Update 1/28/19: Amazon Webstore has been discontinued, and Amazon does not offer a comparable service at this time.
Launched in May 2010, Amazon Webstore (webstore.amazon.com) is an online store builder and e-commerce solution offered by online retail giant Amazon.com. Similar to Shopify or Bigcommerce, Amazon Webstore provides an easy setup, low-cost website for merchants who wish to operate online stores and who need to accept debit and credit card payments online through those stores. Any Amazon web store will come with a built-in payment gateway, an online shopping cart, Amazon- or store-branded checkout options, customizable design templates, inventory management, and Amazon integration. Based in Seattle, Washington, Amazon also offers a less involved on-site payment acceptance option for most merchants in the form of its Amazon Payments service.
Amazon Webstore Overview
As one might expect from the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon Webstore comes with a large number of attractive features for merchants. In addition to services that are commonly packaged with web stores (like payment processing, shopping carts, hosted checkout, SEO options, and inventory management), Amazon Webstore offers product ratings and reviews, smart search within a merchant’s site, and advanced product browsing options. Most significant, though, is the service’s integration with Amazon’s online market services, including Amazon Product Ads integration, product listings on Amazon.com, access to Amazon fulfillment services, Amazon Prime benefits for customers, and Amazon Payments capabilities. For some merchants, maximum integration with Amazon may be desirable, since it lends credibility and exposes the product to a larger number of customers.
Customer Reviews & Sentiment
We are currently unable to find any complaints that specifically refer to the Amazon Webstore as a ripoff, which indicates that the service is generally sufficient if not exceptional for most merchants. There are several professional reviews of Amazon Webstore that cite limited functionality, inappropriate competition from Amazon itself, and poor customer service as limiting features of the service, but these reviews may not accurately reflect merchant experiences. Amazon Webstore appears to only provide email support on its website, but Amazon itself has multiple phone support channels that a merchant might be able to use in order to reach the appropriate person. If you have had a negative experience with Amazon Webstore, please describe it in the comment section of this review.
Client Satisfaction Ratings
Amazon Webstore itself does not have a dedicated Better Business Bureau profile; however, Amazon.com is currently showing an “A+” rating with the BBB.
Card Processing Rates & Fees
The costs of an Amazon Webstore are broken down plainly on the company’s “Fee Schedule” page (found here). An Amazon Webstore subscription costs $79 per month in addition to a flat 2% transaction fee and a variable payment processing fee. The processing fee follows a structure that is similar to that found with Amazon Payments and is calculated as follows:
Sale amounts greater than or equal to $10:
- 2.9% + $0.30 for all transactions
Sales amount less than $10
- 5.0% + $0.05 for all transactions
Monthly Volume Rate Discounts
- 2.6% + $0.30 for all transactions for monthly payment volume from $3k-$10k
- 2.4% + $0.30 for all transactions for monthly payment volume from $10k – $100k
- 2.1% + $0.30 for all transactions for monthly payment volume over $100k
To be clear, the transaction fees outlined above are charged in addition to the flat 2% per transaction and the monthly cost of $79. This high per-transaction cost is somewhat counterbalanced by the fact that Amazon provides all of its features for a single price tier, rather than charging different amounts for different levels of service. Amazon Webstore does not enforce a long-term agreement or charge an early termination fee, and it provides a free 30-day trial for merchants who wish to try it out.
Bottom Line
Amazon Webstore rates as a worthy competitor to other online store providers according to our rating criteria. The service has a competitive pricing model with a number of attractive features, and there are no complaints online that specifically mention difficulties with Webstore. Amazon Webstore’s rating may be subject to change as we receive more merchant reports of their experiences with the service.
Amazon Webstore Rating
