📦 Selling on Amazon: Individual vs Professional

Amazon remains a giant — a go-to for literally everything and as high-street shops close, it fills gaps when local and independent options don’t meet the need. That said, you're wise to pause and check: Is it still worth it for individuals like us?

If you’re thinking of selling on Amazon as an individual (not a business), here's the lowdown:

Individual selling plan costs £0.75 per item sold (no monthly fee) — ideal if you sell fewer than ~40 items/month

Professional plan costs ~£25/month (no per-item fee) and offers useful tools for high-volume sellers.

Officially, individual accounts are for your own used items, not for reselling stock purchased for profit.

Bottom line: casual selling? Stick with Individual. Selling new or wholesale goods? You’ll need at least a business-grade account and HMRC registration .

🛒 Who Is Amazon Really For?

Amazon is built for bigger sellers and businesses. While they do offer an Individual seller plan (with fees), the platform is designed for those looking to sell consistently, with higher volumes and new products.

Unlike Vinted or eBay, Amazon doesn’t really cater to casual, one-off sellers. It’s designed for new or mass-produced items.

Used goods (unless rare or collectible) rarely get the same visibility.

Sellers face more fees, more competition, and stricter rules.

In short: If you’re just clearing out a few cupboards, it’s unlikely Amazon will be your best option.

💰 Amazon Affiliate Marketing: An Easier Option for Individuals?

If selling on Amazon sounds too complicated (and honestly, for most casual sellers, it is), there’s another way to earn — without having to stock or ship anything at all: Affiliate Marketing.

Amazon’s Affiliate Programme (officially called Amazon Associates) lets you earn commission simply by sharing product links. If someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you get a small percentage of the sale.

✅ How It Works:

• You sign up for Amazon Associates (it’s free).
• You browse Amazon and grab your unique affiliate link for any product you recommend.
• You share the link on your blog, social media, or even in emails (where allowed).
• If someone clicks your link and buys anything (not just the product you linked), you earn a commission.

📊 How Much Can You Earn?

Commissions vary by product category and it’s not huge per sale, but it can build up over time, especially for seasonal products, homeware, books, or gifts.

You can also earn from anything else that person buys during their Amazon visit after clicking your link.

📝 Is Affiliate Marketing Right for You?

Affiliate marketing works well if you:

Have a blog, Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook page where you share tips or recommendations.

Enjoy sharing useful finds — whether that’s favourite books, kitchen tools, or practical gadgets.

Want a passive, low-maintenance way to earn (with no need for posting items or handling customers).

Affiliate marketing isn’t a “get rich quick” scheme — it takes time and consistent sharing. But it’s a great option if you already enjoy writing or recommending things and want to start earning slowly, without the hassle of running a shop.

⭐ Final Thoughts

✅ Buy mindfully: support small businesses first, and use Amazon when needed.

✅ Sell casually: declutter your own items with the individual plan.

✅ Avoid full business setup unless selling regularly or new stock.