The Difference Between Selling on Amazon and Amazon Handmade

 

One question I see a lot is, ‘what is the difference between selling on Amazon and selling on Amazon Handmade?’ And also, ‘should I be selling in the handmade category or a regular marketplace category?’

One thing to realize when selling on Amazon handmade is that there are key differences between selling on Amazon and Amazon handmade. If you are a new seller, this post will help you to understand the essential differences between the two.

 

Important things to note:

Amazon handmade is actually just a category on Amazon like clothing or jewelry, for example. Also, items that are sold on Amazon handmade must meet Amazon's guidelines and definition of handmade. Anything else, like supplies, needs to go on the regular Amazon marketplace.

Also, while there are crucial differences, there are things that are the same.

For example, handmade sellers still need to follow all of Amazon's policies and procedures and the seller central account is the same for both types of sellers.

 

What Are The Differences Between Selling on Amazon and Amazon Handmade?

 

Difference #1 - The Monthly Selling Fees

When selling only on handmade, the $39.99 monthly fee is waived for handmade sellers. If you are also selling in regular categories on the marketplace and you sell over 40 items from the regular categories, the monthly fee will kick in automatically at that point forward.

 

Difference #2 - The Use and Requirement of UPC codes

As a handmade artisan, you do not have to worry about UPC codes when selling in the handmade category. If you are selling in other categories, they either require that you purchase UPC codes for each listing, that you are granted GTIN exemption by Amazon, or if you become brand registered. To become brand registered on Amazon, you must hold a valid registered trademark for your business name.

 

Difference #3 - Ownership of Your Listings

Unless you were brand registered with Amazon, any listing on the marketplace side can have someone else, another seller, jump onto your listing. The best-case scenario, in that case, is that you will share sales with the other person, and the worst-case scenario is that they might list for a lower selling price.

However, if you are brand registered on the regular marketplace or selling in the handmade category, you own your listing. Nobody else can jump onto your listing and try to sell the same product.

 

What is Brand Registry?

Brand registry on Amazon allows somebody to own their brand and their listings without worrying about somebody hijacking their listing. To become brand registered, you need to apply to Amazon and have an active trademark for your business name.

If you are selling on the marketplace side and not in handmade, you might want to look into brand registry in the future to have more ownership of your brand name and listings.

Otherwise, if you were only selling on handmade, you don’t need to worry about brand registry because you already own your listings within the handmade category.

 

Want to Learn More About Amazon Handmade?

Check out the free Facebook community of Handmade sellers with a passion for our products and for growing a business from them that supports ourselves and our families.

If you are ready to start selling on Handmade at Amazon after reading this article, I've got just the resource for you! My Amazon Handmade 101 course starts at application and takes you on the whole journey of starting on this platform. Wanna learn more? Check out the course at www.amazonhandmade101.com

 

Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions about the difference between selling on Amazon and Amazon Handmade!