Sellers Guide

Meet Tolu. A young mother in Lagos, full of ambition and love for natural baby care. She started selling baby lotions and teething toys from her Instagram page, thinking, “If I post often and price well, the orders will come.” They didn’t. Not really.

Weeks turned into months, and she found herself drowning in DMs, chasing unpaid deliveries, and wondering why her ‘sure thing’ wasn’t so sure after all.

Tolu’s story isn’t unique. It’s the reality of many baby product vendors in Nigeria. So what’s really going wrong?

Reason 1: Selling in the Wrong Marketplaces

Tolu listed her products on every big-name platform she could—Jumia, Konga, Instagram. But instead of more orders, she got lost in the crowd.

The Problem:

• Too much competition

• High platform fees

• No support or features tailored to baby care

The Fix:

Switch to platforms built for parents and wellness shoppers—like Brandlistry. Smaller, more focused audiences mean higher conversion. Plus, support and tools tailored to vendors like Tolu.

Reason 2: No Trust? No Sale.

Tolu’s Instagram photos were cute. But when asked what was inside her baby oil, she didn’t have a solid answer. Parents aren’t guessing games—they need certainty.

Common Mistakes:

• Vague descriptions

• No ingredient list

• No visible certifications

The Fix:

• Use clear, detailed descriptions (e.g., "Eczema-friendly, NAFDAC-certified")

• Include proper age labels (e.g., “Safe for 0–6 months”)

• Upload clean, high-res images

• Share reviews from real parents, even voice notes!

Reason 3: You Don’t Have a Funnel—Just a Feed

Posting every day doesn’t guarantee trust. Tolu had 4,000 followers but no system to turn them into buyers. She wasn’t collecting emails or building real relationships.

The Fix:

• Use email and SMS to follow up with offers

• Create bundles ("New Mum Starter Pack") to increase order size

• Leverage marketplaces like Brandlistry that follow up for you

Reason 4: Nothing Sets You Apart

Tolu’s baby wipes? Same brand, same image, same price as 100 other sellers. Why would a customer choose her?

The Fix:

• Carve out a sub-niche (e.g., natural baby skincare, postpartum wellness)

• Offer extras: free samples, unique packaging, gift options

• Tell your story: why did YOU start this brand? What does your baby use?

Reason 5: You're Ignoring the Most Powerful Marketing Tool—Community

Tolu thought ads were enough. But mothers listen to other mothers. She wasn’t tapping into mom communities or collaborating with experts.

The Fix:

• Join Facebook and WhatsApp parenting groups (as a vendor and listener)

• Partner with doulas, midwives, baby influencers

• Create referral offers (“Get ₦500 off when your friend shops with us!”)

Bonus: You’re Doing It All Alone

Every order? Manually tracked. Every DM? Replied to at midnight. Every payment? Checked one by one. Tolu was burnt out.

The Fix:

• Use vendor platforms like Brandlistry that track sales, manage inventory, and automate customer messages

• Free your time so you can focus on marketing, community, and growth—not admin.

What to Do Now

If Tolu’s story sounds like yours, it’s time to shift.

• Sell where parents shop – Join Brandlistry.

• Speak their language – Safe, clear, helpful listings.

• Nurture, don’t just post – Collect contacts, build trust.

• Be different – Lead with your story and your values.

• Automate wisely – Let tools help you grow.

Final Word

Selling baby products online isn’t just about having stock. It’s about building trust, telling your story, and showing up where your ideal customer already shops.

Like Tolu, many vendors start slow. But with the right platform and mindset, your baby brand can grow from casual orders to a full-blown business.

Join Brandlistry today. Give your brand the stage it deserves.