Amazon FBA vs FBM: Finding the Best Fit for Your E-commerce Strategy
Last year, more than 60%of Amazon’s sales were generatedby third-party sellers—most of them small to medium-sized businesses. Nearly all Amazon sellers utilize different methods to achieve success on the platform.
One of the most significant decisions every Amazon seller faces is how to choose between FBA and FBM for Amazon. What is the difference between FBA and FBM? Let’s explore the FBA vs FBM cost comparison, benefits, drawbacks, and factors to consider when selecting the right fulfillment method.
Interestingly, 82% of sellers use Amazon FBA, while over a third (34%) use FBM. Here’s the breakdown:
In this guide, we’ll break down FBA vs FBM pros and cons, explore real-world examples, and help you identify the best fulfillment method for Amazon sellers based on your unique e-commerce strategy.
What is Amazon FBA?
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service where sellers send their products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Amazon handles storage, order processing, picking, packing, shipping, and customer service.
Benefits of FBA:
- Prime Eligibility: Products fulfilled through FBA are automatically eligible for Amazon Prime, boosting visibility and conversions. This is why many sellers find FBA ideal for fast-moving products.
- Hands-Free Fulfillment: Amazon manages logistics, freeing up time for sellers to focus on scaling their businesses.
- Enhanced Customer Service: Amazon provides 24/7 customer service and handles returns on your behalf.
Drawbacks of FBA:
- Higher Costs: FBA comes with storage fees, fulfillment fees, and long-term inventory charges, which are crucial when performing an FBA vs FBM cost comparison.
- Loss of Control: Sellers have limited say over the customer experience and packaging.
- Storage Limits: Amazon imposes storage restrictions, especially during peak seasons.
What is Amazon FBM?
Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) allows sellers to list their products on Amazon but manage storage, shipping, and customer service independently. Sellers can handle fulfillment themselves or partner with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider.
Benefits of FBM:
- Lower Fees: Sellers avoid the added costs of FBA, paying only Amazon’s referral fees. This can make FBM more appealing for small businesses.
- Full Control: Sellers retain control over branding, packaging, and customer interactions.
- Flexible Storage: No storage limits, making FBM ideal for oversized products or those requiring custom handling.
Drawbacks of FBM:
- No Automatic Prime Badge: FBM products aren’t Prime-eligible unless enrolled in Seller-Fulfilled Prime (SFP).
- Increased Workload: Managing logistics and customer service independently demands time and resources.
- Limited Scalability: High order volumes can overwhelm sellers without an efficient logistics system.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Between FBA and FBM
Combining FBA and FBM: A Flexible Approach
Many sellers adopt a hybrid FBA and FBM strategy for Amazon to enjoy the best of both worlds:
- Use FBA for fast-moving, lightweight items to benefit from Prime eligibility and seamless logistics.
- Use FBM for oversized or low-margin products to reduce costs and maintain control.
This approach can help you optimize your fulfillment processes while minimizing expenses.
1. Product Size and Weight
- FBA: Ideal for small, lightweight items due to lower storage and fulfillment costs.
- FBM: Better for oversized or bulky products to avoid high FBA fees.
2. Control Over Customer Experience
- FBA: Amazon handles everything, ensuring consistency but limiting branding opportunities.
- FBM: Allows more control, letting you tailor packaging and customer interactions.
3. Inventory Turnover Rate
- FBA: Best for fast-moving products, as slow sellers can incur long-term storage fees.
- FBM: Suitable for slow-moving inventory, as you control your storage environment and costs.
4. Expenses and Fees
- FBA: Involves fulfillment fees, storage costs, and long-term inventory charges.
- FBM: Lower fees but higher operational responsibilities for the seller.
5. Prime Badge
- FBA: Automatically Prime-eligible, attracting more customers.
- FBM: Requires compliance with strict Seller-Fulfilled Prime (SFP) standards.
How Active Seller Hub Can Help You Navigate Fulfillment
At Active Seller Hub, we help sellers determine if FBA is better than FBM for small businesses or if a hybrid strategy is more suitable. Our expertise in managing fulfillment strategies ensures you stay focused on growing your business while we handle the complexities of Amazon fulfillment.
Contact us today to learn how we can simplify your Amazon journey and help you scale your business with confidence.
The choice between FBA and FBM is one of the most important decisions for Amazon sellers. Whether you are considering FBA vs FBM for e-commerce beginners or for an established business, understanding the pros and cons will help you succeed. If you’re unsure which method fits your needs, consult experts like Active Seller Hub to develop a customized strategy for your e-commerce goals.
