Ungating on Amazon can be a daunting process for many sellers. It involves getting approval from Amazon to sell in certain categories or to sell specific brands. While this process may seem overwhelming, it is crucial for sellers who want to expand their product offerings and increase their sales on the platform. However, there are several mistakes that sellers make while going through the ungating process on Amazon. These mistakes can lead to delays, rejections, and even account suspensions. In this blog post, we will discuss the 11 most common mistakes while ungating on Amazon and how to avoid them.
Table of Contents
- Ignoring Intellectual Property Rights
- Mistakes While Ungating on Amazon – Not Reading the Requirements
- Not Being Prepared to Provide Documentation
- Not Meeting Sales or Performance Criteria
- Providing Incorrect Information
- Submitting Incomplete Information
- Selling Prohibited Products – Mistakes While Ungating on Amazon
- Not Investing in Product Photography
- Not Optimizing Your Listings
- Not Complying with Amazon Policies
- Mistakes While Ungating on Amazon – Giving up too soon
Ignoring Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual property (IP) rights are a crucial aspect of selling on Amazon. Sellers need to ensure that they are not infringing on any trademarks, copyrights, or patents while selling on the platform. Amazon takes IP rights very seriously and will reject any ungating applications if they suspect that the seller is selling counterfeit products.
Another mistake that sellers make is using unauthorized images or logos in their product listings. This can happen if a seller uses images or logos from the brand’s website without permission. Not having this authorization can lead to rejection or suspension of the seller’s account.
>> Read more: Protecting Your Amazon Business: Strategies to Avoid and Address IP Complaints
To avoid this mistake, sellers should always research and verify the authenticity of their products and suppliers. Make sure to only source products from authorized distributors and obtain written permission from brands to use their images and logos in your listings. It is also important to regularly monitor your listings for any potential IP infringements and take immediate action to rectify them.
Mistakes While Ungating on Amazon – Not Reading the Requirements
One of the biggest mistakes that sellers make while trying to get ungated on Amazon is not reading the requirements carefully. Each category and brand has its own set of requirements that sellers need to meet in order to get approved. Ignoring these requirements or not understanding them can lead to rejection or delays in the ungating process.
These requirements include things like having a professional seller account, meeting certain performance metrics, and providing specific documentation. For example, the requirements for selling in the Beauty category are different from the requirements for selling in the Grocery category. It is important for sellers to research and understand the brand-specific requirements before attempting to get ungated.
The best way to avoid this mistake is to thoroughly read and understand the requirements for the category and brand you want to get ungated in. Take the time to research and gather all the necessary information and documentation before starting the ungating process. This will help you save time and avoid any potential delays or rejections.
Not Being Prepared to Provide Documentation
Another common mistake that sellers make while trying to get ungated on Amazon is not being prepared to provide the required documentation. Amazon requires sellers to provide certain documents to prove their eligibility to sell in a specific category or brand. Not having these documents ready can lead to delays or rejections in the ungating process.
For example, if you are trying to get ungated in the Grocery category, you will need to provide a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration, a Certificate of Analysis (COA), and a Letter of Guarantee (LOG). If you are selling in a country where English is not the primary language, Amazon may require you to provide translated versions of your documents.
To avoid this mistake, sellers should research and understand the required documentation for the category or brand they want to get ungated in. Make sure to have all the necessary documents ready and up-to-date before starting the ungating process. If you are selling in a non-English speaking country, make sure to have your documents translated by a professional before submitting them to Amazon.
Not Meeting Sales or Performance Criteria
Amazon has certain sales and performance criteria that sellers need to meet in order to get ungated. These criteria can include things like a minimum number of sales, a certain level of customer satisfaction, or a specific amount of positive feedback.
By avoiding these common mistakes, sellers can successfully navigate the ungating process and expand their business on Amazon. In addition to sales, Amazon also looks at a seller’s performance metrics when considering an ungating application. These metrics include things like order defect rate, late shipment rate, and cancellation rate. If a seller’s performance metrics are below Amazon’s standards, their ungating application may be rejected.
To avoid this mistake, sellers should focus on building a strong sales history and maintaining good performance metrics. This objective can be accomplished by delivering top-notch products and exceptional customer service. It is also important to regularly monitor your performance metrics and take immediate action to improve them if they fall below Amazon’s standards.
Providing Incorrect Information
Providing incorrect information is another common mistake that sellers make while trying to get ungated on Amazon. Amazon requires sellers to provide accurate and detailed information about their products. This includes things like product titles, descriptions, and images.
For example, if you are trying to get ungated in the Beauty category, you will need to provide a list of ingredients for each of your products. If you fail to provide this information or provide incorrect information, your application will be rejected.
To avoid this mistake, sellers should double-check all the information they provide in their ungating application. Make sure to provide accurate and up-to-date information about your products and your business. It is also important to regularly review and update your product listings to ensure that all the information is accurate and compliant with Amazon’s guidelines.
Submitting Incomplete Information
One of the quickest ways to get your ungating application denied is by submitting incomplete information. This can happen due to a lack of understanding of the requirements or simply by making careless errors. Amazon requires sellers to provide specific documents to prove their eligibility for ungating. In addition to documents, Amazon also requires sellers to fill out forms with detailed information about their products and business. Making the mistake of not filling out these forms correctly or leaving out important information can lead to delays or rejections in the ungating process.
To avoid this mistake, sellers should carefully review all the requirements and forms before submitting their ungating application. Make sure to include all the required documents and fill out the forms accurately and completely. It is also important to double-check all the information you provide to ensure that it is correct and up-to-date.
Selling Prohibited Products – Mistakes While Ungating on Amazon
Selling prohibited products is a serious mistake that can lead to suspension of a seller’s account. Amazon has a list of prohibited products that sellers are not allowed to sell on the platform. This list includes things like weapons, drugs, and hazardous materials. Make the mistake of not checking this list before attempting to get ungated in a category or brand can lead to rejection of their ungating application and even suspension of their account if they continue to try and sell these prohibited products.
To avoid this mistake, sellers should always check the list of prohibited and restricted products before attempting to get ungated in a category or brand. If you are unsure about whether a product is allowed on Amazon, it is best to contact Amazon’s seller support for clarification. It is also important to regularly review and update your product listings to ensure that you are not selling any prohibited or restricted products.
Not Investing in Product Photography
Product photography is an essential aspect of selling on Amazon. High-quality images can significantly impact a customer’s decision to purchase a product. Failing to invest in professional product photography can make your listings appear unprofessional and unappealing to customers. In addition to quality, Amazon also has specific guidelines for product images. These guidelines include things like image size, background color, and the number of images required for each product. Sellers often make the mistake of not following these guidelines, which can lead to delays or rejections in the ungating process.
To avoid this mistake, sellers should invest in professional product photography. This will ensure that your images are of high quality and meet Amazon’s guidelines. It is also important to regularly review and update your product images to ensure that they accurately represent your products and comply with Amazon’s guidelines.
Not Optimizing Your Listings
Failing to invest in professional product photography can make your listings appear unprofessional and unappealing to customers. Another mistake that sellers make is having poor product descriptions. Customers rely on product descriptions to understand the features and benefits of a product. If your product descriptions are lacking or inaccurate, it can lead to lower sales and potentially rejection of your ungating application.
To avoid this mistake, sellers should conduct thorough keyword research and include relevant keywords in their product titles and descriptions. It is also important to have accurate and detailed product descriptions that highlight the features and benefits of your products. Regularly updating and optimizing your listings can also help improve your sales and increase your chances of getting ungated.
Not Complying with Amazon Policies
Amazon has strict policies that sellers need to comply with in order to sell on the platform. These policies cover everything from product quality to customer service.
One of the most common mistakes that sellers make is selling poor quality products. This can happen if a seller sources products from unreliable suppliers or fails to properly inspect their products before sending them to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Another mistake that sellers make is not providing good customer service. This can happen if a seller fails to respond to customer inquiries or does not handle returns and refunds properly.
To avoid this mistake, sellers should always prioritize product quality and customer service. Make sure to source products from reliable suppliers and thoroughly inspect them before sending them to Amazon. It is also important to respond to customer inquiries promptly and handle returns and refunds in a timely and professional manner.
Mistakes While Ungating on Amazon – Giving up too soon
The last mistake that sellers make while ungating on Amazon is giving up too soon. Getting ungated in a category can be a lengthy and challenging process, but persistence is key.
To avoid this mistake, stay patient and persistent throughout the ungating process. Keep working towards meeting the requirements and providing the necessary documentation, and don’t give up until you have exhausted all options. Moreover, if you are unsure about any aspect of the ungating process, don’t hesitate to reach out to Amazon Seller Support or consult with a professional who can guide you through the process.
Ungating on Amazon can be a challenging process, but it is crucial for sellers who want to expand their product offerings and increase their sales on the platform. However, there are several mistakes that sellers make while going through the ungating process that can lead to delays, rejections, and even account suspensions. By avoiding these common mistakes, sellers can successfully navigate the ungating process and expand their business on Amazon.
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