These 5 mistakes will destroy your Amazon FBA business in 2025 - and how to avoid them

Building a successful Amazon FBA business can be as exciting as a rollercoaster ride. Many start out motivated, but only a few make it to the top in the long term. In this article, you'll find the five biggest mistakes that retailers make time and time again - and, more importantly, how to avoid them right from the start. No matter where you are right now: whether you're just starting out or in the midst of growth, these insights will help you get the most out of your Amazon business in 2025.

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1. launched the first product, but then did not continue

The euphoria at the beginning is great. You get started, perhaps have successfully listed your first product on Amazon - and then? Many retailers stop at this point. Either because the first product doesn't go as planned and they throw in the towel too quickly, or because the product works but motivation wanes.

Here comes the biggest problem: not sticking with it. Successful Amazon retailers know that the real work begins after the first product. It's like in the gym - if you stop after the first visible successes, you quickly lose everything you have achieved.

Typical scenarios why retailers do not continue after the first product:

• The product flops: Many then immediately think "Amazon FBA doesn't work" or "Time's up". That's simply not true.
• The product is doing well: the initial thrill is gone, motivation drops, new products fail to materialize.

Why is further development so important?

Discipline and perseverance make the difference between occasional sellers and real entrepreneurs.

How to proceed correctly:

• Reflect: Take an honest look at your first product. What went well? What needs to go better?
• Analyze mistakes: What was the problem if the product flopped? Were there weaknesses in quality, demand or marketing?
• Stay in the flow: Start planning product number two immediately after the launch. Stay in contact with manufacturers, keep your eyes and ears open for trends and optimization.
• Focus on financing: Many fear cash flow problems with the second product. Financing goods or reinvesting the profit from the first product can help here.

Summarized: Your most important steps

• Accept defeats as a learning opportunity, not as an end.
• Start brainstorming ideas for further products as early as possible.
• Network with other retailers and remain open to improvements.

Remember: Only those who keep at it will achieve critical mass and thus sustainable success with Amazon FBA.

2. sourcing: choosing the first best product ruins long-term success

It used to be easier. In 2017, you could simply copy a product, buy it cheaply and often get away with it. Those days are over! Today, if you only source the first product that comes along and focus on "quick, quick", you will quickly be ousted by the competition.

What often goes wrong with sourcing?

• Ordering the first product from Alibaba without standing out.
• Lack of analysis of the niche, no real improvement for the customer.
• Focus only on competitors' sales instead of own added value.

Why will this strategy fail by 2025 at the latest?

• The competition is awake, prices are falling fast. Someone is always selling cheaper.
• Manufacturers often appear as sellers on Amazon themselves.
• In the end, it's not just how beautiful the product looks, but what real difference it makes.

Comparison: Bad sourcing vs. good sourcing

How to find the best product:

• Take more time to compare manufacturers.
• Look specifically for gaps in the market, not for the fastest route.
• Think about specific improvements that the customer will notice.

Practical example: Many retailers try to compensate for a price advantage with better marketing. This may work for a few months, but in the long run the better (and perhaps even more expensive) product with more benefits wins.

Your sourcing plan for sustainable success:

• Invest time instead of just money.
• Improve every detail - material, packaging, additional services.
• Watch the competition, but do better in the end!

3rd calculation: chaotic figures lead to a dead end

Many retailers pay far too little attention to their calculations. They see sales of 20,000 euros a month and are happy. The rude awakening comes when the bottom line is little or no profit.

Why is calculation so important?

• Turnover is not the same as profit.
• Many people underestimate fees, advertising, shipping and return costs.

The most important components of your calculation

1. Purchase price (manufacturer costs, shipping, customs)
2. Amazon fees (sales fees, storage costs)
3. Advertising / PPC
4. Shipping to the customer
5. Other costs (e.g. returns, minor repairs)

Get the calculation right - here's how:

• Collect all costs together and calculate too much once.
• Always calculate with a certain margin for unexpected expenses (e.g. price adjustments, returns, tax advice).

Practical tip: Successful retailers have an affinity for figures. They check every order, every advertising measure and their profit/loss statement every month.

Infobox: Typical calculation errors

• Incorrect estimate of shipping costs
• Underestimating the Amazon fees
• Insufficient price increase buffer planned
• Fixed costs such as product photos, advertising campaigns, tools forgotten

Conclusion: Make numbers your friend on a regular basis. What you don't feel like doing will eat away at your profits in the end!

4. bad product images: Sloppy marketing costs you customers

Product images are now the strongest lever for your sales success on Amazon. They influence how a customer perceives your product and whether they click on "Buy". Despite this, many retailers still cut corners here - often in the completely wrong place.

What often goes wrong?

• Cheap photographers or hobby photographers who have no experience in e-commerce.
• Arbitrary cell phone pictures or superficial editing
• No uniform strategy behind it

What successful retailers do differently:

• They have photos and videos created by professionals who know exactly what Amazon is all about.
• They develop individual image concepts that specifically address their niche and target group.
• They visibly stand out from the crowd with their product images.

The path to perfect product images: 3-step plan

1. Strategy session & planning:
   Right at the start, there is a free strategy meeting with experts, for example at Stacvalley. This is where we work out the best way to present your product.
2. Creative implementation:
   Photos and videos are not simply made, but tailored to your target group. Compare product and competition, then emphasize your own offer.
3. Continuous optimization:
   Collect and analyze customer feedback. Adjust the images if necessary to stay ahead.

Call-to-action:
Do you want professional product images that really sell? Book your free strategy meeting now with Stacvalley - Europe's leading provider of Amazon product images and videos.

Remember: Amazon will no longer function in 2025 without top images.

5. launch without a plan: simply putting products live is throwing money away

You've found the perfect product, calculated it perfectly and filled it with great images - but the launch goes wrong because you start without a clear plan.

Typical launch errors:

• Simply put the product live, without advertising.
• Waiting for the first reviews instead of actively working towards them.
• Launching PPC campaigns too late or half-heartedly.

Why a launch concept is a must:

• The product needs visibility to convince Amazon algorithms.
• The first 3-5 weeks are crucial for organic growth and the first important customer reviews.
• An uncontrolled launch often wastes the entire launch potential and therefore a lot of money.

Checklist for a successful product launch

• PPC campaigns: Plan early, research keywords and activate campaigns for launch.
• Reviews: Generate first reviews asap (via service, follow-up emails, product testers).
• Set goals: How many ratings, what placement, what turnover in the first month?
• Create a launch schedule: Define to-dos and set deadlines.

Example of a launch timeline:

1. Two weeks before launch: finalize the listing, upload images, enter the most important keywords.
2. One week before launch: prepare PPC campaigns, test email automation.
3. Launch day: put product live, start advertising.
4. First week after launch: collect reviews, analyze data, adjust PPC.

Remember: If you are sloppy with your to-do list, you are giving away the very best chance to get started.

Get support and keep your finger on the pulse

Want to get the most out of your Amazon business in 2025? Benefit from the experience of the professionals. If you need support with product images, listings or the launch, you can book a free consultation directly with Stacvalley. You can regularly find tips and inspiration about Amazon and e-commerce on Instagram. It's best to follow Stacvalley on Instagram now. You can also find Stacvalley on Facebook for discussions and further insights.

Conclusion: Be better prepared than your competitors

The five mistakes presented here separate long-term successful Amazon merchants from those who fall by the wayside. Play it safe by working on each area step by step - from sourcing and numbers to professional presentation and a smart launch. Keep at it, learn from your mistakes and rely on the right partners, then nothing will stand in the way of your growth in 2025.

Good luck on your way to a successful Amazon FBA business!