How to Use Amazon Seller Central: The Ultimate Guide

How to Use Amazon Seller Central: The Ultimate Guide

Amazon Seller Central is the essential hub for businesses looking to thrive on the e-commerce giant. Whether you're a seasoned seller or just getting started, understanding the ins and outs of Seller Central is key to maximizing your success on Amazon. From setting up your account to managing ad campaigns and accessing support, this platform offers a plethora of tools to help your business succeed.

In this blog, we will explore the various aspects of Amazon Seller Central, including why you should use it, how to create an account, and essential features of the dashboard. We'll also delve into topics like adding products, setting up ad campaigns, accessing brand registry, and choosing the right fulfillment method for your business.

Here is a quick peek into the article:

  1. What is Amazon Seller Central?
  2. Essential Features of Amazon Seller Central Dashboard
  3. How to Create your Amazon Seller Central account
  4. How to start your Business in Amazon Seller Central?
  5. Share Amazon Seller Central Access to a Third Person?
  6. Tips for you to Use Amazon Seller Central

What is Amazon Seller Central?

Amazon Seller Central is a platform provided by Amazon that enables individuals and businesses to sell their products online. It offers a range of tools and features to help sellers manage their inventory, process orders, and grow their online business.

What is Amazon Seller Central? | Manage your seller account

Essential Features of Amazon Seller Central Dashboard

Upon logging into Seller Central, you will be provided a snapshot of your account's performance. From here, you can access key metrics such as sales, orders, and customer feedback. The dashboard also includes links to important features like inventory, advertising, and seller support. By familiarizing yourself with the layout of the dashboard, you can efficiently navigate through Amazon Seller Central and make informed decisions to drive your business forward.

Catalog

It allows sellers to add, edit, and delete product information, set prices, manage inventory, shipping, and advertising details. Sellers can add new products manually, in bulk, or using inventory files, and manage products with variations in size, color, etc. These tools also support setting up promotions, such as discounts and flash sales, to boost sales.

Inventory

Inventory management tools help sellers manage product inventory, including adding, removing, and adjusting stock levels, and setting reservation and pre-order strategies. Sellers can increase stock levels, manage restocking, and remove products that are no longer for sale or need to be returned to maintain healthy inventory levels. The tool supports manual or bulk adjustments of inventory quantities.

Advertising for Promotions

Advertising management tools let sellers create and manage various types of ad campaigns to increase product visibility and sales. Sellers can create product promotions, brand promotions, and display ads, and optimize advertising strategies through ad reports and data analysis. Sellers can set and adjust ad budgets, controlling ad spending, while selecting and optimizing ad keywords to improve ad performance.

Order

Order management tools enable sellers to view, process, and cancel orders, as well as download order data and generate packing slips. Sellers can track all order details, including pending orders, shipped orders, and canceled orders. With these tools, sellers can confirm orders, print packing slips and shipping labels, and mark orders as shipped.

Report

Report management tools provide detailed sales reports, advertising reports, and refund reports to help sellers analyze business performance and optimize operations. Sales reports show daily, monthly sales trends, and historical data. Advertising reports analyze the effectiveness of ad campaigns and help optimize advertising strategies. Refund reports track refund situations, understanding reasons and trends. Additionally, inventory reports offer insights into stock status, inbound and outbound history, while performance reports evaluate store performance, including order defect rates and late shipment rates.

Payment

Payment management tools allow sellers to view sales revenue, refund expenditures, and fees, and perform withdrawals. Sellers can track revenue from each transaction, record and analyze refund expenditures, and understand various Amazon fees, including sales commissions and FBA fees. The withdrawal function enables sellers to transfer account balances to their bank accounts, and the statement function supports downloading and viewing monthly statements for financial reconciliation.

Reviews

Review management tools help sellers view and respond to customer reviews, maintaining the store’s reputation. Sellers can see customer reviews of products and services, respond promptly to resolve issues, and enhance the store’s credibility. Additionally, review management tools support handling customer feedback, understanding customer needs and satisfaction, and helping sellers continually improve their services.

App and Services

The tools and services module offers various auxiliary tools, such as FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon), multi-channel management tools, and brand registry services. By using FBA, sellers can leverage Amazon’s warehousing and distribution services to improve logistics efficiency. Multi-channel management tools help sellers manage orders from other sales channels, such as their own websites and other e-commerce platforms. Brand registry services support sellers in registering and protecting their brands to prevent infringement. The global selling feature helps sellers manage and expand international markets, achieving cross-border sales. Seller support and Seller University provide professional support and learning resources to help sellers enhance their operational capabilities.

How to start your Business in Amazon Seller Central?

Before starting the registration process, make sure you have the following information and documents ready:

  • Email Address: A business email (If you don’t have one specific for business, it’s better to create one)
  • Legal Business Name: Your business name as it appears in official documents.
  • Business Address: The physical address of your business.
  • Phone Number: A valid phone number for verification.
  • Tax Information: Depending on your location, this could include your Social Security Number (SSN), Employer Identification Number (EIN), or other tax identification numbers.
  • Credit Card: A chargeable credit card (with international transactions enabled).
  • Bank Account Information: A bank account for receiving payments from Amazon.

Step 1: Create or Log In to Your Account

  • Choose Your Email: If you're already an Amazon Prime member, consider using a different email address for your seller account to keep business and personal emails separate. If you don't have a business email yet, you can easily create one using Gmail before logging in.
  • Sign Up or Log In: Go to Amazon Seller Central, click “Sign Up” or “Register Now”, and enter your email and password to create a new account or log in with an existing account.

Step 2: Enter Legal Name and Business Information

  • Legal Name: Enter your legal name. If you're setting up the account as an individual, use your name and tax identification information. If you're setting it up for a business, use your company name and relevant information.
  • Business Address: On the next page, enter your business address. You'll also need to set a unique display name for your business, which is the name customers will see on Amazon.

Step 3: Add Payment Information

  • Credit Card and Bank Details: Provide an internationally recognized credit card and your bank account information, which Amazon will use to make payments to you and to charge any related fees.
  • Select a Selling Plan: On this page, choose your selling plan. If you're setting up an FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) account, select the Professional Plan and ensure you check the appropriate box.

Step 4: Complete the Tax Interview

  • Tax Interview: As part of setting up your seller account, you’ll need to complete a tax interview, where you’ll enter your tax identification information, such as your Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN). Amazon will ask you to complete a W-9 form, and during the tax interview, you’ll need to select your business type (e.g., sole proprietor or corporation).
  • Verification: After submitting your information, Amazon will quickly verify your tax details and provide you with a W-9 form.

Step 5: Provide Product Information (Optional)

  • Product Information: In the final step, Amazon may ask you to provide some basic information about the products you plan to sell. This step is optional, and you can skip it and fill it out later.


Step 6: Activate Your Account

Once you have completed all the necessary steps, you can activate your Amazon Seller Central account and start selling your products on the platform. Make sure to regularly monitor your account, manage inventory, and optimize your product listings to maximize sales and success on Amazon.

For more detailed information on creating your Amazon Seller Central account, you can refer to Amazon's official guide.

Complete Registration and Start Selling

Once you've completed these six steps, your Amazon seller account will be fully set up. You can now explore Seller Central, create product listings, and officially begin selling on Amazon.

How to start your Business in Amazon Seller Central?

How to Add Products on Amazon Seller Central

To add products to your Amazon Seller Central account, navigate to the Inventory tab on the dashboard. Click on "Add a Product" and then choose the category in which your product falls. Follow the prompts to fill in all necessary information such as product title, description, images, pricing, and quantity. Make sure to optimize your product listings with relevant keywords to increase visibility and attract more customers.

How to Setup Ad Campaign in Seller Central

Creating ad campaigns in Amazon Seller Central can help boost your product visibility and drive sales. To set up an ad campaign, go to the Advertising tab and select "Campaign Manager." Choose your campaign type, target audience, budget, and duration. Monitor the performance of your ads regularly and make adjustments to optimize your campaigns for better results.

How to Contact Amazon Seller Support?

If you encounter any issues or have questions while using Amazon Seller Central, you can contact Seller Support for assistance. Go to the Help tab on the dashboard and select "Contact Us." Choose your preferred contact method, whether it's phone, email, or chat, and explain your query or concern. A representative will guide you through the resolution process.

How to Access Report in Seller Central

Monitoring the performance of your ad campaigns is crucial for success on Amazon Seller Central. To access ad reports, go to the Reports tab and select "Advertising Reports." You can view metrics such as clicks, impressions, conversions, and more to analyze the effectiveness of your advertising efforts. Use this data to make informed decisions and optimize your campaigns for better ROI.

How to Access Brand Registry in Seller Central

The Amazon Brand Registry allows brand owners to protect their intellectual property and create a trusted shopping experience for customers. To access the Brand Registry in Seller Central, go to the Brand Dashboard tab and click on "Brand Registry." Follow the steps to enroll your brand, verify your identity, and gain access to tools for brand protection, growth, and promotion.

How to Choose a Fulfillment Method: FBA or FBM

When selling on Amazon Seller Central, you have the option to fulfill orders through Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM). Consider factors like product size, weight, storage fees, shipping costs, and order volumes when choosing between FBA and FBM. FBA offers convenience and scalability, while FBM gives you more control over fulfillment processes. Choose the method that aligns best with your business goals and budget.

Can you share Amazon Seller Central Access to a Third Person?

Sharing Amazon Seller Central access can be a convenient way to collaborate with others if you want them to manage your store. However, there are essential considerations to keep in mind when granting access to ensure the security and integrity of your account.

Grant User Permissions

When sharing access to Amazon Seller Central, you have the option to create user accounts with specific permissions. This allows you to control the level of access each user has within your account. You can grant permissions such as viewing reports, managing inventory, handling customer messages, or creating product listings. By assigning appropriate permissions, you can safeguard your sensitive information.

Create a Sub-Account

One method of sharing access is by creating a sub-account under your main Amazon Seller Central account. This sub-account can be assigned to a third person, giving them limited access to specific tools and features. By creating a separate sub-account, you can track the activities of the individual without compromising the security of your primary account.

Set Up Two-Step Verification

To enhance the security of shared access, enabling two-step verification is highly recommended. Two-step verification adds an extra layer of protection by requiring an additional code or authentication method besides the password. This feature helps prevent unauthorized access even if login credentials have been compromised.

Protect Confidential Information

When sharing access to Amazon Seller Central, it's essential to safeguard confidential information such as financial data, customer details, or proprietary business strategies. Remind users with access to handle sensitive information responsibly and adhere to data protection guidelines. Limiting access to critical information can minimize the risk of data breaches or misuse.

Tips for Using Amazon Seller Central Effectively

Use PPC Advertising

Take advantage of Amazon's ad campaigns to increase visibility for your products and drive sales. By setting up ad campaigns strategically, you can reach potential customers and boost your revenue.

While Amazon offers both automatic and manual ad options, each comes with its own set of challenges. Automatic ads are convenient and easy to set up, but they often come with higher costs and less control over your ad spend. Manual ads offer more control but require a deeper understanding of your target audience and keywords.

That’s where our M19 Amazon PPC software comes in.

m19's AI optimizes even low-performing keywords and facilitates the legwork of manual management. It explores the most profitable keywords and set up optimal bids to maximize ad performance when sold on Amazon.

The key features that make m19 so effective are its:

  • Amazon PPC automation: Automate bidding so your ads remain competitive in the auction, in turn maximizing your ad visibility and click-through rates.
  • Keyword tracking: Monitor and analyze the performance of your bidding keywords to adjust strategies accordingly.‍
  • In-depth reporting: Generate comprehensive reports that provide insights about product groups and ads performance to make informed business decisions.

Optimize Your Brand Presence

Utilize features like Brand Registry to protect your brand identity and enhance your credibility on Amazon. By registering your brand, you can gain more control over your product listings and protect your intellectual property.

Monitor Performance Metrics

Track key performance indicators (KPIs) like sales, conversion rates, and customer feedback to gauge your success on Amazon Seller Central. Use this data to make informed decisions and optimize your sales performance.

Final

As you wrap up your journey through Amazon Seller Central, remember that success on this platform is within your reach.

By utilizing the tools and insights provided in this guide, you can optimize your presence, enhance your sales, and ultimately grow your business. From creating your account to choosing the right fulfillment method, each decision plays a crucial role in your overall success.

If you found this guide helpful and want to stay updated on the latest tips and strategies for succeeding on Amazon, be sure to follow us for more insights. For more information about selling on Amazon or to get personalized advertising assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

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Xuan Xie
August 14, 2024
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