Amazon Seller Accounts Explained: Choosing Between Individual & Professional Plans.
If you wish to sell on Amazon, you have to select one of the seller account types: Individual or Professional. Each account type offers varying benefits and restrictions based on your sales expectations, financial investment, and business requirements. This article will outline the range of both of these plans, their respective costs, advantages, and determine which one works best for you.
Amazon Seller Accounts Overview
Merchants on Amazon can choose from their two main seller account types:
Individual Seller Account – Best for low volume sellers who do not foresee significant growth in their sales.
Professional Seller Account – Business entities and high volume sellers intending to utilize additional features will find this account most suitable.
Your selection depends on your selling volume and if you want more selling features.
Individual Seller Account
Features
No monthly subscription fees.
Charges are £0.99 for every item sold.
Partial access to Amazon’s selling tools.
Creating promotions and bulk listing is not allowed.
Ideal for sellers with lower sales volume. (If you sell less than 40 items a month)
Pros
✔ No upfront fees – you only pay when you sell a product.
✔ Ideal for first-time users or for those who sell infrequently.
✔ Easy to set up and understand.
Cons
✖ Higher selling fees while using bulk listings.
✖ Advanced features like bulk listing and advertising are not available.
✖ Doesn’t have as much visibility as Professional sellers do.
Professional Seller Account
Features
Access bulk listing tools and promotions.
Best for sellers transitioning towards e-commerce also known as high selling fee sellers.
Pros
✔ Access to ads and promotions and the Buy Box.
✔ Full control on deals and discounts.
✔ Uses Amazon API for automation.
✖ £39.99 monthly fee, whether you sell or not.
✖ Additional complexity in setup and oversight.
Key Differences Between Individual and Professional Accounts
| Feature | Individual Account | Professional Account |
| Monthly Fee | No cost | £39.99 monthly |
| Per Item Fee | £0.99 per sale | Fee per sale voided |
| Bulk Listing | Not Available | Available |
| Promotions & Discounts | Not Available | Available |
| Amazon Advertising | Not Available | Available |
| Buy Box Eligibility | Not Available | Available |
Which Amazon Seller Account is Right for You?
✔ Testing an Amazon store under an enrolment capacity of 40 items.
✔ No advertising or bulk listing tools are necessary.
Your choice should be a Professional Plan if:
✔ You have over 40 sales a month.
✔ You are looking to invest in and promote your Amazon store.
✔ You are looking to grow a business and need more advanced features.
Want guidance on Switch Between Plans
You can change your seller account from basic to the pro version or vice versa at any time using this guide.
Follow these steps:
– Open Amazon Seller Central.
– Navigate to Settings > Account Info.
– Click on Manage Seller Account.
– Now Proceed to Upgrade or Downgrade.
Changes are implemented during the next billing cycle.
Conclusion
The key to choosing between an Individual and Professional Amazon seller account lies in your selling goals and your present sales figures. If you are new to selling, an individual seller account would be more economical. On the other hand, if you want to constantly sell and develop your business, the Professional account is better suited in terms of value and features. However, try to think and estimate your sales, marketing, and expenses before committing to a decision. Amazon is well adapted in accommodating both leisure and bulk sellers, making it easy to upgrade or downgrade as your business changes.
FAQ
1. What is the difference between an Individual seller account and a Professional seller account on Amazon?
An Individual seller account is ideal for those selling fewer than 40 items a month and do not need extra selling features. The Professional seller account is meant for individuals selling over 40 items a month, and it includes bulk listing tools, various reports, and advertising features.
2. What is the cost of the different seller account types?
The Individual account has no monthly subscription fee, but charges £0.99 for every item sold. The Professional plan, on the other hand, costs £39.99 per month and does not have the per-item fee.
3. Which type of sellers would benefit from an Individual seller account?
An Individual seller account is most beneficial for new sellers, casual sellers, or individuals trying out the market with limited products before switching to a Professional Account.
4. How does a Professional seller account help a seller?
In order to scale the business, the Professional seller plan can utilize advanced tools such as API access, advertising through Amazon, bulk listing, authorization for the ‘buy box’, and the sales reports.
5. Is it possible to switch between Individual and Professional accounts?
Of course, you can switch anytime, as needed. If your starting point is an Individual account, but you wish to sell more items, you are welcome to change to a Professional account. The reverse is also true.
6. Is FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) available for both account types?
Yes, both Individual and Professional sellers can take advantage of the Amazon FBA service that caters to storage, packing, and shipment of products. However, there may be some additional perks for Professional sellers, like lower fulfillment fees.
7. Are Individual sellers permitted to use Amazon PPC ads?
No. The capability to execute Amazon PPC Advertising campaigns is available only to Professional sellers, as they have access to advertising tools designed to boost potential sales of the products.
8. Do each plan incur different referral fees?
Individual and Professional accounts have the same referral fees, which vary by category (usually between 8% to 15% of the selling price).
9. Do Professional plan members always win the Buy Box?
No. Having a Professional account opens the possibilities to win the Buy Box, but does not guarantee it. Pricing, as well as expected shipping time and other performance indicators also play a role in your ability to earn the Buy Box.
10. What are the procedures for creating an Amazon seller account?
Sign up to Amazon Seller Central, then select either Individual or Professional plans. Fill out your business’s details, bank account, and tax information to complete registration.
