A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Documented by ThankGod Ntem | June 2026

Introduction

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's leading cloud computing platform, offering over 200 services ranging from computing power and storage to machine learning and databases. Whether you're a developer, student, or business professional, an AWS account gives you access to powerful tools to build, deploy, and scale applications in the cloud.

This guide documents the process of creating a personal AWS account from scratch, including account setup, identity verification, and accessing the AWS Management Console.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following ready:

• A valid email address (that you have access to)
• A phone number capable of receiving SMS or voice calls
• A valid credit or debit card (for identity verification — you will not be charged unless you exceed free tier limits)
• A stable internet connection

Step-by-Step Account Creation

Step 1: Go to the AWS homepage

Visit aws.amazon.com and click the "Create Account" button in the top-right corner of the page.

Step 2: Enter your account information

On the sign-up page, provide the following:

• Your email Address
• A name for your AWS account (e.g. your full name or project name)