How to Set Up a Secure Amazon Seller Account and Sell Worldwide

As one of the most trusted brands in the U.S., Amazon provides a platform that connects you to millions of potential customers and offers credibility that can help your business thrive.

By selling your products on Amazon, you gain access to a vast global marketplace, reaching customers in over 100 countries and regions. This unprecedented reach can significantly boost your sales and elevate your brand's visibility.

Did you know?

• More than 60% of sales in the Amazon store come from independent sellers—most of which are small and medium-sized businesses.
• In 2023, US-based sellers sold more than 4.5 billion items—an average of 8,600 items every minute.
• In 2023, US-based sellers averaged more than $250,000 in annual sales.

Source: sell.amazon.com

If your goal is to reach customers outside your local market or if you've noticed demand for your products from other countries, setting up a seller account is the next step.

Amazon Business vs. Seller Account: What's the Difference?

In short, Amazon Business Accounts are for buying, and Amazon Seller Accounts are for selling. However, note that you'll need an Amazon Business Account to set up a Seller Account.

Here's how the two account types differ:

Amazon Business Account:

• Designed for businesses that purchase products in bulk or manage team purchases. When you set up a business account instead of a personal one, you unlock benefits such as:
  • Bulk purchase discounts.
• Shared payment methods for teams.
• Tax exemptions for eligible businesses.

Think of an Amazon Business Account as your foundation—it's a requirement for setting up a Seller Account, but it's primarily focused on buying.

Amazon Seller Account:

• This is your gateway to selling products on Amazon's global marketplace. With a Seller Account, you gain access to tools that allow you to:
  • List and market your products.
• Reach Amazon's vast customer base.
• Manage orders and track sales.

Everything You Need to Know About Amazon Seller Accounts

To create a seller account, you'll need an Amazon Business account first—whether it's a regular Business account or Business Prime. Once that's set up, you can link it to your seller account and begin selling on Amazon.

Here's what you need to know about this first step: Amazon Business: The Benefits, the Scams, and How to Stay Safe.

Then, Amazon offers two types of seller accounts.

Individual Seller Account

This account type is ideal for small-scale sellers or businesses just starting out. It's simple, affordable, and requires no monthly subscription fee. Instead, you'll pay a $0.99 fee for each item sold.

1. Perfect if you want to test the waters without a significant financial investment. The pay-per-sale structure is great for businesses selling fewer than 40 items per month.
2. Designed for simplicity, this is a straightforward method to sell products without requiring advanced features.
3. You can list items for sale and deactivate listings if needed, such as when you're unable to fulfill orders temporarily.

Features of an Individual Seller Account

• Per-Item Sale Fee: You only pay $0.99 for each item sold, which makes it cost-effective for occasional sellers.
• Create Product Listings: Add your inventory to Amazon's catalog with detailed product pages, including images and descriptions.
• Shipping Support: Amazon provides a "Sold, Ship Now" email with step-by-step guidance for fulfilling orders, including packing slips and shipping labels.
• Automatic Shipping Rates: Amazon calculates shipping rates for your products, so you don't need to set them manually.
• Secure Payments: Amazon handles all transactions securely, transferring your earnings directly to your linked bank account through Amazon Pay.

While an Individual Seller Account is suitable for casual sellers or businesses testing Amazon's platform, it may not be cost-effective long-term for growing businesses. This type of account lacks advanced tools, and the per-item fee can accumulate as sales increase.

Professional Seller Account

A Professional Seller Account is tailored for businesses selling in high volumes or looking to scale quickly. Unlike the Individual Seller Account, it includes a monthly subscription fee of $39.99 but doesn't charge a per-item fee. This means that if you're selling 40 or more items per month, the Professional Seller Account is a more cost-effective option.

In addition, the Professional Account offers advanced tools and features designed to help businesses manage their inventory, promote products, and grow more efficiently.

Key Features of a Professional Seller Account

Inventory and Order Management:

Use Amazon's customizable spreadsheets, feeds, and detailed reports to track inventory and manage customer orders efficiently.

Amazon Marketplace Web Service (MWS):

Access API tools to automate tasks like uploading product feeds, managing inventory, and receiving performance reports, saving time and reducing manual effort.

Seller-Set Shipping Rates:

Take control of shipping costs by setting your own rates instead of relying on Amazon's default rates. This flexibility allows you to optimize expenses and match your business strategy.

Promotions and Advertising Tools:

Run targeted promotions and leverage Amazon's pay-per-click (PPC) advertising options to increase your product visibility. You can also offer gift services to enhance customer appeal.

Sales Tax Management:

Automatically calculate and apply sales tax to ensure compliance with regulations while saving time on manual tax calculations.

Buy Box Eligibility:

Compete for a spot in the Amazon Buy Box—the section on product pages where customers can directly add items to their cart. Winning the Buy Box can significantly increase sales.

When choosing between an Individual and a Professional Seller Account, consider the following:

1. Sales Volume: If you plan to sell more than 40 items per month, a Professional account is more cost-effective.

2. Features: If you want access to tools such as bulk listing and advertising, opt for the Professional account.

How to Set Up Your Seller Account

Follow these steps to get started:

1. Go to the Amazon Seller Central website. Click "Register Now" and select the account type that suits your business—either Individual or Professional.
2. Enter your business name, address, and contact details. Ensure that the information matches official business records to avoid verification issues.
3. Provide your tax information, such as VAT or GST numbers, depending on your country's requirements.
4. Link a business bank account where Amazon can deposit your earnings securely.
5. Upload product details, including titles, descriptions, high-quality images, and inventory information. Be clear and accurate to attract more customers.

How to Protect Your Account

Your Amazon seller account is a valuable part of your business, so keeping it secure is essential.

Here are some tips to protect it:

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Add an extra layer of security by requiring a verification code sent to your phone or email whenever you log in.

Use Strong Passwords

• Create a unique password that includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid reusing passwords from other accounts.

Watch for Phishing Scams

·         Be wary of fake emails pretending to be from Amazon. Always log in directly through Amazon's official website to avoid falling victim to scams.

• Review buyer messages carefully, especially requests for refunds or information outside Amazon's platform.

Monitor Account Activity

• Set up email or SMS alerts for changes to key account settings, such as password updates, payment method changes, or new logins. The sooner you spot suspicious activity, the faster you can act to secure your account.

Restrict Access

• If you have employees or partners managing your account, assign specific roles and permissions in Amazon Seller Central to limit what they can access. Assign roles such as inventory management, advertising, or reporting without giving full account access. Remove access for users who no longer need it.

Review Linked Devices

• Regularly check which devices are logged into your account and remove any unfamiliar ones. This can usually be done in the "Login & Security" section of your account settings.

Enable Alerts for Account Changes

• Turn on notifications for account changes, such as password updates, new device logins, or payment information updates.

Two-Step Verification for Payouts:

• Enable notifications or additional verification steps for changes to your payout settings.

Data Privacy Settings

Use the "Data Protection Policy" guidelines provided by Amazon to ensure that customer data, such as addresses and payment information, is handled securely and in compliance with regulations. If using third-party tools, review and limit data-sharing permissions in Seller Central. Only authorize trusted applications and revoke permissions for unused ones.

What Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security Can Do for You

Cyber threats can target your Amazon seller account, but Bitdefender has you covered. Here's how:

• Scam and Fraud Protection: Blocks phishing attempts and fake emails that could steal your account credentials.
• Digital Identity Protection: Monitors your business information to alert you of potential breaches.
• VPN for Secure Connections: Protects your data when accessing your account on public Wi-Fi.
• AI-Powered Scam Detection: Identifies and prevents fraud before it impacts your business.

Focus on growing your Amazon sales without worrying about cyber risks; check out Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security here.

FAQs

1. How do I secure my Amazon Seller Account from hackers?

Start by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of security to your login process. Use a strong, unique password that includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid reusing passwords from other accounts. Always log in through the official Amazon Seller Central website and be cautious of phishing scams that mimic Amazon communications. Avoid accessing your account on public Wi-Fi unless you're using a VPN to encrypt your connection. Regularly monitor your account activity for unusual logins or changes to detect unauthorized access early and take action immediately.

2. What should I do if my Amazon Seller Account is hacked?

If your Amazon Seller Account is hacked, the first step is to change your password immediately and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) if it isn't already active. Carefully review your account for unauthorized changes, including modifications to product listings, payment methods, or shipping addresses. Report the issue to Amazon by opening a case in Seller Central so their team can investigate and assist. Check for third-party apps linked to your account and revoke access to any that look suspicious. Finally, monitor your linked bank account and payment methods for unauthorized transactions, as these could indicate further breaches. Swift action is essential to minimize potential damage.

3. What should I do if I notice unusual account activity?

If you notice unusual activity in your Amazon Seller Account, such as unauthorized logins or changes to listings and payment details, act immediately to secure your account. Begin by changing your password to block further unauthorized access. If multi-factor authentication (MFA) isn't already enabled, set it up to enhance your account's security. Review your account settings thoroughly, including product listings, payment details, and shipping addresses, to identify and undo any changes you didn't make. Report the suspicious activity to Amazon by opening a case in Seller Central, allowing their team to investigate. Check for linked third-party apps that could be compromised and revoke access to any that seem unfamiliar. Lastly, keep an eye on your bank account and payment methods for any unauthorized transactions to protect your business from financial loss.