Amazon has grown far beyond being just an online shopping platform. Today, it offers multiple opportunities for individuals and small business owners to make money with Amazon online, whether you’re looking for a full-time business or just a side income. With millions of users visiting Amazon daily, leveraging its vast marketplace can be a lucrative path if approached strategically.
In this blog, we’ll explore proven ways to make money with Amazon, how to get started, tools and resources, and tips to avoid common pitfalls—all while providing links to helpful internal and external resources.
Link to “Top Online Side Hustles for Beginners” to guide readers on starting other income streams.
Why Amazon Is a Great Platform to Make Money
Amazon offers several advantages for anyone looking to earn online:
- Massive Customer Base: Millions of buyers visit Amazon daily, giving you instant access to a huge audience.
- Multiple Monetization Options: From selling products to earning commissions, Amazon has options for various skills and investment levels.
- Reliable Infrastructure: Amazon handles payment processing, customer service, and, in some programs, shipping logistics.
- Flexibility: Whether you want to sell full-time or part-time, Amazon allows you to choose your level of commitment.
Beginner’s Guide to Selling Online in Canada” for location-specific guidance.
1. Selling Products on Amazon (FBA or FBM)
One of the most popular ways to make money with Amazon is selling physical products. You can either use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM).
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
With FBA, Amazon handles storage, packing, shipping, and customer service. This allows you to focus on sourcing products and marketing.
How to get started:
- Create an Amazon Seller account.
- Research profitable products using tools like Jungle Scout or Helium 10.
- Source products from suppliers, often through platforms like Alibaba or local wholesalers.
- Send products to Amazon warehouses.
- List your products with optimized titles, descriptions, and images.
Pros: Hands-off logistics, Prime eligibility, wider customer reach.
Cons: Fees can be high; competition is intense.
Earnings: Highly variable profit margins typically range from 10–30% depending on product and sales volume.
Link to Amazon Seller Central for sign-up
How to Start a Side Hustle Selling Online
Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM)
With FBM, you handle storage, shipping, and customer service yourself. This option gives more control and lower fees but requires time and effort.
Tip: Start small with FBM to test products before scaling up to FBA.
2. Amazon Affiliate Program (Amazon Associates)
If you have a website, blog, or social media following, you can earn commissions by promoting Amazon products. This is known as affiliate marketing.
How to get started:
- Sign up for the Amazon Associates Program.
- Choose products related to your niche or audience.
- Share links on your blog, YouTube channel, or social media.
- Earn a commission when someone purchases through your link.
Commission Rates: Typically 1–10%, varying by product category.
Tips:
- Create detailed reviews, tutorials, or guides.
- Avoid spamming; focus on authentic recommendations.
- Track performance using Amazon’s affiliate dashboard.
Link to Amazon Associates.
Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing in 2025
3. Self-Publishing eBooks with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon makes it easy to publish and sell eBooks through Kindle Direct Publishing. If you love writing or have expertise in a specific area, KDP can be a great source of passive income.
How to get started:
- Sign up for KDP.
- Write your book (fiction, non-fiction, or guides).
- Format your eBook according to Amazon guidelines.
- Upload your manuscript and cover.
- Set your pricing and publish.
Pros: Passive income, global reach, low upfront costs.
Cons: Highly competitive; marketing is crucial.
Earnings: 35–70% royalty per sale depending on pricing and region.
Tip: Promote your eBook through social media, email lists, or blogging to increase sales.
Internal link suggestion: Link to “How to Self-Publish Your First eBook.”
4. Amazon Handmade: Selling Craft and Artisan Products
If you’re an artisan or crafter, Amazon Handmade is a marketplace for handcrafted goods. Think jewelry, home décor, art, and custom items.
How to get started:
- Apply to Amazon Handmade.
- Create product listings with high-quality images and descriptions.
- Market your products to niche audiences.
Pros: Access to a large marketplace, credibility with Amazon’s brand.
Cons: Application approval is required; competition exists within niches.
Tip: Focus on unique, high-quality items to stand out.
Link to Amazon Handmade.
Top Platforms to Sell Handmade Products Online.
5. Retail Arbitrage: Buying Low, Selling High
Retail arbitrage involves buying discounted products from stores or online retailers and reselling them on Amazon. This is ideal for beginners with limited capital.
How to get started:
- Research products in local stores or online marketplaces that are cheaper than Amazon prices.
- Use Amazon Seller App to scan barcodes and check potential profit.
- List products on Amazon for a higher price.
Tips:
- Focus on products in high demand or trending categories.
- Monitor inventory and pricing regularly.
- Start small and scale gradually.
Earnings: Profit margins typically range from 10–50% per item depending on sourcing and category.
Beginner’s Guide to Retail Arbitrage in Canada.”
6. Amazon Merch: Designing T-Shirts and Apparel
Amazon Merch allows you to create and sell custom-designed t-shirts, hoodies, and other apparel without managing inventory. Amazon prints, ships, and handles customer service for you.
How to get started:
- Apply for an Amazon Merch account.
- Design apparel using free tools like Canva or paid software like Photoshop.
- Upload your designs and set prices.
- Promote via social media or niche websites.
Pros: Passive income, no inventory, global reach.Cons: Competitive niche; requires marketing to get noticed.
Earnings: Profit per shirt typically ranges from $3–$10 depending on price and royalty settings.
Link to Amazon Merch.
How to Make Money with Print-on-Demand.”
7. Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk)
Amazon MTurk is a micro-task platform where you complete small online jobs for payment. Tasks can include surveys, data labeling, transcription, or research.
How to get started:
- Sign up for Amazon Mechanical Turk.
- Complete qualification tests to access higher-paying tasks.
- Choose simple tasks that match your skills and complete them efficiently.
Pros: Flexible, no experience required, start immediately.
Cons: Lower pay per task; income depends on speed and volume.
Tip: Focus on high-paying HITs (Human Intelligence Tasks) to maximize earnings.
Tips for Maximizing Your Amazon Earnings
- Diversify Revenue Streams: Combine selling, affiliate marketing, and KDP for multiple income sources.
- Research Products Thoroughly: Use tools like Jungle Scout, Helium 10, or Keepa to analyze demand and competition.
- Optimize Listings: High-quality images, keyword-rich titles, and detailed descriptions increase visibility.
- Leverage Marketing: Social media, email newsletters, and influencer collaborations can boost sales.
- Monitor Finances: Track expenses, fees, and profits to ensure a sustainable business.
Internal link suggestion: Link to “How to Optimize Product Listings for Maximum Sales.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Fees: Amazon charges fees for FBA, selling, and affiliate programs. Factor these into your pricing.
- Neglecting Research: Poor product research leads to unsold inventory or low commissions.
- Overloading with Products: Start small to test demand before scaling.
- Neglecting Marketing: Even the best products need visibility.
Conclusion
Making money with Amazon is not a fantasy; it’s a legitimate, proven way to earn online. Whether you choose selling products, becoming an affiliate, publishing eBooks, or taking micro-tasks, there’s an option suited for your skills, interests, and time availability.
The key is to start small, focus on quality, and diversify your income streams. Over time, consistent effort can turn a side hustle into a sustainable income source, opening doors to larger opportunities and financial freedom.
Top Online Jobs You Can Start from Home in 2025.
Link to Amazon Seller Central, Amazon Associates, KDP.
By leveraging Amazon’s multiple platforms and tools, anyone in Canada or globally can take advantage of its enormous marketplace and start earning today.
