Selling on Walmart Marketplace can be a lucrative business opportunity for online retailers. With its massive customer base and reputation for quality products, Walmart is a highly sought-after platform for sellers looking to expand their customer reach and increase their revenue.
However, selling on Walmart Marketplace is not without its challenges. In order to succeed, Walmart sellers need to be aware of the common mistakes and pitfalls that can hinder their success and take the necessary steps to avoid them.
In this blog post, we will explore the top Walmart seller mistakes that sellers make when selling on Walmart Marketplace. We will also provide tips on how to avoid them.
We have found that most of these mistakes are made by Amazon sellers wanting to transfer their sales to the Walmart marketplace.
If you are in this category, you might want to stick around as we cover all the common pitfalls you should avoid.
Walmart Seller Mistake #1: Inadequate Product Research
Inadequate product research is a common mistake that many Walmart sellers make when starting their e-commerce business. It involves not conducting thorough research on a product before listing it on Walmart Marketplace, which can lead to several negative consequences.
One of the main reasons why inadequate product research is a common Walmart seller mistake is that sellers fail to understand the market demand and competition for the product.
As a result, they may end up listing a product with little to no demand or is already oversaturated in the market. This can lead to low sales and a waste of time and money.
This mistake is quite common among Amazon sellers that are looking for new grounds on the Walmart Marketplace.
They feel because a product sells well on Amazon, it should sell well on Walmart. This is not usually the case because both platforms have a different customer base hence their demands will vary.
To avoid making the Walmart seller mistake of inadequate product research, sellers can implement several strategies.
Firstly, it is crucial to conduct extensive market research to determine the demand, competition, and profitability of a product. Tools like Google Trends and Ecom Circles Extension can help you in your Walmart product research endeavor.
Secondly, sellers should thoroughly read and understand Walmart’s policies and guidelines before listing any products on the platform.
This can help avoid listing prohibited products and ensure that they meet all the necessary requirements.
Tools like Ecom Circles Extension provide features such as item restriction and hazmat checker to ensure you do not list products you are not authorized to sell by the manufacturer.
Walmart Seller Mistake #2: Poor Inventory Management
Inadequate inventory management is another common Walmart Seller mistake. This happens when Walmart sellers do not keep proper track of their inventory levels and do not have a system in place to replenish their inventory when it runs low.
The problem of poor inventory management can lead to several problems, including overstocking, understocking, and losing potential sales.
Overstocking can lead to increased storage and handling costs, which can ultimately result in reduced profits. And if you are understocked, you will not be able to fulfill orders promptly, which can damage your performance metrics.
To avoid inadequate inventory management as a Walmart seller, you should implement an inventory management system that tracks inventory levels, alerts you when inventory levels are low, and automates the ordering process when inventory needs to be replenished.
Additionally, sellers should conduct regular inventory audits to ensure that their inventory levels are accurate and that they are not overstocking or understocking.
You can consider using inventory management tools like the Ecom Circles Automated Dropshipping software. This tool can automatically update stock and prices on your Walmart seller center account to prevent stock-outs and losses.
Walmart Seller Mistake #3: Poor Product Listing Optimization
High-quality product listings are crucial to the success of any Walmart seller on the Walmart Marketplace.
These listings are the first point of contact between the seller and the potential customer, and they provide customers with the information they need to make an informed purchase decision.
A high-quality product listing can increase the likelihood of a sale and help build a positive reputation for the seller on the Walmart Marketplace.
Unfortunately, many Walmart sellers make common mistakes with their product listings that can lead to poor sales performance.
One common mistake is providing incomplete or inaccurate product information, which can lead to customer confusion and dissatisfaction.
Another mistake is using low-quality images that do not adequately showcase the product or its features. Poorly written descriptions, lack of product reviews, and insufficient product categorization are also common issues that can negatively impact product listings.
The consequences of having poor product listings can be significant. Customers may become frustrated and choose to buy from other sellers with more detailed and accurate listings.
Moreover, your reputation can suffer, which can lead to a decrease in sales and difficulty in establishing new business relationships.
To avoid making mistakes with product listings, Walmart sellers should ensure that all product information is complete and accurate.
Your Walmart product information should include detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and clear pricing information.
You should also take the time to categorize their products accurately, making it easy for customers to find what they are looking for and encourage customers to leave reviews.
Walmart Seller Mistake #4: Keyword Stuffing
This pitfall sort of ties into the mistake of poor product listing and it is common with Amazon sellers transitioning into Walmart selling.
On Amazon, sellers often spam product listing titles and descriptions with related, high-value keywords to convince Amazon’s a9 algorithm to rank the listing. This is in fact a strategy most Amazon sellers use.
This strategy will, however, not work in Walmart’s marketplace. In fact, you may be penalized and de-ranked for stuffing your product listing with keywords.
They expressly state in their Walmart seller guidelines that sellers should avoid keyword stuffing, especially in the product name. Repeating the same words or phrases is highly prohibited because it sounds unnatural to Walmart.
Walmart Seller Mistake #5: Ignoring Customer Feedback
Providing good customer service is crucial for any business, including Walmart selling. It helps build a positive brand image, increases customer satisfaction, and promotes customer loyalty.
In contrast, poor customer service can lead to negative reviews, decreased sales, and damage to the seller’s reputation. Therefore, Walmart sellers must prioritize providing exceptional customer service.
One common Walmart seller mistake is not responding to customer inquiries promptly. Delayed responses can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction among customers.
Another mistake is not offering clear communication and transparency about shipping and delivery times. This can lead to missed delivery expectations and customer complaints.
Ignoring customer feedback is also a mistake that can have significant consequences for Walmart sellers. Negative feedback can harm a seller’s reputation and result in decreased sales.
To avoid these mistakes, you should prioritize responding to customer inquiries promptly and offering clear communication about shipping and delivery times.
Responding to feedback can show customers that the seller values their opinions and is committed to providing exceptional customer service.
Additionally, sellers can invest in Walmart customer service tools such as chatbots or hire dedicated customer service representatives to manage inquiries effectively.
Also note that if you ever get to the point of processing returns and refunds, you should ensure you do so cordially and respond to the Walmart refund online order as swiftly as possible. We have a Walmart returns guide that gives more insights into handling Walmart returns properly.
Walmart Seller Mistake #6: Overpricing
Overpricing is a common mistake among Walmart sellers who may not have conducted proper market research or who may have unrealistic expectations of profit margins.
Overpriced products are less likely to attract customers, as buyers will often compare prices across different sellers before making a purchase. This means that overpriced products are likely to remain unsold, leading to a loss of potential sales revenue.
Moreover, overpricing products can also damage your reputation s a seller on Walmart Marketplace.
Customers who feel that they have been overcharged for a product may leave negative reviews, which can discourage other buyers from buying from you.
This can ultimately result in lower sales, reduced visibility on the platform, and a loss of credibility in the eyes of potential customers.
To avoid the mistake of overpricing products on Walmart Marketplace, sellers should conduct thorough market research to determine the fair market value of their products.
This can involve analyzing the prices of similar products sold by competitors, examining consumer demand and price sensitivity, and factoring in any relevant costs or fees.
Additionally, sellers should ensure that their pricing strategy takes into account the profit margins they need to maintain while remaining competitive in the marketplace.
This may involve adjusting prices periodically based on changes in market conditions, consumer behavior, or competitor activity.
Final Thoughts
Success on the Walmart marketplace not only depends on implementing the best selling strategies but also on avoiding common mistakes that can have negative consequences on your business.
By taking the time to research products, manage inventory effectively, provide excellent customer service, optimize product listings, avoid overpricing, and stay up to date with Walmart’s policies, you can set yourself up for success on this platform.
