage Fees: Fees charged for storing inventory in Amazon fulfillment centers.
Stock Levels: The quantity of each product that a seller has available for sale at any given time. Maintaining appropriate stock levels is crucial for meeting customer demand without overstocking.
Stranded Inventory: Inventory that is not available for sale due to listing issues.
Subscription Business Model: A model where customers pay regularly for a product or service.
Supply Chain: The network of suppliers and logistics involved in producing and delivering products.
Suppressed Listings: Listings removed from search results due to policy violations or incomplete information.
TACoS (Total Advertising Cost of Sales): A metric that measures the ratio of total ad spend to total sales revenue, including organic sales. It provides a broader view of advertising efficiency compared to ACoS.
Third-Party Logistics (3PL): Outsourced logistics services, including warehousing, fulfillment, and shipping, provided by a third-party company.
Third-Party Sellers: Independent sellers who list their products on Amazon.
Title: The main heading of a product listing.
Universal Product Code (UPC): A barcode used to track products.
Variation Listings: Listings that include multiple variations of a product, such as different colors or sizes.
Variations: Different versions of a product, such as different sizes or colors.
Vendor Central: A platform used by manufacturers and distributors to sell products directly to Amazon. In this model, Amazon acts as the retailer and buys products at wholesale prices.
Virtual Bundle: A combination of products sold together as a single unit.
Voice of the Customer (VOC): Feedback from customers used to improve products and services.
Warehouse Deals: Discounted products sold by Amazon from their warehouse.
White Label: Products produced by one company that are rebranded and sold under another company’s brand. Sellers can customize the product and packaging to reflect their brand.
Wholesale: Buying products in bulk to resell at a higher price.
Win the Buy Box: Achieving the main purchase option on a product page.
Winning Keywords: Keywords that drive significant traffic and sales.
Understanding the comprehensive Amazon seller glossary is crucial for anyone looking to succeed in the competitive world of e-commerce. By mastering these essential terms, you can navigate the intricacies of Amazon’s platform with confidence, optimize your product listings effectively, and leverage advertising tools to boost your visibility.
From grasping the importance of ACoS and BSR to utilizing FBA and mastering SEO, each term in the Amazon seller glossary equips you with the knowledge to enhance your business operations, increase sales, and achieve sustainable growth. Stay ahead of the competition by becoming well-versed in this essential Amazon seller glossary and watch your business thrive in the ever-evolving marketplace.