If you’re running a successful business on Amazon, congratulations! You’ve found your way onto one of the biggest online marketplaces in the world, and your products are reaching millions of potential customers. But as your business grows, you may start thinking: “Is Amazon the best long-term solution?” This is a common crossroads for many entrepreneurs. While Amazon offers incredible exposure and ease of sales, there comes a time when running your business exclusively on their platform can feel restrictive. 

In this blog, we’ll explore why many brands start on Amazon, why it might not be the best fit for the long haul, and how SSD Logistix can help you make a smooth transition to your own e-commerce site, giving you more control and flexibility over your business. 

Why is Amazon a starting point for many sellers? 

When you first start selling online, Amazon is often the easiest place to begin. For one, it’s already a trusted platform where millions of shoppers are actively browsing and purchasing products every day. The built-in traffic is hard to ignore, especially if you’re just launching your brand and don’t yet have an established customer base. 

There’s also the ease of listing your products on Amazon. It’s quick, straightforward, and you don’t have to worry about setting up your own website, creating a shopping cart system, or managing payments. Amazon handles all of that for you. Plus, you don’t have to worry about marketing and driving traffic to your product listings, since Amazon’s massive audience is already there. 

For many small businesses and first-time sellers, Amazon provides a level of exposure and sales volume that would be nearly impossible to achieve on their own in the early stages. These factors make it an ideal starting point for entrepreneurs eager to get their products into the hands of customers quickly. 

Why Amazon isn’t always the best long-term option 

Despite Amazon’s many benefits, it’s not always the best long-term solution for businesses looking to grow and scale. Here are a few reasons why: 

High fees and margins 

Amazon takes a significant cut of each sale you make, meaning your margins can get squeezed quickly. For businesses that are scaling, these fees can add up, taking a significant portion of your profits. 

Limited control over branding 

When you sell on Amazon, you’re essentially renting space on their platform. Amazon owns the customer relationship, not you. This means you have limited control over branding, customer experience, and the overall look and feel of your storefront. While Amazon provides some customisation options, it’s nothing compared to the freedom you’ll have on your own site. 

Competition 

Because Amazon is an open marketplace, you’re constantly competing with other sellers, including direct competitors and Amazon itself (AmazonBasics, anyone?). Even if you’re offering a great product, there’s a risk that your listings will get lost in the sea of options, and customers may even be drawn to lower-priced alternatives that undercut your prices. 

Dependence on a third-party platform 

Relying solely on Amazon for your sales puts you at the mercy of their policies and changes. Amazon has been known to make abrupt changes to their fees, shipping policies, and even ban accounts without much explanation. This lack of control can be unsettling, especially as your business grows. 

No direct customer relationship 

Amazon controls the customer interaction, meaning you’re unable to collect valuable customer data (such as emails or preferences) that would help you build a relationship with your audience. This is a missed opportunity for creating loyalty, repeat business, and targeted marketing campaigns. 

How SSD Logistix can support you 

At SSD Logistix, we understand that making the transition from Amazon to your own e-commerce site can be a big step. While you’re focusing on growing your brand and building a direct relationship with your customers, we’re here to handle the complexities of storage and fulfillment so you don’t have to. 

Here’s how we can support you every step of the way: 

Efficient storage solutions 

When you move away from Amazon, managing your inventory becomes a top priority. We offer flexible and scalable storage solutions, ensuring that you have the right amount of space for your products. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your business, we’ll ensure your inventory is well-organised, secure, and ready to ship when you need it. 

Streamlined order fulfillment 

Fulfillment can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of running an e-commerce business. That’s where we come in. At SSD Logistix, we handle everything from picking and packing to shipping your orders directly to your customers. Once you get an order through your site, we take care of the rest, ensuring fast and accurate fulfillment that keeps your customers happy. 

Scalability to support your growth 

As your business grows, your fulfillment needs will evolve. Our scalable solutions are designed to grow with you, whether you’re fulfilling a handful of orders a day or hundreds. We have the infrastructure and expertise to handle large volumes of orders without compromising on speed or accuracy, so you can focus on expanding your business while we manage the logistics. 

Seamless integration with your eCommerce site 

We integrate easily with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, so managing your orders and inventory is easy. Our system lets you track inventory in real time, manage orders efficiently, and keep customers updated on the status of their shipments. With us handling the logistics, you can rest assured that everything is running smoothly behind the scenes. 

Exceptional customer experience 

Your customers expect quick, accurate deliveries, and we’re here to help you meet those expectations. With our fulfillment solutions, we ensure that your orders are processed and shipped quickly, and can even handle returns, providing a positive experience for your customers.   

Are you ready to make the jump from Amazon to your own site? Contact our friendly team to find out how our services could help.