As an entrepreneur selling products on Amazon, you likely want to offer as many payment options to customers as possible. PayPal is one of the most widely-used digital wallets, but unfortunately Amazon does not directly integrate PayPal as a payment method during checkout.
However, by linking your PayPal account to your Amazon seller account, you can unlock convenient payment processing and give your customers more choice. Here is an in-depth guide on how to connect PayPal and Amazon from a small business perspective, so you can expand your revenue opportunities.
Linking PayPal and Amazon Accounts
The first step is linking your existing PayPal account to your Amazon seller account, which allows you to use it as a payment method. Here is the process:
- Log into your Amazon Seller Central account, and go to Settings > Account Info.
- Under "Login with PayPal" click "Link your PayPal account".
- Enter your PayPal email address and password when prompted.
- Click "Agree and Link Accounts" to finalize connecting them.
Once the accounts are linked, PayPal will appear as a payment option during checkout on your Amazon listings. Customers can easily use their PayPal balance or linked cards to pay you.
Some common errors and troubleshooting tips:
- If you have multiple PayPal accounts, make sure to use login credentials for the right one.
- Double check that your PayPal account email matches what‘s listed under your Amazon account details.
- If you get an authentication error, try logging out and back in to PayPal before retrying the link process.
Choosing the Right PayPal Product as an Amazon Seller
PayPal offers a suite of products beyond just digital wallet capabilities. As a seller, you can choose the PayPal solutions that best fit your business needs and audience.
PayPal Business Debit Mastercard: Acts as a physical debit card to draw payment from your PayPal balance. Useful for faster payouts.
PayPal Here: Allows in-person card reader payments. Ideal if you sell at conventions or temporary pop-ups along with online.
PayPal Working Capital: Provides short-term business financing based on PayPal sales history. Can improve cash flow.
PayPal Marketing Solutions: Tools to run targeted ads and promos on the PayPal network. Helps acquire buyers.
Evaluate your business model, sales channels, and growth goals to decide which PayPal offerings to incorporate.
Managing PayPal Payment Risk on Amazon
While connecting PayPal as a payment processor opens up sales opportunities, it also exposes your business to some risk:
- Chargebacks: PayPal allows customers to dispute charges more easily than credit cards. Be ready to provide proof of delivery and have a refund policy.
- Holds: PayPal may place temporary holds on payments for shipments to verify delivery. Don‘t rely solely on PayPal funds for inventory purchases.
- Fraud: Occasional fraudulent purchases may need to be refunded. Use tools like PayPal Seller Protection.
- Declined payments: Have a backup form of payment in case a PayPal transaction fails. Don‘t ship items until payment is authorized.
Proactively managing these risks allows your business to safely leverage PayPal and grow on Amazon. Monitor payments closely and have policies in place to minimize losses from issues.
PayPal Adoption Among Amazon Sellers
In a recent Digital Commerce 360 survey of over 500 Amazon sellers, 63% had integrated PayPal as a payment method, especially larger sellers making over $1 million annually.
The top reasons sellers cited for offering PayPal were:
- Increased sales from customer preference (73%)
- Faster payout timing compared to Amazon payments (58%)
- Ability to sell on multiple channels besides just Amazon (53%)
This data shows that connecting with PayPal is becoming table stakes for successful sellers on Amazon.
Tips for Small Businesses New to PayPal and Amazon
As a small business owner who has used PayPal with Amazon for many years, here are my top tips:
- Start out only fulfilling Amazon orders paid via PayPal to establish a sales history before expanding payment acceptance more broadly.
- Use a separate PayPal Business account just for Amazon transactions to simplify accounting.
- Automate synchronizing order data across Amazon and PayPal using e-commerce integrations where possible.
- Talk to PayPal‘s customer service if you run into verification issues when getting started. They can expedite review processes.
- Consider taking out a PayPal Working Capital loan during Q4 if you need funds to stock extra holiday inventory to sell on Amazon.
Following this guide and utilizing the right PayPal tools for your needs allows you to unlock the many benefits of accepting PayPal on Amazon. I hope these tips help you maximize your e-commerce sales potential!
