What Is an Amazon Business Account and Do You Need One?

What is an Amazon Business account? Some people might get confused with the name because you might also be familiar with Amazon Business Prime. 

If you’re curious about Amazon Business, let’s find out its major differences with Amazon Business Prime and what the program is all about. In this article, we’ll also share how an Amazon Business account works to help decide if it’s right for you.

What Is an Amazon Business Account?

Amazon Business is a free provider, offering business owners access to a myriad of suppliers and buyers. It’s a vast network that allows for simplified ordering processes and discounted bulk supplies. Those with an Amazon Business Prime account can receive new deals and features—for better cash flow management and control of business expenses.

Essentially, Amazon Business allows users to purchase or sell business supplies through Amazon at low costs. You can think of it as a B2B marketplace for businesses to list their products. Some of the features and benefits offer companies automated invoicing, pricing solutions, discounts and invoice payments.

The free account offers an opportunity for users to browse a wide variety of products. Then when users decide to make a purchase, they can buy in bulk at lower costs.

Payment Solution Offers

Authorized account holders and administrators of an Amazon Business account can add individualized or shared payment accounts. The shared payment options include debit, credit and an Amazon corporate credit line. Users of an Amazon Business account can choose any payment authorized by the administrator or verified account user.

When using an Amazon corporate credit line, you get the benefit of expanding your payment options. If you have a single account, you can authorize multiple buyers, download order history reports and pay by purchase order.

The statements are also simplified, so there’s no confusion—and you have no annual fee. Additionally, Amazon Business accounts make ordering seamless for all buyers.

What Are the Benefits of an Amazon Business Account?

As a seller, you could have the opportunity of a tax exemption from the Amazon Tax Exemption Program (ATEP). Amazon will provide you with a tool to see if you qualify for the program.

If you’re eligible, ATEP will allow you to apply for tax-exempt status on some of the purchases you make from Amazon and its affiliates. Additionally, you’ll also have an analytics dashboard. This system will give you an overview of your supply chain process—making it seamless for new businesses. 

Finally, you can get fast, free shipping if you have an Amazon Business Prime membership. Millions of products offer two-day shipping speeds, while others qualify for one-day or same-day deliveries.

However, you have to become an Amazon Business Prime member to take advantage of these fast shipment methods.

What Is Amazon Business Prime?

Amazon Business Prime users pay for a subscription to Amazon. In addition to free shipping, customers also have access to many benefits, including:

• Discounts and member-only offers
• Spending reports
• Guided buying policies for employees
• Preferences on suppliers, products and product category restrictions
• Prime Day

Amazon Business Prime offers various membership plans, but the least expensive option is $69 per year. However, this only accommodates one user. You can add up to three users when you purchase the $179 plan.

How Does Amazon Business Work?

Here is exactly what you can expect once you become a member of the Amazon Business program.

Pricing and Bulk Discounts for Businesses

Once you become a member, you’ll qualify for business discounts on a wide range of products and services. Amazon also provides some bulk discounts on qualifying items.

Seamless Shopping Experience

Amazon Business account users share the same interface as Amazon Business Prime members. So, you get the same shopping experience and an easy checkout process.

One of the advantages of being a member is that you can deal with the same supplier on one interface. Furthermore, your Amazon Business account comes with pricing tools to compare when shopping for supplies. Amazon offers personalized product recommendations—and allows you to compare the best prices, features and suppliers to customize your needs.

Amazon Tax Exemption Program Application

As mentioned above, you may qualify for tax-exempt purchases. The program’s wizard will offer guidance to make enrollment easy and ask you questions about your organization. Then, you respond to the questions and apply within a few minutes. 

Some of the information you’ll need includes:

• State or territory your organization is located
• Your entity type
• Your organization’s address
• Exemption numbers or form if your state or territory issues certificates of exemption

Workflow Approvals

The best part about Amazon is that it supports multiple user accounts, making purchasing streamlined and seamless.

Verified administrative users can also invite other users by adding them to the account. When approving new account users, you can determine who can make purchases and how much they spend. You can also set up requirements for individual or multiple order approvals.

The administrator will receive a notification of an approval request by email. They can either approve or deny the submission for the purchase. 

How Do You Create an Amazon Business Account?

First, you have to register to access the benefits of Amazon Business. To create an account, follow the step by step process:

1. Go to Amazon Business.
2. Select ‘get started,’ which is in the top right corner. 
3. Click ‘create account’ in the tab
4. Then fill in the information required

Amazon will have to request your business’s information for verification purposes. The verification process will take up to 24 hours. Once they verify your information, you can start using your Amazon Business account.

Grow with Amazon Business

Amazon Business provides many opportunities for businesses. You can save money, simplify purchases and shop seamlessly.

Furthermore, you can reach more customers with Amazon Business—increasing your revenue when you sell. If you think you need Amazon Business, go for it. You can get started by creating a new account on Amazon Business today.