How To Set Up An Amazon Seller Account? A Guide For Newbies

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the steps required to start selling on Amazon? Do you know how to set up your Amazon seller account correctly so that you can launch and grow your business with confidence? This guide from Megaficus will show you exactly how to create and optimize your account while avoiding common mistakes.

What Is An Amazon Seller Account?

An Amazon seller account is the profile you create to sell products on Amazon’s marketplace. With this account, you can access Seller Central, which allows you to list products, track sales, manage inventory, communicate with customers, and use various selling tools. In this way, the seller account serves as the central hub for managing all business activities and growing your store on Amazon.

Why You Need To Set Up Amazon Seller Account?

Now that you understand what an Amazon seller account is, it’s time to explore why setting one up can benefit your business and boost your sales potential:

• Global reach and business expansion: An Amazon seller account connects your products to millions of active customers worldwide through search and recommendation systems. Additionally, promotional tools like sponsored ads, coupons can increase visibility, drive sales, and expand your brand reach.
• Tools and resources: Seller Central provides tools to manage your business efficiently, including inventory tracking, order processing, advertising options, and detailed sales analytics. These features help you stay organized and make informed decisions.
• Prime eligibility: Professional sellers can make their products eligible for Amazon Prime, offering faster shipping and free delivery. This benefit attracts more customers and can lead to higher sales.

Types Of Amazon Seller Accounts

Amazon provides three main types of seller accounts, each designed to suit different business sizes and goals, as outlined in the table below from Megaficus.

Type of Account	Key Features	Best For
Individual Seller Account	Cost-effective, basic listing options, access to the Amazon marketplace, and no advanced tools	Suitable for sellers with fewer than 40 items per month, ideal for hobbyists or small-scale sellers.
Professional Seller Account	Bulk listing & order management, advanced reporting, top placement eligibility, promotions, gift services, and Amazon API access, economical for larger sales.	Ideal for sellers with more than 40 items per month who need advanced tools like bulk listing, order management, and promotions.
Vendor Central (By Invitation Only)	Sell directly to Amazon at wholesale prices; Amazon manages pricing, selling, and customer service. Invitation required.	Recommended for established brands and manufacturers.

Things To Consider Before Setting Up Your Amazon Seller Account

Before you start selling, it’s important to understand the key factors that can influence your success and plan your Amazon seller account setup carefully.

Age

You must be at least 18 years old to register as a seller. This rule is in place because Amazon requires all sellers to be legally capable of entering into binding contracts.

Location

Your country of residence must be included in Amazon’s list of supported countries for seller registration. For instance, sellers in the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom can register without issues, while applicants from countries not on Amazon’s supported list will not be able to complete the process.

Documents

Amazon requires several documents for verification:

• Valid government-issued ID (such as a passport or driver’s license). 
• Bank account details that can receive payments from Amazon.
• Tax information, like a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or its equivalent, depending on your country.

Decide business model

Before you create your Amazon seller account, it is essential to decide which business model will suit your goals. Below are five popular business models with examples integrated naturally into the descriptions:

• Private Label: This model allows you to sell products manufactured by others but branded with your own label. (e.g., Neutrogena, Aveeno).
• Retail Arbitrage: This model involves purchasing discounted products from retail stores or online retailers and reselling them on Amazon for profit. (e.g., LEGO, Nike).
• Dropshipping: With this model, you don’t keep inventory. Instead, you forward customer orders to a supplier who ships the products directly to the buyer. (e.g., Printful, Teespring).
• Wholesale: This involves buying products in bulk at a low price and selling them individually. (e.g., KitchenAid).
• Handmade: This model focuses on selling products that are handcrafted by you or your team. (e.g., Etsy).

How To Create An Amazon Seller Account

You can open an Amazon seller account by visiting Amazon’s website and registering through Seller Central. To complete the process, you will need to provide personal and business information, as well as upload verification documents.

Step 1: Choose your selling plan

Visit the Amazon website and select a selling plan: Individual Plan or Professional Plan.

Step 2: Register your Seller Central account

• Enter your email address and create a password.
• Verify your email to activate the account.

Step 3: Provide your business information

• Select the country where your business operates.
• Choose your business type. If you do not have a registered company, select “I am an individual”.

Step 4: Provide your personal information

• Enter your full name, citizenship, address, date of birth, and phone number.
• Confirm your phone number via SMS or phone call.

Step 5: Set up billing information

• Provide your bank account and credit card details for payments and fees.

Step 6: Complete store information

• Enter your store name.
• Indicate whether you are a brand owner or a reseller of products.

Step 7: Submit verification documents

• Upload a bank statement and a photo ID.
• Amazon may schedule a video call for identity verification. Make sure your ID and a valid credit card are ready for the call.
• Once your account is approved, you can log in to Seller Central and start setting up your store.

How To Set Up An Amazon Seller Account

After completing registration, you log in to your Seller Central dashboard. This is where you configure account settings, add products, select fulfillment methods, and prepare your business to start selling.

Step 1: Set up shipping and fulfillment preferences

• Decide whether you will fulfill orders yourself (Fulfillment by Merchant – FBM) or use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
• Configure shipping rates, return policies, and, if using FBA, prepare your inventory for Amazon’s warehouse.
  

Step 2: Add product listings

• For existing products on Amazon, join the listing by matching the ASIN.
• For new products, create your own listing with optimized titles, bullet points, descriptions, images, and backend keywords.
• Tip: You can consider using tools like AMZScout AI Listing Builder to create SEO-friendly, customer-focused listings quickly.

Step 3: Add payment information

Link a valid bank account and a chargeable credit card to receive sales payouts and pay Amazon fees.

Step 4: Enable two-step verification

Turn on two-factor authentication to protect your account from unauthorized access.

Step 5: Customize your seller profile

Add your business logo, store description, and support contact information to create a professional presence.

Amazon Seller Account Fees

While opening an Amazon seller account does not require an initial fee, the total costs depend on the plan you choose and the additional services you use. The main fees are outlined below:

Fee Type	Details
Selling Plan Fees	– Individual Plan: $0.99 per item sold, no monthly fee. – Professional Plan: $39.99 per month, no per-item fee. Ideal for sellers with higher volumes.
Referral Fees	Percentage of each sale, varying by category (e.g., books 15%, electronics 8%, clothing 17%).
Fulfillment Fees (FBA)	– Fees for storage, picking, packing, and shipping if using Fulfillment by Amazon. – Examples: Small standard items ~$3.06 – $3.65, large standard ~$3.68 – $7.00, extra-large items are higher.
Optional Advertising Costs	Costs for Amazon Ads vary depending on budget and campaign settings.
Other Potential Fees	Includes long-term storage fees ($6.90/ft³ per month), removal fees ($0.50–$0.60/item), disposal fees ($0.15–$0.30/item), and refund administration fees ($5 or 20% of referral fee, whichever is lower).

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Setting Up Amazon Seller Account

Avoiding mistakes is just as crucial as choosing the right products. Here are some common errors to watch out for when setting up your Amazon seller account:

Account Setup And Registration Mistakes

• Creating multiple accounts: Amazon only allows one seller account per person, so opening additional accounts can result in suspension. For instance, a user trying to run separate accounts for two product lines was suspended immediately.
• Incorrect personal information: Using inconsistent names, addresses, or phone numbers can prevent verification and lead to account rejection. Sellers who use nicknames instead of legal names often experience delays.
• Linking to other accounts: Connecting your new seller account to another existing account violates Amazon policies and can cause suspension. For example, linking payment methods across accounts may trigger an automatic review.
• Choosing the wrong account type: Selecting an Individual account when a Professional account fits your sales volume can limit access to advanced tools and slow growth.
• Disregarding Amazon policies: Not reading Amazon’s rules thoroughly can result in fines, listing removal, or account closure. Sellers ignoring product listing restrictions for electronics sometimes face permanent account suspension.

Product And Listing Mistakes

• Poor product research: Selling items without checking market demand or competition can lead to unsold inventory. For example, launching a generic phone accessory in an oversaturated category often results in low sales.
• Ignoring keyword research: Failing to include relevant keywords makes it harder for customers to find your listings. A handmade jewelry seller who skipped keyword optimization can get a 70% drop in organic traffic.
• Poor listing optimization: Inaccurate titles, weak descriptions, or low-quality images discourage buyers. One seller lost sales because product photos were blurry and did not clearly show features. Ideal listing optimization metrics:
  • Image Resolution: At least 1,600 pixels on the longest side to enable zoom.
  • Background Color: Pure white (RGB 255,255,255) for the main image.
  • Product Frame Coverage: Product should occupy at least 85% of the image frame.
  • Number of Images: Use 6-7 high-quality images, including the main image, different angles, usage shots, and close-ups.
  • File Format: Acceptable formats are JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or static GIF (no animated GIFs).
• Inconsistent branding: Mixing product styles or messages confuses customers and harms reputation. A seller selling both luxury watches and cheap accessories under the same store name found that customer trust had declined.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Setting Up Amazon Seller Account