How to Sell on Walmart for Beginners

Walmart is one of the largest retailers in the world, with a vast customer base and a global reach. Selling on Walmart’s marketplace provides an opportunity to tap into this expansive network, gain exposure to millions of customers, and grow your business. This guide will walk you through the steps to start selling on Walmart, from setting up your seller account to optimizing your product listings and managing your orders.

Why Sell on Walmart?

Selling on Walmart offers several advantages, especially for sellers looking to expand their reach and access a broad customer base. Some key reasons to sell on Walmart include:

Large Customer Base: Walmart has millions of shoppers visiting its website each day. By listing your products on Walmart, you gain access to this highly engaged audience.
Marketplace Trust: Walmart is a recognized and trusted brand, and being part of their marketplace can increase your credibility with potential customers.
Access to Powerful Tools: Walmart provides tools to help sellers manage their inventory, track sales, run promotions, and gain insights into their performance.
Competitive Fees: Walmart’s fees are relatively low compared to other large marketplaces, making it a cost-effective platform for sellers.

Getting Started on Walmart

To start selling on Walmart, you’ll need to create a seller account, set up your store, and list your products. Below are the steps to get started:

Registering for a Walmart Seller Account

The first step in selling on Walmart is to create a seller account. Here’s how you can register:

Sign Up: Visit the Walmart Marketplace Seller Center and click on the “Apply to Sell” button. You will need to provide basic information, such as your business name, contact details, tax identification number (TIN), and bank account information for payment processing.
Business Verification: Walmart will verify your business details and may require documentation such as your business registration and sales tax exemption certificates (if applicable).
Seller Approval: After you submit your application, Walmart will review your details and decide whether to approve your account. This process can take a few days to a week.
Accessing Your Seller Portal: Once approved, you’ll gain access to Walmart’s Seller Center, where you can manage your products, orders, and store.

Setting Up Your Walmart Store

Once your account is approved, the next step is to set up your store. A well-optimized store can help you attract customers and boost sales. Here’s how to set up your store:

Store Name: Choose a name for your store that reflects your brand and what you sell.
Store Description: Write a compelling description of your store. This should highlight your brand’s values, the types of products you offer, and why customers should buy from you.
Logo and Branding: Upload your store logo and create a cohesive branding strategy. This will help your store stand out and build trust with customers.
Payment Settings: Set up your payment method so you can receive payments from Walmart. Walmart pays sellers on a regular schedule, usually every two weeks.

Listing Your Products on Walmart

Once your store is set up, you can begin adding products to your store. Properly creating product listings is essential for attracting buyers and ensuring that your products are easy to find.

Product Information

For each product, you will need to provide detailed information. Key product details include:

Product Title: Create a clear and descriptive title that includes relevant keywords. This is one of the most important aspects of your listing since it will appear in search results.
Product Description: Write a detailed product description that explains the features, benefits, and specifications of the product. Be clear and concise to help customers make informed decisions.
Product Images: Upload high-quality images that showcase the product from different angles. Walmart allows multiple images for each product, so make sure to include various views.
Category: Select the correct category for your product to help customers find it easily.
Price: Set a competitive price for your product. Be sure to consider the cost of production, shipping fees, and Walmart’s selling fees when determining your price.
Product Attributes: Include additional product attributes, such as size, color, and material, to make the listing more complete and informative.

Product Variants

If your product has multiple variations, such as different colors, sizes, or styles, you can list them as product variations. This helps customers easily navigate through your offerings and choose the version they want.

Bulk Uploading

If you have a large number of products to list, Walmart offers bulk uploading through the Seller Center. You can use a CSV (comma-separated values) file to upload multiple products at once, saving time and effort.

Managing Inventory and Orders

Once your products are live, you will need to manage your inventory to avoid overselling and ensure timely fulfillment of orders. Walmart provides tools to help you keep track of your stock levels and manage your orders.

Managing Inventory

Walmart’s Seller Center offers an easy-to-use inventory management system. You’ll need to:

Update Stock Levels: Keep your stock levels up to date to avoid selling products that are out of stock. If you run out of stock, Walmart will stop listing the product until you update the inventory.
Set Replenishment Alerts: Set up alerts to notify you when inventory is running low so you can restock in time.
Order Processing: Walmart gives you the option to either fulfill orders yourself or use Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) to handle storage, packing, and shipping.

Fulfilling Orders

When a customer places an order, you will receive a notification via the Seller Center. Here’s what you need to do:

Review Order Details: Ensure the customer’s order is correct, including the shipping address and product selection.
Pack the Product: Properly package the product to avoid damage during transit. Ensure that it’s securely packed and ready to ship.
Shipping and Tracking: Ship the product according to the customer’s selected shipping method. Provide tracking information to keep the customer informed about their order status.

Walmart offers multiple shipping options, including standard shipping, expedited shipping, and two-day delivery. If you use Walmart Fulfillment Services, Walmart will handle the packing and shipping for you.

Handling Returns and Customer Service

Walmart has a clear return policy that sellers must adhere to. If a customer wants to return an item, you will need to:

Review the Return Request: Check if the product meets Walmart’s return criteria (e.g., the item is in new condition and within the return window).
Process the Return: Once the return is confirmed, either authorize the return and provide the customer with a return label or handle the return through Walmart’s Fulfillment Services if applicable.
Customer Support: Respond promptly to customer inquiries and resolve issues in a professional manner. This helps maintain a good reputation on the platform and can lead to repeat business.

Managing Payments and Fees

Understanding Walmart’s payment structure and fees is crucial for maintaining a profitable business. Walmart charges sellers a variety of fees, including commission fees, fulfillment fees (if applicable), and payment processing fees.

Walmart’s Fees

Walmart charges a commission on each sale, which typically ranges from 6% to 20%, depending on the product category. The exact fee percentage will vary, so it’s important to understand how fees will affect your profit margin. Other potential fees include:

Referral Fees: A percentage of the sale price taken by Walmart for listing your products on their marketplace.
Fulfillment Fees: If you use Walmart Fulfillment Services, there will be additional fees for storage, packing, and shipping.
Advertising Fees: If you run paid ads on Walmart, there will be fees associated with those campaigns.

Payment Schedule

Walmart pays its sellers on a regular basis, typically every 14 days. Payments are processed after the product has been shipped and the return window has passed. Payments are made through direct deposit to your business account.

You can track your payments and fees in the Payments section of the Seller Center. This will give you a breakdown of all payments, including deductions for fees.

Marketing and Promoting Your Products on Walmart

To succeed on Walmart, you need to actively market your products and stand out from the competition. Walmart offers various promotional tools to help you increase visibility and drive traffic to your listings.

Discounts and Promotions

Offering discounts and running promotions can help increase sales. Walmart allows sellers to set up different types of promotions, such as:

Percentage Off: Offer a discount on the total order value or on specific products.
Buy One, Get One: Offer a promotion where customers can buy one product and receive another for free or at a discounted price.
Free Shipping: Offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount to encourage customers to buy more.

These promotions can be set up directly through the Seller Center and can help attract more buyers.

Walmart’s Holiday Deals

Walmart frequently runs holiday sales events, such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday promotions. Participating in these events can significantly boost your sales during peak shopping seasons.

Optimizing Your Walmart Store for Success

To succeed on Walmart, it’s important to optimize your product listings and store to ensure visibility and attract more customers. Here are some tips for improving your performance:

Improve Your Listings for SEO

Walmart has its own search engine that customers use to find products. To rank higher in search results, ensure that your product titles, descriptions, and attributes include relevant keywords. Do research to find out what terms customers are using to search for products like yours, and incorporate those keywords into your listings.

Collect Customer Reviews

Customer reviews play an important role in convincing buyers to purchase your products. Encourage customers to leave feedback by following up after a purchase and providing excellent customer service. Positive reviews can improve your reputation on the platform and help increase sales.

Monitor Your Analytics

Walmart provides analytics tools that allow you to track your sales, monitor your product performance, and identify trends. Use these tools to make data-driven decisions, optimize your listings, and improve your marketing efforts.