Listing & Selling Products from China — Amazon, Shopify, eBay

You've sourced your product, vetted the supplier, and shipped it to your door. Now comes the moment that actually makes you money: selling it.

This module covers how to turn your factory products into a polished brand that customers trust and buy from.

6.1 Product Photography — Make Cheap Products Look Premium

Your product photos are the single biggest factor in conversion rates. Customers can't touch or feel your product — they buy based on what they see.

What You Need (Budget-Friendly Setup)

Equipment	Budget Option	Better Option
Camera	iPhone / smartphone	DSLR (Canon EOS M50)
Lighting	Window light + white poster board	Softbox lighting kit ($60-100)
Background	White paper roll ($10)	Light tent ($30-50)
Editing	Snapseed (free)	Adobe Lightroom ($10/mo)

Types of Photos You Need

For every product listing, you need at least 6 photos:

Main product shot — Front-facing, centered, white background
Lifestyle shot — Product being used in real life
Scale shot — Show size relative to something familiar (hand, coin)
Detail shot — Close-up of texture, material, or special feature
Package shot — What the customer receives
Infographic — Key features with text overlays

🛠️ DIY Lighting Setup (Cost: $0-10):

Place a table next to a large window on an overcast day (diffused light is best)

Tape a sheet of white poster board ($2 at Walmart) to the wall, curving it onto the table (this creates a "seamless" background)

Place your product on the curve

Hold a second white poster board on the opposite side of the window to bounce light back onto the product's shadow side

Use a third piece of white paper as a "ceiling" if the overhead light is harsh

This $3 setup produces photos that look like they were shot in a $500 lightbox.

5 Photography Tips for Better Conversions

1. Use natural light from a window Don't use your phone's flash. Place the product near a window on a cloudy day for soft, even lighting.

2. White background sells best Amazon and most platforms require a pure white background (RGB 255,255,255) for the main image.

3. Show scale Put something familiar next to your product so customers understand the size. A hand holding the product works well.

4. Shoot from multiple angles Front, back, side, top, 45-degree angle — cover every perspective.

5. Edit consistently All photos should have the same brightness, color temperature, and style. Consistency builds brand trust.

Photo Editing Checklist

White balance is neutral (not too yellow or blue)
Background is pure white (for main image)
Product colors are accurate (not oversaturated)
Cropped to focus on the product
File size under 2MB (for fast loading)
Resolution at least 1000px on the longest side

📱 iPhone / Smartphone Camera Settings

Most beginners already have a great camera in their pocket. Here's how to set it up:

iPhone Users:

Open Settings → Camera
Enable Grid (helps with composition)
Set Record Video to 4K at 30fps (not needed for photos, but keeps settings optimized)
In the Camera app:
- Tap the arrow at the top center to show extra controls
- Tap the exposure (sun icon) and slide down to -0.3 or -0.7 (slightly underexposed preserves detail)
- Use Portrait Mode for products with texture (makes the background blur)
- Turn off HDR for product shots (it can make colors look unnatural)

Android Users:

Open Camera → More → Pro Mode
Set ISO to 100 (lower = less noise)
Set White Balance to "Cloudy" (warmer, more natural)
Set Focus to manual, tap the product to lock focus
Use a tripod if possible ($15-20 on Amazon)

Quick editing workflow:

Open photo in Snapseed (free, iOS + Android)
Apply "Auto" adjustment
Increase "Structure" by +10 to +20 (makes textures pop)
Use "Selective" tool to brighten the product if it's too dark
Export at 100% quality

6.2 Writing Product Descriptions That Sell

Good product copy answers the customer's unspoken question: "What's in it for me?"

The Formula

Every product description should follow this structure:

1. Headline (benefit-focused)
2. Key features (3-5 bullet points)
3. Detailed description (who it's for, why it matters)
4. Specifications (technical details)
5. What's included
6. Satisfaction guarantee

Template — Fill in the Blanks

Headline Template:

[Adjective] [Product] — [Benefit]

Example: "Premium Silicone Phone Case — Drop Protection Without the Bulk"

Bullet Point Templates:

✓ [Feature]: [Benefit] Example: "✓ Military-Grade Material: Thermoplastic polyurethane absorbs impacts up to 10 feet"

✓ [Problem]: [Solution] Example: "✓ Tired of yellowing cases? Our anti-UV coating stays crystal clear for years"

Before and After

Before (Weak):

"Silicone phone case for iPhone 15. Soft material. Various colors available."

After (Strong):

"Meet the case that protects your iPhone 15 without adding bulk. Our ultra-thin silicone design fits in your pocket effortlessly while military-grade corners absorb drops up to 10 feet. Available in 12 colors — find the one that matches your style."

How to Adapt for Each Platform

Platform	Writing Style	Image Requirements
Amazon	Feature-focused, SEO-rich, bullet points	1000px minimum, white background
Shopify	Brand-focused, storytelling, benefit-driven	Lifestyle + white background
eBay	Detail-heavy, specification-focused	Multiple angles, show condition

6.3 Pricing Strategy for Maximum Profit

Pricing is where good businesses and great businesses separate. Here's a systematic approach.

The Pricing Formula

Selling Price = Landed Cost ÷ (1 - Desired Margin)

Example:

Landed cost: $8/unit
Desired margin: 60%
Selling price = $8 ÷ (1 - 0.60) = $8 ÷ 0.40 = $20.00

Pricing by Platform

Platform	Typical Margin	Why
Amazon FBA	20-35%	High fees (15% + fulfillment)
Shopify (your own site)	50-70%	Lower fees, no marketplace commission
eBay	25-40%	Moderate fees, price competition

3 Pricing Strategies

Strategy 1: Cost-Plus (Safest for Beginners) Calculate your total cost, add your desired margin. Simple and ensures profitability.

Strategy 2: Competitor-Based (Most Common) Price within 10% of your main competitors. Use their pricing as a ceiling and your costs as a floor.

Strategy 3: Value-Based (Most Profitable) Price based on the value the customer receives, not your costs.

Does your product solve an expensive problem?
Does it save them time?
Is it premium quality?

Pricing Psychology Tips

$19.99 instead of $20.00 — still works
$39 vs $29 — the difference between "affordable" and "cheap"
Anchor pricing — show a higher "was" price next to your price
Bundle — sell 3 for $45 instead of 1 for $18
Tiered pricing — Basic ($19), Pro ($39), Premium ($69)

When to Compete on Price vs. Quality

Your Advantage	Strategy	Example
Lowest cost supplier	Compete on price	"Best value on Amazon"
Unique product/design	Compete on quality	"Premium hand-finished..."
Good at marketing	Compete on brand	"The [aspirational] lifestyle"
Fast shipping	Compete on speed	"Free 2-day shipping"

📊 Pricing Calculator Template

To make this easy, we've created a Google Sheets pricing calculator that does the math for you. It includes:

Landed cost calculator (auto-calculates per-unit cost including shipping and duties)
Margin calculator (enter your selling price, see your profit)
Breakeven analysis (how many units you need to sell to cover your costs)
What-if scenarios (compare different shipping methods and quantities)

Access the template here: bit.ly/csg-pricing-calc (make a copy to edit)

How to use it: Open the link → File → Make a copy → Fill in your numbers. The spreadsheet will calculate everything automatically.

If you prefer to use your own spreadsheet, the manual formula is simple:

Selling Price = Landed Cost ÷ (1 - Desired Margin %)

6.4 Listing on Shopify

Shopify gives you the most control and the highest margins. Here's how to set up a professional store.

Store Structure

Home Page → Collection Pages → Product Pages → Cart → Checkout

Essential Pages

Page	Purpose
Home	Hero image, featured products, value proposition
About Us	Your story, why customers should trust you
Shop / Collections	Product categories
Product Pages	Individual products with photos + descriptions
FAQ	Shipping, returns, sizing
Contact	Customer support
Shipping & Returns	Clear policies

5 Things High-Converting Shopify Stores Do

Professional theme — Use a premium theme like Dawn, Sense, or Turbo
Trust signals — Reviews, security badges, guarantee icons
Mobile optimized — Over 70% of traffic is mobile
Fast loading — Compress images, minimal apps
Clear CTA — "Add to Cart" button is prominent and above the fold

Recommended Shopify Apps for Beginners

App	Purpose	Cost
DSers	Dropshipping integration (replaced Oberlo)	Free / Paid
Loox	Photo reviews	From $9.99/mo
Privy	Email capture popups	Free plan
SEO Optimizer	Search optimization	Free
Tracktor	Order tracking	Free plan

6.5 Listing on Amazon FBA

Amazon is the largest product search engine in the world. Here's how to win there.

Amazon Product Listing Anatomy

Element	Best Practice
Title	"Brand + Product + Key Feature + Size/Color + Quantity"
Bullet Points	5 points, feature : benefit format
Description	Detailed + SEO keywords (naturally placed)
Main Image	Pure white background, single product
Backend Keywords	Search terms customers use (hidden field)

Amazon Title Formula

[Brand] [Product Name] — [Key Feature 1] [Key Feature 2] [Size/Color] [Quantity]

Example: "TechArmor Samsung Galaxy S24 Case — Military-Grade Drop Protection, Slim Fit, Shockproof — Black"

Amazon Keyword Research

Free method:

Type your product in Amazon's search bar
Note the autocomplete suggestions — these are real search terms
Also check the "Frequently bought together" section

Paid tools (optional for beginners):

Helium 10 (free tier available)
Jungle Scout
Viral Launch

Amazon Fees to Factor In

Fee Type	Approx. Cost
Referral fee	15% of selling price (most categories)
FBA fulfillment fee	$3-6 per standard item
Storage fee	$0.75-2.40 per cubic foot/month
Advertising (PPC)	10-30% of revenue (if you run ads)

Real example — Selling a $20 product on Amazon FBA:

Item	Amount
Selling price	$20.00
Landed cost	-$8.00
Amazon referral fee (15%)	-$3.00
FBA fulfillment	-$4.00
Profit	$5.00 (25% margin)

6.6 Branding & Trademarks

As you grow, branding protects your business and increases your margins.

Why Branding Matters

No Brand	With Brand
Customers compare by price	Customers compare by value
Anyone can sell your product	You have exclusivity
10-20% margins possible	40-60% margins possible
No customer loyalty	Repeat customers
Can't run brand ads	Can build brand equity

Step 1: Brand Name

Criteria for a good brand name:

Short — 1-2 syllables, easy to remember
Spellable — customer hears it once and can spell it
Available — check domain name + Amazon brand registry

Step 2: Logo

Use Canva (free) or Fiverr ($20-50) for a simple logo. Keep it clean.

Step 3: Packaging

Custom packaging makes a huge difference in perceived value:

Poly mailer with logo: $0.10-0.30 per bag
Custom box: $0.50-2.00 per box
Branded insert card: $0.05-0.10 per card

Step 4: Trademark Registration

Country	Cost	Timeline
US (USPTO)	$250-350 per class	6-12 months
EU (EUIPO)	€850 for 3 classes	4-6 months
China	¥1,000-2,000	6-12 months

Amazon Brand Registry requires an active trademark. This unlocks A+ Content, Brand Analytics, and Sponsored Brands ads.

6.7 Customer Service & Returns

Good customer service protects your ratings and reduces losses.

80/20 Rule of Customer Complaints

80% of complaints come from 20% of issues. Track every complaint to find the pattern:

Same product defect? → Quality issue with supplier
Same shipping delay? → Forwarder problem
Confused about sizing? → Improve your product page

Return Policy Template

30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee

If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, contact us within 30 days for a full refund or replacement. We'll provide a prepaid return label and process your refund within 48 hours of receiving the return.

No questions asked. Your satisfaction is our priority.

How to Handle Returns Profitably

Order Value	Best Approach
Under $20	Refund immediately, don't ask for return
$20-50	Offer partial refund or replacement
Over $50	Request return, inspect, then refund

For low-value items, it's almost always cheaper to refund than to pay return shipping.

6.8 Reordering & Supplier Relationships

Your first order is a test. Your second order is a business.

When to Reorder

Reorder Point = (Lead Time in Days × Daily Sales) + Safety Stock

Example:

Lead time: 45 days
Daily sales: 10 units
Safety stock: 100 units
Reorder point: (45 × 10) + 100 = 550 units

When your stock drops to 550, place your next order.

How to Negotiate Better Terms on Reorders

Once you've proven yourself as a reliable customer:

"We've sold through the first order quickly. Can we get a better price for ongoing orders?"
"We're ready to commit to quarterly orders. What's your best price for a 6-month contract?"
"We had [specific issue] with the first batch. Can you improve [specific thing] for the next one?"

Supplier Relationship Tips

Pay on time — this is the #1 thing suppliers value
Communicate early — if you need to delay an order, tell them as soon as possible
Be reasonable with complaints — don't demand discounts for minor issues
Send photos of sell-through — suppliers love seeing their products in your market
Visit in person — if you can, visit your supplier. It transforms the relationship.

Module 6 Summary

Great photos are non-negotiable — they're the closest thing to touching the product
Write benefits, not just features — answer "what's in it for me?"
Price based on value, not cost — margin is the most important number
Start on Shopify for control and margins — add Amazon as you grow
Build a brand — it's the only way to escape price competition
Handle returns fast — especially for low-value items
Nurture supplier relationships — your best suppliers are a competitive advantage

🎉 You've Completed the China Sourcing Guide

Congratulations! You've worked through the core 6 modules — from understanding the Chinese manufacturing landscape, to navigating 1688, vetting suppliers, negotiating deals, managing logistics, and finally selling your products. Continue to Modules 7-13 for advanced topics like compliance, IP protection, and dispute resolution.

You now know what most sellers learn only after years of trial and error (and thousands of dollars in mistakes).

Your Next Steps

Priority	Action
1	Re-read Module 2 and set up your 1688 account
2	Pick one product category and research 5-10 suppliers
3	Contact them using the templates from Module 4
4	Order samples and evaluate using the checklist in Appendix C
5	Place your first order and calculate your landed cost (use the template from Module 6)
6	List your product and start selling

Need Help?

Re-read a module — each one is designed to be referenced independently
Use the appendices — templates, checklists, and calculators are meant to be used repeatedly
Join the community — connect with other sellers at community.chinasourcingguide.com

One Last Thing

The difference between someone who reads this guide and someone who succeeds with it is action. Start with one product. Place one order. Learn from the experience and improve.

The factories of China are ready to work with you. Go get started.

Happy sourcing! 🇨🇳📦🚀