A Thorough Overview of Amazon Business

Amazon Business offers lucrative opportunities for both buyers and sellers.Being the corporate division of the biggest online retailer in the world, it offers special features designed for business purchases. Being the corporate division of the biggest online retailer in the world, it offers special features designed for business purchases.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll take a closer look at everything Amazon Business has to offer and how you can make the most of it. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of:

• What sets Amazon Business apart from the consumer site?
• How to set up buying and selling accounts
• Features exclusive to Business Prime members
• Tips for finding and closing deals as a buyer
• Strategies for attracting corporate customers as a seller
• Common questions answered in our FAQ section

So whether you’re looking to start procurement through Amazon Business or expand your B2B sales there, keep reading for everything you need to know!

Amazon Business vs the Consumer Site

While Amazon.com is best known for serving everyday shoppers, the company also caters specifically to businesses through Amazon Business (AmazonBusiness.com). This sister site shares Amazon’s massive selection and shipping capabilities but with professional customers in mind.

Some key differences that set Amazon Business apart include:

• Multi-user accounts that allow purchasing roles and approval workflows for multiple team members
• Purchase orders that let businesses make purchases with existing accounts payable methods
• Bulk ordering capabilities for large quantities of eligible items
• Contract and special pricing negotiated specifically for large business buyers
• Seller credentials that showcase diversity certifications for minority-, women-, and veteran-owned suppliers
• Tax exemption eligibility for purchases by businesses that qualify
• Analytics and reporting tools to track spending habits and KPIs over time

Additionally, Amazon Business members enjoy consolidated shipping on qualifying multi-unit orders through Amazon Business Delivery, where entire palletized loads are delivered right to a loading dock.

These features differentiate the Business experience from individual consumer accounts and better support the unique processes common to commercial and institutional purchasing organisations.

Setting Up Buyer and Seller Accounts

Gaining access to Amazon Business’s business-specific benefits is easy once you have the right account types in place. Let’s walk through getting set up on both the buyer and seller sides.

Creating a Buyer Account

To start making authorised purchases for your company on Amazon Business, simply visit AmazonBusiness.com and click “Register” in the top right corner. The registration process is similar to creating a personal Amazon account.

You’ll need some basic business information, like your company name, address, phone number, and tax ID. Amazon may also ask to verify your organisation through methods like a phone call.

Once approved, you can designate individual team members as “purchasers” with buying permissions or set up more advanced approval workflows. This allows centralised control and visibility over all spending through the Business account.

Setting Up as a Seller

If your company sells products and wants to reach Amazon Business customers, set up a professional seller’s account through Amazon Seller Central. You’ll provide your business details and tax information during registration.

To activate your Amazon Business seller profile, navigate to “Account Settings” and enable the Business selling option. From there, you can build out your company profile, showcasing credentials like certifications, ownership diversity, product quality standards, and more.

Once configured, your inventory will automatically be visible and searchable to the millions of business buyers on Amazon Business looking for relevant products and services.

Amazon Business Prime: Additional Perks

Like the standard Amazon Prime membership for consumers, Amazon Business Prime exists for professional customers seeking extra benefits. Eligible purchasers can sign up for annual Business Prime memberships starting at $499 per year.

Prime access on the business side unlocks advantages like:

• Unlimited fast shipping: Enjoy free one-day, two-day, or no-rush shipping on eligible items regardless of order size. No minimum purchase thresholds apply.
• Invoicing: Make purchases through Net 30 and Net 60 payment terms with consolidated monthly invoicing.
• Large order discounts: Additional savings may apply for bulk orders over normal shipping minimums.
• Business analytics: Prime members gain enhanced tools to analyse procurement patterns over time.
• Spend management: tight expense tracking helps stay within budgets through pre-set spending limits.
• Supplier savings programmes: partner retailers offer extra value through coupon codes and special Member Offers.

For many companies, the convenience and logistic benefits of Business Prime far outweigh the annual subscription cost. It streamlines the procurement process from initial order through final payment.

Tips for Buyers: Getting the Best Deals

With so many products and sellers to choose from, it’s important buyers know how to find the top bargains on Amazon Business. Here are some strategies successful procurement teams leverage:

• Set up Saved Searches tailored to your regular needs. This allows effortless revisiting of relevant results.
• Closely monitor Lightning Deals , which offer steep temporary discounts similar to Amazon consumer Deals of the Day promotions.
• Take advantage of exclusive Business Prime Member Offers from partners like Staples and Office Depot, which deliver additional savings.
• Negotiate with individual sellers for contract and volume pricing on large repeated orders of the same items.
• Consider storage and fulfilment services like FBA that consolidate shipping for multi-supplier orders.
• Investigate Amazon Business Supply, a dedicated B2B marketplace where brands sell directly to commercial buyers.
• Leverage the Business Shopping App to easily make purchases on the go or while away from your desk.

Staying on top of deals, setting up automations, and exploring all Amazon Business has to offer means getting the most out of every procurement dollar.

Tips for Sellers to Attract Business Customers

On the seller side, standing out among thousands of competitors requires optimisation. Here are some proven tactics Amazon Business power-sellers use to capture corporate accounts:

• Build out a complete company profile showcasing credentials, ownership, product quality certifications, and service standards.
• List relevant tax, shipping, and bulk order policies clearly. This conveys your preparedness to handle large B2B customers.
• Submit complete, high-quality A+ Content that helps convey your product’s value for specific industries or use cases.
• Establish yourself as an Authorized Distributor or Reseller for major brands to expand your catalogue’s appeal.
• Apply for the Amazon Vetted Listing programme that highlights your company for the diversity and responsibility factors some purchasers prioritise.
• Utilise services like Amazon Business Delivery or Amazon Prime to provide swift, consolidated shipping that saves procurement teams money and time.
• Leverage sponsored ads and product feeds on key industry marketplaces to boost discovery and purchases.

A strong Amazon Business presence exposes sellers to many new potential mid-market and enterprise clients that supplement direct and distribution sales channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that we’ve covered the fundamentals, here are answers to some of the most common questions about using Amazon Business:

Do I need a business licence or verification to start?

To register as an Amazon Business buyer, the main requirements are a business name, address, phone number, and tax ID. Amazon may contact you to verify as well. For sellers, standard business registration and tax records are sufficient.

What payment methods can businesses use?

Amazon Business supports electronic funds transfers, purchase orders, monthly invoicing through Net 30 and Net 60 terms, and major credit cards. Many companies opt for centralised payment through an Amazon Business Prime corporate credit card.

Can international businesses participate too?

Yes, both domestic and international companies can establish buying and selling accounts on Amazon Business worldwide. All features outlined here apply globally wherever Amazon Business currently operates, which includes markets like the US, UK, Germany, Canada, and more.

Do bulk order discounts and contracts apply to all items?

No, negotiated special pricing is usually limited to select product categories like facility supplies, safety equipment, electronics, or medical devices. Amazon also offers dynamic discounted bulk rates on many common items from major brands.

Can I link my existing consumer Amazon account?

It’s best to use separate business and personal Amazon accounts for tax and spending separation purposes. However, you can easily establish a business account using the same login credentials as a personal one, if preferred.

Is there a minimum order size for consolidated shipping benefits?

Amazon Business Delivery typically requires orders of at least $1500 and minimum pallet or case quantities for certain products. Although Prime membership unlocks free shipping perks regardless of order size on qualifying single-fulfilled item purchases too,.

How do I negotiate contract or volume pricing directly with a seller?

Reach out to sellers through their “Contact Us” pages or by contacting Amazon Business support teams to discuss purchase histories, annual spending commitments, product exclusivity, or other factors that may apply volume discounts not shown on listings. It helps build long-term relationships with key suppliers.

Key Takeaways

To wrap up our comprehensive guide on optimising Amazon business for both buyers and sellers:

• Unique features like multi-user accounts, purchase orders, bulk ordering, and reporting tools help businesses streamline procurement through the Business portal.
• Setting up separate Amazon Business buying and selling accounts unlocks access to powerful sales and savings opportunities on both sides.
• Upgrading to Amazon Business Prime conveys additional advantages like free consolidated shipping and Net 30 payment terms.
• Resourceful buyers find deals through strategies like saved searches, lightning deals, and negotiating volume contracts directly with suppliers.
• Well-rounded seller profiles demonstrating capabilities, credentials, logistics support, and A+ content attract lucrative commercial clients.
• Answers to common questions addressed taxonomy, payment options, eligibility requirements, and optimising purchases at scale.

Staying plugged into Amazon Business through the tactics discussed means businesses can save on purchasing costs while suppliers gain valuable new clients. It’s a win-win for all involved when using the platform to its full potential.