Running a business can be a fulfilling endeavor, but what if something pops up—like inventory complications or listing translations—that you could use extra help with? That’s where third-party service providers can help.
Whether you need help with daily management, or you want to expand into new markets but you’re not sure where to start, third-party service providers can be a great way to get the support you need to help your business thrive.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- What are third-party service providers?
- What are the benefits of working with service providers?
- What is the Amazon Service Provider Network?
- What kinds of service providers support Amazon sellers?
- How does Amazon vet service providers?
- How much does it cost to use the Amazon Service Provider Network?
- How does the Amazon Service Provider Network work?
What are third-party service providers?
Third-party service providers are external individuals or companies who offer services to business owners to help support their operations and growth. Whether you need support with daily tasks, or expert guidance for new business ventures, hiring a third-party service provider is a great way to meet business needs and objectives. Third-party service providers can be hired depending on a business’s needs, whether for short-term, one-off projects, or for longer-term, ongoing projects.
What are the benefits of working with service providers?
Service providers can help free up your time so you can focus on other business priorities. They can also help you work through challenges your business may encounter or add expertise to an area that’s new to you. There are many benefits to working with a service provider, which include:
- Optimize SEO for product listings: SEO optimization can help boost your visibility in search results. They can even help optimize your listings for specific global markets.
- Ensure listing compliance: Service providers can help you create quality listings that meet key requirements.
- Offer advertising guidance: A service provider can help create an advertising strategy to meet your needs and track your progress so you can adjust your strategy as needed.
- Support your business growth: Service providers can help you identify opportunities for growth. From implementing fulfillment solutions to handle more orders, to creating a business plan to plot your expansion, they can help take your business to the next level.
- Plan for global expansion: When you’re ready to reach beyond borders, a service provider can help you navigate any regional selling requirements so you can successfully enter new markets.
- Manage product listing translations: You’ll want to make sure your product listings speak to global shoppers. A service provider can help take the guesswork out of translating your listings for international stores.
- Help with inventory management: If your business is growing or you have plans to grow, having a service provider assist in inventory management can make expansion easier.
- Keep your catalog up to date: Whether part of an overall inventory management plan or a stand-alone solution, the right service provider can help you avoid listing errors and stock-outs so your catalogs are accurate.
- Create a marketing plan: Do you have a social media presence? How about a customer newsletter? Marketing service providers can get the word out about your business and create new customer opportunities.
- Handle your accounting and tax preparation: Once your business grows past a certain point, having a service provider manage your accounting and taxes can give you more opportunity to focus on business growth.
What is the Amazon Service Provider Network?
The Amazon Service Provider Network is a one-stop shop of vetted third-party service providers that you can access to help launch, manage, and grow your business. This searchable directory can connect you with service providers across the globe who can help you with a variety of business needs, from taking great product photos to finding ways to increase sales. You can filter by service type, reviews, location, and language, then request services from your chosen provider and manage messages right from one tool.
These service providers can help you with the day-to-day management and specialized aspects of operating your business with Amazon, so you can focus your energy on other aspects of your business.
What kinds of service providers support Amazon sellers?
You can find a wide variety of service providers in the Amazon Service Provider Network who can help with things like:
- Account management: Get hands-on support for your day-to-day operations and insights to help grow your business.
- Accounting: Account service providers provide you with solutions ranging from the most profitable business model to develop and maintain an accounting system.
- Advertising optimization: Service providers help optimize your advertising budget and strategy to improve product visibility and drive more sales to your business.
- Listing: Service providers can help you create new product listings that adhere to Amazon guidelines, optimize your catalog, and reduce errors.
- Compliance: Ensure that your products meet worldwide rules and regulations, with services that provide product testing, certification, audits, inspection, labeling, and trade-related compliance.
- Excess inventory: Liquidate or donate your excess Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) inventory.
- FBA preparation: Get help with FBA prep tasks like labeling, packaging, bundling, quality checks, and more.
- Product images: Add quality images to your listings to help to increase views and conversion.
- International returns: Manage international returns with services that accept and consolidate customer returns or provide other alternatives.
- International shipping: Send your inventory to international Amazon fulfillment centers or ship to buyers outside of your home country.
- Storage: Store your products globally for faster delivery.
- Taxes: Taxation service providers offer their expertise in tax registration and filing of monthly, quarterly, and annual taxes based on sales and returns.
- Training: Service providers will help you understand the Seller Central registration process, tools, policies, and products that can help you grow your business in the Amazon store.
- Translation: Find services to translate your product listings and expand your business globally.
How does Amazon vet service providers?
Amazon holds each service provider to a stringent set of standards and continuously monitors their performance to ensure they continue to offer high-quality services. Each provider is required to meet these standards prior to joining the Amazon Service Provider Network. They also submit business information and identify documents to Amazon as part of joining the Service Provide Network, and Amazon shares verified reviews and ratings of third-party providers so you can find the best help for your business.
How much does it cost to use the Amazon Service Provider Network?
Each provider within the network has their own costs associated with their services. Reference prices are available on each provider’s detail page. These prices are just for general reference—provider pricing can depend on the time required to complete your request, the currency of payment, applicable taxes, and more. Plus, providers may offer special discounts depending on the nature of your request.
How does the Amazon Service Provider Network work?
To access the Amazon Service Provider Network, you need to register as an Amazon seller and have a Professional selling account. To find a third-party service provider through Amazon, follow these steps:
- From the main menu of Seller Central, select Apps and Services, then Explore Services.
- Select your location, where you want to sell, and the type of service you need help with. You can filter results by provider location, language, and ratings.
- Look through the provider list and consider details like reviews,
the provider’s completed service requests, specialties, and reference prices. - Select the provider you’re interested in, then choose Contact Provider.
- Agree to share your contact information with the provider, describe your service needs, then select Submit Request.
The provider will respond to your request and you can make plans directly with them. You can review your active requests and respond to messages from the dashboard at the top of the Service Provider Network page, or through Manage Service Requests.
Access the Amazon Service Provider Network
Ready to find third-party service providers through Amazon?
The Amazon Service Provider Network is a great way to find a third-party service provider that can help you meet your business needs. It makes it easy to search for providers and read reviews and ratings so you can choose the right provider for you. You can hire providers for however long you need, and to meet your specific budget and project requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the right third-party service provider to help my business?
What if I need more than one service provider for my business?
How do I become a service provider?
*A Professional selling plan is $39.99 a month + selling fees. Learn more
