Selling on Walmart Marketplace: Maximize e-commerce reach

As Walmart Marketplace continues to expand, becoming one of the fastest-growing e-commerce platforms in the U.S., it offers incredible opportunities for sellers. At ShipWise, we are committed to empowering your success on this dynamic platform. This guide will show you how to maximize your potential on Walmart Marketplace, from starting up to scaling your operations.

What is Walmart Marketplace?

Walmart Marketplace is an expansive online platform enabling third-party sellers to offer their products alongside those directly managed by Walmart. This integration allows sellers to leverage Walmart's massive reach and reputation to access a diverse and extensive customer base. It's an excellent opportunity for businesses of all sizes to extend their digital footprint and engage with millions of shoppers.

Benefits of selling on Walmart Marketplace

Embracing Walmart Marketplace as a new selling platform offers a multitude of advantages. From its massive audience to its robust suite of seller tools, this platform is designed to propel your business forward. Here, we'll explore the key benefits that make Walmart Marketplace a lucrative option for sellers looking to expand their reach and sales.

Expansive customer reach

With over 120 million visitors per month, Walmart.com is a prime destination for online shoppers. This massive audience provides sellers with unparalleled exposure, increasing the likelihood of attracting new customers and boosting sales.

Enhanced credibility

Associating your brand with Walmart, a trusted name in retail, not only can enhance your business's credibility and appeal, but also fosters confidence and convenience for customers, leading to higher conversion rates and repeat business.

Cutting-edge seller tools

Walmart supports its sellers with advanced tools such as Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) for logistics, Walmart Connect for targeted advertising, and Repricer for dynamic pricing strategies, all designed to enhance seller success and growth.

Continuous growth opportunities

Walmart is continually investing in its ecommerce capabilities, ensuring that it remains a competitive and evolving platform, which translates into more opportunities for sellers.

How to start selling on Walmart Marketplace

Starting your seller journey on Walmart Marketplace involves a straightforward but detailed process. From application to approval and beyond, Walmart has structured the entry process to ensure that every new seller is well-equipped to succeed. Below, we outline the critical steps to get you up and running on this expansive platform.

Initial setup

To begin selling, prospective sellers should visit the Walmart Marketplace Seller center to apply. The application process involves providing details about your business and demonstrating a successful e-commerce track record. Walmart evaluates each application to ensure that sellers meet their high standards of customer service and business integrity.

Onboarding and promotion

Once approved, you can list your products and start taking advantage of promotional tools offered through Walmart Connect and optimize your pricing strategies with Repricer. Walmart provides several initiatives to support new sellers, including discounts on referral rates and special promotions for using WFS.

New-Seller Savings program

Walmart Marketplace periodically offers promotions for new sellers to encourage participation on their platform. While specific offers vary, past promotions have included significant discounts on referral and fulfillment fees for a limited time. For example, up to 50% off fees for 90 days when sellers participated in key Walmart programs:

• Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS)
• Walmart Connect advertising
• Repricer automated pricing tool

While this specific promotion has ended, new sellers should watch for similar opportunities that Walmart may offer in the future to reduce initial costs and encourage use of their integrated services. Even without active promotions, Walmart Marketplace provides powerful tools to help new sellers succeed, including WFS for fulfillment, Connect for advertising, and Repricer for dynamic pricing. Leveraging these capabilities can help optimize your Walmart selling experience.

Walmart Marketplace shipping options

Selecting the right shipping strategy is crucial for maintaining profitability and customer satisfaction on Walmart Marketplace. Sellers can choose from various shipping and integration methods, tailored to fit different business models and operational needs.

Fulfillment options

Walmart Marketplace sellers can opt for self-fulfillment, utilize third-party logistics providers (3PLs), or leverage Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS). Each approach offers unique benefits:

• Self-fulfillment: Allows full control over inventory and shipping logistics, ideal for sellers with the capacity to manage their own fulfillment processes.
• Third-party logistics (3PL): Suitable for those who prefer to outsource fulfillment to specialized service providers, helping manage larger volumes or complex distribution needs.
• Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS): Sellers can take advantage of Walmart's logistics infrastructure for storage, packing, and shipping, which includes quick delivery capabilities using Walmart's established network.

Integration Methods

A Walmart Marketplace shipping integration can be achieved through several methods, each designed to suit different business requirements and technological capabilities:

• API integration: Direct API access allows for real-time data exchange, ideal for businesses with custom systems or those who require immediate updates and advanced customization.
• Bulk upload tools: For simpler needs, bulk upload tools enable sellers to manage products and orders using spreadsheets or predefined templates, which is straightforward and effective for smaller inventories.
• Solution providers: Third-party platforms and solution providers offer pre-built software solutions that integrate easily with Walmart Marketplace, ideal for those who prefer a plug-and-play approach with minimal technical setup.

Conclusion

Walmart Marketplace offers a dynamic platform for sellers eager to expand their reach and capitalize on its vast customer base and trusted reputation. With tools like Walmart Fulfillment Services, Walmart Connect, and Repricer, sellers have the resources to enhance visibility, streamline operations, and increase sales.

Integrating ShipWise with your Walmart Marketplace operations can further enhance this experience. ShipWise's flexible integration—whether directly connecting to your Walmart store or through your ERP or WMS—simplifies the management of multi-platform sales channels. By automating shipping processes, rate comparisons, and providing advanced management for pricing and catalogs, ShipWise complements Walmart's offerings, ensuring sellers can operate more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Embrace the full potential of selling on Walmart Marketplace with ShipWise's tailored solutions to meet your logistics and management needs, empowering you to focus on growth and customer satisfaction.