Sell Books Online
Here, you can learn how to sell books online. In addition, Amazon provides various features to support the start of your selling journey. We will also show you tips for selling on Amazon.
4,900 JPY a month (excluding tax) + selling fees
Advantages of selling books online
Here are the benefits of selling books online.
• Can start out by selling a few books (no need to stock a large amount)
• There are options for a wide range of genres such as novels, reference books, comic books, etc.
• There are options for a wide range of genres such as novels, reference books, comic books, etc.
When selling books at bookstores or other physical stores, you’ll need an inventory with a consolidated number of copies. However, there’s no need for that when you’re selling online, so you can start selling with relatively low risk. In particular, when using an existing store like Amazon, there’s no need to build a website or create an order management system, and you can quickly start selling.
Types of books you can sell
You can sell hardcovers, paperbacks, or eBooks online. If you’re selling books that are printed or bound on paper, they will be sold in one of the following conditions.
• Brand New
• Used - Like New
• Used - Very Good
• Used - Good
• Used - Acceptable
• Used - Like New
• Used - Very Good
• Used - Good
• Used - Acceptable
Below, we will explain some featured book types.
Type of book
Features
Recommended ways to sell on Amazon
Books without an ISBN code (International Standard Book Number)
An ISBN code (International Standard Book Number) is a registration code for identifying unique book publications by publication type and title, listed on the back cover or imprint portion of a book. Old books published before 1980 do not have an ISBN code. You can apply for an exemption to sell such products on Amazon.
Click here for product listings without a product ID (UPC, EAN, JAN, ISBN)
Click here for product listings without a product ID (UPC, EAN, JAN, ISBN)
Collectible Books
In order to be listed as a collectible book, added value such as an autograph, out-of-print status, or being first-edition, etc. is required. It will be necessary to explain in detail what makes it particularly valuable as a collector item.
Privately-printed/self-published books
Here are the following three ways to sell privately-printed/self-published books on Amazon.
• Seller account
• Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) *This service is different from the seller account
• E-consignment *This service is different from the seller account
• Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) *This service is different from the seller account
• E-consignment *This service is different from the seller account
Seller account: Like new and used books, privately-printed books with an ISBN code can also be sold with a seller account.
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): You can self-publish eBooks and paper books for free. For paper books, you can create a free ISBN code that can only be used with KDP, or if you’ve already obtained an ISBN code, you can register using that code. Since this is a different service from the seller account, there is no need to register for a seller account.
E-consignment: This is a service that provides product sales, delivery, and support to customers after storing products that publishers and makers have sales rights to as outsourced inventory at Amazon's fulfillment center. Since this is a different service from the seller account, there is no need to register for a seller account.
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): You can self-publish eBooks and paper books for free. For paper books, you can create a free ISBN code that can only be used with KDP, or if you’ve already obtained an ISBN code, you can register using that code. Since this is a different service from the seller account, there is no need to register for a seller account.
E-consignment: This is a service that provides product sales, delivery, and support to customers after storing products that publishers and makers have sales rights to as outsourced inventory at Amazon's fulfillment center. Since this is a different service from the seller account, there is no need to register for a seller account.
What is the resale system for books and magazines?
The resale system (resale price maintenance system) for copyrighted works is a system where publishers determine fixed prices for books and magazines and can sell them at fixed prices at retail bookstores, etc. Since publications have characteristics that differ markedly from general products, this agreement is recognized by the Antimonopoly Act. When selling new books you’ve purchased, please be careful to comply with the resale system.
Three steps to selling books online
Here are three steps that can help you sell your book online.
1. Decide how to procure books
There are multiple ways to procure books. The easiest way is to sell the books you already own. However, it’s also possible to procure books in the following ways.
• Wholesalers: You can sign contracts with wholesalers or purchase books in bulk from online wholesale sites, etc. You can also source brand-new books from distributors and publishers. One advantage of doing this is that you can purchase a large number of books at wholesale prices.
• Local stores: You can buy used books at local used bookstores, thrift stores, etc. This is recommended if you want to start selling with a small number.
• Local stores: You can buy used books at local used bookstores, thrift stores, etc. This is recommended if you want to start selling with a small number.
When procuring books, be sure to check the condition of the book and sell it in the correct condition according to the condition guidelines of the sales site you are using. For example, Amazon has condition guidelines for selling books.
2. Decide where to sell
You can sell online through existing sites such as Amazon, or sell on multiple sites simultaneously. If you choose to sell on multiple sites, make sure you adjust your orders and stay on top of inventory.
When selling on Amazon, you can choose a selling plan that matches your business plan. Also, you can use various features to help with sales.
When selling on Amazon, you can choose a selling plan that matches your business plan. Also, you can use various features to help with sales.
3. Decide the method and flow for order processing
For customers who’ve purchased products, you will need to carry out tasks like product delivery and returns/exchanges. This process is called fulfillment. Fulfillment involves taking orders, arranging delivery, managing inventory, handling returns/exchanges and other related tasks, as well as communication up to customer support.
If you want to manage fulfillment yourself, make sure you have a place to store your inventory. You’ll also need to establish a process for receiving, packing, and shipping orders from customers, and determine how to handle returns and customer inquiries.
If you’re packing a purchased book yourself, keep the following in mind.
• Use proper packing materials and be careful not to tear or dent the corners of the book.
Packing materials include plastic bags, bubble wrap, cushioning materials, etc.
• When packing multiple books together, we recommend wrapping each book individually or placing cardboard
between the books.
Packing materials include plastic bags, bubble wrap, cushioning materials, etc.
• When packing multiple books together, we recommend wrapping each book individually or placing cardboard
between the books.
If you want to outsource fulfillment, you can use programs such as Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). If you use FBA, Amazon will handle everything from product storage, order acceptance, packing, shipping, customer service, and return processing for you.
Five tips for selling books on Amazon
Amazon provides various features and options to support you as you sell. Here are some tips for starting to sell and increasing sales with the Amazon store.
1. Choose the right selling plan
Amazon offers two selling plans: the Professional Selling Plan and the Individual Selling Plan. With the Individual Selling Plan, you’ll pay 100 yen (with tax) every time you sell an item, while the fee for the Professional Selling Plan is fixed at 4,900 yen (without tax) per month, no matter how many products you sell. Also, with both selling plans, a selling fee is added for each item sold.
If you are setting up a book selling business, we recommend going with the Professional Selling Plan. You can use reports and tools useful for sales promotions and analysis through advertising. You can switch your selling plan at any time.
If you are setting up a book selling business, we recommend going with the Professional Selling Plan. You can use reports and tools useful for sales promotions and analysis through advertising. You can switch your selling plan at any time.
2. Analyze the genres and categories that you’ll sell
In order to successfully sell, it’s important to analyze which books are in high demand. You can look at Amazon's best-selling rankings as a quick way to find books that are in high demand. You can also check book rankings by genre. You can check the ranking on the book's product detail page.
3. Properly convey the condition of the book
By correctly communicating the condition of the book, you’ll be able to meet the expectations of your customers. When listing your book on the Amazon store, be sure to follow the condition guidelines for listing your book.
4. Choose the right fulfillment
Amazon sellers can process customer orders in two ways.
• Ship your own products
• Use fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
One appealing part about shipping products yourself is that you can manage the inventory firsthand and communicate with customers easily. On the other hand, you’ll need to perform all tasks related to taking orders/packing products/managing inventory/handling returns and exchanges, etc., as well as taking care of communication up to and including customer support on your own. To successfully handle all of this, it’s necessary to come up with a suitable plan.
With Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), sellers can leave the inventory storage, order processing, packing, and delivery to Amazon, so they can focus on analyzing and procuring in-demand books.
• Ship your own products
• Use fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
One appealing part about shipping products yourself is that you can manage the inventory firsthand and communicate with customers easily. On the other hand, you’ll need to perform all tasks related to taking orders/packing products/managing inventory/handling returns and exchanges, etc., as well as taking care of communication up to and including customer support on your own. To successfully handle all of this, it’s necessary to come up with a suitable plan.
With Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), sellers can leave the inventory storage, order processing, packing, and delivery to Amazon, so they can focus on analyzing and procuring in-demand books.
5. Keep track of sales performance
To increase sales, it’s important to constantly check your sales performance. If a particular genre is sold out, you know that the genre is in high demand.
Amazon provides several tools to help sellers check their performance and develop sales strategies. There are sales reports and business reports where you can check the number of people viewing products, etc.
Amazon provides several tools to help sellers check their performance and develop sales strategies. There are sales reports and business reports where you can check the number of people viewing products, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of books can I sell in the Amazon store?
You can sell books of various genres, such as new and used books, collectible books, comic books, etc. Old books, etc. that do not have an ISBN code (International Standard Book Number) and were published before 1980 can be sold by applying for a product code exemption.
How much does it cost to sell books on Amazon?
Amazon offers two selling plans: the Professional Selling Plan and the Individual Selling Plan. Based on your business model, you can choose between an Individual Selling Plan where you pay a fee for each sale, or a flat monthly fee.
Click here for details on selling costs
Click here for details on selling costs
4,900 JPY a month (excluding tax) + selling fees
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*Not all notifications from the categories above are available on LINE. Please continue to check your email and Seller Central.
Start selling today
Put your products in front of the millions of customers that search Amazon every day.
¥4,900 a month (excluding tax) + selling fees
