Amazon Launchpad is a program that aims to empower businesses to grow on Amazon. With the help of this program, many entrepreneurs find it easier to launch, market, and distribute their products across the globe.
Since its launch in 2015, this program released 30 categories in the U.S. alone; 400 US-based startups and small businesses report $1 million in annual sales; and nearly forty businesses, $10 million in annual sales.
Read on to find out if Amazon Launchpad is a good fit for you and your business.
About Amazon Launchpad
Amazon Launchpad is a unique platform that serves two purposes:
- It’s a marketplace within a marketplace that allows customers to sift through a range of cutting-edge and innovative items produced by startups.
- It is an incredibly useful service point for small businesses in need of a helping hand.
Think of Amazon Launchpad as a supplemental program designed to jumpstart and accelerate your Amazon business in ways you never imagined.
Amazon Launchpad Product Listings
Launchpad product listings are user-friendly.
This program allows startups to create and customize surrounding their products with the help of larger images, videos and more space to write.
Aside from this, Launchpad vendors also enjoy more opportunities to be highly visible through in-house advertising and a special widget on Amazon’s storefront landing page.
Another exciting thing about Launchpad is that it offers startups with plenty of logistical support via its Services Hub.
This is a space where participating vendors seek out help from colleagues and more established service providers in order to boost productivity.
They can ask help from prototyping and manufacturing to funding and sales. Participating service providers are quick to respond to start up queries. They normally respond within seven days.
Benefits of Amazon Launchpad
Amazon Launchpad offers a broad array of benefits, such as:
Presentation
How you present your products matters a lot. Publish unique and attractive content on your detail page through Premium A+. Your start-up story could definitely inspire others!
Discoverability
Amazon Launchpad aims to increase your products’ visibility, and it brings added value such as storefront placements, category focused emails, and more.
Tools and Support
Startups can expect guidance and support from Amazon Launchpad. Assistance on account set up, pre launch set up, and detail page optimization along with other types of customer support.
Top 5 categories for Amazon Launchpad in the U.S. and top brands in each category:
Health & Personal Care
- Smarter Nutrition – Santa Ana, CA
- G Fuel – West Babylon, NY
- InnovixLabs – Calabasas, CA
- Recoup Fitness – Denver, CO
- Bella Terra Cosmetics – Houston, TX
Home
Grocery
Toys
Kitchen
Get started on Amazon Launchpad
Currently, Amazon gives priority on startups funded by crowdfunding platforms, venture capital firms and other startup accelerators that are already part of the company’s existing network — which includes names like Kickstarter, Andreesen Horowitz, and Hardware Club.
Although Launchpad is a little bit selective in terms of who it takes on.
Amazon has said they are willing to consider startups supported by companies outside the network on a case-by-case basis. Sellers already on Amazon can also apply for the program.
You must first register as an Amazon vendor and upload some basic product information onto the site in order to apply for Launchpad.
A confirmation of an initial order will be asked from you and an initial load of products will be shipped to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. This will be used by the site to evaluate whether there’s a genuine demand for your company’s products.
If the application to join Launchpad is approved, note that vendors won’t be getting a free ride. An incremental referral fee at five percent on top of the site’s standard referral fee on each item sold will be shouldered by the seller.
This additional fee applies to all seller selections, and is charged on the total sum paid for the item by the buyer — including taxes.
1. Apply
As the first step to join the program, you must fill out the Amazon Launchpad application form. The Amazon team will respond to your application within 7 to 10 business days.
2. Create a Listing
Once the application is approved, you don’t need to worry about creating a listing on your own. The Amazon team will help you get through the whole process from opening your own Amazon account, creating new items, updating your detail pages, and many more.
3. Scale & Develop
It is very important to optimize your detail page content and leverage the Amazon platform for running deals, advertising, and more. Please remember that investing in your product is essential to success and help your business grow.
Is Amazon Launchpad Right for My Business?
Through this program, you’ll be able to connect startups with all the resources and service providers you’ll need to have a good start.
This way, small business owners like you will save a lot of time and will give you a hassle-free transaction.
All in all, the program will bolster your company’s visibility. Thats for sure!
Having discussed the benefits, please take note that the platform also has its own set of drawbacks.
As a Launchpad vendor, you’ll be expected to take part in the eCommerce giant’s ‘Fulfillment by Amazon’ service — this means that you have to risk shipping your wholesale inventory to Amazon before a customer has even had a chance to buy anything.
This has been a standard practice for larger, more established companies.
A vast majority of startups would likely argue this is a small price to pay for the all-encompassing support that Launchpad and Amazon’s global fulfillment network provide.
You’ll have to look at the pros and cons and weigh it. Try to figure out whether Launchpad is right for your startup and come up with a good decision whether to push through this program.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Amazon Launchpad’s mission?
Amazon Launchpad is a supplemental program. It’s designed to jumpstart and accelerate your
Amazon business. Their mission is to support entrepreneurs by providing tools and resources that will enable them to showcase and deliver innovative products to millions of Amazon customers around the world.
2. Who is eligible to participate in the Amazon Launchpad program?
All entrepreneurs and brand owners with unique and innovative products are welcome to apply. Evaluation of your application will be done and you’ll receive a response within 7-10 business days.
3. Can existing sellers participate?
Yes, if you are an existing seller you are eligible to apply and participate in the Amazon Launchpad program.
Sellers with products on Amazon, for under three years and with less than $5 million in gross merchandise sales on Amazon annually, also qualify.
Upon receipt of application, Amazon will evaluate your application and provide a response within 7-10 business days.
4. Is there a fee for Amazon Launchpad?
Yes. If you have a ‘Selling on Amazon’ account, a 5% premium will be added to the Referral Fees. This applies to all sales connected with your account. This can be seen on the Selling on Amazon Fee Schedule.
If during your participation in LP, your 12-month gross merchandise sales exceed $1 million, Amazon may have the sole discretion to lower your 5% premium to 3% beginning the following month and as your business accelerates you can have the opportunity to unlock other enhanced services to your own advantage.
5. What are the criteria for participation?
To ensure the best experience for Amazon customers when browsing Amazon Launchpad products, you must meet the following criteria if you wish to participate in this program:
1) A minimum of 3.5 stars in all products
2) At least 5 reviews
3) Enrolled in Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) with Prime badging
6. Do I have to be an Amazon seller to be part of Amazon Launchpad?
Yes, you must be selling through Amazon Seller Central to join Amazon Launchpad.
7. Do I need to get a UPC/GTIN/EAN to sell on Amazon?
Yes, you need a UPC, GTIN, or EAN to sell on Amazon.
8. What type of support can I get from Amazon after leaving the Amazon Launchpad program?
Your products won’t be available anymore. However, administrative support will still be provided by Amazon’s central teams and via support cases filed in your vendor or seller portal.
For continued support on Amazon, you can do the following:
- For Seller Central User, you may login to your Seller Account to access Seller University resources for guidance.
- You may sign up for weekly webinars to learn more about Amazon Advertising. And if you need help with administrative issues access the Seller Central Contact Us page (login required).
To edit your A+ (Enhanced Brand) Content: Your Amazon Launchpad A+ will stay live on your detail page after the transition. If you want to switch to the standard A+ modules, please contact [email protected] To changes your A+ after the transition, you can create new content through Seller Central as the registered brand owner. You can create these pages for free and you can access the standard A+ modules. Check the Seller Central A+ FAQs for additional information.
9. What are the program terms for Amazon Launchpad?
You need to commit for 12-months minimum from the date of acceptance. If you wish to cancel your participation in the Amazon Launchpad Program after the 12 months period you just need to provide a 30 days written notice.
Please also note that Amazon Launchpad has the sole discretion and reserves the right to transition brands out of the program if they wish to.
Final Thoughts
Amazon Launchpad is of big help especially to startups and other small businesses.
With the help of this program, these businesses and new brands can overcome many of the challenges associated with launching and marketing new products by utilizing and leveraging Amazon’s marketing tools, eCommerce expertise, and fulfillment network.
Brands can also take advantage of all Amazon offers to help small businesses grow.
This includes new pilot programs, events as well as promotion. Launchpad is a good platform that makes it easier for customers to discover these brands with a dedicated shopping destination.
Aside from the Amazon Launchpad, Amazon also offers programs and educational tools that aim to help small businesses and new brands grow and thrive in its store.
Amazon FBA Marketing, https://amzadvisers.com/
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