Are you ready to learn how to create an Amazon seller account and make 2024 your year of entrepreneurial success with Amazon? Then you’ve come to the right place. In this illuminating roadmap, we’re set to explore the crux of your Amazon business startup journey.
From helping you decide on the perfect platform for your new venture to walking you through the critical steps to create your Amazon seller account, we’ve got you covered.
You’ll gain an understanding of the differences and benefits between Individual and Professional accounts and be prepared to make an informed decision about the right fit for you. But we won’t stop there; this guide also delves into the crucial things you need to know before launching your Amazon endeavor.
Strap in and get ready to navigate the ins and outs of setting up your Amazon business in 2023 – your journey to e-commerce success starts here.
Steps to Create an Amazon Seller Account
An Amazon Seller Account is your gateway to accessing Amazon’s marketplace. It allows you to list products, manage inventory, process orders, and interact with customers.
Additionally, it provides access to Amazon’s suite of seller tools, like reports and analytics, helping you make data-driven decisions to grow your business. Essentially, without a seller account, you can’t operate a business on Amazon.
1. You Need to Visit Firstly https://sell.amazon.com
Are you ready to start your Amazon selling business? Great, The first step is to go to the URL we provided earlier. This will take you to the Amazon Seller Central website, where you can create your account. Amazon Seller Central provides a variety of tools and resources to help you succeed in your business. We wish you all the best in your new venture.
2. Click On Pricing and Select your Desired One
Now, you need to find the Pricing option in the header. Once you have found it, click on it to select your desired pricing plan.
If you click on the “Sign Up” button, you will be taken to the registration page. The pricing options are not displayed on this page, so you cannot decide whether to create a professional or individual account.
The pricing options are displayed on a separate page, which you can access by clicking on the “Pricing” link. This page will allow you to compare the features and pricing of both accounts, so you can choose the one that best meets your needs.
3. Choose Which Is Better, Individual or Professional Account?
If you’re wondering whether this plan is a good fit for you, here are some factors to consider. This plan could be ideal if you’re a small seller moving fewer than 40 units a month or even if you’re a larger seller shifting more than 40 units monthly. If you’re still exploring options for what to sell, this plan can offer you the flexibility you need.
It’s also perfect if you’re considering marketing your products or, conversely, if you’re not planning to use advertising or advanced selling tools. Want top placement on product detail pages? This plan can help you achieve that.
And if you’re looking to access advanced selling tools like APIs and reports or aiming to venture into restricted categories, this plan has got you covered.
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Now you can review the features of the Individual and Professional plans. Once you have decided which plan is right for you, click the “Sign Up for Individual” or “Sign Up for Professional” button.
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4. Click on “Create New Account”
Enter the email address and password that you want to use for your Amazon account. Then, click on the “Create Your Amazon Account” button.
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Next, you will be asked to enter your name, email address, and password again. Amazon will then send you an One-Time Password (OTP) to your email address. The email will look like this;
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You will give OTP mentioned in the sent email there and then click on the Create your Amazon account.
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A new window will open on your screen that outlines the three steps you will follow to create an account. If you agree to provide this information, click “Begin” to start the process.
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After giving Basic information click on the agree and continue.
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5. Fill Up All Bank Account Personnel and Store Information
In this step, you must provide all of the requested information. First, select your payment method. If you choose to pay by bank account, you must enter your account information. Then, click on the “Verify Bank Account” button.
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Enter your payment information. You will be asked for your credit card number, expiration date, and security code. Fill out the form as shown below, and then click on the “Next” button.
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Next, you will be asked to provide information about your store. This includes whether you have a diversity certificate and whether you are the manufacturer or owner of the store. Once you have provided all of this information, click on the “Next” button.
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The information you need to enter when creating an Amazon Seller account includes your address, license, and other details in the form below.
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Click on the “Join Video Call” button to identify all of the provided information. You can select your language during the video call, and you can also record the call.
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After setting up your Amazon Seller account, your next step is to strategically promote your products to stand out in the NYC market. This is where our specialized Amazon marketing services NYC come in.
We help optimize your listings, improve rankings, and boost sales, thus propelling your Amazon success in NYC. Learn more on our dedicated services page.
Before Selling on Amazon, What Else Should You Know?
- Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank (BSR): This is a ranking system used by Amazon to show how well products in a specific category or subcategory are selling. The lower the number, the better the product is selling. BSR is updated hourly based on recent and historical sales of every item sold on Amazon. Understanding BSR can help you identify trending products and optimize your inventory.
- Training for New Amazon Sellers: Amazon provides a variety of resources to help new sellers succeed, including Seller University, webinars, forums, and help pages. These resources cover everything from setting up your account to managing your inventory, marketing your products, and handling customer service issues. Utilize these resources to make your selling experience smoother.
- Selling on Amazon Prime: Amazon Prime is a subscription service that offers numerous benefits to its members, like fast and free shipping. As a seller, you may be able to increase your sales by making your products available through Prime. This typically requires you to use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), which means Amazon handles storage, packaging, and shipping for you.
- Amazon’s Selling Policies and Seller Code of Conduct: Before starting, make sure you are familiar with Amazon’s rules for sellers. Violating these policies can result in penalties, including suspension or removal of your selling privileges. The Seller Code of Conduct outlines Amazon’s expectations for seller behavior, such as maintaining current account information and honoring your commitment to sell at the listed price.
- Fees: Amazon charges various fees for selling on their platform, including referral fees, variable closing fees, and fees for optional services like FBA. These can add up, so be sure to account for them when pricing your items and calculating your profit margins.
- Competitor Research: Analyze your competitors on Amazon. Look at their pricing, product listings, reviews, ratings, and how they engage with customers. This can help you to understand what works and what doesn’t in your niche.
- Product Listing Optimization: Amazon’s search algorithm is heavily based on keywords. Your product listings should include relevant keywords in the title, description, and backend keywords to improve visibility. High-quality photos and clear, concise descriptions can also increase your conversion rates.
Amazon Business Startup: How to Get Started
As Amazon grows, it diversifies into new sectors, driving innovation and technological advancement. This expansion can create jobs and stimulate economic activity.
However, it may also lead to market dominance, raising concerns about competition and small business survival. Additionally, Amazon’s vast data collection can raise privacy issues.
Amazon provides a vast customer base and advanced e-commerce tools, offering unique opportunities for businesses. Its well-established infrastructure allows for efficient fulfillment, and its built-in trust factor can increase conversion rates.
With Amazon’s Seller Central, businesses can manage operations effectively, while the Amazon Prime program, and tools for ad campaigns and promotions, can enhance visibility and sales. However, be mindful of competitive dynamics and Amazon’s strict seller policies.
It’s important to remember that, irrespective of your business model or chosen product, the steps to establish and operate on Amazon stay consistent. It’s like a recipe, the ingredients might vary, but the method stays fundamentally the same.
Whether you’re selling handmade crafts or high-tech gadgets, you’ll need to follow these initial steps to start your Amazon journey.
1. Choose a Business Model That Works for You
- Private Label: This involves selling products manufactured by a third party under your own brand. You have control over product details, pricing, branding, and profitability. It requires significant upfront investment but offers the potential for high returns.
- Wholesale: In this model, you buy products in bulk from a manufacturer or distributor and resell them on Amazon. It requires less investment than private labeling, but the competition can be intense as multiple sellers often sell the same product.
- Retail Arbitrage: This involves buying products from retail stores during sales or clearance, then selling them on Amazon at a higher price. It’s a lower-cost way to get started, but it can be time-consuming and less sustainable.
- Online Arbitrage: Similar to retail arbitrage, you source products from online retailers instead. It saves time on physical sourcing but involves the risk of returns and refunds.
- Dropshipping: Here, you list a product on Amazon, but a third-party supplier fulfills the orders. It requires less upfront capital as you don’t have to buy inventory, but it offers less control over fulfillment and customer service.
- Handmade: If you create your own products, Amazon Handmade could be a fit. It’s a dedicated marketplace for artisans to sell unique, handcrafted goods.
2. Select the Fulfillment Method That Will Work Best for You
When you start a business on Amazon, you have two main options for fulfilling orders: Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM).
- Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA): With this method, you send your products to Amazon’s warehouses, and Amazon takes care of storage, packaging, shipping, and customer service. This method provides access to Amazon’s Prime customers, who often prefer buying products fulfilled by Amazon due to the fast, free shipping. Amazon also handles returns, which can save you time. However, FBA comes with additional fees for storage and fulfillment.
- Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM): With FBM, you store and ship products directly to customers. This gives you more control over your inventory and can save you money if your products are large, heavy, or slow-moving, as you avoid Amazon’s storage fees. However, handling your own fulfillment can be time-consuming, and you may need to offer competitive shipping rates to attract customers.
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
Pros Cons Access to Prime customers and the potential for higher sales. FBA fees for storage and fulfillment, which can add up. Amazon handles customer service, returns, and refunds. Less control over your inventory and the fulfillment process. Eligibility for Amazon’s Buy Box. Long-term storage fees for slow-moving inventory. Potentially higher visibility and trust with customers. Co-mingling issues can arise if other sellers have counterfeit products. Can be less time-consuming as Amazon manages fulfillment. Potential for higher costs if selling large or heavy products.
Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM)
Pros Cons More control over inventory and the fulfillment process. May need to offer competitive shipping rates to attract customers. Avoidance of Amazon’s storage and fulfillment fees. Greater time investment in handling customer service and returns. Potentially lower costs for selling large, heavy, or slow-moving products. Not automatically eligible for Amazon Prime or the Buy Box. Easier to avoid co-mingling issues. Might be perceived as less trustworthy by customers No long-term storage fees for slow-moving inventory. Requires robust logistics and operational capabilities.
You can select the method according to your nature of business and its requirements. Both methods have pros and cons, but it totally depends on your business what you should choose.
3. Decide What Product You Will Sell
Absolutely understanding product demand is crucial when starting an Amazon business. High-demand products can lead to more sales and profitability. By using Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank and other market research tools, you can gauge product popularity.
However, bear in mind that high demand often attracts more competition. Balancing demand with market saturation and profitability is key to successful product selection.
4. Get Started Sourcing Your Product
When opting for a private label business model on Amazon, you’re selling products under your own brand, but these goods are manufactured by a third party. You need a manufacturer because they have the necessary equipment, resources, and expertise to produce the goods.
Your role is to specify the product features, quality, and packaging, and then the manufacturer produces the items according to your specifications.
5. You Need to Create a Product Listing
A well-optimized listing not only impacts your product’s visibility in Amazon’s search results but also influences customer purchasing decisions. It includes product titles, images, descriptions, and keywords, all of which should be clear, concise, and compelling.
A high-quality listing can lead to improved click-through rates, conversions, and, ultimately, sales.
Wrapping Up
Embarking on an Amazon business journey can be promising, given the platform’s large customer base, state-of-the-art e-commerce tools, and robust infrastructure. However, it calls for strategic navigation through competitive dynamics and adherence to strict seller policies.
The choice of business model, fulfillment method, and product has a significant impact on your startup’s direction and success.
Creating an Amazon seller account serves as the critical starting point, enabling access to the Amazon marketplace and facilitating interaction with customers.
The process requires careful consideration of whether an Individual or Professional plan suits your business needs best, followed by the provision of personal, banking, and store details to Amazon.
As part of your Amazon journey, it’s crucial to leverage tools such as Amazon’s Best Sellers Rank, the various training resources available, and the benefits of Amazon Prime, which can optimize your sales.
No, it’s not necessary to have a registered business to create an Amazon Seller Central Account. You can sign up as an individual seller, which is ideal for those starting out or selling a small number of items, However, if you plan to scale your business to sell larger volumes, having a registered business can offer several advantages, such as tax benefits, better branding opportunities, and enhanced credibility with customers. Additionally, operating as a business may be necessary for accessing certain features, like Amazon Brand Registry, which requires a registered trademark.
To create an Amazon Seller Account, you’ll need the following: 1. Business information: Whether you are signing up as an individual or business seller, you’ll need details like your business name, address, and contact information. If you’re operating as a business, you may need your legal business name and company registration document. 2. Email Address: A valid email address that you use regularly as Amazon will send important account notifications here. 3. Government-Issued ID: A valid passport or driver’s license for identity verification. Amazon requires this to ensure the legitimacy of the seller. 4. Bank Account information: 5. Credit Card: A credit card with international billing capabilities is required to cover any seller fees, such as your monthly subscription (for professional accounts) or other service charges. 6. Tax Information: U.S. sellers need to provide their Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax purposes. International sellers may need to provide equivalent tax information based on their country. These are the basic requirements to set up your Amazon Seller account and get started selling.
Amazon's policy generally prohibits having multiple Seller Central accounts without permission. Sellers are typically allowed only one seller account per region, unless they have a legitimate business need that justifies multiple accounts, such as: • Operating multiple brands that need separate accounts. • Separate entities for different types of products or business models. If you believe you have a valid reason to operate more than one account, you can request permission from Amazon by contacting their support team. However, opening multiple accounts without Amazon’s explicit approval can result in the suspension or closure of all your accounts. It's important to follow Amazon's guidelines to avoid any issues.
The tax requirements for an Amazon Seller Central account depend on your location and business structure. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect: 1. U.S. Sellers: • Tax Information: You’ll need to provide either your Social Security Number (SSN) (if you're an individual seller) or your Employer Identification Number (EIN) (for businesses) when registering. • Sales Tax: Amazon collects and remits sales tax on your behalf in states where marketplace facilitator laws exist. For other states, you’re responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax. • 1099-K Form: If your sales exceed $600 annually, Amazon will issue you a 1099-K form for tax reporting purposes. 2. International Sellers: • Tax Identification Number (TIN): Sellers outside the U.S. must provide their country's tax identification number during account setup. Amazon may request additional documentation depending on your country. • U.S. Tax Reporting: Even if you're not based in the U.S., you may be subject to U.S. tax reporting if you sell to U.S. customers. You'll need to complete a W-8BEN form to certify your foreign status and potentially reduce withholding tax obligations. 3. VAT (Value-Added Tax) for European Sellers: • VAT Registration: If you're selling in Europe, you may need to register for VAT in the country where your goods are stored or where your sales reach a certain threshold. • VAT Invoicing: Sellers in Europe may need to issue VAT invoices to customers and file VAT returns based on their sales. 4. GST (Goods and Services Tax) for Sellers in Other Countries: • Countries like Canada, Australia, and India may require GST or similar sales taxes to be collected and remitted. Sellers will need to comply with their local tax laws when selling on Amazon. It’s always a good idea to consult a tax professional to ensure you meet all your tax obligations based on your business structure and the countries you operate in.
If you're facing login issues with Amazon Seller Central, here are steps you can take to resolve them: 1. Reset Your Password If you’ve forgotten your password, click on the "Forgot password?" link on the login page. Amazon will send a password reset link to your registered email address. Follow the instructions to set a new password. 2. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies Sometimes, browser issues can prevent login. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies, then try logging in again. You can also try using a different browser to see if that resolves the issue. 3. Check for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Issues If you’ve enabled two-factor authentication (2FA), ensure you have access to the registered phone number or email to receive the verification code. If you’re not receiving the code, check your spam or junk email folders or try resending the code. If your phone number or email has changed, you’ll need to update it by contacting Amazon support. 4. Ensure Correct Login Credentials Double-check that you are using the correct email and password for your Seller Central account. If you manage multiple Amazon accounts (e.g., buyer and seller accounts), ensure you’re using the credentials specific to your seller account. 5. Disable Browser Extensions Sometimes, browser extensions (like ad blockers) can interfere with the login process. Try disabling any active extensions and attempt to log in again. 6. Verify Account Status If you’ve recently made changes to your account or missed important notifications, Amazon might temporarily block access. Check your email for any messages from Amazon regarding account verification or issues. Suspended accounts will require resolution of the underlying issue before access is restored. 7. Contact Amazon Seller Support If none of the above solutions work, contact Amazon Seller Support for assistance. They can help you troubleshoot the issue and regain access to your account. Resolving login issues typically involves verifying your account details, ensuring 2FA codes are available, and clearing any browser-related problems.
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