eComCatalyst - Selling on Amazon FBA and e-Commerce Titelbild

eComCatalyst - Selling on Amazon FBA and e-Commerce

eComCatalyst - Selling on Amazon FBA and e-Commerce

Von: Fred McKinnon
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 The eComCatalyst Podcast is provided by eComCatalyst, a leading, full service Amazon and e-Commerce agency. Led by brand owners and founders, we discuss news, tips, and strategies to build and operate your ecommerce business, whether it’s Amazon, FBA, Walmart, Shopify, TikTok Shop, or other channels.© eComCatalyst, a division of Highest Praise Productions, Inc. Management & Leadership Ökonomie
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  • Is Amazon Vine Worth It for Getting Reviews in 2025? New Rules, Seller Tips, and Reviewer Truths

    Is Amazon Vine Worth It for Getting Reviews in 2025? New Rules, Seller Tips, and Reviewer Truths
    Aug 28 2025
    Reading Time: 7 minutes Every Amazon seller knows that product reviews can make or break a launch. Over the past year, Amazon Vine has become one of the hottest tools for quickly gathering that all-important social proof. Last year, a video about Amazon Vine on the eComCatalyst channel took off—and not just among sellers. Actual Vine reviewers jumped into the discussion, offering fresh insights from the other side of the process. Why was that such a big deal? The Amazon Vine program has always been a little mysterious, especially for those who aren’t in it. In 2024, Vine underwent important changes that set the stage for an even bigger shift in 2025. Both sellers and reviewers have seen the rules rewritten, from how reviews are collected to who can participate and how the process is taxed. This post covers everything you need to know about Amazon Vine in 2025—from new features for sellers, to how reviewers get chosen, to practical tips and big warnings. Whether you sell on Amazon or want to become a Vine reviewer, there’s a lot you need to know this year. Here’s what you’ll learn: Amazon Vine 2025 updates for sellers: New “pre-launch” reviews, pricing details, and eligibility rulesThe Vine reviewer experience, including how to get invited and the truth about product “taxes”Best strategies for getting the most from Vine, fixing your listing early, and protecting your launch Watch the full update here: Amazon Vine’s Popularity and the Big 2025 Updates Last year’s Amazon Vine video surprised everyone. It was meant for sellers, but it took on a life of its own as Vine reviewers from the Voice of the Vine program joined in. The back-and-forth revealed not only how sellers use Vine, but what reviewers really think about the process. Why does this matter now? In 2025, Amazon rolled out a wave of changes for Vine. Sellers have powerful new ways to get reviews, while reviewers face new tax consequences and selection rules. Amazon Vine 2025 brings: Pre-launch reviews (get reviews before your product goes live)Expanded eligibility (more sellers can now enroll)Updated pricing (clearer, tiered costs)Transparent tax reporting for reviewers These updates give sellers faster feedback and stronger launches, but also come with extra steps to get it right. Let’s dive into what this means for your Amazon business—and what reviewers should know. What’s New for Amazon Sellers in Vine for 2025 The New Era: Pre-Launch Reviews for Stronger Product Launches In the past, sellers hit a wall during launch week. You’d send inventory to FBA, turn your listing live, and hope for early reviews. But for weeks, you’d be stuck with no reviews—no social proof at all. Amazon Vine 2025 changes everything: Now, you can invite Vine reviewers to claim and review your product before your product listing ever goes live. Build your listing, send inventory to FBA, enroll in Vine, but don’t activate the listing yet.Vine reviewers can now claim your products and start writing reviews.When your listing goes live, up to 30 reviews can be published on day one. Think of it as launching your product with a crowd already cheering for you. No more naked listings—that awkward phase where no one wants to buy something with zero reviews. Key benefits of pre-launch Vine reviews: Immediate social proof the moment your product launchesThe chance to spot listing errors or product flaws before the public sees themImproved early conversion rates and ad performance Here’s a quick comparison of the old vs new Vine process: StepOld Vine (Pre-2025)New Vine (2025)When reviews startAfter your listing is liveBefore your listing goes liveTime to first reviews2-8 weeksReviews ready on launch dayLaunch with reviews?Usually 0 reviews day oneUp to 30 reviews on day oneSocial proof early?NoYesEarly issue detection?No, too late to fixYes, can fix before launch No more cold starts, no more wasted ad dollars on review-less listings. Summary of seller benefits: Up to 30 reviews live at launchHigher conversion rates from day oneFewer product launch failuresBetter ad efficiencyEarly warnings so you can pause, fix, or pull a risky launch before spending big The Data: Reviews Boost Conversion and PPC Performance Numbers don’t lie. Listings with reviews convert up to 270% better than those without. The cold start problem—burning through PPC dollars trying to get those first few sales with no reviews—has killed too many launches. Best practices for seller launches with Vine: Sync your Vine enrollment so that reviews start flowing just as you launch PPC ads.Double-check your listing: great images, clear bullet points, and correct details matter.Use Vine for your most important products—especially those in high-trust categories.Avoid enrolling products if you haven’t resolved known product problems.Act fast on negative pre-launch feedback; fix or scrap before exposing your product to the wider public. Expanded Eligibility: Who Can Use...
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    19 Min.
  • Why Q4 2025 Is the Best Time to Scale Your E-Commerce Brand (and Why Hesitation Will Cost You)

    Why Q4 2025 Is the Best Time to Scale Your E-Commerce Brand (and Why Hesitation Will Cost You)
    Aug 14 2025
    Reading Time: 6 minutes If you feel like the e-commerce world just hit fast-forward, you’re not alone. A few months ago, everyone seemed frozen, stuck in a cycle of wait-and-see. Now, with Q4 right around the corner, it’s like someone flipped a switch! The message is loud and clear: it’s go time. Supply chains are moving, brands are jumping in, and opportunity is knocking (loud enough to drown out any lingering doubts). E-Commerce’s 2025 Momentum Shift: From Hesitation to Go Time For much of this year, uncertainty made decision making feel like walking on marbles—lots of precarious steps, not much traction. Hesitation reigned as tariffs, inflation, and oddball supply chain issues put everyone in wait mode. But that fog is clearing. Suddenly, brands are waking up to the ticking Q4 clock, and momentum is building. If you’re feeling the urge to move, you’re now in very good company. What Slowed Us All Down? Tariffs, Logistics, and Anxiety Let’s call it what it was: market weirdness. Tariffs threw product costs up in the air. Shipping took on a life of its own (sometimes even your containers seemed to take the scenic route). Everyone watched and waited, myself included. As a brand owner, I dragged my feet on reorders, worried about unpredictability. There was this shared sense of “Maybe now isn’t the time.” But that waiting game cost precious time. The Market Finds Its Footing: Momentum Is Back If you’re feeling FOMO when you see brands moving fast, it’s justified. Our calendar at eComCatalyst went from tumbleweeds to packed with strategy calls and account launches. In just a week, we brought on more new e-commerce management clients than we did all last month. The energy is back. Brands that waited last year learned their lesson—this time, no one wants to be left behind. Running an Agency When Things Get Tough: A Reality Check Let’s get real: I’ve felt the market’s pain too. There were weeks when it seemed everyone was glued to the news instead of planning for Q4. We felt every bit of that pause at Ecom Catalyst. But sharing the tough parts helps build trust. If you feel behind, you’re in good company—I’ve been there, and it’s normal for even seasoned pros to get caught out. Move Now…Or Miss Q4: Why Timing Is Everything Q4 comes at you fast. Here’s what happens if you wait too long: Order inventory in August: Likely receives it late September, maybe OctoberOctober arrivals? Risky. It leaves little breathing room for missed shipments or stockouts.Peak sales? November through December. If you’re late, you’re watching from the sidelines. Acting now is your ticket into the Q4 show. Delay, and it’s like showing up after the lights come on and everyone’s counting their receipts. Say Goodbye to Paralysis by Analysis Let’s give “paralysis by analysis” the boot. It’s just fear in disguise, backed up by a calendar. The world is full of reasons to wait—tariffs, logistics, “will my product even arrive before Black Friday?” Forget perfect timing! Instead, keep these in mind: You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. The best time to act was months ago. The second best time is now. Let those quotes marinate. Then, get moving. If You’re Still Waiting: The Clock Is Ticking Still figuring out your move? Every day you wait, that Q4 window gets a little smaller. Here’s the truth: momentum favors the bold right now. The brands that show up ready win. The ones that hesitate don’t just miss out—they get left behind. Your Secret Q4 Weapon: Ecom Catalyst as a Growth Partner If the idea of handling Q4 alone makes your eye twitch, you’re not alone! At Ecom Catalyst, our team helps brand owners and manufacturers with: Full account management for Amazon, Walmart, Shopify, and moreStrategy calls to refine your plan and squash doubtsData-driven actions to boost profits and growth Book early—our calendar fills fast when everyone hits panic mode in August! What Full Account Management Means for Your Brand Our agency’s full account management is like getting an all-star team for your business. Here’s what we handle: Product listings that convert (no more sketchy bullets or missing A+)Inventory management that keeps you in stockStrategic marketplace planning—pricing, promo, placementPaid ads and sponsored product strategy to drive trafficScale-up systems that grow with you Hand us the keys, and we’ll help you focus on running your brand, not scrambling on the backend. Fast Track Your Q4 with One-on-One Consulting Need a strategy tune-up in a hurry? We offer quick-hit 30- or 60-minute consulting calls. This is perfect when you need: A sanity check on inventory planningHelp refining your ad budget for holiday salesReal talk about tariffs and what moves actually matter A strategy session now can save you weeks (and a lot of headaches) later. Ecom Catalyst on YouTube: No Fluff, Just Real-World E-Commerce Insights Every week (life-permitting!), our...
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    7 Min.
  • How We Boosted Amazon Sales by $24K With Virtual Bundles

    How We Boosted Amazon Sales by $24K With Virtual Bundles
    Aug 11 2025
    Reading Time: 5 minutes Growing your sales on Amazon sometimes seems complicated, but every so often, a simple tool can make a huge difference. Virtual bundles let you increase your average order value and boost revenue without adding new products or overhauling your catalog. In this post, we’ll walk through how Fred McKinnon and the team at eComCatalyst used Amazon’s Virtual Bundle feature to add $24,000 in client revenue in just a few months—and how you can use this approach to grow your own Amazon business. Understanding Amazon Virtual Bundles Amazon sellers are always looking for ways to increase their cart size without making customers jump through hoops. Virtual bundles do exactly that, letting you group two or more products together as a single offer, which shoppers can add to their cart with one click. Let’s break down what this means, who can use it, and why it’s such a smart strategy today. What Are Virtual Bundles on Amazon? A virtual bundle is a grouping of two to five items listed for sale together, but—unlike traditional product bundles—there’s no special packaging or new SKU to prep. The shopper sees an option to buy these items as a bundle right on the product detail page. When purchased, Amazon simply pulls the items from existing warehouse inventory and ships them together. This eliminates the need for manual kitting or creating a new UPC. On the customer end, it’s seamless—they see a great deal and can add everything to their cart at once. Eligibility Requirements for Virtual Bundles To create virtual bundles on Amazon, you need to meet a few requirements: Brand Registry: Your brand must be registered with Amazon’s Brand Registry program. That means your brand needs a trademark or a pending trademark application.FBA Fulfillment: All products you wish to bundle must be fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) and physically stocked in their warehouses.Seller Central Access: Bundles are managed within Seller Central, requiring login and access to your brand’s products. For full instructions straight from Amazon, check out their Virtual Product Bundles support page. How Virtual Bundles Differ from Traditional Bundling Physical bundles require you to assemble products together before shipping them to Amazon. You’d create a new SKU, pick a UPC, prepare custom packaging, and send this pre-packed bundle to the warehouse. With virtual bundles, there’s no physical assembly required. Amazon picks and ships the components as they’re ordered. This means you can test bundles quickly, pivot offerings based on real data, and avoid the extra expense and hassle of kitting. It’s more flexible and much less risky than packing products together ahead of time. Case Study: Achieving $24,000 in Added Revenue with Virtual Bundles Harnessing virtual bundles isn’t just theory—it’s delivered proven results. Fred McKinnon and the team at eComCatalyst helped a client add more than $24,000 in revenue over several months, using virtual bundles in a smart, targeted way. From Strategy to Execution: The Process Overview The strategy starts with clear goals: increase the average order value and overall sales, with minimal operational friction. Here’s how it played out: Analyze Sales Data: Review which products customers frequently buy together using Amazon’s brand analytics and basket analysis tools.Select Products to Bundle: Choose items that make sense to buy as a group (think complementary products, or variations on a theme).Create Virtual Bundles in Seller Central: Build out listings with compelling titles, bullet points, images, and branding.Launch and Monitor: Go live and keep an eye on weekly virtual bundle sales reports emailed by Amazon to track performance.Refine and Expand: After initial success, expand bundle offerings and tweak based on real sales data. The result? Orders almost doubled in average value, with the majority of virtual bundle purchases combining $25 items into $50+ orders—every one a win both for the seller and the shopper. Analyzing Results: AOV Increase and Sales Impact The immediate benefit came in average order value (AOV): with virtual bundles on the product page, customers chose the bundle over a single product more often, nearly doubling AOV in some cases. This led to a surge in total sales. In one report, over $23,000 in sales were directly attributable to virtual bundles, helping the brand keep growing without launching a single new item. While Amazon provides a weekly sales bundle summary via email (not yet in real-time reports), this still allowed eComCatalyst to see the clear impact and optimize bundle offerings for even greater returns. How to Create and Optimize Virtual Bundles in Seller Central Launching your own virtual bundles can take minutes if you’re prepared. Here’s a step-by-step approach: Step-by-Step Setup of a Virtual Bundle Login to Seller Central: Access your Amazon Virtual Bundles dashboard under the “Brands” tab.Select ...
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