Hello, fellow Amazon sellers! It’s Ricky Ross here, your go-to Amazon Germany seller and mentor. Whether you’re a seasoned seller or just starting out, it’s important to maintain your account health—even when you’re taking a well-deserved break. That’s why today, I’m walking you through how to set your Amazon store to holiday mode.
For those who fulfill their own orders (FBM—Fulfilled by Merchant), this guide is essential. If you’re going on vacation and can’t fulfill orders, activating holiday mode ensures you won’t receive new orders while you’re away. This simple step can save you from account deactivation or penalties. Let’s dive in!
Why Set Your Store to Holiday Mode?
As an FBM seller, you are responsible for fulfilling orders yourself. This means packaging, shipping, and ensuring timely delivery. But what happens when you’re unavailable? If orders go unfulfilled, Amazon’s strict performance metrics could lead to serious consequences:
- Account Deactivation: If you fail to fulfill orders within the required time, your account could be deactivated.
- Unhealthy Account State: Late shipments and unfulfilled orders negatively impact your metrics, making it harder to recover your standing with Amazon.
- Customer Disputes: Dissatisfied customers might leave negative reviews or file complaints, further harming your reputation.
Holiday mode is a lifesaver. It temporarily removes your active FBM listings from Amazon’s marketplace, ensuring no new orders come in while you’re away. However, keep in mind that this does not affect FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) listings, as Amazon handles those orders on your behalf.
Step-by-Step Guide to Activating Holiday Mode
Follow these simple steps to set your Amazon store to holiday mode and enjoy your vacation worry-free:
1. Log in to Seller Central
First, head over to your Amazon Seller Central account. Use your credentials to log in.
2. Access the Holiday Settings
- Once logged in, navigate to the top-right corner of the page.
- Click on the Settings menu.
- From the dropdown, select Account Info.
This will take you to a screen where you can manage your account details.
3. Locate the Holiday Settings Option
On the Account Info page, you’ll see various options. Look for the section labeled Store Status. Here, you’ll find the option to activate holiday settings. Click on it to proceed.
4. Activate Holiday Mode
- On the holiday settings page, you’ll see an option to toggle your store status.
- If you want to pause all your FBM listings across all marketplaces, select the Activate Holiday Mode option.
- If you’re selling in multiple regions (e.g., Europe, North America), you can customize the settings for each region. For instance, you might want to pause your European store but keep your North American store active.
- Use the toggle buttons to select specific countries or marketplaces to put on holiday mode.
5. Understand Buyer Communication Rules
Even when your store is in holiday mode, Amazon requires you to respond to buyer messages within 24 hours. This rule ensures that customer inquiries are addressed promptly, maintaining a positive buyer experience.
6. Deactivate Holiday Mode When You Return
Once you’re back from your vacation, simply follow the same steps to access your holiday settings. Toggle the options to deactivate holiday mode and reactivate your listings.
Key Points to Remember
- FBM vs. FBA: Holiday mode only affects FBM listings. If you have FBA listings, Amazon will continue to fulfill those orders while you’re away.
- Communication is Key: Even if your store is on holiday mode, you must respond to buyer messages within 24 hours to avoid penalties.
- Customize Your Settings: If you sell in multiple regions, you can choose which marketplaces to pause and which to keep active.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While activating holiday mode is straightforward, some sellers make avoidable mistakes. Here are a few to watch out for:
- Forgetting to Respond to Messages: Ignoring buyer messages can lead to penalties, even if your store is in holiday mode. Set reminders to check your inbox daily.
- Misunderstanding the Scope of Holiday Mode: Holiday mode only applies to FBM listings. If you have FBA listings, they will remain active, and Amazon will continue fulfilling those orders.
- Delaying Activation: Don’t wait until the last minute to activate holiday mode. Set it up a day or two before your vacation to ensure no last-minute orders slip through.
- Not Double-Checking Settings: Always confirm that your holiday mode settings are correctly applied to all relevant marketplaces.
Wrapping Up
Taking a vacation as an Amazon seller doesn’t have to be stressful. By setting your store to holiday mode, you can ensure your account remains in good standing while you enjoy your time off. Remember, this feature is specifically for FBM sellers, so if you’re using FBA, your orders will continue to be fulfilled by Amazon.
Whether you’re new to Amazon selling or an experienced seller, maintaining account health is critical to your success. Don’t let a vacation disrupt your business—plan ahead and use the tools Amazon provides to keep things running smoothly.