You have already seen my last article on e-Commerce growth in India & if you think it is the right time to start an eCommerce business, then you are absolutely right & the first step to enter into this is by creating an e-Commerce website.
Now let's look at briefly how you can start an ecommerce website. I must tell you that no one can guide you to start an e-commerce site in just 200 words.
I am just giving you an idea, but for more suggestions, you need to consult an expert.
Table of Contents
How to Start an Ecommerce Website
To start an ecommerce site, you require the following four things.
- A product catalog
- e-Commerce Cart or Platform
- Payment Gateways
- Shipping Services
First is the product catalog; you can choose a catalog depending on the user interface you like most. There are many software platforms that you need to take notice of.
Now you need to step up a platform and payment gateways. Some of them are-
1. Shopify
Shopify is the top choice for ecommerce in India, offering a user-friendly experience for merchants and a wide range of integrations. Additionally, the platform is optimized for mobile users, allowing customers to purchase easily from their smartphones. The exclusive payment gateway option for Indian retailers on Shopify is DirectPay.
2. Zepo
Zepo is also a great platform that offers a free payment gateway. It has got Bluedart support for shipping and an excellent support system.
3. Magento
Magento is an open-source platform used by most Indian retailers. The platform also supports the multiple payment gateway option. It also integrates with many other software services.
So these are some of the platforms that you can use.
After getting a platform and payment gateways you now need to take care of the shipping needs of the customers.
Shipping products always remains a challenge because there is no good option available for Indian retailers. There are certain shipment companies like FedEx, UPS, DTDC, First Flight, Aramex, Gati, BlueDart, etc.
You can also go for the COD or cash-on-delivery model if you want to give your customer the facility of paying only after receiving the shipment. People feel safe in COD, so you may get more sales through this mode of payment.
So this was a brief section on starting up an ecommerce site in India. But I want to repeat it again you cannot write everything about starting an ecommerce site in one paragraph.
Therefore you need to consult experts in the industry.
Top 10 Hottest Selling Products
So let us look at some of the products you can sell as a retailer in India.
Before I tell you about the products you can sell, you need to know about certain commodities that are being sold online.
Here we have a distribution of commodities percentage-wise according to their market share.
- Apparel and Accessories: 30%
- Electronics: 34%
- Books: 15%
- Beauty and Personal: 10%
- Home and Furnishing: 6%
- Healthcare: 3%
- Baby Products: 2%
Now let us look at some of the products you can sell.
1. Audio and Video Entertainment Goods
Electronic products like gadgets, CDS, etc., are the best thing to sell online.
2. Travel Tickets
Travel tickets like airline and hotel tickets are also best to sell. You can also sell railway tickets and bus tickets.
3. Matrimony
Matrimony sites are also very popular in India.
4. Gift and Accessories
Gifts and other accessories like jewelry, handbags, shoes, perfumes, etc., are quite popular among the young population.
5. Clothing and Apparel
Clothing and apparel are offered by almost every ecommerce site in India. However, you can target certain niches.
6. Real Estate Services
Real estate services where you can buy and sell properties. Ninety-nine acre is an example.
7. Pets
Pets-related products. The market is still very small, but it is growing rapidly.
8. Automobile Services
Various automobile-related services like carwale, cardekho, etc, are some examples
9. Bay Products
You can also sell products for toddlers.
10. Home Appliances
Finally, home appliances like kitchen items, fridges, ovens, etc.
So these are some hot products you can sell online on your website.
Few Tips for Starting an ECommerce Store
Let us see some tips. I will try to keep it short.
1. Always sell products with quality & do not sell substandard products.
2. You need to do marketing to promote your ecommerce site because competition is very tough.
3. Your ecommerce site must have an easy-to-use UI.
4. Choose your payment gateway carefully because the trust of your customer is very important.
5. Try to sell a few targeted products. It means selling fewer products with quality rather than selling every other product.
6. Do not compromise on technology. Use the best professional to build your site.
7. The Best way to succeed is to sell products in a particular niche. Avoid selling all kinds of products because then people would prefer established sites like eBay or Amazon.
8. Take care of shipments because that is going to be a huge challenge.
9. Do not expect results overnight, and be prepared for the long haul.
10. Finally trust of your customers is everything. They must feel safe to transact money on your site.
So this was an article telling you to start an ecommerce site in India.
FAQ
What is an ecommerce store?
An ecommerce store is an online retail business that allows customers to purchase goods or services through the internet. It typically involves a website or mobile app where customers can browse products, add them to their virtual shopping cart, and complete the checkout process with payment information.
How much does it cost to start an ecommerce website?
The cost of starting an ecommerce site depends on various factors, including the type of website you want to create, the features you need, and any additional services you may require. Generally speaking, the cost can range from a few hundred dollars for a basic website to several thousand dollars for a more complex site. Additionally, ongoing costs are associated with maintaining an ecommerce site, such as hosting fees and transaction fees.
Can I start an e-commerce store with no money?
Yes, it is possible to start an ecommerce business with no money. You can take advantage of free online tools to create a website, list your products and manage orders. Additionally, you can use free marketing strategies such as social media and email campaigns to promote your business.
Is E-commerce profitable?
Yes, e-commerce can be a very profitable business. With the right strategy and execution, businesses can generate significant profits from selling products online. Additionally, the low overhead costs associated with running an online store make it easier to turn a profit than with a traditional brick-and-mortar setup.
Pritam Nagrale, a digital marketer and Generative AI enthusiast, embarked on his journey with affiliate marketing in 2004. With over 14 years of blogging, he has turned his passion into a fortune, profoundly impacting the digital landscape. Through his expertise, Pritam has guided thousands to monetize online and achieve their dreams, establishing himself as a beacon for aspiring digital entrepreneurs.
