Buying goods and services online has become a common practice among people all over the world. Online shopping is convenient and timesaving. It allows consumers to compare competitive prices from established businesses, view a wider selection, find the best deals, and read reviews from other shoppers.
According to Statista, over 2.14 billion people worldwide are expected to purchase products and services online by 2021. And with the global automotive aftermarket industry expected to reach $722.8 billion by 2020, it only makes sense that established businesses and new sellers from that sector would focus on online sales platforms. Here is a guide on starting an auto parts business and selling parts online:
How to Become an Auto Parts Seller on Amazon
Amazon is the top sales channel for auto parts and accessories sales because of its enormous customer base. Only Professional sellers on Amazon can sell products under the Automotive & Powersports product category. To sell automotive and Powersports parts, tools, equipment, and accessories, you must first get Amazon’s approval since Automotive & Powersports is a gated category. You must already be a seller on the Professional selling plan with an account in good standing. Alternatively, you can have Amazon review your independent website. The following are the basic requirements to qualify to sell auto parts and accessories on Amazon:
- Must be on the professional selling plan.
- Must have compliant product images
- Must list all major brands with universal product codes (UPCs).
- Must warrant all certified refurbished Automotive & Powersports products with the manufacturer or re-manufacturer.
- Must have reviewed the Automotive & Powersports Part Finder and Fitment Data page
Ensure that all your products comply with applicable local, state, federal, and international laws and regulations. Amazon also has product image requirements, which include using a white background and must not contain unauthorized content, inset images, or watermarks. Product image dimensions should be at least 1000 or larger in either height or width and be in TIFF, JPEG, GIF, or PNG format.
How to Become an Auto Parts Seller on eBay
Whether you are selling used car parts or new aftermarket auto parts and accessories, eBay is another one of the top sales channels for auto parts and accessories sales as it was not only designed for buyers but to also improve your experience as an auto parts seller. eBay has built a reputation for itself for being the web store where people can bid or buy used auto parts but also find great deals on brand new parts and accessories.
Selling your auto parts on eBay is pretty straightforward as it’s not much different from selling any other product on the eCommerce platform. If you don’t already have an account, you need to sign up for eBay and select the Sell option.
To become one of the many successful eBay sellers, create a listing and provide eBay with the details of your auto part. Select eBay Motors in Categories and then select Parts and Accessories. The categories become more specific as you proceed, and you will need to specify what the part is for – cars, motorcycles, boats, and so on.
If you’re planning to sell a lot of products, consider using eBay’s Seller Hub. On Seller Hub, you can create listings more quickly. When you create a parts and accessories listing, you can use eBay Motors Parts Compatibility, also known as “fitment.” The tool allows you to add all the fitment data or years, makes, models, trims, and engines that your part fits.
With up to 3,000 combinations, fitment information makes it easy for your buyers to find the right parts for their vehicle. When creating a listing for your item, the tool will show you options in the Compatibility section of the listing form. You’ll have the option to either enter compatible vehicles manually or choose a product with pre-filled compatibility. If your product already exists in the massive eBay catalog, most of the listing information will be automatically pre-filled with the following:
- Product title
- Description and item specifics
- Category
- Stock product images
- Weight & dimensions
- Parts fitment data
How to Sell Auto Parts on Your Own Website
Many brand owners start with building their own websites before they start listing on eBay and Amazon’s platforms. You can approach selling auto parts on your own website in two ways; you can either build your site or pay for a hosted system.
Building your own eCommerce site means your eCommerce system will be built off of an open-source framework or self-hosted eCommerce system. WordPress is one of the most popular open-source website platforms. You will need a web developer or web designer to help you create the site.
The build-your-own approach is for those who want the freedom to customize and integrate. You will need a domain name and web hosting. The domain name is your internet address. For car parts online sellers, it’s usually the name of their brand or store. Website hosting is the service that connects your site to the internet. One of the downsides of self-hosted eCommerce website systems is that you have to maintain the site yourself and take on all the security risks.
If you’re familiar with Bigcommerce and Shopify, then you’ve already heard about two of the biggest hosted eCommerce systems. Hosted systems are for those who don’t want to worry about the added responsibility of maintaining their systems. With a hosted eCommerce system, the provider worries about all the upgrades, maintenance, hosting, etc. However, this approach means customization possibilities are limited.
While you can always pay someone to design your website from scratch to achieve a unique website like no other, this approach can be costly because it requires paying someone who is skilled at coding. Many opt to purchase website templates instead. Website templates are pre-made HTML and CSS pages that you can use as-is or tweak. It takes some coding knowledge to customize; however, it’s much cheaper than building the site line by line. There are already plenty of pre-made auto parts website templates to choose from.
When choosing your auto parts eCommerce website design, remember that buyers want to see high-quality photos of the products. They will want the ability to zoom in. They will also expect to see all the angles of the product. Clear and complete descriptions of the parts you’re selling are also essential. Adding search functionality and filters is also a crucial feature that every auto parts website should have. Your potential customers should be able to search for the parts they are looking for with ease.
However, optimizing your auto parts eCommerce website with fitment filters is perhaps one of the most important things to consider when building your eCommerce website to sell. Anyone who buys auto parts online knows that the biggest challenge is ensuring whether the part is compatible with your car. Smart components, like a fitment data extension, enhance the shopping experience, expands your reach, and increases sales.
Without fitment data, customers will likely not proceed with their purchase as they are unsure if the part is compatible with their vehicle. Complete and accurate fitment data on all your product descriptions allow buyers to determine if the part fits, lessening the risk of costly returns, poor buyer experiences, and customer complaints. Many consumers don’t realize that their specific car may have parts that are compatible with a vehicle from another brand. For example, a Hyundai Sonata may use the same aftermarket parts and accessories as a Toyota Sienna.
Whether you’re selling on eBay, Amazon, or your own website, businesses selling used auto parts and brand new car parts and accessories should always keep their fitment data updated, accurate, and complete. To learn more about how to sell car parts online, smart fitment data extensions, contact myFitment. myFitment is a powerful, easy-to-use, and affordable solution for the fitment needs of your auto parts business. We can help your eCommerce website drive sales and save time and money. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date with compatibility innovations from myFitment!
