What are the benefits of Product Certification?

Posted on by Amanda Levine

For products on the market that need to meet rigorous safety standards, Product Certification is often recommended and in certain cases is required, depending on the distribution region of the product. Certification is recommended for products that fall into market categories in which product failure could be potentially dangerous, such as electrical products, food and beverage, and industrial equipment.

Product Certification processes are carried out by third party certification bodies. These organizations employ a mixture of quality assurance testing, factory assessments, and other forms of documentation review to compile an overall view into the supply chain, materials, assembly, and functionality of a product to determine whether it can be certified. Once the decision to certify a product is made, there’s a period of time where this product is validated. The certifying body will generally perform basic checks on the product at a certain interval to make sure that it still meets the requirements.

While the process can add time and expense to getting a product to market, it’s often worth it even when it’s not required by law. Once a product is certified, it allows the manufacturer to mark the product, it’s marketing materials, and it’s packaging with the certification mark. You’ll notice a UL marking on most electrical products, for instance. This marking denotes that the product has been certified to the appropriate UL standard. The same goes for the CE marking in products sold in the European Union.

Having this marking on your product gives potential customers an additional level of trust that an objective third party has signed off on the safety and quality of the product.

Snowmelt can help you communicate your product certification requirements up front, which in turn can help them to provide a better picture of cost of goods, before going into production. Download Snowmelt today.

How does Snowmelt solve Supply Chain challenges?

Posted on by Amanda Levine

Are you a product company struggling to implement quality control into your supply chain?

Snowmelt provides a standardized quality control (QC) document for each of your products that captures:

  • The intended functionality of the item
  • What it should look like
  • Assembly instructions
  • Inspection directions
  • Packaging details
  • Any needed certifications or shipping needs

Once your quality control sheets are generated within Snowmelt, you can easily share these with your factory to ensure they understand the correct production of your product. Industry experts with over 30 years of supply chain consulting experience created this app with ease of use in mind.

Tip: Have your factory sign the documents created within Snowmelt to serve as an agreement before production in case of product defects creating leverage for compensation or a future credit.

Are you a product company trying to get accurate quotes on a new product?

Create a spec sheet for your product within Snowmelt and then use it to shop around for quotes from different factories. This guarantees that each factory is quoting against the exact same comprehensive list of product information ensuring accurate quotes and correct product information down to the packaging. Is there a language barrier? These forms will help prevent miscommunications during the quoting process.

Are you a product company attempting to get compensated by your factory for bad production or a late shipment?

Snowmelt generates a purchase order template with customizable protective clauses at the bottom of the agreement. Input the quantity you are ordering, the name of your item and the cost, and use this template as your next order form with your factory to better protect your business from production mistakes and shipping delays!

Implement quality control, accurate quotes and prevent production mistakes and delays by downloading Snowmelt today.

What are the benefits of Snowmelt’s Quality Control Spec Sheets?

Posted on by Amanda Levine

Does your business have a full-time quality control employee? Do you ask your factory or manufacturer to sign an agreement to ensure correct production of your products? Chances are you answered no to both questions which creates the possibility of a poorly produced product or a sudden raise in price mid-production. This is where Snowmelt comes in.

Capture Key Information

By using the app, you can capture key information about your product down to the graphics and packaging. Snowmelt creates a mobile friendly shareable document to serve as an agreement between you and the factory you chose to produce the item.

Protect your Business

Ask your factory to sign the documents created within Snowmelt so that they are more inclined to pay attention to what you need. That way, in case your items are not produced correctly, you have some leverage against the manufacturer.

For example – do you want a specific type of leather in your leather wallets? With Snowmelt you can specify the leather quality and leather color. Make sure your factory is quoting you at the type of leather that you want and not whatever leather they have leftover from last year!

Get Accurate Quotes

With Snowmelt, you can use the spec sheets during the product development and quoting stage of a new product. Use the app to capture what you are seeking in your new item and use the sheets Snowmelt generates to get accurate quotes. That way, each manufacturer you get a quote from is quoting exactly what you asked for and against the same sheet of information. This makes the factory selection process easily comparable and stress free.

Don’t have the capital to hire a full time production specialist and quality control employee? Use Snowmelt instead. Snowmelt is a fraction of the cost of an employee and can function as an extension of your business. Download Snowmelt today.

Create a Purchase Order Template with Snowmelt

Posted on by Amanda Levine

Take your Snowmelt spec sheets and quality control to the next level with our easy to use purchase order (PO) generator.

The purchase order (PO) template on Snowmelt is a protective agreement that helps protect your business. Simply generate the PO template on Snowmelt to capture the cost, quantity and item name of the product you are ordering. Include your factory’s address and their contact information.

Customize the payment terms and late shipment protective clauses with terms you are comfortable with and get your factory to sign the PO at the bottom to establish the agreement.

a screenshot of a purchase order with highlights

Tip: Have your factory sign the Snowmelt Spec Sheet and your Snowmelt PO, ensuring everyone is on the same page about your product specifications.

For instance, if you order a 5 inch tall cup, and you receive it and it is 6 inches, if you had your factory sign these then you could be better protected. That way, not only did they agree to produce it at 5 inches, but the PO template that they signed outlines the compensation you should expect for such a mistake.

Get your product quality control and order forms under control and implement industry best practices with Snowmelt. Download Snowmelt today.

How to Become a Walmart Marketplace Seller

Posted on by Amanda Levine

Walmart attracts millions of shoppers, so it’s no wonder their online marketplace is catching the attention of sellers and shoppers. Similar to Amazon, the Walmart marketplace allows third-party sellers that are approved. 

With over 100 million unique visitors monthly on Walmart.com, becoming a seller on their marketplace can give your business the boost it needs to reach new customers and increase sales. So, how do you sell off the Walmart marketplace?

In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to becoming a Walmart marketplace seller and give you tips on how to maximize your success on the platform.

Whether you’re a small business owner looking to expand or a seasoned eCommerce entrepreneur, read on to learn how to become a Walmart marketplace seller and take your business to the next level.

How do I become a seller on Walmart marketplace?

Becoming a seller on Walmart marketplace is a straightforward process that you can complete in a few simple steps. Walmart seeks established businesses that are legitimate. So, if you’re brand new to selling, you may not qualify. Furthermore, they vet sellers to ensure they can fulfill orders quickly and offer customer support. Be sure to research requirements before investing the time to apply. Here are six steps to take to become a Walmart marketplace seller. 

Step 1: You will need to apply to become a marketplace seller by visiting the Walmart website. This involves filling out a form and providing some basic information about your business.

Step 2: Once your application has been approved, complete your registration by providing additional details about your business and agreeing to the terms and conditions of the marketplace.

Step 3: Next, complete your partner profile, which includes information about your products, shipping, return policies, etc. This is important as it will help customers find your products and understand your business.

Step 4: Set up your items as soon as your profile is complete. This process involves creating product listings and providing detailed descriptions, images, and pricing information.

Step 5: You should test your items and orders to make sure everything is working correctly. This way, you can work out any issues before you launch your account. Furthermore, Walmart will do their own tests before letting the listings go live. 

Step 6: Finally, launch your account and start selling your products on the Walmart marketplace. It takes just a bit of effort and patience to succeed as a Walmart marketplace seller.

Walmart Marketplace Helpful Resources

New and existing sellers can take advantage of helpful resources including:

What are the requirements to sell on Walmart Marketplace?

To sell on Walmart marketplace, you will need to meet certain qualifications. At the minimum here are some of the requirements set forth by Walmart. 

–   Have a valid Business Tax ID or Business License Number.

–   Provide documents that verify your business name and address.

–   You should have a history of success in marketplace or e-commerce sales and your products must have GTIN/UPC GS1 Company Prefix Numbers.

–   Your catalog should also comply with Walmart’s Prohibited Products Policy.

–   You will also need to fulfill orders through Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) or another B2C U.S. warehouse with returns capability.

Gathering all this information before starting the application process to make it smoother and faster. It can also help avoid getting denied and potentially wasting any precious time. 

What are the Walmart marketplace fees for sellers?

The Walmart marketplace fees for sellers include a referral fee, and an optional storage or fulfillment fee. Here’s an overview of the fees to sell on the marketplace. 

  • Referral fee: A percentage of the sale price of each item sold on the marketplace is collected by Walmart. The exact percentage varies depending on the category of the product, but it typically ranges from 6% to 20%. View a list of referral fees by category here. 
  • Fulfillment fees: These fees are based on the weight and/or dimensions of the product you’re selling. Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) vary the prices based on the product’s size and weight. Similar to Amazon, Walmart offers fulfillment services for a fee. 
  • Storage fees: The amount you’ll pay WFS to store your inventory depends on the number of cubic feet needed, the time of year, and how long your goods stay in a Walmart fulfillment center – should you choose to use their fulfillment center. 

Walmart also offers pay-per-click advertising options, but to qualify for any Walmart Marketplace advertising, sellers must commit to a monthly spend of at least $1,000 with a daily cap of $100. You can calculate your exact fees with this WFS calculator.

Tips for winning the Walmart Buy Box

The Buy Box is essentially what consumers will click to buy a product. If more than one seller is selling the same product, they will share the buy box with other sellers. 

Winning the Walmart buy box is a highly sought-after goal for sellers on the platform. Here are some tips to help increase your chances of winning the buy box:

  1. Optimize your product listings by ensuring they are complete, accurate, and up-to-date with high-quality images and detailed product descriptions
  2. Monitor your pricing and make sure you are pricing your products competitively.
  3. Maintain a high feedback rating by providing excellent customer service and receiving positive feedback.
  4. Utilize Fulfillment by Walmart (FBA) since Walmart gives preference to sellers who use FBA for their products.
  5. Make sure you have enough inventory to meet customer demand. Walmart prefers sellers who can consistently fulfill orders in a timely manner.

These tips can increase your chances of winning the Walmart Buy Box and growing your sales on the platform.

Best practices and tips for selling on Walmart Marketplace

Here are a few key strategies that can help increase your sales and visibility when selling on Walmart Marketplace:

  1. Win the buy box: The buy box is the featured spot on a product page where customers can add items to their cart. Winning the buy box can greatly increase your sales, as it is the first option customers see when browsing products. To increase your chances of winning the buy box, make sure your prices are competitive, your inventory is well-stocked, and your shipping times are fast.
  2. Be competitive on price: Customers on Walmart Marketplace are looking for the best deals. To ensure your products stand out, make sure your prices are competitive with other sellers. Keep an eye on your competitors’ prices and adjust yours accordingly.
  3. Use Walmart integration across platforms: Walmart offers integration with a variety of platforms, including Shopify, BigCommerce, and Magento. By integrating your store with Walmart Marketplace, you can easily manage your inventory, pricing, and orders all in one place.
  4. Invest in sponsored products: Sponsored products are a great way to increase product visibility. Your products will appear at the top of search results and on product pages, increasing the chances of customers seeing and purchasing your products.
  5. Promote Walmart reviews: Encourage customers to leave reviews on your products. Positive reviews can greatly increase the visibility and credibility of your products, leading to more sales.
  6. Monitor your performance: Keep an eye on your sales, reviews, and customer feedback. This will give you a clear picture of how your products are performing and where you need to improve. You will also identify which products are selling well and which are not, so you can adjust your inventory and pricing according

How Kickfurther can help

Kickfurther can help you become a successful Walmart marketplace seller by providing you with the necessary funding to purchase inventory without the constraints of traditional lending sources. Our platform connects you with a community of buyers who are willing to invest in your inventory on consignment. This means that you can purchase the inventory you need to fulfill orders without having to pay back the funds until you have received cash from your sales.

The result? Financial flexibility to scale your business quickly without worrying about cash flow constraints. You can also customize your repayment schedule to align with your sales cycle. Paying back the funds as you receive cash from your sales, rather than having to adhere to a rigid repayment schedule that may not align with your business needs, allows you to maintain inventory levels and financial flexibility as you grow your business.

Closing thoughts 

Becoming a Walmart marketplace seller is a great way to expand your business and reach a wider audience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will be well on your way to success as a Walmart marketplace seller. Remember to focus on creating high-quality product listings, providing excellent customer service, and staying compliant with Walmart’s policies.

Kickfurther can be the key to unlocking your success as a Walmart Marketplace Seller. With our funding options, you can rest easy knowing that you have the resources to fully stock your inventory and meet the demands of your customers.

Interested in getting funded at Kickfurther? Here are 3 easy steps to get started:

#1. Create a free business account

#2. Complete the online application 

#3. Review a potential deal with one of our account reps & get funded in minutes

Learn more about inventory financing options for Walmart Sellers with Kickfurther.

Top Ways to Source Inventory for Amazon

Posted on by Amanda Levine

Starting an eCommerce business on Amazon can be exciting and rewarding, but inventory sourcing remains one of the biggest challenges.  So, just how do you source products for Amazon? While it can be broken down into rather simple steps, it’s a complex process that involves research, analysis, and time. And, no matter how good you are at sourcing, you’re not always going to win. 

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your product line, finding reliable suppliers that can provide the products you need at the right price is vital. Read on as we explore several different ways to source inventory for Amazon and share strategies that can help you find the right products to sell and build a successful eCommerce business.

What is product sourcing for Amazon?

Product sourcing for Amazon involves finding and acquiring products to sell on the Amazon marketplace. Steps of product sourcing can include the following:

  • Researching and identifying products with profit potential
  • Negotiating with suppliers
  • Managing inventory
  • Logistics

Sellers can source products in a variety of ways, including manufacturing their products, dropshipping, or wholesale buying. Amazon product sourcing is a crucial step in the process of starting a business on the platform. It requires research, knowledge of the market, and networking skills to find the best products at the best prices. And by sourcing products effectively, sellers can increase profits and grow their business on Amazon.

How do you source products for Amazon?

There are several ways to source products for Amazon, depending on your specific business needs and goals. Here are some of the most common methods:

  • Purchasing from manufacturers: One common method of product sourcing for Amazon is to work directly with manufacturers to purchase products at wholesale prices. There are two ways to go about this:
  • Overseas supply: This involves working with a manufacturer or distributor based in another country to acquire products for your Amazon store or listing. This approach can be beneficial because it typically offers a wider variety of products at lower costs. However, it can also be more complex and time-consuming, as you’ll need to navigate international shipping and customs regulations.
  • Find a domestic supplier: You can also research and reach out to manufacturers or distributors within your country. This sourcing method reduces shipping times and costs, as well as ensures compliance with regulations and laws. Consumers may be more willing to purchase if they know your product is made and sourced in the USA, but it can drive costs up. 
  • Buying products from wholesalers: Wholesalers sell products in bulk to retailers at a discounted price. This method allows sellers to purchase a large number of products at once, and then resell them on Amazon.
  •  Selling handmade goods: This approach is ideal for entrepreneurs who create their own products and want to sell them on Amazon. If you’re an artist, designer, or craftsperson, selling handmade goods on Amazon is a great way to reach a global audience and turn your passion into a profitable business. However, you may have better luck on marketplaces that favor custom work such as Etsy.
  • Liquidation: Some sellers also choose to source products from other retailers, such as liquidation companies or clearance sales. But this method can make it more difficult to find products in large quantities and the condition of the products may vary.

Regardless of how products are sourced, sellers can take advantage of  Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Under this program, sellers can send their products to Amazon’s warehouses to store and ship the products to customers on their behalf. This can help reduce overhead costs as well as expedite shipping times. It can also help save on labor. 

Tips for finding the best products to sell on Amazon

Selling on Amazon can be lucrative, but it all begins with finding the right products to sell. With so many options and competitors, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are some tips to help you find the best products to sell on Amazon:

  • Low competition: One of the most important factors to consider when finding products to sell on Amazon is the level of competition. It can be difficult to compete with established sellers who have been in the market for a long time. Find categories with relatively few sellers, or search for products that don’t have a lot of similar items listed. You can also look up products in niche categories or identify unique features of a product that sets it apart from others.
  • Best sellers rank: Another important metric to consider is the Best Sellers Rank (BSR) of a product. This ranking is based on the sales of a product and is a good indicator of its popularity. When searching for products, look for categories with at least three results with a BSR. This will give you an idea of which products are selling well and which are not.
  • Request samples: before making a large purchase, it’s always a good idea to request samples of the product. You can test them out and see if they are of high quality and a good fit for your target market. It also gives you a chance to take pictures and make videos of the product to use in your listing.
  • Understand and calculate all your fees: Before selling on Amazon, understand and calculate all the associated fees. This includes Amazon’s referral fees, fulfillment fees, and other charges. Doing this ensures that your profit margins are sufficient and that you are not losing money on your sales.
  • Choose the best shipping method: Shipping costs can make or break your profits on Amazon. Choose the best shipping method that’ll keep your costs low while ensuring fast and reliable delivery to your customers. Consider using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) for your products as it offers several benefits such as discounted shipping rates, and improved visibility for your products.
  • Pick products that cross-sell well: When looking for products to sell on Amazon, pick those that cross-sell well with other products. This helps increase your sales and profits. For example, if you sell kitchen appliances, you can also sell related items such as kitchen utensils, cookware, and even recipe books.
  • Pay attention to Amazon customer reviews: Amazon customer reviews are a great way to gauge the popularity and quality of a product. You can identify products that are in high demand and have a high satisfaction rate among buyers. This can help you make informed decisions when selecting products to sell on Amazon. Reviews can also help you determine areas of improvement for existing products.
  • Price negotiation: Once you have found a product you’ll be selling, always negotiate the price with the supplier. Consider requesting a discount or asking for a better deal. Negotiating with suppliers increases your chances of getting a better deal on the products you are interested in, which helps improve your profit margin.
  • Alibaba: Alibaba is a popular platform for connecting with suppliers. Suppliers on Alibaba can make custom products or prefabricated products. Alibaba can be confusing to navigate so do some research. Consider getting a mentor that’s familiar with the site.
  • Use product data: There are applications that can be downloaded to help sellers identify what products are selling well and where there may be opportunity.

How Kickfurther can help

Amazon sellers may be able to cut costs on fulfillment, storage, and hosting a platform – but they will need plenty of funds for inventory. And, that’s where Kickfurther comes in. Kickfurther can help Amazon sellers access affordable inventory funding. As the world’s first online inventory funding platform, Kickfurther enables small businesses to access funds that they are unable to acquire through traditional sources. 

Kickfurther funds up to 100% of your inventory costs on flexible payment terms that you customize and control. With Kickfurther, you can fund your entire order(s) each time you need more inventory and put your existing capital to work growing your business without adding debt or giving up equity.

Why Kickfurther? 

No immediate repayments: You don’t pay back until your new inventory order begins selling. You set your repayment schedule based on what works best for your cash flow. 

Non-dilutive: Kickfurther doesn’t take equity in exchange for funding.

Not a debt: Kickfurther is not a loan, so it does not put debt on your books. Debt financing options can sometimes further constrain your working capital and access to capital, or even lower your business’s valuation if you are looking at venture capital or a sale.

Quick access: You need capital when your supplier payments are due. Kickfurther can fund your entire order(s) each time you need more inventory.

Kickfurther puts you in control of your business while delivering the costliest asset for most CPG brands. And by funding your largest expense (inventory), you can free up existing capital to grow your business wherever you need it – product development, advertising, adding headcount, etc.

Closing thoughts 

Sourcing inventory for Amazon can be seamless with the right strategies and tools. Whether you choose to work with a supplier, dropship, or even consider retail arbitrage, do your research and find the best option for your business. The key to success on Amazon is having a steady stream of profitable products to sell. With the right approach, you can find and source the inventory you need to grow your business and achieve success on the platform.

Interested in getting funded at Kickfurther? Here are 3 easy steps to get started:

#1. Create a free business account

#2. Complete the online application 

#3. Review a potential deal with one of our account reps & get funded in minutes

Learn more about Amazon inventory financing options with Kickfurther.