Sell On Rakuten

THINKING of starting a PROFITING business in JAPAN? Sell on Rakuten. Yes, Rakuten is a PROMISING platform, even more than AMAZON. 

Undoubtedly, Rakuten is best to give your business a boost in 2023. In Japan, the platform represents 27% of the market share.

At Leeline Sourcing, we have more than ten years of experience. After in-depth research, we help you set up your online stores on Rakuten. We give you effective marketing strategies to become the BEST SELLER with more SALES. 

How do you sell on Rakuten? Here is the comprehensive GUIDE for you.

Let’s dive in. 

What is Rakuten? How Does Rakuten Make Money?

Rakuten ONLINE marketplace was established in 1997. It is the 4th largest ecommerce platform in JAPAN. 

Rakuten marketplace compliments online sellers to use the PLATFORM while using other marketplaces. Use Rakuten and reach more CUSTOMERS and DOUBLE your SALES.

Become a Seller on Rakuten and sell a wide range of products, such as telephones and household items.

Rakuten Japan runs a GLOBAL MARKETPLACE. The marketplace makes money via different affiliate marketing strategies. It means that Rakuten sends leads and sales to other businesses. In this way, they EARN COMMISSION on that TRAFFIC. 

Looking for a customer base? Yes, Rakuten provides CASHBACK (5%) to entice loyalty in the customer base. 

What Makes Rakuten Unique?

Rakuten is a LEGITIMATE ecommerce business. The platform allows your customers to earn CASHBACK rewards while SHOPPING. It gives you an EDGE to attract customers from other marketplaces. 

Rakuten has more than 120 MILLION customer members. What’s the benefit? Sell your products in front of potential buyers and EARN more PROFIT. 

Rakuten has a REPUTATION for selling QUALITY products to customers. That’s why Rakuten is a Good Place to convince buyers to BUY from you. 

Portray your brand on Rakuten by offering reliable, reputable, and quality services. Potential buyers give you TESTIMONIALS, and it increases SALES. 

Suggested reading: Best 20 USA Sourcing Agents

How to Become a Seller and Sell on Rakuten?

Like other ecommerce platforms, becoming a seller on Rakuten is a Straightforward process. 

Here are the steps:

1. Registration

Are you trying to apply to the Rakuten Global Marketplace? If yes, then visit the Rakuten seller portal and Click on Apply.

After that, fill out the form with the CORRECT information. Make sure that you input the correct information before submitting your registration form. It took 5 days before Rakuten got back to us, but in most cases, you’ll wait for about 3-10 business days.

2. Rakuten Ichiba Store Setup

When you gain access to the Rakuten Merchant Server, the next step is to register your products. Correctly upload the information of your company and set up the return policy. Create your storefront and add the shipping information. 

Do you want to list your products on Rakuten USA? If yes, then you must meet some requirements: 

• You should have a US bank account and credit card accounts for overseas business.
• W 9 form 
• Mandatory email address of customer service who will answer during US business hours.
• Customer Service Phone Number (Optional) 

Oh, do you live in any other country other than the US or Japan? 

No need to worry because you can still SELL on Rakuten with the help of THIRD-PARTY partners. All of the e commerce consultants Rakuten are approved by Rakuten. For this, you have to sign up a contract with service providers. 

3. Shop Opening 

Once your Rakuten’s marketplace is LIVE, maximize your SALES with proper MARKETING. Target the RIGHT AUDIENCE and sell Quality Products. Attract potential customers and increase your SALES. 

For uploading the products in your store, there are 4 WAYS:

• FTP Feeds
• RMS Web Tool
• Third-Party integrator
• Open API

The Main Advantages of Selling on Rakuten

The AMAZING benefits are:

Personalized Storefront on Rakuten Website or custom product pages

Sellers complain that they cannot personalize their storefronts on different marketplaces. But on Rakuten, you create your BRAND IMAGE as you want. Make a reputable BRAND and attract potential buyers.

Exceptional Customer Support

Rakuten does not leave its sellers ALONE. If you face any problem while selling or using the platform, you contact CUSTOMER SUPPORT. The agents will get back to you with SOLUTIONS ASAP. Undoubtedly why I always recommend this platform to my clients. Not only that they care about their sellers, but their response rate is also a breeze.

Marketplace requires sellers Amazing Features

Rakuten is the best TECH company in the WORLD. The platform provides sellers with additional tools for increasing SALES and BRAND visibility. 

R-email is an email marketing tool to reach OLD CUSTOMERS. Reach your previous buyers and offer new products and DISCOUNT PROMOS. That’s the way you make MORE SALES and generate REVENUE. 

Some Key Requirements for Rakuten Marketplace

Before becoming a seller on Rakuten, you should know the KEY REQUIREMENTS. I listed them below so you SKIP the research process and avoid having incomplete requirements. 

For US-BASED sellers, the requirements are:

1. A seller panel

2. Product Barcodes such as JAN, UPC, ISBN, or EAN.

3. Unique Manufacturer ID

For Non-US based sellers, the requirements are:

1. Bank or credit card issued by a US bank 

2. W9 or W8 form

3. Customer support email address and phone number

4. Shipping to the USA 

What about the Shipping and Returns Policy on Rakuten?

Amazingly, you create your SHIPPING and RETURN Policies on Rakuten. Via the Seller portal, you have two options:

• Choose a shipping service provider recommended by Rakuten

• Go with your shipping service as per your needs and requirements 

Isn’t it AMAZING? We recommend you choose RELIABLE SHIPPING SERVICE with low prices. During shipping time, you either SAVE money or lose the PROFIT. 

Always choose a shipping service that offers less shipping time at low prices. Gain the trust of customers, so they shop again. That’s the way you SAVE MONEY and generate more REVENUE.

What are the Cost and Fees of Selling on Rakuten?

What’s EXCITED? Rakuten offers different PLANS. Below is the summary of PRICING PLANS to sell on Rakuten. 

• Registration fee for seller account is 60,000 JPY (APX: 552 USD)
• Monthly Account Fees, including consultation fee, is 50,000 JPY (APX: 460 USD)
• Listing capacity is 20,000 (can be increased upon request)
• System enhancement fee is 0.1%
• System Commission fee is 2.0%-4.0%, +0.5% via mobile
• Affiliate Fees is 2.6%-10.4% (sales via affiliate)
• Payment Processing fees are 2.5%-3.5%
• Rakuten Points are 1% (base%)

Note: If you ever decide to ask for the advice of an eCommerce consultant, I suggest you always check how much they will charge. 

What are the Major Challenges while Selling on Rakuten?

Some of the challenges you face while selling on Rakuten are:

• You may face difficulties while managing the INVENTORY. It’s sometimes difficult to upload products on your OWN.

• You must take HUGE CARE of optimization and quality of PRODUCT FEEDS. These are the breaking points of your online business.

• Rakuten is quite expensive for beginners. This is why I don’t recommend it to my first-time clients, especially when they mention they only have a limited budget. The platform requires product fees, subscription fees, and commission fees to pay. 

• The waiting time after registration is not automatic.

• If you do not have any Japanese or US presence, it is difficult to become a seller on Rakuten.

There are plenty of things to get your TEETH into. Getting started may DAUNT you, but REWARDS are there for those who DARE.

FAQs about Sell On Rakuten

What’s Next

Wrap up!

It’s never too EARLY or LATE to make your FIRST SALE on Rakuten. Create your account and make your products VISIBLE. Derive the long-term marketing strategy and generate REVENUE.

Our experts at Leeline Sourcing help you to make SALES on Rakuten. We incorporate Rakuten in your collective marketing efforts. Contact us and Take your Business off the GROUND.