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.
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.
Mistake #2: Incorrectly Categorizing Products on Walmart Marketplace
Incorrectly categorizing products on the Walmart marketplace can lead to listing errors and negatively impact your visibility as a seller. It is crucial to thoroughly research and understand the appropriate categories for your products to avoid these pitfalls.
Proper product categorization plays a significant role in enhancing the customer’s shopping experience. Customers typically navigate through specific categories when searching for items on the Walmart Marketplace.
By correctly categorizing your products, you can ensure that they appear in relevant search results, increasing their visibility to potential customers.
Failure to categorize your products correctly can result in inventory discrepancies and duplicate listings. This can confuse customers and lead to negative reviews or decreased sales.
For example, placing a product in a category where it does not belong may lead to incorrect inventory levels, causing frustration for both you and your customers.
To prevent these issues, take the time to thoroughly research the available categories and understand how customers search for items.
Consider using relevant keywords in your product titles and descriptions and check any guidelines provided by Walmart Marketplace.
Correctly categorizing your products can improve your visibility, minimize listing errors, and provide a better shopping experience for customers on Walmart Marketplace.
Ensure that your listings are accurate, organized, and easily discoverable to increase your chances of success as a seller.
Mistake #3: 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.
Mistake #4: 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.
Mistake #5: Overlooking the Use of Relevant Keywords in Listings
When it comes to selling on Walmart Marketplace, one common mistake that sellers make is overlooking the use of relevant keywords in their listings.
Neglecting this important aspect can hinder searchability and, ultimately, the potential to attract customers.
Including relevant keywords in your product listings is crucial for two reasons. First, it improves searchability within the marketplace, ensuring that your products appear in relevant search results. Second, it helps attract potential customers who are actively searching for products similar to yours.
To effectively use relevant keywords, it is essential to conduct thorough keyword research. Utilize tools such as the Walmart Search Bar, Google Trends, and other keyword research tools to uncover popular keywords and long-tail variations. This research will provide insights into what potential customers are searching for and enable you to optimize your listings accordingly.
Optimizing your listings with relevant keywords not only helps improve visibility but also increases your chances of reaching potential customers who are looking for products like yours.
By investing time and effort into keyword research and implementing the identified keywords strategically, you can enhance your product listings’ performance and drive sales on Walmart Marketplace.
Mistake #6: 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. Just because we say you should use relevant keywords in your product listings does not mean you should stuff them with these keywords.
On Amazon, marketplace 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.
Mistake #7: Not Offering Competitive Pricing
When it comes to selling on Walmart Marketplace, offering competitive pricing is crucial for success. Potential customers are always looking for the lowest prices, so if your products are priced higher than your competitors, you may miss out on valuable sales opportunities.
Walmart has strict pricing policies in place to maintain fair competition and customer trust. They enforce price parity and price leadership rules, which means your prices should be consistent with what you offer on other online platforms. Failing to adhere to these policies can result in penalties or even suspension from the marketplace.
To stay competitive, it’s important to regularly review your pricing strategy. Take into consideration factors such as shipping costs, discounts, and value-added features that can give you an edge over others in your product category.
Adjust your prices accordingly to ensure you are offering reasonable prices that attract customers and encourage sales.
By offering competitive pricing, you not only increase your chances of making more sales but also improve your visibility on the marketplace. Walmart rewards sellers who maintain competitive pricing with increased exposure to potential customers.
Mistake #8: 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 service can lead to negative customer 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 care 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.
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.
