How to Use Amazon Seller Central: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
If you’re looking to sell on Amazon, mastering how to use Amazon Seller Central is your first step to building a successful online business. Whether you’re new to the platform or need a quick refresher, this blog will walk you through the key features, tools, and best practices every seller should know.
Let’s break down everything you need to know—from account setup to shipping and performance tracking.
What is Amazon Seller Central?
Amazon Seller Central is the platform where third-party sellers (like you) manage their products, listings, inventory, orders, and reports on Amazon. It’s your backend dashboard and control center.
You can access it via: https://sellercentral.amazon.com
Whether you’re selling via FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) or FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant), Seller Central offers everything you need to operate your business.
👉 Explore the official Amazon Seller Central help docs
Step 1: Set Up Your Seller Central Account
To get started:
- Go to Amazon Seller Registration
- Choose between:
- Individual Plan – No monthly fee but $0.99 per sale
- Professional Plan – $39.99/month with added tools
- Provide:
- Business email
- Legal business name and tax info
- Bank account and ID verification
Once approved, you can log in to Seller Central and begin selling.
Step 2: Navigate the Dashboard
The Seller Central dashboard might seem overwhelming at first, but here’s a breakdown of the main tabs:
- Inventory – Add or manage products
- Orders – See order details and fulfillment status
- Advertising – Run and track Amazon PPC campaigns
- Reports – Access business reports, payments, and performance metrics
- Performance – Review customer feedback, account health, and policy violations
👉 Here’s a visual guide on navigating the Seller Central dashboard
Step 3: Create a Product Listing
If you’re selling a new product or private label item, you’ll need to create a listing:
- Go to Inventory > Add a Product
- Select “I’m adding a product not sold on Amazon”
- Fill out required info:
- Product title
- Description and bullet points
- Keywords (search terms)
- Product images
- Price and quantity
Use keyword research tools like Helium 10 or Jungle Scout to optimize for SEO and visibility.
Step 4: Choose FBA or FBM Fulfillment
You’ll need to decide how you’ll ship your products:
- Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) – Amazon handles storage, shipping, and customer service. You ship your inventory to their warehouse.
- Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) – You store and ship products yourself.
FBA is more hands-off but involves fees. Many sellers find it more scalable and efficient.
👉 Compare FBA vs FBM on Amazon’s official site
Step 5: Manage Orders and Inventory
Under the Orders tab, you’ll:
- View customer orders
- Confirm shipments (FBM)
- Handle returns or customer messages
Use the Inventory tab to:
- Track stock levels
- Create removal orders (for slow-moving or defective products)
- Restock FBA shipments as needed
Amazon provides restock recommendations and performance alerts to keep your store in good shape.
Step 6: Use Reports to Track Your Business
Amazon Seller Central offers detailed insights through the Reports section. Some useful reports include:
- Sales reports – Track revenue over time
- Payments – Know when payouts hit your account
- Customer returns – Understand product issues
- Business reports – Analyze listing performance and traffic
Regularly reviewing these metrics helps you optimize listings, pricing, and PPC campaigns.
✅ Pro Tip: Monitor Account Health
Always check your Account Health Dashboard under the Performance tab. This ensures you’re meeting Amazon’s standards for:
- Order defect rate
- Late shipment rate
- Policy violations
A poor account health rating can lead to suspensions—so monitor this regularly.
🚀 Ready to Start Selling on Amazon the Right Way?
Mastering how to use Amazon Seller Central doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right guidance, you can avoid costly mistakes and scale your store faster.
👋 Want hands-on help setting up or managing your Seller Central account?
Book your free strategy call now
We’ll help you:
- Set up your account correctly
- Optimize your listings
- Create and manage high-performing PPC campaigns
- Scale sustainably
Learning how to use Amazon Seller Central is crucial for any seller serious about growing their business on the world’s largest online marketplace. From setup and listing to fulfillment and reporting, every feature is designed to help you succeed—if you know how to use it.
Don’t wait to figure it out the hard way.
👉 Book your free strategy session today and take the fast lane to eCommerce success.
