The Complete Guide to Amazon - Everything You Need to Know from A to Z

Introducing Amazon A to Z

Amazon A to Z is the ultimate guide to everything Amazon. From shopping tips to delivery information, this in-depth look at the ecommerce giant covers all the basics you need to know to get the most out of your Amazon experience.

The History of Amazon

Amazon started as a humble online bookstore back in 1994. Founder Jeff Bezos had a vision of creating an "everything store" that would use the power of the internet to connect buyers with sellers all over the world. This disruptive idea quickly took off.

In just a few short years, Amazon expanded beyond books to offer clothes, electronics, toys, and more. The company went public in 1997 and became one of the first major ecommerce success stories of the dot-com era.

Over the past two decades, Amazon has continued to grow at a breathtaking pace. They moved from selling their own inventory to opening up the Amazon Marketplace to third-party sellers. This enabled a vastly wider selection of products. Today, Amazon sells just about everything you can imagine and ships to customers all over the globe.

Navigating the Amazon Website

With its massive selection and constant updates, navigating the Amazon site can feel overwhelming for first-time shoppers. Here’s a quick guide to the main sections:

• Shop By Department: Looking for something specific? Use this to browse common categories like books, electronics, home & kitchen, toys & games, etc.
• Amazon Prime: Check here for special deals and perks for Prime members.
• Today's Deals: Find today's limited time discounts and promotions.
• Amazon Live: Watch live product demonstrations from Amazon influencers.
• Gift Cards: Shop gift cards for any occasion.
• Sell on Amazon: Learn how to become a third-party Amazon seller.
• Amazon Prime Video: Access movies, TV shows, and original programming included with Prime.

Take some time to poke around the homepage and top navigation bar. Knowing what’s located where will help you easily find what you need on Amazon.

Creating an Amazon Account

To make purchases on Amazon, you’ll need an account. Creating one is free and easy.

Go to amazon.com and click on “Sign in” in the top right corner. On the next page click “Create your Amazon account.” You’ll be prompted to enter your name, email, password, and phone number.

Once your account is set up, you can start shopping. But before you do, here are some additional things you may want to configure:

• Update your shipping address and billing info under “Your Account.”
• Add payment methods for faster checkout.
• Set up 1-Click ordering so you can buy with just one click.
• Explore Prime membership benefits like free 2-day shipping.

With your account created, you’re ready to start enjoying the convenience of Amazon shopping!

Browsing & Searching for Products

Amazon makes it easy to browse featured products or search for exactly what you want.

The homepage showcases popular and gift items, while the Departments menu lets you directly access product categories. To explore specific subcategories, select “See All” to view the full menu. For example, under “Books” you can browse literature & fiction, children’s books, textbooks, and more.

If you know what you’re looking for, you can use Amazon’s powerful on-site search bar. For best results, try natural language phrases like “gifts for mom” or “large flat screen TV.” This returns more relevant results than just entering generic keywords.

On the search results page, you can filter by price, rating, shipping options, and more. Click product names and images to view full details and purchase options.

Comparing Products

One of the great things about Amazon is the wealth of product information available. Each item page typically contains an image gallery, full descriptions and specs, customer reviews, FAQs, and more.

Use these details to thoroughly compare products. Some key things to look for include:

• Price: Check for the best deal across different sellers.
• Reviews: Read feedback from other customers who've used it.
• Specifications: Verify the product has the features you need.
• Warranties: Review coverage from the manufacturer.
• Return policies: Understand options if you need to send an item back.

Taking the time to research options will ensure you select the ideal item at the right price.

Purchasing Items

Once you’re ready to buy, placing your order on Amazon is simple. Here’s how it works:

1. Click “Add to Cart” on the product page.
2. When finished browsing, click the cart icon to view your cart.
3. Verify items, quantities, shipping, and total cost.
4. Select “Proceed to checkout” to enter shipping info and payment.
5. Choose shipping method and confirm order details.
6. Enter payment method and submit order.

For even faster ordering, you can use 1-Click checkout. This stores your payment and shipping info so you can buy in just one click.

After your purchase, you’ll receive an order confirmation with details about shipping and delivery. You can check the status of all your orders under “Your Orders” in Your Account.

Amazon Prime Membership

For frequent Amazon shoppers, a Prime membership offers some fantastic benefits. The most popular perk is free 2-day shipping on over 100 million items. Prime also includes perks like:

• Prime Video - watch movies, TV, and Amazon Originals
• Prime Music - access curated playlists and podcasts
• Prime Reading - download books, magazines, and more
• Prime Photos - get free photo storage
• Prime Gaming - enjoy free games and in-game loot

An Amazon Prime subscription costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month. New members get a 30-day free trial. If you frequently buy from Amazon, the fast free shipping and entertainment benefits make Prime a worthwhile investment.

Managing Your Amazon Account

Your Amazon account dashboard is where you can view past orders, manage settings, and access other account features. To access it, hover over “Hello, [your name]” in the top right and select “Your Account.”

Key account sections include:

• Your Orders - Track status and history of all purchases.
• Login & Security - Change password, enable 2-factor authentication.
• Prime Membership - Activate a free trial or manage membership.
• Your Payments - Manage payment methods, view balances.
• Your Addresses - Update shipping and billing info.
• Your Content - Access Prime Video, Photos, Kindle, and more.

Periodically checking your account dashboard allows you to monitor recent orders, update info, and take advantage of Amazon membership benefits.

Advanced Amazon Tips & Tricks

Now that you’re familiar with the Amazon basics, here are some insider tips to save time and money on your next order:

Find Coupons and Deals

Check “Today’s Deals” and “Coupons” pages for discounts up to 80% offselect items. You can also use the Honey browser extension toautomatically find and apply coupon codes at checkout.

Filter Search Results

Use the options on the left side of search results to filter by price, rating, delivery time, and more. This makes it easy to hone in on products that meet your needs.

Comparison Cart

Use the Comparison Cart feature to evaluate multiple product side-by-side. Just click “Compare with similar items” on an item page.

Amazon Outlet

Check out the Amazon Outlet for deals on overstock items and customer returns. Savings can be up to 70% off regular prices.

Subscribe & Save

For items you buy often, Subscribe & Save offers automatic scheduled deliveries with up to 15% off. Items include household essentials, beauty products, and pet supplies.

Amazon Assistant Browser Extension

This free tool provides easy access to Amazon services while you browse the web. You can check prices, compare items, create wish lists, and more.

Amazon Warehouse

Shop discounted used, open-box, or damaged item listings through Amazon Warehouse. Products are rigorously inspected and backed by Amazon’s return policy.

Delivery, Returns, and Customer Service

Understanding how Amazon handles shipping, returns, and service issues will give you confidence in every transaction.

Shipping Policies

For qualifying items, Amazon offers fast free shipping options including:

• Prime Free 2-Day Shipping
• Free Shipping for Orders Over $25
• Prime Free Same-Day Delivery
• Prime Free Release-Date Delivery

See estimated delivery dates on each product page. Once shipped, you can track packages via Your Orders.

Return Policies

One of the best parts of shopping on Amazon is hassle-free returns. Items shipped and sold by Amazon.com are eligible for free returns within 30 days of receipt. Simply print a prepaid return label and drop off the package at a carrier location.

Customer Service

Amazon provides multiple ways to get assistance with orders and account issues:

• Help pages – Find answers to common questions
• Contact us – Email, chat, or call support
• Track packages – Check delivery status
• Returns & refunds – Print labels and check status

Amazon aims to deliver exceptional customer service and shopping experiences. Don’t hesitate to use their help resources or reach out with any issues.

Start Shopping Amazon Today

With its vast selection, competitive pricing, and convenient shipping, it’s no wonder Amazon has become the world’s leading online retailer. The tips in this guide will help you get the most out of Amazon and enhance every shopping trip.

Take some time to explore all that Amazon has to offer. Finding your next great read, the perfect gift, or a handy gadget is just a few clicks away thanks to the power of Amazon. Enjoy the convenience of shopping from home and get ready for your packages to arrive in record time.

Happy shopping on Amazon! Discover why millions of customers around the globe rely on Amazon A to Z to fulfill their shopping needs.

FAQs

How do I sign up for an Amazon account?

Go to amazon.com and click on “Sign in” in the top right corner. On the next page click “Create your Amazon account.” You’ll be prompted to enter your name, email, password, and phone number to set up your account.

What are the benefits of an Amazon Prime membership?

Amazon Prime includes free 2-day shipping on eligible items, Prime Video streaming, Prime Music, Prime Reading ebooks, Prime Gaming, and more. It costs $139/year or $14.99/month after a 30-day free trial.

How can I get the best deals on Amazon?

Check Today's Deals, Coupons page, Outlet, Warehouse Deals for discounts. Use Honey to find coupon codes. Look for Subscribe & Save items and Amazon Assistant can help find best pricing.

What is Amazon's return policy?

Items shipped and sold by Amazon.com can be returned for free within 30 days of receipt. Print a prepaid return label and drop off at a carrier location for a hassle-free return.

How do I contact Amazon customer service?

You can find answers on Amazon's Help pages, use the Contact Us form, or call, email or chat live with a support representative to get assistance with orders and account issues.