Rakuten is one of the largest e-commerce platforms in Japan and has expanded its reach to international markets. With millions of active users, Rakuten offers an excellent opportunity for sellers looking to tap into the Japanese market and beyond. The platform is highly regarded for its diverse product range, including electronics, fashion, home goods, and groceries.
Why Sell on Rakuten?
Selling on Rakuten presents numerous advantages for businesses and entrepreneurs. Rakuten offers a unique shopping experience for consumers, focusing not only on products but also on loyalty programs and rewards. Here are some key reasons to consider selling on Rakuten:
- Large Customer Base: Rakuten has millions of active users, both in Japan and across global markets, giving sellers the potential to reach a wide and diverse audience.
- Brand Recognition: As one of Japan’s leading e-commerce platforms, Rakuten is a trusted name in the industry. Sellers can benefit from this brand recognition, which can help drive sales and build customer trust.
- Rakuten Points: Rakuten’s loyalty program allows customers to earn points when they make purchases, encouraging repeat business and increasing customer loyalty.
- Comprehensive E-commerce Tools: Rakuten provides sellers with various tools to manage inventory, process payments, track orders, and run promotions.
- Global Reach: While Rakuten is most popular in Japan, it has expanded to multiple countries, including the U.S., Germany, and others, providing sellers with the opportunity to access international markets.
Getting Started on Rakuten
To start selling on Rakuten, you first need to create a seller account, set up your store, and familiarize yourself with the platform’s tools. Here’s a breakdown of how to get started.
Creating a Rakuten Seller Account
To begin selling on Rakuten, you must first register for a seller account. Follow these steps to create your account:
- Sign Up: Visit Rakuten’s seller registration page and click “Sign Up.” You will need to provide basic details about your business, including your company name, contact information, and email address.
- Provide Business Information: Rakuten requires sellers to provide more detailed business information, such as your tax ID number, business registration documents, and bank account details for payment processing.
- Verification Process: After submitting your information, Rakuten will review your application and verify your business. This process may take a few days, depending on the information provided.
- Approval and Store Access: Once approved, you will gain access to Rakuten’s Seller Central, where you can manage your store, product listings, orders, and more.
Setting Up Your Rakuten Store
Once your account is approved, the next step is to set up your store. Here are the key steps involved:
- Choose a Store Name: Your store name should reflect your brand, be easy to remember, and resonate with your target audience.
- Upload Branding Assets: Customize your store by uploading your logo and designing your store’s banner. A visually appealing storefront will help attract customers.
- Set Up Store Policies: Clearly define your store’s policies regarding shipping, returns, and refunds. Ensure that these policies are visible to customers and easy to understand.
- Set Payment Methods: Rakuten supports a range of payment methods, including credit card payments, Rakuten Points, and PayPal. Choose the methods that suit your business model and customer preferences.
Listing Products on Rakuten
Once your store is set up, the next step is to list your products. Rakuten provides an easy-to-use interface for adding products to your store. It is important to ensure that your listings are clear, informative, and optimized for search.
Creating Product Listings
To add products to your Rakuten store, follow these steps:
- Go to Seller Central: Navigate to Rakuten’s Seller Central dashboard and click on the “Product Management” section to start adding products.
- Enter Product Details: For each product, you’ll need to fill in various fields, including:
- Product Name: Choose a clear and descriptive name that includes keywords customers might search for.
- Product Description: Write a detailed description that highlights the product’s features, benefits, and any special attributes.
- Product Images: Upload high-quality images that showcase the product. Clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles can help increase buyer confidence.
- Category: Assign your product to the appropriate category on Rakuten. This ensures it appears in the right search results and helps customers find it easily.
- Price: Set a competitive price for your product. Take into account production costs, Rakuten’s fees, and shipping expenses.
- Product Attributes: Provide additional information such as color, size, material, or weight to help customers make informed purchasing decisions.
- Stock Quantity: Enter the quantity of the product in stock and enable inventory tracking to avoid overselling.
Once you’ve entered all relevant details, save the listing to make it live in your store.
Bulk Uploading Products
If you have many products to list, Rakuten allows you to upload products in bulk using a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file. You can create a CSV file containing all your product information and upload it directly to Rakuten Seller Central. This is especially helpful for businesses with a large catalog.
Product Variants
If your product comes in multiple variations, such as different sizes, colors, or styles, you can create variants for each product. This allows customers to select their preferred option from a dropdown menu, improving the shopping experience and making it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.
Managing Orders and Shipping
Once your products are listed, you will start receiving orders. Properly managing these orders is critical to maintaining customer satisfaction and ensuring that your business runs smoothly.
Order Notifications
When an order is placed, you’ll receive a notification in your Seller Central account. Rakuten will provide you with all the details, including the customer’s contact information and the items they purchased.
- Review the Order: Check the customer’s order to confirm product availability and shipping details.
- Order Fulfillment: You can either fulfill orders yourself or use Rakuten’s Fulfillment Service, depending on your business needs. Rakuten partners with local and international couriers, allowing you to offer various shipping options to your customers.
Processing Orders
Once an order is confirmed, you will need to:
- Prepare the Product: Ensure the product is in stock and properly packed to prevent damage during shipping.
- Generate Shipping Labels: Rakuten allows you to print shipping labels directly from the platform. Ensure the label is accurate, including the customer’s address and shipping method.
- Update Order Status: Once the product is shipped, update the order status to “Shipped” in your Seller Central dashboard and provide the customer with tracking information.
Handling Returns and Refunds
Rakuten has a clear return policy in place, and as a seller, you need to comply with these policies. If a customer requests a return:
- Review the Return Request: Check the return criteria and the reason for the return (e.g., damaged product, wrong item).
- Process the Return: If the return is valid, authorize it and arrange for the product to be returned. Once the item is returned, issue a refund or exchange based on your store policy.
Customer Support
Providing excellent customer service is crucial for maintaining a positive reputation on Rakuten. Respond to customer inquiries promptly and professionally. Address any concerns regarding shipping, returns, or product quality as soon as possible to ensure customer satisfaction.
Managing Payments and Fees
Understanding Rakuten’s payment system and fee structure is essential for running a profitable store. Rakuten’s fees are competitive, but it’s important to account for these costs when setting your product prices.
Payment Methods
Rakuten processes payments using a secure payment gateway, offering customers a variety of payment options including credit cards, Rakuten Points, and third-party payment methods like PayPal. As a seller, you can choose the payment methods that suit your business.
Rakuten’s Fees
Rakuten charges a commission on each sale, which varies depending on the product category and sales volume. The typical commission fee ranges from 5% to 15%. In addition to the commission fee, there may be additional charges for payment processing, shipping, and advertising. Be sure to factor these fees into your product pricing.
- Platform Fee: Rakuten takes a commission on each sale, which covers the cost of using the platform.
- Transaction Fee: There is a processing fee for payments made via Rakuten’s system, such as credit card payments or Rakuten Points.
- Shipping Fees: If you use Rakuten’s Fulfillment Service or a third-party logistics provider, shipping fees will be deducted from your earnings.
Payout Schedule
Rakuten typically processes payments on a monthly basis. You will receive your payouts after Rakuten deducts the necessary fees. The funds are transferred directly to your linked bank account.
Marketing Your Rakuten Store
To succeed on Rakuten, it’s essential to promote your products and drive traffic to your store. Rakuten offers several marketing tools to help sellers boost their visibility and sales.
Rakuten Ads
Rakuten provides various advertising options that allow you to promote your products within the platform. You can create ads that appear in search results or on the homepage to attract more customers. Types of ads include:
- Sponsored Product Ads: These ads appear at the top of search results or in related product categories, helping your products gain more visibility.
- Display Ads: Rakuten also allows you to create display ads that appear on the Rakuten homepage or within product pages.
Rakuten Points and Promotions
Rakuten’s loyalty program is one of its key selling points. As a seller, you can offer Rakuten Points as part of your promotions to incentivize customers to purchase from your store.
- Rakuten Points: You can offer customers Rakuten Points as a reward for their purchases. Customers can then use these points for future purchases, which helps encourage repeat business.
- Discount Vouchers: Rakuten allows you to issue discount vouchers that customers can use for specific products or store-wide discounts.
- Flash Sales: Participate in Rakuten’s flash sales events to offer limited-time discounts and boost your sales.
Social Media Integration
Rakuten integrates with social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, allowing you to promote your products across these networks. By linking your social media accounts to your Rakuten store, you can reach more potential customers and increase brand awareness.
Monitoring Performance and Analytics
To optimize your sales and improve your store’s performance, you need to regularly monitor your sales data and analytics. Rakuten provides comprehensive reporting tools to help you track key performance indicators (KPIs).
Sales Reports
Rakuten’s Seller Central offers detailed sales reports that show the total value of your orders, sales volume, and product performance. These reports can help you:
- Track your revenue and identify trends in your sales.
- Determine which products are performing well and which need improvement.
- Analyze your store’s performance over time and adjust your strategies accordingly.
Customer Insights
Rakuten’s analytics also provide valuable insights into customer behavior, including the most popular products, demographics, and purchase patterns. Understanding your customer base can help you tailor your marketing efforts and product offerings to increase sales.
Inventory Management Tools
Shopee provides inventory management tools that allow you to track your stock levels, set restock alerts, and update product quantities. Keeping track of your inventory ensures you don’t oversell products or miss opportunities to restock in time.