# Create an AWS Account for Demos

> In order to run the examples presented in IT Wonder Lab you will need accounts in different cloud providers.

- Source: https://www.itwonderlab.com/create-an-aws-account-for-demos/
- Published: 2018-02-09
- Updated: 2026-10-05
- Author: Javier Ruiz Jiménez (https://www.javierruizjimenez.com/)
- Site: IT Wonder Lab (https://www.itwonderlab.com/)

---

To run the examples presented in IT Wonder Lab you need accounts in different cloud providers.

**Most providers offer a free tier or some demo credits to test their services. Be aware that running the examples might cost you money**.

Visit [aws.amazon.com/free](https://aws.amazon.com/free/) to understand what AWS includes in its free offer. The conditions change over time (for example, with credits for new accounts), so read the current terms.

> [!NOTE]
> The screenshots of this tutorial show the sign-up process at the time of writing. The screens and the order of the steps change, but the information requested is the same.

### Create an E-mail Account for Signup

Create a new email account or an alias that will be used to sign up for AWS. For demos, I like to use a group e-mail address so I can delegate access and I can show the group mailbox instead of a personal email account.

### Signup for an AWS account

Visit [AWS Console – Signup](https://portal.aws.amazon.com/billing/signup)

Provide the e-mail account created earlier, a complex password, and a name for the AWS Account. Press Continue.

![aws billing signup](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/AWS/Account/aws_billing_signup_1.png)

Select the Account type, choosing between Professional or Personal. Fill your name, phone number, country, and full address. Read the AWS Customer Agreement, Press Create Account, and Continue.

![aws billing signup](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/AWS/Account/aws_billing_signup_2.png)

Fill your credit card number, expiration date, and cardholder’s name. Press Secure Submit.

AWS makes a small charge to verify the credit card. The payment information will be used in case the usage exceeds the AWS Free Tier Limits.

![aws billing signup](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/AWS/Account/aws_billing_signup_3.png)

Review the Phone Verification information and fill in the Security Check captcha. AWS will show a number on the browser screen and will ask for that number using a phone automated system. Press Call Me Now.

![aws billing signup](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/AWS/Account/aws_billing_signup_4.png)

AWS will call the provided phone number and will ask for the number shown on the screen. Key in the number shown on your screen.

![aws billing signup 4 ver2](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/AWS/Account/aws_billing_signup_4_ver2.png)

Select the Support Plan, the Basic Plan is free and is included in all accounts. Press Free.

![aws billing signup](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/AWS/Account/aws_billing_signup_5.png)

Everything is ready, and AWS shows a Welcome Screen. Press Sign in to the Console.

![aws billing signup](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/AWS/Account/aws_billing_signup_6.png)

### Sign in to the AWS Management Console

Sign in to the [AWS Management Console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/?nc2=h_m_mc) using the email address of your new AWS account.

Fill in the e-mail address and press Next.

![aws account login](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/AWS/IAM/aws_account_login_1.png)

Fill in the password and press Sign in.

![aws account login](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/AWS/IAM/aws_account_login_2.png)

### Get the Account ID

Expand the menu with the name of the Account, in our example “DEMO IT WONDER LAB” and select My Account.

![Account - aws_billing_account.png](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/AWS/Account/aws_billing_account.png)

The Billing Management Console shows the **Account ID** along with the Account Name. You will need the Account Id for programmatic access.

![Account - aws_billing_account_number.png](https://www.itwonderlab.com/media/AWS/Account/aws_billing_account_number.png)

**Keep the Account ID safe** and make sure that you do not upload it, or any access key, to a public repository. An access key ID and secret access key can be used to buy services from AWS that will be charged to your account.

### Secure the new account

- **Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)** for the root user, and do not use the root user for daily work.
- Create an [IAM](https://www.itwonderlab.com/aws-iam/) user (or use IAM Identity Center) with only the permissions that you need, as shown in the next tutorial.
- Create a **budget with alerts** in the Billing console, so that you are notified before a forgotten resource becomes an expensive surprise.

### Next steps

Create an IAM user for the demos, [Create an AWS IAM User for Demos](https://www.itwonderlab.com/create-an-aws-iam-user-for-demos/), and use it with Terraform and OpenTofu to create AWS infrastructure, like:

-   [AWS with Terraform: The Essential Guide](https://www.itwonderlab.com/aws-terraform-tutorial-terraform-basics/)

-   [Terraform AWS EKS Cluster Deployment & Application Publishing through ALB](https://www.itwonderlab.com/terraform-eks/)
-   [Terraform AWS ECS Fargate Cluster Deployment & Docker Container Publishing](https://www.itwonderlab.com/containers-aws-ecs-terraform-fargate/)
-   [How to Create AWS IAM users with Terraform & OpenTofu](https://www.itwonderlab.com/terraform-aws-iam-users/)

Explore other [AWS Tutorials](https://www.itwonderlab.com/tutorials/aws/).