Shopee, often called the “Amazon of Southeast Asia,” has gained immense popularity and has become the leading eCommerce marketplace in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. With over 90 million monthly average active users, Shopee presents an incredible opportunity for both sellers and becoming sellers to grow their businesses. However, starting selling on a new platform sounds overwhelming, and Shopee is no exception. LitCommerce – a multichannel selling tool – will walk you through the 5 steps on how to start selling in Shopee.
- Step 1: Create your Shopee shop
- Step 2: Create your first listing
- Step 3: Set up your shipment
- Step 4: Configure payment settings
- Step 5: Ship out your first order
Let’s dive in!
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What is Shopee Marketplace?
Before we delve into how to start selling in Shopee, let’s discover which opportunities await sellers on Shopee and uncover whether there is any fee to sell on the platform
Opportunities for Shopee sellers
Being the top eCommerce marketplace in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, Shopee has been growing steadily. In 2017, Shopee had only 245 million orders. However, in 2022, the total gross orders skyrocketed to 7,6 billion, reflecting a remarkable increase of 23.7% year-over-year. Whether you are new to Shopee or already selling on multi-channels, Shopee undoubtedly is a promising marketplace worth considering.
Shopee is now active in multiple countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan. The overseas seller program allows cross-border sellers, such as from China and Hong Kong, to tap into this vast Southeast Asian and Taiwanese customer base.
Regarding the products, Shopee provides endless possibilities for sellers. As its slogan, “Buy everything on Shopee,” as a seller, you can sell almost anything on Shopee you want, from face masks and body care sets to hangers and multi-cookers.
According to “Involve Asia,” 5 categories, including Home&Living, Health&Beauty, Electronics, Women’s Fashion, and Toys&Hobbies, were the most popular for customers on Shopee in 2022.
So, what about the selling fee on Shopee?
Shopee marketplace pricing
As Shopee commits to helping sellers new to eCommerce, Shopee does not charge any Registration Fee and Listing Fee to Shopee sellers. However, there are four other main fees that Shopee charges sellers, namely commission, service, transaction, and shipping fees.
- Transaction Fee: Shopee sellers are required to pay a transaction fee, which is a handling fee applied to successful transactions made through any form of payment.
- Commission Fee: A commission fee is an amount charged to Shopee Mall sellers based on the price of a product listing. Commission fee varies according to the product category.
- Service Fee: Shopee charges a service fee for the services provided to sellers who enroll in programs such as the Coins Cashback Programme, Free Shipping Special Programme, or any other programs offered by Shopee.
- Shipping Fee: Depending on the shipping channels that you have enabled to help you ship out your orders, you will be required to pay shipping fees for your orders.
These fees can vary based on the type of Shopee seller, the country, and the cluster, category, and sub-category of the product being sold on Shopee. For example, while Malaysian non-Mall sellers are not charged any Shopee commission fee for their first 99 completed orders, Shopee only charges commission fees to Singapore non-Mall Shopee sellers after a 90-day registration period.
The fee also varies depending on 2 main key types of sellers, which are Shopee Mall sellers and non-Mall sellers. The table below compares the commission fee that Shopee Singapore charges Mall sellers and non-Mall sellers.
Updating your Shopee Store's Description | |
- Include the name of your shop and use terms such as "online shop" and "official shop". - State the market you are based in, and the markets you ship to. - Add information such as your operating hours. - Insert links to your official website and social media channels. - If applicable, mention the keywords you have identified 1-2 times in your shop description. | - Spam the keyword. - Use emotions, hashtags or symbols. |
Please refer to the following Shopee Seller Fee breakdown for specific countries:
- Singapore Shopee Seller Fee
- Malaysia Shopee Seller Fee
- Philippines Shopee Seller Fee
- Indonesia Shopee Seller Fee
- Vietnam Shopee Seller Fee
Explore 4 Types of Shopee Sellers
While learning how to start selling in Shopee, it’s also crucial to decide which kind of Shopee seller label is best for your brand.
Uncover the 4 distinct types of Shopee sellers and learn about the advantages and unique features, and make the right choice for your business. There are 4 main kinds of Shopee sellers: Shopee Mall Seller, Preferred Seller, Overseas Seller, and No-label Seller.
1. Shopee Mall Seller
Shopee Mall Sellers, also known as Official Shops, enjoy a privileged position in the esteemed Shopee Mall marketplace. As branded sellers and authorized distributors of licensed products, Shopee Mall sellers hold a distinct advantage in earning the trust of their customers.
To become a Shopee Mall seller, you have to apply through the Shopee Mall Seller Application Form. Upon submission of your application, it will then be thoroughly assessed to determine if your shop meets the necessary requirements to become a Shopee Mall seller. You may expect feedback on your application within 5-10 business days.
2. Preferred Seller
Preferred Sellers are distinguished by the “Preferred” label, which signifies their exceptional service and reliability. To qualify as a Preferred Seller, you need to meet the following criteria:
- Building up a strong sales record
- Offering excellent customer service
- Fulfilling all orders quickly and reliably
- Complying with Shopee’s seller policies and maintaining a clean penalty record
- Achieving high shop and product ratings
By meeting these requirements, you can aspire to become a Preferred Seller on Shopee and showcase your reliability and commitment to delivering a positive buying experience.
3. No Label Seller
Lastly, No Label Seller represents the customer-to-customer selling segment on Shopee. They enjoy the flexibility of buying and selling items within the Shopee marketplace. If you’re interested in exploring the opportunities as a No Label Seller and engaging in the dynamic customer-to-customer selling experience, Shopee provides the platform to support your endeavors.
4. Overseas Seller
Furthermore, you may come across stores labeled as overseas. These Overseas sellers are simply based outside the local market of buyers and operate within the international selling segment on Shopee. Therefore, they also can fall under 3 kinds of sellers above, such as No-label sellers, Shopee Mall sellers, or Preferred sellers.
If you’re interested in expanding your reach as an Overseas Seller, Shopee provides the platform to support your global selling endeavors.
With a clear understanding of the advantages and features of each type of seller, you can now decide on the best path to embark upon in your Shopee selling journey. Let’s move to how to set up a Shopee seller account!
How to Start Selling in Shopee in 5 Steps
Every selling platform or marketplace has its own unique process to get started. Now, we are thrilled to welcome you on board as a seller on Shopee! In this section, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to start selling in Shopee, from creating your Shopee shop to shipping out your first order.
Simply follow the steps below to begin your Shopee selling journey!
#Step 1: Create your Shopee shop
To get ahead, get started. The first step of selling on Shopee is learning how to set up a Shopee seller account. Go to Shopee Seller Centre to create your account and step-by-step fill in the information that Shopee requires.
Please notice that the registration steps of Shopee Seller Center Malaysia, Shopee Seller Center Philippines, Shopee Seller Centre Vietnam, and Shopee Seller Centre Singapore are slightly different. However, while filling in the information, in all countries, you must add and verify your phone number. This is a very important step; it ensures the validity of your account and your store. So, don’t skip it!
Next, head to the Shopee Seller Centre and click on Shop Information to complete your shop profile. Your shop profile consists of three key elements:
- Shop Name: Choose a unique and memorable name that reflects your shop and the products you offer.
- Shop Logo: Upload an image that can establish a powerful and recognizable brand identity for your shop.
- Shop Description: Craft a brief and concise description that entices potential buyers to explore your shop. You can mention details like your shop’s background, the range of products you specialize in, or even your availability for chat replies.
#Step 2: Create your first listing
The next step on how to sell products on Shopee is creating your listing so that your potential customers can see them.
Shopee also has its own Prohibited and Restricted Items Policy; remember to check it out to ensure that your product can be listed for sale in accordance with Shopee’s Terms and Conditions. Once done, you can start all your product on your Shopee store by following these steps:
1. Go to the Shopee Seller Centre dashboard and click Add New Product in the Product category.
2. Fill up the product name.
3. Add the product description and relevant product attributes.
4. Set your product’s price, stock count, and variations, if applicable.
5. Upload high-resolution and professionally-taken photos of your product.
6. Update the shipping settings, including weight, dimension, and shipping fee.
7. Once everything is set, select whether this product is a pre-order product by which you may need more time to ship.
8. Save and Publish it, so buyers can start purchasing this product from your shop.
By following these steps, you’ll be on your way to showcasing your products effectively on Shopee and reaching potential shoppers.
Otherwise, if you are selling on your own online store, you also can use third-party tools like LitCommerce to easily list all your products to Shopee.
List Your Products on Shopee in Just a Few Clicks!
Easily bring all your products from your online store to Shopee with LitCommerce. Start multichannel selling and boost your sales today!
#Step 3: Set up your shipment
When it comes to delivering your Shopee products to your customers, it’s important to be aware that there are 2 shipment models that you can choose from, and then you can decide what works best for your specific order.
- Drop-off: After coordinating the shipment details with your chosen logistics provider, you can conveniently drop off your parcels at a drop-off point. The logistics provider will then collect the parcels from the drop-off location and deliver them directly to your buyers.
- Pickup: If you have access to the pickup option, as a seller, you need to set up the pickup address and schedule a pickup date through the Seller Centre or Shopee App. Your designated logistics provider will come directly to you for parcel pickup and subsequently ensure delivery to your buyers.
To set up your pickup address:
1. Go to the Shopee Seller Centre and click on My Addresses
2. Click on Add a new address and Fill up the contact and address details.
3. Click on Set As Pickup Address.
Buyers love and expect low-cost and fast shipping when they shop online. Make sure to enable the shipping channel that you can provide. To set up the shipping channel, click on Shipment and then choose Shipping Setting.
#Step 4: Configure payment settings
Setting up payments is an essential step for sellers when setting up their Shopee store. By accessing the Finance section in Shopee Seller Centre’s dashboard, sellers can manage their income and balance, ensuring a well-organized financial report for their Shopee business.
But first, before proceeding, let’s add your bank account and enable the payment method for your customers.
1. On Shopee Seller Centre, head to Finance and then Bank Account to add your bank account details.
2. Click Payment Settings to turn on the payment option that you allow your customers to choose
#Step 5: Ship out your first order
Once you have published your products and configured the shipment and payment methods, you can eagerly await your first order. When it arrives, here are the next steps:
1. In the Shopee Seller Centre, go to My Shipment and click on To Ship to view the orders.
2. Continue to click To ship on the row of the order.
3. Arrange for shipment by clicking on the Ship button. It’s important to ensure that you arrange for the shipment before the specified ship-by date.
4. Prepare your order for packaging, adhering to the Order Packaging Guidelines provided. Remember to attach any necessary documentation, such as the airway
5. Finally, hand over the packaged order to your logistics provider.
By following the 5 steps above, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Shopee online seller.
Take your selling game to the next level! Expand your reach and boost your sales by exploring the world of multi-channel selling after mastering the art of selling on Shopee.
4 Strategies to Skyrocket Your Shopee Sales
After finishing all 5 steps on how to start selling in Shopee, you have been getting started on your Shopee selling journey; now, let’s get good and get ahead!
These four eCommerce strategies below will guide you on how to sell in Shopee effectively and boost your Shopee sales. We will step-by-step optimize your Shopee store and listings through SEO techniques, participate in Shopee campaigns, leverage the power of Shopee advertising, and enhance customer service ratings.
Ready to Boost Your Shopee Sales with LitCommerce? Go multichannel selling has never been easier once you have LitCommerce got your back. Just focus on selling while we take care of the data management process, accurate and real-time update. |
1. Improve the SEO of Shopee Store and Listings
To master your Shopee store and boost your sales, the key is ensuring that your customers can find out your products easily. That’s where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes in.
Learning the basics of SEO helps you rank higher in search results and attract the right visitors. It’s like free advertising, as your product appears when shoppers search for relevant keywords. Embracing SEO is crucial for the long-term growth and sales of your store.
#1. Enhance your shop image
Your Shopee store’s homepage is like the exterior of your physical store. Shopee offers Shop Decoration as a powerful tool available on Shopee Seller Centre that allows you to customize your shop’s homepage.
With various decoration components, you can create an attractive shop front that effectively showcases your products. Use these components to highlight specific products or promotions, capturing your shoppers’ interest and encouraging them to explore further.
Here’s how you can access the Shop Decoration tool:
- Go to the Shop Decoration page in the Shopee Seller Centre sidebar menu.
- Choose between Mobile or PC view.
- Select Decorate now to start customizing your shop
Shopee also provides guidelines to optimize your Shopee store’s description.
Updating your Shopee Store's Description | |
- Include the name of your shop and use terms such as "online shop" and "official shop". - State the market you are based in, and the markets you ship to. - Add information such as your operating hours. - Insert links to your official website and social media channels. - If applicable, mention the keywords you have identified 1-2 times in your shop description. | - Spam the keyword. - Use emotions, hashtags or symbols. |
#2. Craft an effective product name
To enhance the visibility of your shop and products, it’s essential to understand the keywords that customers use when searching for products on the platform. In SEO, a keyword refers to the short phrases or search queries that buyers enter into search engines. Here’s how you can improve the SEO of your shop:
- Start by putting yourself in the customer’s shoes and think about the words or phrases they would use to find products similar to yours.
- Explore the search suggestions that appear when you enter relevant keywords into the Shopee search bar.
- Analyze similar products to see how your competitors name their products and write their descriptions. This can give you insights into potential keywords.
- Once you have identified suitable keywords, incorporate them into your shop and product information, such as titles, descriptions, and tags.
By optimizing your shop with relevant keywords, you can increase the chances of your products appearing in search results and attract more potential customers.
#3. Write a compelling product description
You need to describe your products when you publish a new product to your Shopee store. Every search engine works like a web directory and has to track thousands of websites against a search term. Therefore, if you want your Shopee products to be on top of the search results, you need an SEO-friendly description on the product page.
You can put more functionalities for the consumers and reap the benefits by highlighting the key features. Also, you need to make your description easy to understand, for example, the purpose of this product, show some key features or benefits and conduct your own research. What’s more important, you need to insert keywords into the description. You can write an informative description and then optimize it for SEO.
#4. Showcase high-quality product images
People do judge a book by its cover; high-quality product images will make your product more outstanding and trustworthy. There are many types of images you can upload your products to Shopee Marketplace, including store introduction images, product cover images, and variation images. To optimize images and improve search engines, you must upload the correct image size that Shopee requires.
Product image is a necessary factor that helps customers decide to purchase from your store. You should upload high-quality images with your brand logo. Besides, you need to make sure your images can accurately reflect your item. Otherwise, the customer may leave a negative review if they receive irrelevant products.
2. Participate in Shopee campaigns
Another strategy to build your brand and boost your sales is to participate in Shopee sale campaigns. Looking for how to start selling in Shopee, you might hear about Shopee 11.11 or Shopee 12.12. They are called the Shopee Double Double Sales and are the most anticipated monthly sales for both Shopee sellers and Shopee buyers. You don’t want to miss the selling opportunities like that as a seller.
By joining the campaigns organized by Shopee, you can get more traffic and sales during campaigns, which will bring you more orders.
Besides the Shopee Double Double Sales, Shopee Flash Sale are also a campaign that you can take advantage of day by day. In this program, the sellers pick items and set discounts on them for a specific time spot only. This kind of sale can push customers to pay for their orders as soon as possible.
How to Join Shopee Campaign?
- Go to Shopee Seller Centre, on the Marketing Center, and you will see the Campaigns.
- Choose the upcoming campaign to join. Please note that you need to be qualified to join the product campaigns.
- Nominate your products. You can select your products to join the Shopee campaign, input the discount, campaign stock, and purchase limit for the selected products and Save them.
3. Harness the power of Shopee advertising
When finding out how to sell on Shopee effectively, utilizing Shopee Ads can greatly increase visibility. You can advertise your products in high-traffic areas like the homepage, search results page, and product details pages.
By running the advertising campaign, you can reach relevant customers who are more likely to make a purchase and you only have to pay when they click on your ad. On average, sellers using ads experience a 24% increase in orders and a 26% boost in sales revenue for the advertised products.
Three Ad Types: Choose from three types of Shopee Ads to showcase your products:
- Product Search Ads: Display your products prominently in search results when buyers search for specific keywords you bid on, giving your products greater exposure.
- Discovery Ads: Showcase your products across various sections of the Shopee platform, targeting buyers interested in similar or complementary products.
- Shop Ads: Feature your shop at the top of search results by bidding on keywords. For example, if you sell hair care products, bidding on the keyword “shampoo” will show your shop’s Ad to buyers searching for shampoo, leading them to your shop.
4. Boost customer service ratings
Good customer service is crucial for attracting buyers and building strong relationships with shoppers. On Shopee, your chat response is measured by how quickly and consistently you engage with customers. This includes two metrics: Chat Response Rate (CRR) and Chat Response Time. Consistent and timely responses are essential for maintaining good performance.
Responding to reviews, especially negative ones, is essential to show customers that you value their feedback and are willing to address their concerns. When handling negative reviews, maintain professionalism, acknowledge the feedback, highlight something positive, address the concerns, and offer a resolution. This approach demonstrates care and helps maintain your reputation and values.
Join LitCommerce and thousands of fellow sellers on Shopee to maximize your reach and skyrocket your sales. |
How to Start Selling in Shopee – FAQs
- How to sell on Shopee for beginners?
Follow these 5 steps below to start selling on Shopee:
- Register your Shopee seller account and create your Shopee store
- Create your first listing
- Set up your shipment
- Configure payment settings
- Ship out your first order
- Is there a fee to sell on Shopee?
Yes, there is. Although Shopee does not charge any Registration Fee and Listing Fee to Shopee sellers, there are four other main fees that Shopee charges sellers, namely commission, service, transaction, and shipping fees. These fees vary depending on the type of Shopee seller, the country, and the cluster, category, and sub-category of the product being sold on Shopee.
- What is the best-selling product in Shopee?
Below are the most popular categories of products that customers frequently purchase on Shopee:
- Home and Living: mini cookers, portable kettles, cordless vacuum cleaners, storage & organizers, and towels.
- Health & Beauty: facial masks, fake nail art, eyeliners, face masks, and supplements.
- Women’s Fashion and General Fashion: Lingerie, socks, and casual outfits (such as shirts & pants) for women, men, and children
- Electronics: Mechanical keyboards, wireless earphones, and mobile phone cases
- Can I sell on Shopee International?
Yes, the Shopee International Platform is a cross-border program that allows you to sell your products to other countries. Now SIP is serving both Singapore, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
Conclusion
You’ve now gained a comprehensive understanding of the 5 steps on how to start selling in Shopee. By following the steps outlined in this guide and implementing the strategies provided, you’re well-equipped to thrive as a successful seller on Shopee. Embrace the immense opportunities, connect with your target audience, and watch your business flourish on this dynamic eCommerce platform.
Remember, success on Shopee requires ongoing dedication, continuous learning, and adapting to market trends. Stay proactive, track your progress, and refine your selling techniques to stay ahead in this competitive marketplace. Good luck on your Shopee journey!
If you’re interested in learning more about selling on multi-eCommerce marketplaces, feel free to message us or join our community for more insights. Enjoy reading the LitCommerce Retailer Blog!