How to Create an AWS Business Account (Step-by-Step)

Creating an AWS account for a business is more than just filling out a form. If not done correctly, AWS security filters may flag your account as fraudulent, leading to immediate suspension. As an AWS Partner, at Craftech, we see this often.

This tutorial guides you step by step through creating a professional AWS account, ensuring security from day one and avoiding common pitfalls that lead to account closure.

Step 1: Prepare Company Information

Before starting, gather the following official data to ensure a smooth verification process:

• Legal company name: Exactly as it appears on tax documents.

• Real registered business address: Avoid PO Boxes.

• Active contact phone number: For SMS or voice verification.

• Corporate email address: Use a generic or distribution list (e.g., infra@company.com) instead of a personal one.

• Valid payment method: A credit or debit card, preferably issued in the company’s name.

Step 2: Start the Registration Process

Go to the AWS Free Tier page (https://aws.amazon.com/free/) and click on the “Create a Free Account” button.

Step 3: Complete Account Details

Use your corporate email address.
⚠️ Security Note: Avoid personal employee emails. Root access must not be tied to individuals who may leave the company. This is a critical security and governance best practice.

Step 4: Select Account Type (Business vs. Personal)

⚠️ Important: Always choose “Business account”. This tells AWS you are a legal entity. Enter the full legal company name exactly as it appears in official records.

Step 5: Address and Phone Verification

Provide your valid registered business address and an active phone number. AWS will call or text you immediately to verify your identity. Ensure someone is available to receive this code.

Step 6: Payment Method & Identity Verification

AWS will perform a temporary charge of approximately USD 1 to verify the card.

• Pro Tip: Avoid virtual or prepaid cards, as these are frequently flagged by AWS fraud detection systems. The card should be in the company’s name or that of an authorized representative.

Step 7: Select a Support Plan

For a new setup, you can start with the Basic Support Plan (free). You can always upgrade to Business Support later as your production workloads grow.

Step 8: Wait for Account Activation

Once you receive the “Welcome to AWS!” email, your account is active. If AWS asks for additional documentation (Tax ID, utility bills, etc.), provide them promptly to avoid suspension.

🔐 Critical Security: Root User and IAM Administrator

Setting up the account is only the first step. Now you must secure it. At Craftech, we follow the AWS Well-Architected Framework to ensure maximum security.

✅ Part 1: Root User Security Best Practices

The root user is the “master key” of your cloud infrastructure. It should never be used for daily tasks.

• Enable MFA: Mandatory. Use apps like Authy, Google Authenticator, or a physical YubiKey.

• Secure Credentials: Store the root password in a corporate password manager (1Password, Bitwarden).

• Limit Usage: Only use the root user for billing changes, creating the first IAM user, or account recovery.

• Audit Access: Monitor logs to ensure no unauthorized root logins appear in AWS CloudTrail.

✅ Part 2: Create an IAM User with Administrative Permissions

This user will replace root access for your daily operations.

1. Sign in as Root: Log in to the AWS Management Console.

2. Open IAM: Search for the Identity and Access Management service.

3. Create a New User: Navigate to Users > Add users. Use a name like admin-craftech or your representative name.

4. Assign Permissions: Under “Set permissions”, select “Attach existing policies directly” and check the box for AdministratorAccess.

5. Finish Setup: Save the IAM login URL (e.g., https://your-company.signin.aws.amazon.com/console) and store the credentials securely.

6. Enable MFA: Immediately configure MFA for this new IAM user.

🚫 Final Recommendations to Avoid Suspension

• IP Consistency: Do not create multiple accounts in a short period using the same IP address or credit card.

• Data Integrity: Do not use fake, placeholder, or generic data.

• Contact Support: If your account is suspended, do not attempt to create a new one. Contact official AWS Support instead; creating a duplicate account will likely result in a permanent ban.

Want to make sure your AWS account is properly set up?

At Craftech, we help companies create, audit, and prepare AWS environments following best practices for security, governance, and cost optimization.

👉 Contact us for a technical review or initial AWS onboarding support.