How to Create a Child Account on Amazon Seller Central

Creating a child account on Amazon Seller Central is a crucial task for businesses that want to manage multiple users with varying levels of access to their Amazon seller account. Whether you’re managing a large team or simply want to delegate certain tasks to others, setting up child accounts can help you streamline operations and protect sensitive information. In this article, we will guide you step-by-step through the process of creating a child account on Amazon Seller Central, explaining the necessary permissions and considerations along the way.

Step 1: Understand the Hierarchy

Before diving into the actual creation process, it’s important to understand how Amazon Seller Central organizes user accounts. The main account, often referred to as the "primary account," has full control over the seller account, including the ability to create and manage child accounts. Child accounts are sub-accounts with specific permissions assigned by the primary account holder. This hierarchical structure allows businesses to allocate different tasks to different users without compromising security.

Step 2: Access the User Permissions Section

To begin the process, log in to your Amazon Seller Central account. Navigate to the "Settings" menu, which is located in the top-right corner of the dashboard. From the dropdown menu, select "User Permissions." This section allows the primary account holder to view, modify, and add new user accounts.

Step 3: Invite a New User

In the User Permissions section, you will find an option to "Add a New User." Click on this button to start the process of creating a child account. You will be prompted to enter the email address of the person you wish to invite. Once the email is entered, click "Send Invitation." The invited user will receive an email with a link to create their Amazon account if they don’t have one, or to link their existing account to your seller account.

Step 4: Assign Permissions

Once the user accepts the invitation, they will appear in your User Permissions list. The next step is to assign appropriate permissions to this child account. Amazon offers a wide range of permission options, allowing you to tailor access according to the user's role. Permissions include access to inventory management, order processing, advertising, reports, and more. Simply check or uncheck the boxes next to each permission to customize the user's access. It's advisable to review these permissions carefully to ensure that the user only has access to the areas they need for their work.

Step 5: Monitor and Adjust Permissions

After setting up the child account, it’s crucial to periodically review the permissions you’ve granted. As your business evolves, so might the roles and responsibilities of your team members. Regularly auditing and adjusting permissions helps maintain security and ensures that your team operates efficiently. Amazon Seller Central allows the primary account holder to modify or revoke permissions at any time, so you can easily adapt to changing needs.

Step 6: Educate Your Team

Once the child account is created and permissions are assigned, it’s important to educate the user on their new responsibilities within Amazon Seller Central. Provide training on how to use the platform effectively, and ensure they understand the limits of their permissions. This step is essential to prevent mistakes that could affect your seller account’s performance or compliance with Amazon’s policies.

Key Considerations

When creating child accounts, it’s vital to consider the following:

1. Security: Limit access to sensitive areas such as financial information and account settings to trusted team members only.
2. Accountability: Assign permissions based on the user's role to ensure accountability and prevent unauthorized actions.
3. Compliance: Make sure the actions of child account users comply with Amazon’s policies to avoid penalties or account suspension.
4. Scalability: As your business grows, you may need to create additional child accounts. Plan your user structure to accommodate future needs.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Sometimes, you might encounter issues during the setup process. Here are a few common problems and their solutions:

• Invitation Not Received: If the invited user doesn’t receive the email, double-check the email address for typos and ensure it wasn’t caught in a spam filter.
• Permission Denied Errors: If the child account user experiences permission errors, revisit the User Permissions section and verify that the correct permissions are granted.
• Link Expired: The invitation link sent to the new user is time-sensitive. If it expires, you will need to resend the invitation.

Conclusion

Creating a child account on Amazon Seller Central is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your team’s productivity and help you maintain control over your business operations. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set up and manage child accounts, ensuring that your team members have the right access to perform their tasks effectively. Regularly reviewing and adjusting permissions is key to maintaining a secure and efficient workflow on Amazon Seller Central.