Want to launch a profitable Amazon FBA business but unsure which products will actually sell? You’re not alone. With thousands of options available, choosing the right product can make or break your success. In this guide, we’ll walk you through smart, beginner-friendly tools and techniques to help you uncover winning products—starting with a powerful Chrome extension you’ll want to install right away.
DS Amazon Quick View Chrome Extension
One of the fastest ways to analyze product demand and competition on Amazon is by using the DS Amazon Quick View Chrome extension.
How to Use It:
- Go to Google and search for DS Amazon Quick View.
- Click the link that leads to the Chrome Web Store.
- Click “Add to Chrome”, then hit “Add Extension” when prompted.
- Once added, pin the extension by clicking the puzzle icon at the top right of your browser, then selecting the pin icon next to DS Amazon Quick View.
What It Does:
When you search for products on Amazon, this extension displays crucial data directly on the search results page—such as the ASIN, Best Seller Rank (BSR), category, and most importantly, the number of sellers offering each product.
Why It Matters:
For new FBA sellers, the number of competing sellers is a key factor. Products with 2 to 10 sellers are typically the sweet spot—low enough to avoid overcrowded markets, but active enough to prove there’s demand. Avoid listings with too many sellers, as competition can shrink your profit margins and make it harder to win the buy box.
Explore Amazon Departments
Choosing the right department or product category is crucial to your success as an Amazon FBA seller. Not all categories are beginner-friendly—some come with high risks, restrictions, or complicated handling requirements.
Categories to Avoid as a New Seller:
When you’re just starting out, it’s smart to avoid the following types of products and departments:
- Oversized products – These cost more to ship and store. Ideally, look for items that weigh under 4.4 pounds (2 kg).
- Breakable items – Fragile goods increase the risk of damage, returns, and negative reviews.
- Hazardous materials (HazMat) – These require special handling and Amazon approval.
- Gated categories – These include restricted categories that require extra approval to sell in, such as:
- Automotive
- Baby
- Health & Personal Care
- Beauty
- Toys & Games
- Industrial & Scientific
- Electronics
Instead, focus on open and accessible categories like Home & Kitchen, Office Products, or Pet Supplies—these are safer, beginner-friendly, and often offer consistent demand.
Amazon Private Label vs Wholesale
Before choosing a product, it’s important to understand the two main FBA business models: Private Label and Wholesale. Each has its pros, cons, and strategies—and knowing the difference will help you pick the model that suits your goals.
What is Amazon Private Label?
Private Label means selling a product under your own brand. You usually:
- Source generic products (often from Alibaba or other suppliers),
- Add your own brand name, packaging, and design,
- Then sell it as a unique listing on Amazon.
Pros:
- Full control over branding and pricing
- Higher profit margins
- Builds long-term brand value
Cons:
- Requires product development and marketing effort
- Upfront costs can be higher
- Riskier if the product doesn’t sell
What is Amazon Wholesale?
Wholesale means buying branded products in bulk directly from authorized suppliers or manufacturers, then reselling them on Amazon—often by listing on existing product pages.
Pros:
- No need to build a brand
- Lower marketing effort
- Easier to start if you get approved by suppliers
Cons:
- Lower profit margins
- High competition (shared buy box)
- Requires business registration, such as forming an LLC and obtaining an EIN (Employer Identification Number), plus approval to work with wholesalers
Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re new to Amazon FBA, starting with the Wholesale model is often the safer choice. It offers a higher product success rate and lower risk because you’re selling proven products from established brands. As you gain experience and understand the market better, you can transition to Private Label, which allows more creativity and control but comes with higher risk and effort.
Amazon Retail Arbitrage
In addition to Private Label and Wholesale, many sellers begin their Amazon journey with Retail Arbitrage. This model involves buying discounted or clearance products from retail stores or online marketplaces and reselling them on Amazon for a profit.
Why Choose Retail Arbitrage?
- Requires low upfront investment
- Allows quick entry into selling without product development
- Great way to test different products and markets
Considerations and Challenges:
- Product availability can be inconsistent and hard to scale
- Amazon’s policies on arbitrage can be strict, so compliance is crucial
- Risk of account suspension if sellers don’t follow Amazon’s rules carefully
While Retail Arbitrage can be a good starting point for new sellers, many move on to Wholesale or Private Label models to build more sustainable and scalable businesses.
Finding Products for Amazon Wholesale FBA Sellers
Now that you know the basics of different Amazon selling models, this guide will focus on practical ways to find winning products specifically for the Amazon Wholesale model. These strategies help you identify established, high-demand products with reasonable competition—perfect for sellers who want to start with wholesale rather than creating their own private label brand.
First, start by searching for products within the recommended categories we discussed earlier—those ideal for new FBA sellers.
When you find a product, check the “Sold by” section on the Amazon listing. Look for listings where the seller is a new seller. This increases your chances of getting brand approval or being accepted as an authorized online reseller by the brand.
To stay organized and track your research effectively, create an Excel or Google Sheets document with the following column headings:
- ASIN
- Product Name
- Model Number
- Brand
- Price
- Per Count Rate
- No. of Sellers
- No. of New Sellers
- Weight
- Producer
- Origin
- Made In
- Website
- Email Address
- MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
- Status
- Remarks
Using Google Sheets? You can easily apply filters and formulas to sort, analyze, and highlight key opportunities based on factors like seller count, pricing trends, or approval status. Keeping your sheet organized not only speeds up your product research but also helps you maintain a clear record when reaching out to brands or suppliers.
💡 Important Note:
Even if a product shows new or few sellers (which usually signals opportunity), avoid it if the brand doesn’t have an official website. In the Amazon Wholesale model, being able to quickly contact the brand or its authorized distributor is essential for approval and relationship-building. If a brand has no website, it becomes time-consuming to track down contact info through third-party platforms—and in most cases, it’s not worth the effort for new sellers.
To conclude, once you’ve completed your product research and built a solid list of potential items, the next step is to reach out to the brands directly via email. Focus on identifying which brands offer the lowest Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) in terms of total cost (USD). As a new Amazon wholesale seller, it’s wise to start small and minimize your risk—remember the saying: don’t test the depth of the river with both feet. The lower the MOQ, the lower your upfront investment—and the safer your entry into Amazon FBA.
