How to Sell on Shopee: The Definitive Guide

January 11, 2022
Contents

The best gift of the Digital world to us isn't social media but e-commerce. It has made shopping so easy. Do you want a new pair of glasses? Order it online. Do you want to get a white T-shirt? Order it online. Ecommerce has gone from being just an idea to our day-to-day reality. 

Many e-commerce platforms have been popping up around the world. Amazon may be the most comprehensive online e-commerce platform, but there are still e-commerce stores popular locally. Lazada used to be the most popular e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia. But now it has got many competitors. One of its leading competitors is Shopee.

And in this article, we’re going to tell you everything about how to sell on Shopee to help you get started quickly and confidently.

What is Shopee?

According to Wikipedia, Shopee is a multinational technology company based in Singapore. However, it has been wildly popular for its e-commerce around Southeast Asia. It was launched in 2015 by Forrest Xiaodong Li. Currently, Shopee serves people all through Southeast Asia and East Asia.

Which countries is Shopee available in?

According to the information provided by Shopee in its Help section, Shopee is available in the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

  • Shopee Singapore (Shopee.sg)
  • Shopee Malaysia (Shopee.com.my)
  • Thailand (Shopee.co.th)
  • Vietnam (Shopee.vn)
  • Shopee Indonesia (Shopee.co.id)
  • Shopee Philippines (Shopee.ph)
  • Taiwan (Shopee.tw)
  • Korea (shopee.kr)

Shopee is currently ruling the Southeast Asian e-commerce market. It followed a C2C model, but it soon became a hybrid between C2C and B2C.  Shopee and Lazada have been in competition with each other for a few years. While Sea Group in Singapore owns Shopee, Lazada is owned by Alibaba based in China.

Why should you sell on Shopee?

There are many e-commerce options for sellers in the Southeast Asian market, then why Shopee?

No Commission

While Lazada charges a commission ranging between 4%-8%, Shopee does not charge sellers. Though the profit margins may be less, the platform still does not charge any commission fee to sellers. So you get to keep the profit all to yourself. Any seller who wants to get started can become a Shopee seller without paying fees.

Free Shipping

Free shipping may not be available to all buyers on Shopee, but customers who buy from sellers who are part of the Free Shipping Subsidies RM15 or RM40 program can enjoy Free Shipping with a minimum spend of RM15 or RM40. Free shipping is often an attractive selling point for prospective buyers, so you can gain more customers if you offer free shipping.

Huge Customer Base

Shopee website is the fastest-growing e-commerce store in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, with over 54 million visitors in the second quarter of 2021. When you start selling on Shopee, you have a huge audience base to tap into. 

Online marketplaces are a great way to sell your products because the audience is already there. You can't get this many eyeballs on your own. It's too hard to reach that many people easily with your store. Shopee sellers benefit from an already massive marketplace with a stronghold in the Taiwanese and Indonesian markets.

If you want to start your own online business in Southeast Asia, Shopee is the best platform. But where to start? How to open a Shopee store?

How to Start Selling on Shopee Platform?

Registration

 

To start selling on Shopee, you need to register.

  • Visit the Shopee website of your country.
  • Click on Sell on Shopee at the top left-hand corner of the screen
  • The link will direct you to the Seller Center.
  • Click on Don't have an account? Sign up here.
  • Then, add your number and verify using a puzzle shown on the screen, as shown in the screenshot below. You must complete the puzzle by dragging the red button across the scale.
  • The next step is to add the correct verification code sent to your number.
  • Create a strong password and click on Sign Up

 

  • The next phase of the process includes registration as a seller.
  • Click on Start registration.
  • Then you will have to fill in the TAX ID and related details like GSTIN, PAN, Business name, Business Entity, Pincode, Business address, Set Business address as pick up address?

-Next, you have to enter the shop information like Shop Name, Email ID, Phone number, Signature(upload a scanned PDF of your signature), and write on “How did you hear about Shopee?”

  • Finally, check the box saying I agree to the Terms & Services of Shopee.
  • Click on Submit.

Congratulations, your shop profile is done!

This process is the same for the Indian Subcontinent. In other countries, Shopee sellers will have to input similar details for registration.

There is also another way around it. You can set up the shop by verifying your number and mail id. Later you can log in to the account using your number and password. After that, you can complete your profile as well. Here is how you can do it,

-Log in to the Shopee seller centre using your number or email id.

  • -On the Shopee seller centre home page, click on Shop settings,
  • -Add a shop name, shop description, and shop images.

The shop name should be reliable and relevant. Write a short, catchy description to attract shoppers to your shop. 

You may include information about what kind of products you sell or when you can chat. Do not include personal information such as email or phone numbers. And while adding images, make sure they are of high quality.

Set Pickup Adress

Before creating your first product detail page on Shopee, you need to add an address. There are two ways to do that:

  • Click on Yes during the registration process when asked Set the Business address as pick-up address?

Or

  • Go to Seller Centre and Click on My Addresses at the bottom left side of the page.
  • Select Add New Address
  • Enter Full name, Phone number, Address, etc.
  • Select Set as Pickup address and click "Save"

 

Now that you have entered a valid pickup address, it is time to start product listings.

Create product listings

  • Log into Seller Centre

-Select My Products.

  • Click on the Red button saying + Add new product.
  • Enter the Product details like Product Name, Product description, Category, Brand, Material, Fit, etc.
  • Click on Media Management on the right side of the screen.
  • Upload product images and size chart if required.
  • Click on Shipping
  • Enter the weight of the package, shipping fee, etc.
  • Click on Save and Publish

There you go, First listing on Shopee done! This is how you start selling on Shopee.

How to be a Shopee preferred seller?

If you want to be a Shopee preferred seller, there are a few things to keep in mind.

  • Focus on getting 75 or more orders within 30 days(unique and net orders)
  • Overall shop rating should be more than 4.7
  • The chat response rate should be more than 85%
  • Authentic products - 100%

 

Receiving a Preferred badge from Shopee shows that you're a reliable seller and can help boost your customers' trust. This increases the relationship between you and your customers, cementing the bond of loyalty. 

Being loyal to customers means more sales for you- so it's essential to encourage these customers to buy from you.

If you want to get the badge, then visit Shopee updates. The link will guide you to a registration page to submit your IC number, along with a photo of you holding your IC. After the submission, Shopee will review whether you are eligible for Shopee preferred seller.

How to create product listings on Shopee that sell?

When you make a product list, the intention is to attract customers. A good product listing must-

  • Appear in the search results/Product searchability
  • Should be visually appealing to the prospects
  • Should be well-detailed
  • Should be able to convert prospects into buyers.

How can you create product listings on Shopee stores that make people notice your products?

It is simple, and you do not need to get into any technicalities. Tailor your product listing the way you want to see a product detail page and make sure Shopee app users see your products.

Streamlining the target audience

You need to target people with the right buyer persona for your products. For example, you want to sell skincare products; you shouldn't target middle-aged men who mostly have no interest in the products.

Keyword research is the first step to targeting the right people. It helps you find high-volume, relevant keywords that your audience is searching for. When you publish product listings that aren’t keyword-optimized, they won’t appear in item search results in Shopee. So, if you want to start selling products, start by targeting the right audience.

Great product descriptions

Bad product description example

Can you see what's wrong with the product description here? The product name or title is all wrong and inaccurate. It is not a midi skirt; it is a mini skirt. A minor slip-up while entering product descriptions can cost your customers. 

Whether you are selling on Amazon or Shopee, great detailed product descriptions take you one step closer to conversions. To create winning product listings, here is what you need to do:

  • Create well structured and relevant product title (product name). Do not make it too long, and capitalize the first letter of every word in the title.
Successful product title formula
  • Adding keywords in the title increases the chances of showing up higher in the search rankings.
  • Choose the right category for your products, as it makes it easier for customers to find your products through manual search. You can find the Shopee category list by following this: Log in to Shopee seller central>My Products > Batch tools> Mass Upload> Category list.
Category List Shopee
  • Enter all right product attributes. You should enter accurate and precise product attributes for your products. Your product will be more visible and searchable, and the customer will be able to make a clear decision about what they are buying.
  • High-quality product images can make or break a listing. Online shoppers may not get a feel of the product, but they do rely on good photos. Sellers need to upload at least two or four pictures to hook customers. The maximum that you can upload per product on Shopee is nine photos.

 

Now that you have product listings that can convert, you need to move on to the next step- Shipping. When a customer places an order, you have to confirm the order. Then you have to start shipping out the products. Thanks to Shopee, the process of shipping has become more accessible.

How to start shipping your orders With Shopee?

The best option for Shopee sellers is to use Shopee supported logistics for shipping.  But you can also ship with non-Shopee supported logistics.

  • Arrange shipment.
  • Print out the pack list before shipping.

There are two ways to arrange shipment on Shopee, through Shopee supported logistics and through non-supported logistics. In using Shopee suggested logistics, you can use the pickup option or drop it off yourself. Here is how you can do it both -

Arrange shipment using Shopee Supported logistics

  • Log into Seller Centre
  • Choose My Shipment
  • Click on Arrange Shipment

-You have two options: I will drop off, and I will arrange pickup.

If you want the shipping company to pick up the order from your place, click on I will arrange drop. But if you're going to drop the products yourself, choose I will drop off. Then click Confirm

I Will Dropoff

You have to drop the shipment into the nearby delivery office yourself when you choose this option.

  • Note the tracking number
  • Download the pack list
  • Drop off the products at the Shipment centre.

I Will Arrange Drop

After clicking on Confirm, you need to schedule a pickup.

  • Set a pick-up schedule by selecting a date and time slot.
  • Add essential instructions for the delivery partner if any.
  • Check your pickup address.
  • Choose Arrange Pick Up

Print the Pack List

To print the pack list, you need to follow these easy steps -

  • Log in Seller centre
  • Go to My Shipment > Click on Mass Ship

Choose Download Shipment documents and choose the products you want to prepare

Under the "Mass Download" section, select the shipping documents you want to download.

This is how you ship the valuable products through Shopee-supported logistics. But if you want to arrange the shipping yourself through non-Shopee-supported logistics, the process is slightly different from what is mentioned above.

Arrange Shipment through Non-Shopee supported logistics

  • Log in to Shopee Seller centre.
  • Click on My Shipment
  • Choose Ship when you have shipped the order through a delivery partner.
  • Add details like Order number(auto-fill), Buyer's name, contact number, and address. Add the current Tracking id and add the Shipping option(delivery partner ) as well.
  • Click on Ship and your job is done.

Shopee RM40 Free Shipping Program

Shopee started the brand-new RM40 Free Shipping Programme rolled out to sellers on 1 March 2021. The program offers shoppers Free shipping, with a reduced cost of 2% in service fees for free shipping. 

They can also enjoy benefits such as new RM40 special items, and the sellers can use the Free Shipping Icon. If you are going to be a Shopee seller, you should start using the free shipping program by Shopee. For new sellers as well as old, this is a great program. 

Shopee Sellers should use RM40 Free shipping because-

  • Your buyers only need a minimum spend of RM40 to activate free shipping!
  • The RM40 tag helps boost your products and sales.
  • Your buyers get to enjoy lowered minimum spending for free shipping during campaigns.
  • Shopee will feature your product listings on exclusive Big Campaign collections.
  • Buyers can get free shipping green truck icons on their products. It helps your products stand out.

 

Shipping across various countries for Cross border sellers 

There are times when sellers sell in their own country and want to sell across countries. Shopee enables sellers to opt for cross-country shipping. When shipping internationally, you need to have a shipping solution in place to make sure you're meeting your customer's standards. With Shopee, there are two different shipping solutions for you to explore:

  • FBS(Fulfillment by Shopee)
  • Third-Party fulfillment center

FBS

Shopee's fulfillment service, Fulfillment by Shopee (FBS), is available only to brands that have high sales volumes and lack fulfillment capabilities. You can sign up for the program by invitation only.

Sellers prefer FBS to do the heavy lifting for them. With Shopee, you get free and unlimited order storage, quality inspection, pick and pack, shipping, and returns. The only downside is that you may need to manage the fulfillment and shipping on your own at the start.

Third-Party fulfillment center

3rd party fulfillment centers can help you sell your products on various marketplaces, including Shopee, more successfully. One example is Easyship, an established fulfillment company located in Hong Kong. If you aren't invited to use FBS, you can use a third-party fulfillment center in your country that works well.

Payment options for buyers and seller accounts

Shopee offers many payment options for buyers. Payment options can vary from country to country. But here are the eight verified payment methods acceptable on Shopee as mentioned on their website.

  • ShopeePay
  • Cash on Delivery
  • Credit/Debit cards
  • Online Payment
  • Payment Center/e-Wallet
  • Over-the-Counter
  • TouchPay
  • Google Pay

If you have a seller account, receiving payments on Shopee is also easy. A seller receives the payment when the Shopee product is delivered or when the customer confirms that they have received the order. 

Shopee will release your payment to your Seller Wallet once the buyer completes the order. If the order is completed when the buyer clicks on "Order Received" or Shopee's money-back guarantee ends, the buyer has to wait for their money. Once the money has been received in your account, you can withdraw it.

  • Log in to Seller Centre.
  • Click on My Balance
  • Enter your password.
  • Click on Withdraw
Withdraw money from Shopee

From signing up to listing products to shipping the order, the entire process can be hectic. You know what you want to sell on Shopee. But while many things may be allowed in the Shopee store, some aren't. So you should know the ground rules Shopee has for sellers.

What not to sell on Shopee?

It's a must to follow a country's laws and governmental organizations when selling products. Shopee has a prohibited and restricted items policy. Generally, you cannot sell any of the following products in any of the countries:

According to Shopee's rules mentioned in their policy, the prohibited products are discussed below:

  • Animal and wildlife products (including, without limitation, wild animals);
  • Artifacts and antiquities;
  • Used cosmetics;
  • Counterfeit currency and stamps;
  • Credit and debit cards;
  • Currency or credits including, without limitation, digital currency or credits, and stored value cards;
  • Drugs, prescription-only medicines, pharmacy-only medicines, drug-like substances, and associated paraphernalia. 
  • Embargoed goods;
  • Firearms, weapons such as pepper spray, replicas, and stun guns, etc.;
  • Alcohol (a valid license must be submitted to, and approved by, Shopee);

Check out the entire list here

Just listing products in the store isn't enough. You need to ensure that you are making profits. Marketing plays a massive role in any business. On Shopee as well, you need to promote your products.

How to promote your products on Shopee?

If you are a Shopee seller, you can use Shopee’s promotional tools to increase sales and exposure. Luckily, Shopee provides many tools that sellers can use to increase sales and exposure. All you need is to learn how to use them effectively.

Shopee ads

Shopee My Ads is an excellent way for sellers to engage more with their customers. With promotional ads that pop up on the most visible parts of the site, sellers can get closer to shoppers who might not have otherwise discovered them. Another advantage of Shopee My Ads is the keyword engine that makes it easy for sellers to find new keywords for their products.

Add on deals

Use add-on deals to turn your best sellers into a money-making machine. This powerful tool lets you offer complimentary items at a discounted price when buyers purchase what they are eyeing. The concept is that if a buyer buys a complimentary item, they will get it for a discounted price.

Bundle deals

Bundle deals are the perfect way to encourage your buyers to buy more of your products. The critical difference between a bundle and an add-on deal is that customers must accept all the products on offer to receive the discount. 

For example, if you offer a product bundle deal of "Get 4 for 30% off each", the customer must buy all four products to receive the discount.

Hyped-up customers are most likely to purchase during campaigns and holidays. Brands can take advantage of this by using add-on deals to increase sales. You can easily create bundle deals on Shopee.

  • Go to Shopee seller centre
  • Choose Marketing Centre>Bundle deal
Marketing Center
  • Click on Create New Bundle
  • Create the new bundle deal by adding the deal name, bundle type, deal period, etc.
  • Click on Save & select products.
  • Select Add products
  • Choose the products you want to add to the deal and click Confirm.

Besides these promotions, you can also run Discounts and shipping fee promotions on Shopee. You just have to visit the Marketing center in the Shopee seller center. You can earn new customers through these promotions, but you also maintain loyal customers.

Offsite marketing is also an option with e-commerce websites like Shopee. You can promote your products on various social media platforms like Facebook and increase your reach. Facebook marketing has been enabling sellers to boost sales.

Facebook is the perfect place to start with your offsite marketing. Your customers are never logging into Shopee, so it's important to post updates on social media when you're running discounts, promos, and competitions.

Aside from that, if your customers gradually see your posts on social media, this will create a sense of familiarity. They'll be more likely to purchase from you when they come across your page. Instagram is another popular social media platform you can leverage in your marketing campaigns.

The key to successful Instagram marketing is to, of course, create valuable content and messaging. But, it's not just about attracting people-you also need to capture their attention. The data you'll get from Instagram will allow you to enhance your other marketing strategies. Make sure you have a business account instead of a personal one.

Conclusion

Shopee is the best place to sell if you are from Southeast Asia. The Shopee team makes the entire process of selling easy as a pie. If you want to market your products on various platforms, there is no better way to use video marketing.

Don't know how to make videos for social media?

Here is a way to help you out - How to make videos for social media? Offeo is a simple yet powerful tool that can help you create fantastic brand videos for social media.

Written By
Ankita

Create Stunning Videos Easily

Skyrocket your video marketing efforts today

OFFEO Video Templates

Create stunning animated social media videos in afew clicks

Related articles