How to open an Amazon Seller account

TL;DR

• Amazon offers two selling plans like individual and professional. Choose based on how many items you plan to sell.

• Register for an Amazon seller account by providing the necessary documents, such as business info, tax details, and bank account.

• Set up your Seller Central account, including tax, shipping, and store settings.

• List your first product with clear titles, descriptions, and quality images.

• Choose a fulfillment method (FBA or FBM) to handle inventory and shipping.

• Learn about Amazon fees and use PPC advertising to promote your products.

Are you thinking about selling on Amazon but not sure how to start? 

With over 300 million active customers, Amazon is a great place to grow your business. Whether you want to sell a few products or start a bigger business, Amazon has everything you need to succeed. But before you begin, it’s important to know how to set up your Amazon seller account and list your products.

In this guide, we will help you through every step, from creating your account to choosing the right selling plan. We’ll also cover the documents you need, the type of business you should set up, and the settings to adjust before listing your products.

This blog explains Amazon’s policies, pricing strategies, and how to use tools like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Amazon advertising to grow your business. By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to start selling confidently on Amazon. 

Why sell on Amazon?

Selling on Amazon gives you access to over 300 million customers worldwide. Here’s why it’s a great opportunity:

• Huge customer base – Millions of shoppers visit Amazon every day.

• Trusted platform – People trust Amazon, making it easier to sell your products.

• Hassle-free shipping – With Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), Amazon handles storage, packing, and shipping.

• Scalable business – You can start small and grow as you gain experience.

• Powerful marketing tools – Amazon offers advertising options to help boost sales.

Who can open an Amazon seller account?

Anyone: Individuals and businesses of all sizes can open an Amazon seller account.

Requirements:

• Valid email address.

• Tax information and government-issued ID.

• Bank account for payment deposits.

• Business information (if applicable), such as business name and structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation, etc.).

Tips:

• Review Amazon’s policies: Follow Amazon’s rules for product listings, fulfillment, and customer service standards.

• Approval: Once the registration is complete and approved, you can list products and start selling.

• Local and international sales: Sell locally or expand to a global market through Amazon’s platform.

Understanding Amazon’s selling plans

Amazon offers two main selling plans such as individual and professional. The right choice depends on how much you plan to sell and the tools you need.

Which plan should you choose?

Individual plan: Best for beginners or those selling fewer than 40 items per month. No upfront cost, but you pay a per-item fee.

• Cost: $0 monthly fee, but you pay $0.99 per item sold.

• Benefits: No upfront investment, ideal for beginners, simple setup.

• Limitations: No access to advertising, promotions, or advanced analytics. Higher cost per item if selling more than 40 products per month.

Professional plan: Ideal for serious sellers aiming to grow. It comes with a fixed monthly fee but offers access to valuable business tools, including advertising, analytics, and bulk listing options.

• Cost: $39.99 per month with no per-item fee.

• Benefits: Access to advanced selling tools, advertising, bulk listing, brand registry, and full Buy Box eligibility.

• Limitations: Fixed monthly cost, which might not be ideal for low-volume sellers.

Prerequisites for opening an Amazon Seller account

To open an Amazon Seller account, you need a few important things:

Documents required:

• Government-issued ID (like a driver’s license or passport) to verify your identity.

• Bank details for payment deposits.

• Tax information (such as a tax ID number for businesses or a Social Security Number for individuals).

Business structure options:

• Sole proprietor: Ideal for individuals starting a business on their own, with no formal registration needed.

• LLC (Limited Liability Company): Offers personal asset protection and is common for small businesses.

• Corporation: Best for larger businesses, providing certain tax advantages.

Understand Amazon’s Policies:

• Make sure you know the rules for Amazon optimization, listing your products, shipping, fees, and customer service to avoid issues.

Once you have your documents ready and understand the basics of Amazon’s policies, you’re set to register. 

Step-by-step guide to create an Amazon Seller account

Step 1: Go to Amazon Seller Central

Visit Amazon Seller Central and click "Sign Up." Choose whether you want an Individual or Professional seller account.

Step 2: Enter your details

Provide your name, email address, and create a password. Use an email you check regularly since Amazon will send important updates there.

Step 3: Add your business information

Enter your business name, address, and phone number. If you are registering as a company, make sure the name matches your legal documents. Select your selling marketplace (e.g., Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, etc.).

Step 4: Link your bank account

Add a valid bank account where Amazon will send your payments. Make sure the account name matches your registered seller name to avoid delays.

Step 5: Verify your identity

Upload a government-issued ID and a recent bank statement or utility bill. Amazon may also ask for a short video verification or phone call. Approval can take a few hours to several days, so keep an eye on your email for updates.

Understanding the Seller Central dashboard

Amazon Seller Central is your main hub to manage your Amazon business. Here’s a breakdown of the key features:

• Inventory: This is where you add, edit, and track your products. You can also manage stock levels and make updates to your listings.

• Orders: In this section, you can see customer orders, update order statuses, and handle returns. You can also confirm shipments and manage pending orders.

• Reports: This section gives you insights into your sales, refunds, returns, and advertising. It helps you keep track of how well your business is doing.

• Performance metrics: Amazon tracks how well you’re doing with metrics like customer feedback, order defect rate, and shipment rates. Keeping these in check is important to avoid penalties.

Before you start listing products, be sure to set up:

• Tax settings: To make sure you collect the right sales tax.

• Shipping settings: To choose how you'll ship products.

• Store settings: To personalize your storefront.

These settings will help things run smoothly once you begin selling.

 Next steps after opening your seller account

Once you’ve set up your Amazon Seller account, here’s what to do next:

#1 List your first product:

Start adding products to your Amazon store. You can do this one by one or in bulk if you have many items. Be sure to create clear titles, detailed descriptions, and upload good product images for your Amazon listing optimization. 

#2 Choose your fulfillment method

• FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon): Amazon stores, packs, and ships your products. They handle customer service and returns, and your products become eligible for Amazon Prime.

• FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant): You store, pack, and ship your products yourself. This gives you more control, but you’re responsible for everything.

#3 Understand Amazon’s fees and pricing:

Learn about the fees Amazon charges, such as referral fees, FBA fees, and other costs. Set your prices to stay competitive and make sure you can still make a profit.

#4: Set up Amazon PPC optimization: 

Use Amazon’s pay-per-click ads to help customers find your products. Sponsored products ads are a great way to increase visibility and boost sales.

 Common mistakes to avoid

• Entering incorrect details during registration

• Choosing the wrong selling plan

• Not understanding Amazon’s policies and restrictions

• Failing to optimize product listings

• Ignoring Amazon’s fees

• Underestimating customer service

• Not leveraging Amazon advertising

• Neglecting inventory management

Final thoughts 

Selling on Amazon is a great way to reach millions of customers, but success takes planning. From choosing the right products to managing inventory and getting reviews, every step matters. Many new sellers struggle with pricing, advertising, and avoiding Amazon’s strict policies, which can hurt their business. 

If you want to grow your Amazon business, working with Amazon consultants can help. They can optimize your listings, improve sales, and prevent costly mistakes. Whether you need help with FBA, product research, or marketing, expert support can save you time and money.