How to Sell on Walmart Marketplace

By Thomas Bennett Financial expert at Priceva
Published on July 18, 2024
Walmart Marketplace is a powerful online platform where small businesses can reach a vast audience and sell their products alongside Walmart’s own offerings. For those looking to expand their online presence, understanding how to navigate Walmart Marketplace is crucial. This guide will walk you through the essential steps and strategies needed to succeed in selling on Walmart Marketplace, ensuring your business can tap into this lucrative market.

Walmart Marketplace provides an incredible opportunity for small businesses to expand their reach. With millions of Walmart shoppers browsing the platform, you can significantly increase your sales. This comprehensive guide will cover everything from setting up your account to listing your products and optimizing your sales strategy in case you consider joining Walmart marketplace.

What is Walmart Marketplace?

Walmart Marketplace is an online platform designed for small businesses to sell their products alongside Walmart's extensive range of offerings. It allows third-party sellers to leverage Walmart's vast customer base and trusted brand to drive sales and grow their business. The platform offers various services such as sponsored ads and fulfillment options, enabling businesses to reach a wider audience and streamline their operations.

For small businesses, selling on Walmart Marketplace provides a unique opportunity to tap into the extensive reach of Walmart stores and online shoppers. The platform supports a wide range of product categories, allowing sellers to list diverse products and attract different customer segments. With tools like the Walmart Brand Portal and Walmart Connect, businesses can enhance their visibility and drive more traffic to their listings.

Benefits of Selling on Walmart

Selling on Walmart Marketplace comes with numerous benefits that can help you grow your business and reach more customers:

Expanded Customer Reach
Gain access to millions of Walmart shoppers who frequent the platform. This vast customer base can significantly increase your sales and brand visibility.

Reputable Platform
Associate your brand with Walmart’s trusted name. Being a part of a well-known and respected platform can enhance your credibility and attract more customers.

Cost-Effective Fees
Enjoy competitive referral fees compared to other online marketplaces. Walmart's fee structure is designed to be affordable, helping you maximize your profits.

Less Competition
Benefit from a less saturated market compared to other major platforms like Amazon. This can make it easier to stand out and capture the attention of potential customers.

Integration
Easily integrate with your existing online store for streamlined operations. Walmart Marketplace supports various integrations that make managing your inventory, orders, and customer service more efficient.

How to Sell on Walmart Marketplace

Step 1: Confirm You Meet the Minimum Qualifications

Before you start selling on Walmart Marketplace, it’s crucial to ensure that you meet the platform’s minimum qualifications. You need a Business Tax ID, which is essential for tax purposes and business verification. Additionally, you must have proof of online selling experience, demonstrating that you can effectively manage an online business. Proper product identifiers like GTIN or UPC are also required to list your products accurately and comply with Walmart’s policies. Lastly, make sure your fulfillment system is reliable to meet Walmart’s shipping and customer service standards.

Step 2: Create a Seller Account or Login to Your Existing Account

To start selling on Walmart Marketplace, you need to create a seller account. Begin by completing the signup form with your business details, including your business name, address, and tax information. This information is crucial for setting up your seller profile and ensuring that you comply with Walmart’s business verification process. Once you’ve entered all the necessary information, verify your email address to activate your account. If you already have an existing account, simply log in to continue the process.

Step 3: Submit Business Verification Details

After creating your seller account, the next step is to complete the business verification process. This involves submitting detailed tax information and setting up your seller profile. Accurate and complete information is crucial for approval, as Walmart needs to verify your business's legitimacy and ensure compliance with their standards. This step also includes providing additional business details, such as your business address, contact information, and any relevant certifications.

Step 4: Configure Payments

Setting up your payment processing is a critical step in selling on Walmart Marketplace. Choose a third-party payment processor such as Payoneer, Hyperwallet, or PingPong. These payment processors are integrated with Walmart Marketplace to ensure secure and efficient transactions. Note that new sellers may experience an initial payment hold period as part of the onboarding process. This is a standard procedure to protect both sellers and buyers and ensure smooth transactions.

Step 5: Set Up Shipping

Configuring your shipping settings is crucial for providing a seamless customer experience. Use Walmart’s shipping templates to set up your shipping methods and rates. Agree to the returns service and set up a return center to manage return shipping labels and customer inquiries efficiently. Properly configured shipping settings ensure that your products are delivered on time and in good condition, which is essential for maintaining high customer satisfaction and positive reviews.

Step 6: List Your Products

Finally, it’s time to list your products on Walmart Marketplace. You can add your products using the bulk upload method for large inventories or the single item method for individual listings. Ensure your listings are optimized with high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and accurate product information. Following Walmart’s guidelines for product listings helps attract potential customers and improves your chances of making sales.

What Kinds of Products Can I Sell on Walmart Marketplace?

Walmart Marketplace supports a wide range of product categories, including electronics, apparel, home goods, and more. However, certain categories may have specific restrictions or require pre-approval. It’s essential to ensure that your products comply with Walmart’s policies and are not prohibited from selling. Understanding the product categories and any restrictions can help you avoid issues during the listing process and ensure a smooth selling experience.

Selling a variety of products on Walmart Marketplace allows you to reach different customer segments and increase your sales potential. Make sure to review Walmart’s guidelines for each product category and obtain any necessary approvals before listing your products. This helps ensure compliance and a successful selling experience on the platform.

Best Practices and Tips on How to Succeed Selling on Walmart

Optimize New Product Listings for Sale on Walmart Marketplace

Creating effective product listings is key to attracting customers. Follow Walmart’s guidelines for product names, descriptions, and images. Use high-quality images that clearly show the product and its features. Detailed and accurate descriptions help potential customers make informed decisions.

Use an Inventory Tracking System

Effectively managing your inventory is essential, especially if you sell on multiple platforms. An inventory tracking system helps you keep track of stock levels, preventing overselling and ensuring timely restocking. This is particularly important for maintaining a good standing with Walmart’s algorithm and ensuring you never miss out on potential sales. Look for systems that offer integrations with Walmart and other online marketplaces, allowing for seamless synchronization across all your sales channels. An efficient inventory management system not only streamlines operations but also ensures you can meet customer demand without delays, thereby boosting your overall sales performance and customer trust.

Offer Great Fulfillment Service

Providing efficient order fulfillment is vital for maintaining high customer satisfaction and encouraging repeat business. Consider using Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) to ensure fast and reliable delivery, leveraging Walmart’s extensive logistics network. A great fulfillment service enhances the overall customer experience, leading to positive reviews and increased customer loyalty. Efficient fulfillment also helps in securing the Buy Box, as Walmart values timely and reliable shipping services. By offering excellent fulfillment options, you can significantly improve your chances of success on the platform, ensuring that customers receive their orders promptly and in excellent condition.

Qualify for the Buy Box by Pricing Products Competitively

The Buy Box is a coveted spot on Walmart’s product pages, prominently displaying a particular seller’s offering. To qualify, you need competitive pricing and excellent seller performance metrics. Regularly researching market trends and adjusting your prices accordingly is essential to remain competitive. Walmart’s pricing dashboard can be a valuable tool in tracking market trends and ensuring your prices are attractive to potential customers. Competitive pricing not only helps you win the Buy Box but also drives higher sales volume and increases your overall visibility on the platform. By staying competitive, you can capture more customer interest and boost your sales.

Encourage Customers to Leave Positive Reviews

Positive reviews can significantly impact your sales and overall reputation on Walmart Marketplace. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews by providing excellent service and follow-up emails thanking them for their purchase and inviting feedback. Responding to reviews, both positive and negative, shows that you value customer feedback and are committed to improving their shopping experience. Positive reviews build trust with potential customers and can lead to higher conversion rates. By actively encouraging and managing customer reviews, you can enhance your store’s credibility and attract more buyers.

Run Walmart Marketplace Ads

Leverage Walmart Marketplace’s advertising options to boost your product visibility and drive more traffic to your listings. Sponsored Search ads, including Sponsored Products and Sponsored Brands, can help increase your reach and attract more potential customers. These ads are targeted, meaning they are shown to Walmart shoppers who are more likely to be interested in your products. Running effective ad campaigns can significantly increase your sales and brand awareness. By strategically using Walmart Marketplace ads, you can enhance your product’s presence on the platform and drive higher engagement and conversions.

Conclusion

Selling on Walmart Marketplace involves several key steps, from meeting initial qualifications and creating a seller account to listing products and optimizing your sales strategy. By following this guide, you can navigate the platform effectively and take full advantage of its potential. Understanding the importance of optimizing product listings, managing inventory efficiently, providing excellent fulfillment services, pricing competitively, and leveraging advertising options are all crucial for success. Using tools like Priceva’s price optimization can further enhance your competitive edge and drive success.

Walmart Marketplace FAQ

How much does it cost to sell through Walmart?

Walmart charges a referral fee based on the sales price of each item, which varies by product category. There are no setup or subscription fees, making it a cost-effective option for sellers.

How to sell stuff in Walmart?

To sell on Walmart Marketplace, register as a seller, complete the business verification process, set up payments, configure shipping, and list your products. Follow Walmart’s guidelines for successful selling.

How do you get accepted to sell on Walmart?

To get accepted, ensure you meet Walmart’s minimum qualifications, provide accurate business verification details, and complete the application process. Approval is based on your ability to meet Walmart’s standards.

Can I sell on Walmart as an individual?

No, Walmart Marketplace is designed for businesses. You need a registered business with a Business Tax ID and proof of online selling experience to qualify as a seller.

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