How to Sell on Amazon from Turkey in 2023
Are you thinking of expanding your eCommerce business into both Europe and Asia? Now, with Amazon.tr live, you can tap into the lucrative western-most Middle Eastern market. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your online retail presence in new countries! Today we will learn about how to sell on Amazon from Turkey.
Why use Amazon to Sell from Turkey?
The eCommerce market of Turkey represents a significant opportunity, amounting to around $12.76 billion (€10.76 billion) in 2019 – ripe for the picking!
Turkey presents a lucrative new market for businesses and is also at the forefront of eCommerce in the Middle East-North Africa region. In July 2020, 23 major online retail companies from Turkey launched an ambitious program to accelerate growth within this sector.
Do you have the right skills and determination to succeed in this highly lucrative eCommerce market? Can you recoup your initial investment? How will you effectively target potential customers in an unfamiliar culture?
In this guide, we provide all the necessary information so that YOU can decide whether or not pursuing a career in Turkish eCommerce makes sense for YOU.
Statistics about eCommerce in Turkey
Did you know? Amazon’s worldwide network of 19 marketplaces permits third- party sellers to list and sell over 350 million products. The convenience and reach provided by this comprehensive platform are unparalleled, providing customers with a comprehensive selection at the click of a button!
Turkey is one of its most lucrative markets. And here’s why.
Boasting the 13th highest GDP in the world, Turkey is a bustling business hub for both traditional and online commerce.
Among the eCommerce community, only half of India’s population — 31.39 million people — shop online with an impressive Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of $253.83!
By pinpointing this target group and providing a tailored service to them, you can reap remarkable rewards for your business!
If you’d like to take advantage of the booming Turkish eCommerce market, you must understand who your competitors are. Homegrown brands primarily dominate the industry, so Amazon has recently joined in and is still attempting to find its place among them.
In no particular order, the eCommerce titans of Turkey are as follows:
- Trendyol.com
- Hepsiburada
- Araba.com
- GittiGidiyor (a subsidiary of eBay)
Gaining an understanding of Turkish customers’ shopping habits can be difficult, but with the help of these eCommerce leaders and some translation assistance, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect.
Top Five Best-Selling Product Categories in Turkey
According to Statista, the top 5 best-selling product categories in Turkey can be summed up by:
- Fashion & Apparel: $3.993 billion
- Electronics & Media: $2.275 billion
- Toys, Hobbies & DIY: $2.004 billion
- Furniture & Appliances: $1.139 billion
- Food & Personal Care: $0.777 billion
If your online retail business is already set up to offer products from the categories mentioned, selling on Amazon Turkey could be an excellent investment. If not, it may still be beneficial to add these types of items to expand and tap into the Turkish market.
Online Shopping Patterns in Turkey
Turkey is a strong link between Eastern and Western cultures, showcased in their online shopping behavior; it’s not only the items they buy that differentiate them from other nations but also how they purchase.
Notably, younger generations are more likely to make purchases online – nearly 95% of individuals between 16-24 years old contribute the most to digital sales compared to only 77% of those aged 45-54 and above.
Therefore, it is essential that your marketing appeals primarily to young buyers while still taking into consideration mature markets, as they can be just as profitable.
Despite Turkey’s leadership in eCommerce, mobile shopping still lags behind other countries. According to Statista, 76% of online purchases are conducted on desktops, while smartphones and tablets only account for 16% and 3%, respectively.
Turkish customers are willing to purchase imported items, resulting in $202 billion of products being brought into the country in 2018. Although US-made goods occupy fourth place on the list after Germany, China, and Russia’s offerings, Turkish consumers still warmly accept foreign merchandise.
Regarding payment methods, an overwhelming majority of Turks (88%) prefer credit cards: 45% for Visa and 43% for Mastercard. Surprisingly only 6% choose PayPal as their favored option, with the remaining percentage split between other e-wallets.
Digital Marketing in Turkey
Turkey is generally considered the most Westernized country in the Middle East, yet its customs are firmly rooted in Islam. In this regard, it’s essential to strategize and customize your marketing approach accordingly.
You’ll want to take a more traditional approach to media like product photos and social media posts — nothing too provocative or suggestive.
YouTube takes the cake for social media, with Instagram in second place. However, WhatsApp and Facebook are still managing neck-and-neck scores beside one another somewhere on that leaderboard! But if you want your business to stand out from all of these platforms?
A video marketing strategy is just what you need. All other social networks fall slightly below those big five – so don’t let them miss out on the potential opportunities for growth an excellent digital strategy can provide!
How do you sell on Amazon’s international marketplaces?
Customers can browse and buy practically anything they desire from Amazon’s online stores, excluding a few marketplaces. Whether you need e-books, cookware, or any other item – the options are endless! Then, with its efficient delivery network, Amazon ships your purchases to your doorstep.
While Amazon sells plenty of its products, such as the Echo and Kindle, most of what is displayed on its website consists of goods sold by first- or third- party vendors.
When Amazon purchases products from wholesale vendors, they fall into the category of first-party sellers. Third-party vendors have two options to sell on the platform: self-fulfilled orders or Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA). With a self-fulfilled order, third parties manage their delivery process, whereas when opting for an FBA order, Amazon will be in charge of packing and shipping the product.
- Generating more sales is a breeze with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)! By keeping their products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers and listing them on the platform, sellers can watch as their items fly off the shelves. When a sale occurs, Amazon takes care of all the packing and shipping details so that you can focus your energy elsewhere!
- If you’re an Amazon seller looking to get the most out of your business, Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) might be right for you. With this option, sellers list their products on Amazon but then take matters into their own hands when a sale is made; they store and ship the products themselves.
How to Sell on Amazon Turkey: Preparatory Steps
Now that we’ve determined the overall condition of Turkey’s eCommerce market let us hone our focus on Amazon. If you’re dreaming about selling on Amazon Turkey, here are a few points to take into consideration.
To begin with, the language. Turkey has its fair share of English-speaking natives; however, if you’re selling online, your sales copy should be written in Turkish for maximum conversion rates. Consider hiring a translator to ensure there’s ample budgeting available for this purpose.
Subsequently, similar to many international extensions, we advise employing a fulfillment service such as Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
Other 3PL options are also available. To preserve revenue, transcontinental shipping charges should be avoided at all costs. Therefore it is recommended that all products be dispatched to a storage facility inside Turkey using cost-effective freight transport and then have Amazon or another third party manage the delivery from there.
Amazon’s Language support considerations
As you expand into a new Amazon marketplace, one of your initial thought processes should be if your enterprise can function in the native language.
To offer effective customer service in an Amazon marketplace, a proficient understanding of the local language is essential – unless you opt to use Fulfillment by Amazon.
Knowing the local language is indispensable when researching a foreign country and deciding how to position your products best. You may need to make adaptations or alterations, such as repositioning marketing strategies, copying techniques, or packaging designs to fit the requirements of your new customers better.
Despite not having deep knowledge of the local language, countless sellers have found success operating in Amazon marketplaces.
With Amazon, eliminating language barriers has never been easier; their vast array of services and tools guarantee that you’ll be able to communicate effectively with anyone in the world.
Seller Central Language Switcher
Fantastic news! You don’t need to become proficient in French, German, Italian, Spanish, or Japanese when aiming at selling across Europe and places like Turkey.
Amazon’s Seller Central Language Switcher makes it effortless for you to manage operations in multiple Amazon marketplaces, regardless of the language barrier.
With a user-friendly interface designed with English as its default language, learning how to use this tool is fast and straightforward, allowing you to quickly get your international business off the ground.
Amazon European Marketplaces account
Since Amazon Turkey also acts as a bridge to European culture and markets, consider this.
Here in Europe, Amazon has made it simpler than ever to oversee your business across all of Amazon’s international stores. The Amazon European Stores account allows you to conveniently create and manage product offers on any of our online platforms in Germany, the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands–all from one place!
You have the power to choose where your products are sold and manage every aspect of your business from a single account.
Selling on one Amazon European marketplace unlocks the door to selling in all other marketplaces – sign up with Amazon.tr! With no additional steps required and your seller account automatically enabled, you can start making global sales today at Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, Amazon.it, and Amazon.es.
Expand your online business to millions of international customers and let Amazon take the reins. With all orders being managed in a single spot, trading with Italy will feel as familiar as transacting within Turkey. Make waves across borders today!
Customer support in the local language
If you’re selling in an Amazon marketplace, customer support must be conducted in the local language of the marketplace. For instance, if your products are available on Amazon Japan or Spain, customer support must be provided in Japanese and Spanish. You can either manage this yourself or enlist assistance from FBA when joining them.
Taxes and regulations
When operating on Amazon’s various marketplaces, always be mindful of relevant local taxes and regulations, particularly in Japan and Europe. To make the wisest decisions when selling your products abroad, we recommend you reach out to certified tax advisors or similar authorities.
Every nation has unique laws and policies regarding product sales to consumers, including Turkey. These may include intellectual property regulations, safety rules, environmental standards, and more. Don’t forget that the same applies to any marketplace – it’s essential to familiarize yourself with all applicable local requirements before making a sale!
Arm yourself with knowledge and comprehend your duties. Taxation, intellectual property rights, parallel importation, export controls, and product compliance are only a few of the many points to consider. Remember that marking labels, environmental health regulations, and safety standards must also be upheld.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell on Amazon from Turkey?
Yes, it is possible to sell on Amazon from Turkey. Amazon has a marketplace that serves Turkey, and Turkish citizens can register as a seller on the platform and list their products for sale.
What are the requirements for selling on Amazon from Turkey?
To sell on Amazon from Turkey, you must register as a seller on the platform, provide your business and personal information, and have a valid phone number, email address, and payment method. You will also need to comply with all relevant laws and regulations, including providing required documentation or certifications for your products.
What types of products can I sell on Amazon from Turkey?
You can sell a wide range of products on Amazon from Turkey, including books, electronics, clothing, and home goods. However, there may be restrictions on certain types of products, such as those that are considered hazardous or that require particular certifications.
How do I handle shipping and logistics when selling on Amazon from Turkey?
As a seller on Amazon from Turkey, you will be responsible for handling the shipping and logistics of your products. You will need to package and ship your products to customers, and you may also need to arrange for customs clearance and other import/export formalities.
Can I use Amazon Fulfillment to handle my shipping and logistics?
Yes, Amazon Fulfillment is available for sellers in Turkey. It allows you to store your products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers and have them shipped to customers on your behalf. This helps simplify the shipping and logistics process and improve customer service and sales. However, you should check with Amazon regarding this service’s specific details and limitations.
Conclusion
Using the e-commerce platform to sell products from Turkey can be an excellent Amazon opportunity for growth for businesses and entrepreneurs looking to expand their reach and increase their sales
. With a large and growing customer base, Amazon provides a platform for Turkish sellers to connect with customers worldwide and showcase their products to a global audience. With Amazon Fulfillment, you can streamline the shipping and logistics process and improve customer service, allowing you to focus on growing your business. While there may be some challenges and regulations to navigate, the potential benefits of how to sell on Amazon Turkey make it a worthwhile endeavor for those looking to take their business to the next level.
