How to create an AWS free-tier account

Creating an AWS account isn't all that difficult.  This should be your 2nd step in your AWS journey.  The first being a clear familiarization of the various AWS services and their functions.  If you are not at all familiar with any of them, I would suggest you check out my previous posts which briefly discusses the various core services available in AWS then come back here to create your AWS account.

When creating an AWS account you will need the following:

1. A registered email address.  
2. A credit card

note: don't worry about fees.  creating the free tier account is totally free.  and there is a list of services that you will have free access to within their respective usage parameters.  Just be aware of these parameters as you can be charged if you go over the usage limit for the free tier account.  

Now that you have the requirements available, lets begin creating your account.  

1. First click this: AWS Free Tier and then click on the "Create a Free Account" button
2. Fill up the form with the required information and then hit "Continue"
   
3. You will then be asked to choose an account type.  The choices are Professional and Personal.  There is actually no difference in terms of functionality and access between these two types so you can choose any.  Enter the rest of the required information, put a check mark on the AWS Customer Agreement acceptance confirmation and then click the "Create Account and Continue" button. 
   
4. Enter your Payment information on the form, then click "Secure Submit"
   
5. Complete the phone verification task by confirming your phone number, entering the security check code and clicking the "Call Me Now" button
   
6. Amazon will call you and will display a 4 digit pin on your computer screen.  Using the touchpad on your phone, enter the pin to verify.  
7. Once the pin has been verified you will see a verification successful window pop up on your computer screen.  Click "Continue"
   
8. You will then be prompted to choose your support plan.  Choose "Basic Plan" by clicking the "Free" button.
   
9. Your account is now created.  Fill in the rest of the other info to personalize your experience as shown on the screen and then hit "Submit"
   
10. By now you would have received about 5 emails from AWS including the confirmation of account creation.  You can then sign in to the AWS Console to start playing around and testing the available services.     

Together with the account creation, AWS creates your own default VPC in all available regions so that you can quickly and easily test the various services available.

Take note that this account that you have just created is your "MASTER or ROOT ACCOUNT". It is best practice not to use this account to launch services in your AWS environment.  It is advised that you create an admin account and use it for that purpose.  I will show you in another post how to create accounts in AWS.  Stay tuned.