Setting up your online business? Kickstart your journey by following our step-by-step process to ensure smooth operations from order to shipping. Discover the simplicity of selling on popular marketplaces like Flipkart, Amazon, Shopify, WooCommerce, and more, or explore the benefits of setting up your own web store. Take the first step towards success in the online business!

The Benefits of Online Selling Sites in India

The eCommerce industry in India has continued to grow at an impressive rate. As of 2021, there were over 700 million internet users in India, and the number of online buyers has reached an estimated 200 million. This number is expected to grow to 300 million by 2025.
In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the growth of eCommerce in India, as more people have turned to online shopping due to lockdown and social distancing measures. This has led to an increase in demand for online marketplaces and delivery services.
Companies like Flipkart and Amazon India continue to dominate the eCommerce market in India, with Flipkart reporting a 12% increase in gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2020. So if you’re looking to start online business in India, now is a great time to do so. With the increasing number of online buyers and the growing popularity of eCommerce, the potential for success is high.

How to start?

Calculate the Expenses Involved in Online Selling Business

Selling online in India involves various costs that can impact your profitability. Here are some of the important costs to consider:

- Shipping Cost: The cost of shipping your product to customers can range from 5% to 15% of the product cost depending on the size and weight of the product. You can find out the shipping fees by visiting your nearest courier or shipping company and making a list of states and shipping fees.

- Packaging Cost: Depending on the type of product you are planning to sell, you will need to consider the packaging cost. This cost typically ranges from 0.5% to 2% of the product cost.

- Payment Gateway Cost: If you plan to set up your store, you will need a payment gateway. These sites typically charge between 1.5% to 5% of the total transaction, and there could be one-time setup fees and recurring annual maintenance fees. Some payment gateway providers may waive these fees, and you can negotiate the transaction fee if you have a higher volume.

- Storage Cost: Depending on the product, you might need to rent a warehouse or some storage space for your online products. Some online business like Amazon let you use their warehouses at a small fee.

- Marketing Cost: You will need to promote your business to attract customers. You can use free ways to promote your business, but at some point, you will need to invest in paid marketing channels. Google Ads is a good platform to start with online ads, and it also offers tools to calculate the costs.

Find out if it’s feasible to sell online

Generate Coupons & Submit Them to Deal Sites

Coupon listing sites like GrabOn and CouponDunia have become popular in India. You can submit your special discount coupons to these sites to attract potential customers. People normally search for coupons before buying a product, so this can be a great way to generate sales.

Remember, your first few sales shouldn’t be about just making profits. They should be about finding your product/market fit and understanding the demand. During the initial days, your focus should be to refine your advertising, shipping, fulfillment, customer service, and shopping experience. By following these tips and staying up-to-date with the latest trends, you can generate your first sale and start growing your online business.

FAQS

What are the most popular websites to sell online in India?
Some popular websites to sell on in India include Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal, and ShopClues.
What are the benefits of setting up my own online store?
Setting up your own online business can give you more control over your brand and customer experience. You can customize your website to reflect your brand’s personality and values, and you can create a unique shopping experience for your customers.
What are the benefits of selling products online in India?
Online business in India can help you reach a large audience, reduce your dependence on physical retail stores, and increase your profit margins. It’s also a convenient way for customers to shop and can help you build a loyal customer base.
How can I market my online store?
You can use various digital marketing techniques to promote your online store, such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, email marketing, and paid advertising. It’s important to identify your target audience and tailor your marketing messages to their needs and preferences.

Also read:

Start Emailing Your Contacts

Creating a pre-launch mailing list has become easier with the help of email marketing tools like Mailchimp. You can even use social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with potential customers and add them to your email list. It’s important to create a simple email highlighting your products and telling the world that you’ve launched a new site. You can even offer a special coupon code to entice them to make a purchase.

Sell To Friends & Family On Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have become popular for selling products. You can share your product photos on these platforms and connect with your friends and family on a personal level. Encourage them to share your products with their network to reach a wider audience.

Buy Social Media Ads

Social media advertising provides a great option to target your product Ad precisely. You can show your Ad to people based on their interests, age, gender, location, and much more. Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn all offer advertising options to help you reach your target audience. It’s important to constantly monitor the results and tweak your campaign accordingly.

Promote on Google

Google’s advertising platform, Google Ads, is one of the most popular advertising networks. You can display your product to people who are searching for it, which increases the chances of a sale. Similar to social media advertising, you will need to constantly monitor the performance and finetune your Ad.

Generate Coupons & Submit Them to Deal Sites

FAQS

What are the most popular websites to sell online in India?
Some popular websites to sell on in India include Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal, and ShopClues.
What are the benefits of setting up my own online store?
Setting up your own online business can give you more control over your brand and customer experience. You can customize your website to reflect your brand’s personality and values, and you can create a unique shopping experience for your customers.
What are the benefits of selling products online in India?
Online business in India can help you reach a large audience, reduce your dependence on physical retail stores, and increase your profit margins. It’s also a convenient way for customers to shop and can help you build a loyal customer base.
How can I market my online store?
You can use various digital marketing techniques to promote your online store, such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, email marketing, and paid advertising. It’s important to identify your target audience and tailor your marketing messages to their needs and preferences.

Also read:

To determine if your online business is viable, you can use a simple formula to calculate your profit margin:
Profit Margin = Selling price – (Sourcing Cost + Packing & Shipping + Transaction Fees + Marketing Cost + Variable Costs)
If your profit margin is positive, you can start selling online. If it’s very low or negative, you should think about minimizing costs.

Create a Digital Product Catalogue

To sell products online, you will need to create a list of products in a spreadsheet. This list should contain Product Code (or SKU), Product Name, Description, Category, Selling Price, Discount (If any), Brand, Color, and other applicable attributes. You should also take 3-4 good-quality photographs of the product from different angles, preferably on a white background.

Set up an end-to-end Process

It’s better to get organized from day one. You can lay out a process describing steps from getting an order to shipping the goods. It could be a simple checklist for doing quality checks, packaging, invoicing, etc. This will also help your staff when you are not around.

Use a good inventory management software

As you will be dealing with inventory every day, it might become painful to manage inward and outward stock movement manually. Start using good inventory management software to track your inventory. Some software even provides an inventory sync option with your shopping cart or marketplace account.

Be discoverable online

Your customers are more likely to search for your business before they make any purchases. So, it’s important to have an online presence in the form of a company website, social media account, or any other channel.

Marketplace or Web Store?

Online Business has become more important than ever before due to the ongoing pandemic. With people staying at home, the demand for online shopping has increased significantly. Let’s take a look at the two options available for selling online:

Option 1: Sell on eCommerce Marketplaces

Selling on eCommerce marketplaces like Flipkart and Amazon is still a popular option for many businesses. The process of selling on these marketplaces is simple and can be completed within a week.
Your options – In addition to Flipkart and Amazon, other popular marketplaces include eBay, Snapdeal, Shopclues, and PayTM.
Process Involved – To get started, visit the seller-registration pages of these sites and submit your business details. You will need to have your VAT registration number, PAN number, bank details, and address proof (in some cases) ready to upload. Verification is typically completed within a couple of days.
Advantages – These marketplaces attract millions of visitors every day, which can help save on marketing costs. They also take care of payment gateway and shipping, and provide packing material.
Disadvantages – These marketplaces charge higher commissions on every sale, which can be as high as 15-20%. You also have little control over how your online product is displayed on their sites.

Option 2: Set up Your Own Web Store

Setting up your own web store is another option for selling online. You can create a website to sell products or use an online store creator.
Popular options – Some popular online store creators include Zepo, KartRocket, Build a Bazaar, MartJack, and Shopify.
Process Involved – To get started, register on one of these sites and upload your product catalog. You can link your payment gateway or use the one provided by these sites.
Advantages – You have complete control over the look and feel of your store. You can also customize the user experience to meet your specific needs.
Disadvantages – You will need to invest in marketing your site to attract customers. It can take time to build trust as customers may hesitate to buy from a new site.
In conclusion, both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Choose the one that best fits your business needs and budget. Regardless of which option you choose, make sure you prioritize customer service and provide a seamless shopping experience.

5 Proven Strategies to Secure Your First Sale!

As the world continues to adapt to the ongoing pandemic, the demand for online shopping has increased significantly. With more people staying at home, e-commerce has become a crucial channel for businesses to generate revenue. Here are five updated ideas for generating your first sale:

Start Emailing Your Contacts

Sell To Friends & Family On Social Media

Buy Social Media Ads

Promote on Google

Generate Coupons & Submit Them to Deal Sites

FAQS

What are the most popular websites to sell online in India?
Some popular websites to sell on in India include Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal, and ShopClues.
What are the benefits of setting up my own online store?
Setting up your own online business can give you more control over your brand and customer experience. You can customize your website to reflect your brand’s personality and values, and you can create a unique shopping experience for your customers.
What are the benefits of selling products online in India?
Online business in India can help you reach a large audience, reduce your dependence on physical retail stores, and increase your profit margins. It’s also a convenient way for customers to shop and can help you build a loyal customer base.
How can I market my online store?
You can use various digital marketing techniques to promote your online store, such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, email marketing, and paid advertising. It’s important to identify your target audience and tailor your marketing messages to their needs and preferences.

Also read: