The Smartest Amazon Seller

SmartScout

4.7 (145)
TECHNOLOGY
UPDATED WEEKLY

Scott Needham is the Founder of SmartScout. An Amazon software developer for 10 years his company BuyBoxer has done over $300m in sales on Amazon. Scott has accumulated a deep knowledge about selling product online, and in the podcast he shares his knowledge with you to help you become a better Amazon seller.

1 DAY AGO

Episode 284 - Helium 10 and Market Forces in the Amazon Seller Space

Scott examines the evolving landscape of the Amazon seller ecosystem. From web traffic to key tools such as Helium 10 and Jungle Scout declining by 50% over the past two years, the conversation centers on what this means for new and established sellers.He opens the discussion by exploring the sharp decline in new Amazon sellers entering the market. The pandemic-era e-commerce surge from 2020-2022 has faded, leading many new sellers to exit after facing early challenges. Despite this shift, Amazon continues to grow steadily at 15-20%, driven largely by established brands utilizing agencies and expertise to strengthen their presence.Scott also shed light on how external forces such as tariffs and policies from the Trump administration are shaping the industry while highlighting the dominance of Chinese sellers. Sellers from key cities in China remain resilient, maintaining their stronghold despite geopolitical tensions and trade challenges.Tune in for a comprehensive analysis of the trends shaping the Amazon seller space and practical advice to navigate this evolving landscape. Episode Notes: 00:10 - Market Forces and Trends 02:15 - Traffic Decline of Top Amazon Seller Tools 05:05 - Growth of Large Brands 06:45 - Analyzing The Broader Market 08:10 - Effects of Political Events on Market Dynamics 09:38 - Observations on Chinese Market Impact 10:40 - Insights on Chinese Sellers in the Amazon Marketplace Related Post: The 10 Largest Amazon Vendor Brands

12 min
NOV 12

Episode 283 - Navigating Amazon's New Bundle Policy

Amazon has recently updated its bundle policy, and this episode is dedicated to breaking down the implications for sellers of all sizes.Scott discusses the specific changes, their potential impact, and strategies to continue leveraging bundling to boost sales. He also explores successful bundling strategies, using Fender guitar bundles as a case study.By analyzing their approach, we'll uncover valuable insights into creating compelling and compliant bundles. Additionally, we'll delve into the role of software tools such as Smart Scout in identifying bundling opportunities and optimizing product listings.Join Scott as he navigates this evolving landscape and empowers you to maximize your sales potential. Episode Notes: 01:50 - Updated Product Bundling Policy for Consumables 03:35 - Example of Non-compliant Bundle 04:30 - Case Study: Fender Guitar Bundles 07:43 - The Role of Software in Bundling Related Post: Traffic Graph Update

10 min
NOV 6

Episode 282 - Is Amazon's New Low-Cost Store A Game Changer in E-commerce?

Amazon is again shaking up the e-commerce world with its latest initiative: a low-cost store designed to compete with emerging players such as Temu. This new program offers rock-bottom prices and ultra-fast shipping directly from China. Scott delves into the potential impact of this move on small private label sellers and established brands. He discusses how this strategy could affect product categories and pricing dynamics. To stay ahead of the curve, Scott also explores the use of SmartScout to identify competitive opportunities and potential threats from Chinese sellers. Join him as he navigates this evolving landscape and discusses strategies to adapt your business accordingly. Episode Notes: 00:27 - Amazon's new low-cost store initiative 02:35 - Key Aspects of the New Program 04:17 - Invite-only Nature and Sourcing from China 05:20 - Focus on Lightweight Items and Restrictions on Certain Product Categories 05:53 - Branded by Amazon 06:45 - No Returns 07:05 - Fulfillment Fees 07:55 - Impact on the E-Commerce Landscape 10:16 - Strategy and Tool for Small Private Label Sellers Related Post: How To Use a China Sourcing Agent

13 min
OCT 24

Episode 281 - Understanding FBA Calculators and Profitability on Amazon

Scott explores the limitations of popular FBA calculators and uncovers hidden costs that can significantly impact profitability. He discusses the importance of accurate accounting and inventory tracking, as well as strategies for managing high return rates.Drawing from years of experience selling over $100 million worth of products on Amazon, Scott delves into real-world examples and insights. Join him as he uncovers the truth behind FBA profitability and equips you with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Episode Notes: 01:15 - FBA Calculators Lies 04:35 - Understanding Profitability 08:55 - Amazon FBA Calculator 10:06 - Best Accounting Methods for Amazon Sellers 12:00 - How to Have a Profitable Amazon Business Coupon Code: Smart2024 Related Posts: The Best Accounting Methods for Amazon Sellers Profit Estimations

14 min
OCT 22

Episode 280 - Transforming Your Amazon Business with AI-Driven Content Creation with Max Sinclair

In this episode, we're joined by Max Sinclair, Founder and CEO at Ecomtent, to explore how AI tools can revolutionize your e-commerce strategy.Discover how AI can help you craft product titles and descriptions that rank higher in Amazon search results. Learn why visual context is crucial in the age of AI-powered search algorithms, and how to optimize your listings accordingly.Explore innovative templates that make it easier to create stunning primary images and A+ content.Don't miss this opportunity to learn how AI can help you save time, boost sales, and stay ahead of the competition on Amazon. Episode Notes: 00:50 - Max Sinclair Introduction and Background 05:40 - AI's Impact on E-commerce 07:20 - Content Creation and the Importance of Visual SEO 08:45 - Streamlining Content Generation 13:30 - How Templates Streamline Content Creation for Non-designers 18:10 - Enhanced Brand Content 20:50 - Primary Image Optimization 25:15 - Technical Insights and Data Usage LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai Website: ecomtent.ai/ X: x.com/maxsinclair4 Related Post: How to Use AI for Successful Amazon Selling

31 min
OCT 15

Episode 279 - Inflation, Awards, and Insights into Amazon's Marketplace with Scott Needham

Get the latest on Amazon's pricing trends, including an upcoming inflation report. Scott compares 1P and 3P sellers and discusses how major brands like Apple dominate the marketplace. Understand how inflation affects Amazon's pricing strategies, particularly for Chinese sellers. Gain insights into the challenges and methodologies used to analyze price trends across millions of products. Plus, learn about the prestigious Golden Seller Awards. Episode Notes: 00:15 - About The Smartest Amazon Seller 02:30 - Golden Seller Awards 04:20 - Average Price of Selling ASINs 04:59 - 1P Brands Report 08:15 - 1P vs 3P 11:28 - Inflation Prices on Amazon Marketplace Related Post: ‍How to Search Amazon Storefronts and Sellers

20 min
OCT 8

Episode 278 - Building a Multi-Million Dollar Amazon Empire with Jeff Needham

Ever dreamed of building a multi-million dollar Amazon business with your sibling? Join us for a special episode where we sit down with my brother and co-founder, Jeff, to uncover the secrets behind our journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the top Amazon sellers. We'll share candid stories about the highs and lows of running a successful e-commerce business for over a decade, including the importance of adaptability in scaling a business, insights on leveraging third-party logistics for growth, and lessons learned from pursuing brand exclusivity deals. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an e-commerce enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won't want to miss. Episode Notes: 00:10 - Jeff Needham Introduction 02:15 - Early Days and Initial Insights Into the Amazon Marketplace 05:00 - Scaling the Business 06:55 - Realizations and Challenges 09:50 - Decision to Move Warehouse Operations to Indiana 12:25 - Optimizing the Business 15:30 - Exploration of Brand-Direct and Exclusive Selling Models 16:10 - Lessons Learned from Watching Other Competitors 17:20 - Brand Direct Challenges 19:00 - Failed Ventures and Insights 25:30 - The Reimbursement Service 26:18 - Operational Innovations 29:30 - Scott’s Scouting Tool 30:30 - Issues with Expanding Too Wide 33:10 - Dealing with Accounting 34:47 - COVID Stories 37:45 - Price Gouging 39:15 - Amazon Inventory Constraints Related Post: 7 Pro Amazon Listing Optimization Tips to Send Your Sales Soaring

42 min
OCT 1

Episode 277 - The Secrets to Stunning Amazon Product Pages with George Reid

Join Scott and George Reid from AMZ Design Kit as they explore innovative strategies for creating eye-catching Amazon product pages that convert.Discover how George's journey led him to develop a unique tool that curates top-tier design examples, infographics, and A+ content to inspire your creative process.Learn how AMZ Design Kit collects and organizes high-performing design elements to fuel your inspiration. Explore practical tips to speed up your design process without sacrificing quality. Understand the significant impact of well-designed pages on conversion rates and advertising effectiveness.Tune in to discover how to elevate your Amazon product pages and drive sales.Episode Notes:00:45 - George Reid Introduction 01:40 - Concept of AMZ Design Kit 02:50 - The Intersection of Advertising and Design 05:25- Role of Design in Conversion Rates 08:25 - Refreshing an ASIN 09:05 - Not Reinventing the Wheel 10:00 - Building a Design System 11:55 - Utilizing the AMZ Design Kit 14:55 - Design Refresh Results 17:30 - The Value of AMZ Design Kit 19:00 - Video Templates 20:40 - Affordability and Accessibility of AMZ Design Kit LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/georgereid23 Email: georgebreid@gmail.com Related Post: Advertising Solutions by Amazon: A Closer Look into Amazon Ads

24 min

See All (100)

4.7

out of 5

145 Ratings

Great Content from authentic Host

12/25/2021

Sbsaeed

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and hosting great guest. I learn and grow after listening to every episode. THANK YOU! Saad Saeed
The real deal

12/22/2021

DCnOK

I just updated this review from the smartest sellers first 3 (or was it 2) star review that he was longing for almost 2 years ago. (Not sure if you remember asking for that one) Nonetheless scott is a great guy, with a great product who freely shares truly valuable information. I feel he really has a heart to help people. Top notch on every level so far -Devan Culbert
Great podcast

06/04/2021

Excelerol

I higly recommend The Smartest Amazon Seller. It´s truly a Goldmine of entreprenurial ideas, tips, strategies and advice to take your business to the next level.
Poor Sound

10/03/2021

McFallFarm

Great information but many of the podcast won’t load and many have horrible sound and very poor quality. Spend some buyboxer $$ on some better equipment or get a VA to help.

Scott Needham is the Founder of SmartScout. An Amazon software developer for 10 years his company BuyBoxer has done over $300m in sales on Amazon. Scott has accumulated a deep knowledge about selling product online, and in the podcast he shares his knowledge with you to help you become a better Amazon seller.