Walmart Marketing Agency

How To Get Approved And Start Selling Walmart

Selling on Walmart Marketplace can be a great way to expand your business and reach millions of potential customers. Walmart is one of the largest retail platforms in the world, and becoming a seller allows you to tap into that enormous audience. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get approved and start selling on Walmart:

Step 1: Check Eligibility and Requirements

Before applying to sell on Walmart Marketplace, you need to make sure you meet their basic eligibility criteria:

  1. Business Requirements:
    • You must have a registered business with a valid tax ID (EIN) or VAT number (depending on your location).
    • You’ll need a U.S. bank account and a valid credit card to make transactions.
  2. Product Requirements:
    • Your products should align with Walmart’s policies and guidelines. They prefer items in categories like electronics, home goods, fashion, health and beauty, etc.
    • You need to ensure your products meet Walmart’s Quality Standards and Compliance Guidelines.
  3. Fulfillment Methods:
    • You can choose between fulfilling orders yourself (Merchant Fulfilled) or using Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) for a more hands-off approach, which is similar to Amazon FBA.
  4. Experience Requirements:
    • While Walmart doesn’t have strict experience requirements, having prior e-commerce experience or running a store on other marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or Shopify will help streamline the process.

Step 2: Create a Walmart Seller Account

  1. Go to the Walmart Marketplace Seller Signup Page:
    • Visit Walmart Marketplace and click on “Start Selling” to begin the registration process.
  2. Provide Your Business Information:
    • Walmart will ask for details like your business name, address, and tax ID (EIN for U.S. businesses).
    • You’ll also need to provide a bank account number (for payouts) and a credit card (for verification and billing purposes).
  3. Agree to Walmart’s Terms & Conditions:
    • Make sure to read and agree to the Walmart Marketplace Retailer Agreement and policies regarding prohibited products, shipping requirements, and other rules.
  4. Submit Your Application:
    • After completing all the fields, click “Submit.” Walmart will review your application, which usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks.
    Note: Walmart has a selective process and may not accept all applications. It’s important to ensure you have a solid business plan and product offering that aligns with their marketplace.

Step 3: Wait for Approval

  • Approval Process: Walmart will review your application and the details you provided. They will check your eligibility, product types, and ensure that you comply with their marketplace standards.
  • Receiving Approval: If you’re approved, you’ll receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to set up your store. If you’re not accepted initially, you can make adjustments (if needed) and reapply.

Step 4: Set Up Your Walmart Seller Profile

Once you’re approved to sell, follow these steps to complete your setup:

  1. Create Your Store Profile:
    • Add your business logo, store description, and other important information so that customers can easily learn about your business.
    • Walmart allows you to customize your store’s look, including banners and other elements.
  2. Set Up Payment Information:
    • Input your bank account and credit card details to receive payments and handle any necessary charges from Walmart.
  3. Upload Your Products:
    • You can add products either manually, via bulk upload (CSV file), or using Walmart’s API.
    • For each product, make sure to include clear product titles, detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and competitive pricing.
    • Walmart Marketplace supports various product categories, including fashion, electronics, home & garden, and groceries.
    Product Requirements:
    • Ensure you meet Walmart’s product guidelines in terms of image quality, product description, pricing, and inventory management.
    • Product listings must comply with Walmart’s Product Content Standards to ensure high-quality images and accurate descriptions.

Step 5: Configure Shipping and Taxes

  1. Set Up Shipping Options:
    • You can choose to handle shipping yourself, or opt for Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS).
    • If you choose to fulfill orders yourself, set your shipping rates, delivery times, and packaging guidelines. Walmart has specific guidelines around delivery and tracking.
  2. Set Up Sales Tax:
    • Make sure you understand and configure sales tax settings for the states in which you operate. Walmart provides tools to automate tax collection based on customer location.

Step 6: List and Optimize Products

  • Optimize Your Product Listings:
    • To increase visibility on Walmart, you should optimize your product titles, descriptions, images, and keywords. Use relevant keywords to help customers find your products.
    • SEO: Walmart uses its own search algorithm, so focus on keywords that align with Walmart’s search terms.
    • Competitive Pricing: Research your competitors’ prices and set competitive pricing to ensure you stand out.
  • Promotions & Advertising:
    • Walmart Marketplace offers promotional tools like Walmart Performance Ads and Walmart Sponsored Products to help you get more visibility for your products.
    • You can also run special promotions (discounts, bundles) to attract more customers.

Step 7: Handle Orders & Customer Service

  1. Order Management:
    • When you receive an order, you can manage it through your Seller Center dashboard.
    • If you’re fulfilling orders yourself, make sure to pack and ship the orders in a timely manner.
  2. Customer Service:
    • Walmart expects sellers to respond to customer inquiries within 24 hours. Provide excellent customer service to maintain good ratings.
    • Handle returns and refunds promptly according to Walmart’s policies.

Step 8: Monitor and Optimize Performance

  1. Performance Metrics:
    • Use Walmart’s Seller Center dashboard to track sales, customer feedback, and other performance metrics.
    • Walmart uses a Seller Performance Index (SPI), which tracks your metrics such as fulfillment time, customer satisfaction, and order defect rate. Keeping these metrics high will ensure you stay in good standing.
  2. Review Feedback & Improve Listings:
    • Pay attention to customer feedback and reviews. Improving your product listings and providing great customer service will help you build trust and grow your business.

Key Tips for Success on Walmart Marketplace:

  • High-Quality Product Listings: Ensure your product images are clear, high-quality, and comply with Walmart’s guidelines. Your product descriptions should be accurate and detailed.
  • Competitive Pricing: Walmart customers are often price-sensitive, so try to offer competitive pricing without sacrificing quality or margin.
  • Fast Fulfillment: Quick shipping is essential, so aim to ship products promptly and provide tracking information.
  • Customer Support: Respond to customer inquiries and complaints swiftly to maintain a positive reputation.
  • Leverage Walmart’s Advertising Tools: Sponsored Products and Walmart Performance Ads can significantly boost your visibility.

By following these steps and committing to excellent customer service, you can establish a strong presence on Walmart Marketplace and tap into a massive customer base. Ready to get started? Let me know if you need more details on any of the steps!