In a Nutshell…
Amazon is a huge platform for reaching customers worldwide. To register, decide between an Individual plan (best for selling under 40 items/month, per-item fees) or a Professional plan (monthly fee, advanced features, better for scaling). You’ll need personal details like your name, government-issued ID, proof of address, an internationally chargeable credit card, and bank account info. Professional accounts also require business name, address, type, tax info, licenses, VAT number, and company registration details.
Get the Most From Your E-commerce with Amazon Selling.
Are you a small business looking to expand your reach and tap into a massive customer base? If you’re an independent business owner or a small business, Amazon is one of the best platforms to expand your e-commerce reach. With the largest audience in the world, it offers fantastic opportunities for your business to reach new people who wouldn’t necessarily be seeking out your business. With millions of passing customers visiting every day, it is an incredible platform for growth.
Registering on Amazon is a critical first step, and having a professional image can make all the difference. While Amazon provides a great infrastructure, it’s up to you to build a profile that conveys credibility and professionalism. This is where a registered office address comes in. It not only sets you apart from casual sellers but also helps you protect your personal information by keeping your home address private. By taking the right steps to create a professional and secure profile, you can maximise your potential and attract new customers with confidence.
Here’s how to get started…
Amazon Seller Accounts: Individual vs. Professional.
The first thing to do when creating your Amazon seller account is to decide if you need an individual selling plan or a professional selling plan. Both come with their advantages and disadvantages, and it comes down to your business and the potential growth you see for your business.
Individual selling plans are a great starting point, ideal for people selling fewer than 40 items a month. There is a fee for each item sold, but no monthly subscription charge, great for sellers with a lower volume of sales that may struggle to make the monthly charge worth their while.
The professional plan, on the other hand, is ideal for higher volume sellers looking to scale their business. There is no fee per item, but there is a monthly subscription fee. This is, however, regardless of sales volume, so the more the business scales, the more profit is generated. This plan also comes with many more advanced selling features like inventory file uploads, order reports, and feeds to manage your orders.
What Your Business Needs: Information and Documents for Registration
Now that you’re considering becoming an Amazon seller, there is key information you’ll need before registering your Amazon seller account.
You’ll need to provide personal information:
- Your name as it appears on your government-issued ID
- Your government-issued ID (typically a passport or driver’s license)
- Proof of address (e.g., a recent utility bill or bank statement)
- A credit card that is internationally chargeable for the Amazon fee payment
- Your bank account details for receiving payment from your sales
When setting up a professional account, you will need to put some business information in:
- Business name, address, and business type (e.g., LLC, sole trader)
- Tax information
- Business license (if applicable)
- Reseller certificate (if applicable)
- VAT number (if registered for VAT)
- Company registration details (for registered businesses)
Information about the ownership structure, including details about business owners and their share of the business.
Step-by-Step Guide On Registering as an Amazon Seller
Step 1 – Navigate to the Amazon Seller Central website and click “start selling now” or “sign up” and follow the prompts.
Step 2 – You will need to enter your full name as shown on your government-issued ID, your government-issued ID itself, proof of address, an internationally chargeable credit card for Amazon’s fee payment, your bank account details for receiving sales payments, and, for professional accounts, your business name, address, type, tax information, business license or reseller certificate if applicable, VAT number if registered, and company registration details. Make sure you have all of the information to hand so that it is all accurate, and the data you enter is consistent to avoid any queries or flags from Amazon for your account.
Step 3 – You will need to go through some verifications. Your phone will receive a code that comes through via phone call or text. Your address will need to be verified, usually via a postcard with a code. Finally, your identity will need to be verified, usually by uploading a document, but it can sometimes be a video call.
Step 4 – Now that you have been verified, you can start listing products, managing your account, tracking performance and engaging with customers.
What’s Next? Setting Up for Success on Amazon
Amazon has such a high volume of sellers that it can put people off, but done right, it can be a fantastic opportunity. If you put time and effort into making your seller account look trustworthy and professional, it can really set you apart from the rest.
When listing your products, create a compelling product page with good, SEO-rich titles, descriptions and high-quality images with alt-tags included. It is also important to understand UPCs (universal product codes) and GTINs (global trade item numbers), as they are unique identifiers that allow Amazon to track and manage inventory, while giving your products unique identifiers.
The next step would be deciding how you will fulfil your orders. Will you handle the logistics yourself, or will you have Amazon fulfil the storage, packing, shipping and customer service? The main difference is time over money. Amazon do charge a fee to fulfil your orders, but this does save time. However, if you decide to handle the logistics yourself, then you will save some money, but you will add a lot of admin to your plate, which may be tricky when trying to scale your business.
Finally, it is important to understand the fees Amazon charges. The monthly subscription fee if you choose the professional seller account, the referral fee, which typically ranges from 7% to 15% in the UK, and the fulfilment fees, which are typically 15% of the selling price.
Why Your Amazon Business Address Is More Important Than You Think
Your business address isn’t just a detail on a form—it’s a critical component of your success on Amazon. From a buyer’s perspective, a professional address builds trust and credibility. It signals that you’re a legitimate business, not just someone selling products from their living room.
Beyond professionalism, there’s the crucial issue of privacy. When you use your home address, you’re exposing your personal location to millions of potential customers. This creates a significant security risk that is easily avoided. A professional address, like a virtual office, solves both of these problems. It gives you the credibility and legitimacy that buyers look for, all while keeping your home address private and secure.
Virtual offices offer the perfect solution. They satisfy Amazon’s strict verification requirements and provide a secure mail forwarding service. This is especially important for receiving essential documents, such as Amazon’s verification postcard, without compromising your privacy. While you’ll need to list this official address, you can still control how your business appears online. For example, you can choose to hide your address on platforms like Google My Business by listing a service area instead, ensuring you maintain both compliance and privacy.
Ready to launch your Amazon business with a professional edge?
Ready to elevate your Amazon business with a professional foundation? Registering as a seller with a credible business address is a critical step, and a virtual office provides the perfect solution. Grosvenor House helps you meet Amazon’s requirements, protect your privacy, and project a professional image to customers.
Our virtual office packages, including mail handling and a prime Birmingham address, are designed to support your e-commerce growth. Take the next step toward a successful and secure Amazon business, contact Grosvenor House today.