How to Set Up an Amazon Account: Step-by-Step Guide for Buyers & Sellers (2024)

If you’re new to Amazon and want to get started as either a buyer or a seller, setting up an account is easy. Whether you’re planning to shop for products, stream movies with Amazon Prime, or sell your own items, this guide will walk you through the process of creating and managing an Amazon account.

Creating a Buyer Account on Amazon (Amazon.com, Amazon Prime, and More)

A buyer account on Amazon allows you to shop for millions of products, track orders, manage payment methods, and enjoy exclusive benefits like Amazon Prime.

Steps to Create a Buyer Account on Amazon:
  • Go to the Amazon Website – Visit Amazon.com (or your country-specific Amazon site).
  • Sign Up for an Account – Hover over the “Account & Lists” dropdown menu on the top right corner. Click “Start here” next to the “New customer? Join Amazon” link.
Enter Your Details:
  • Full Name: Enter your name.
  • Email Address: Provide a valid email address.Password: Create a strong password and confirm it.
  • Click “Create your Amazon account”.
Verify Your Email Address:
  • Amazon will send a confirmation email. Click the verification link to complete the registration process.
  • After logging in, go to “Account & Lists” > “Your Account”.
  • Under “Payment methods”, add a credit/debit card or an alternative payment method.
  • Under “Your Addresses”, add your default shipping address.
Optional: Sign Up for Amazon Prime:
  • Amazon Prime offers exclusive benefits like free 2-day shipping, access to Prime Video, Prime Music, and more. Visit the Amazon Prime page to sign up for a free trial or paid membership.
Creating a Seller Account on Amazon Seller Central

If you’re looking to sell products on Amazon, you’ll need to set up a seller account via Amazon Seller Central. This platform provides tools to list, manage, and fulfill your orders.

Steps to Create a Seller Account on Amazon
Visit Amazon Seller Central:
  • Go to Amazon Seller Central or click “Sell on Amazon” from the homepage.
  • Choose Your Selling Plan
  • Amazon offers two selling plans:
    • Individual Plan: No monthly fee, but you’ll pay a small fee per sale.
    • Professional Plan: Monthly subscription fee, but lower fees per sale and access to advanced selling features. Choose your plan and click “Start Selling”.
Sign In to Amazon:
  • Use your existing Amazon account credentials, or create a new Amazon account specifically for selling.
Provide Your Business Information:
  • Enter details about your business (e.g., business name, address, phone number, and tax information). You’ll also need to add a bank account for payments.
  • For payouts, Amazon requires you to enter your bank account details. Sellers will also need to provide a credit/debit card for account verification and potential fees.
List Your Products:
  • After account setup, go to “Inventory” in Seller Central to add your products. You can either list products individually or in bulk, depending on your plan.
Set Shipping Preferences:
  • Decide whether you’ll fulfill orders yourself (Fulfilled by Merchant – FBM) or use Amazon’s fulfillment services (Fulfilled by Amazon – FBA).
Setting Up Payment Methods and Shipping Addresses on Amazon

To make sure your Amazon account is fully functional, you need to set up both payment methods (for purchasing products or receiving payouts) and shipping addresses.

For Buyers:
  • To add payment methods, go to “Your Account” > “Payment Options” and enter your credit/debit card details.
  • To add or update shipping addresses, go to “Your Account” > “Your Addresses” and enter or edit your shipping information.
For Sellers:
  • To add or update your payment methods for your seller account, go to Settings > Account Info > Payment Information.
  • For shipping, you can choose whether to handle fulfillment yourself or use Amazon’s FBA service.
Navigating the Amazon Homepage and Using the Search Bar Effectively
Searching for Products:
  • Search Bar: The search bar at the top of Amazon’s homepage is the main tool for finding products. You can search by:
    • Keyword (e.g., “laptop stand”)
    • Category (e.g., Electronics, Home & Kitchen)
    • ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number) if you have a specific product in mind.
Advanced Search Options:
  • Use filters on the left side of the search results page to narrow down by:
    • Price range
    • Brand
    • Ratings and reviews
    • Shipping options (e.g., Prime eligible)
Amazon Categories and Departments:
  • At the top of the page, you’ll find links to different product categories like “Books,” “Electronics,” “Home Improvement,” etc.
  • Clicking on a category will show you subcategories to further refine your search.
Product Pages:
  • Click on any product to see its detailed page. You’ll find:
    • Price
    • Product Features
    • Customer Reviews (useful for evaluating the quality of products)
    • Shipping Options (Prime eligible, shipping fees, etc.)
Additional Tips:
  • Tips for Both Buyers and Sellers
    • Buyer Tip: Always check product reviews and ratings before making a purchase to ensure the product’s quality.
    • Seller Tip: Make sure your product listings are optimized with clear images, accurate descriptions, and competitive prices to attract customers.
  • Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service to build trust and encourage repeat business. Respond to inquiries promptly and address any issues professionally.
  • Marketing and Advertising: Explore Amazon Sponsored Products Ads to reach a wider audience and increase product visibility.
  • Stay Informed: Stay updated on Amazon’s policies and best practices by reading Seller Central resources and attending webinars.
  • Amazon Seller Central Resources: Amazon offers a wealth of resources and tutorials for new sellers through Seller University (https://sellercentral.amazon.com/learn).
  • Consider this a starting point, and don’t hesitate to explore Amazon Seller Central and its resources for a more comprehensive understanding of the process. There are also many helpful YouTube videos that walk you through adding products on Amazon step-by-step.
  • By carefully considering these factors, you can increase your chances of selecting a successful product to sell on Amazon.
Here are some valuable resources to consider when beginning your journey as an Amazon seller:
  • Amazon Seller University: https://sellercentral.amazon.com/learn
  • Amazon Advertising: https://advertising.amazon.com/
  • How to Track Your Amazon Product Performance: [Insert Link Here on How to Track Your Amazon Product Performance] (you can find many helpful articles with a web search)
  • Remember, success on Amazon takes time and effort. By consistently optimizing your listing, tracking your performance, and staying informed, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful Amazon seller.