Physical stores are getting online shape and gaining an edge over the past few years with the help of e-commerce platforms. On top of it, the ever-changing technology with every new product launch making it a more easier and convenient way to get started online. The worldwide e-retail sales in 2021 grew by 27.6 percent compared to the previous years. Statista shows that retail e-commerce sales accounted for eighteen percent of global retail sales.

There are certain things that you need to keep in mind before you set up your store from the get-go. We are sharing the easiest way to start an ecommerce business in India. 

Get the product idea and know your market

Brainstorm ideas around what kind of product you’re willing to offer to your potential customers. Though you might already have your well-established physical shop up running and you’re willing to expand your customers reach through e-commerce mediums, or if not—then chances are you may already have planned to sell something cool, haven’t you?

Whatever the case, you must have product ideas to have an online store for. And the most important thing is to know your possible customers with the existing market for your preferred items. They say the first step is always the HARDEST, that’s why you need to find out the right niche and right product, that’d ultimately be the right choice for you. There are many popular and trending products that you may consider selling:

1. Apparels

2. Jewelry

3. Footwear 

4. Fashion Accessories

5. Diet and nutrition & Beauty Supplements

6. Bike saddles

7. Toys & Video Games

8. Doormats

9. Car mats

10. Bookshelves or bookcases

11. Grooming kits

12. Phone accessories

13. Handicraft or handmade items

14. Kitchen accessories

15. Home Furnishing 

Create a solid business blueprint

Having pre-designed plans in your mind for your company will always benefit your business. Start sketching your business blueprint from beginning to end and evaluate closely your business requirements and related costs. Map out the estimated amount you’ll be needing for each area that’s a part of your online stores, such as product costs, taxes, fees levy on business registration, and website setup costs. Arrange your fund according to each segment and spend wisely.

Find your business a brand name

Unlike physical stores and small shops, an online store is a brand in the eyes of your customers. Online business with boring names will only contribute to switching your customers they think of others as “BRAND”.

Branding is a vital part of your online efforts and this starts with having a good memorable name for your online business. It has been seen that bad quality products sell at a high rate in those good-looking prevalent sites while excellent quality products with ugly branding approaches, struggles to cross their monthly selling targets. Therefore, spend some quality time figuring out cool business name ideas that suit your personality.

In order to find a catchy business name, make a list of words that are associated with your business, likes, or reflect your personalities. Take it all down on paper and play adding one with another. Sometimes a word that looks more foreign tends to outperform those having two or three words attached. For instance, Samsung, Nike, Google, and GUCCI. These are some of the best examples that don’t consist of a word we familiar with, but regardless of the fact, they are kings in their business.

Register your domain and get hosting

Your domain name is like your house address that tells people where you live and hosting is something that helps you publish your stuff on the internet. It’s like you rent a space to keep your files online and data stored. Registering your domain and connecting it with fast hosting is not that intimidating. You can get your domain and host from here (India).

Understand law and register your business

One of the initial steps you must take before launching your e-commerce store is to understand the state laws. After your business name is found and you’re ready to make your website live—you must register your business on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs website (if you live in India) and clear all the required legal and tax paperwork upfront.

Design your online store

Designing your website includes installing the most compatible “theme” according to your business needs, which comes in many different features and styling. Set your theme colors that reflect your unique brand, but do not let your website look too flashy either. If designing is not your thing, get a web designer to make it a piece of cake for you.

Now with an e-commerce Development Company in India, it has become a super easy process to build, brand, and blueprint your online stores at great convenience that nowadays are certainly bang for your buck.

Write down legal and necessary pages of your site

Ecommerce business is subject to “internet commerce law” and operating a successful online business requires everything set in place from day one, so you can protect yourself and your business.  There are usually three legal pages that you’re supposed to write; either by yourself, through online tools (we do not recommend but you can try when you’re new.), or by your lawyer. These most common legal pages and policies are Privacy Policy, Shipping and Return Policy, and your business’ Terms and Conditions page. Once you’ve created these pages, you’re almost ready to go to the next steps.

Set up a merchant account to receive payments

Customers that shop online mostly use their debit or credit cards to make payments. For their convenience, you must have a merchant account. Get a separate bank account (merchant account) for your online business to receive payments from customers and manage money efficiently. Most of them avoid the COD or “Cash on Delivery” option. To receive money online, you must have a merchant account. Though you can also provide other Payment Gateway options like PayPal (India) and CC Avenue, which may cost you less when making online transactions.

Market your business

Marketing your business is as important as registering your business under Indian laws. Marketing your online business means raising the awareness of your online presence that you’re offering certain products. You have to use your marketing tactic on the platforms where most of your customers spend time.

Branding or marketing cost regular efforts and money. That said, “Money makes money” and you should not squirrel away money when it’s about marketing your web presence otherwise your business and its strategy may backfire.

Business magnate, Henry Ford once said, “Stopping advertising to save money is like stopping your watch to save time.”

However, we are not burning a hole in your pocket because you can always promote your business on your own through Facebook, Instagram, and other popular platforms. We’re just bringing reality to the table. The competition is tough and marketing your products on yourself will eat up your valuable time and may even create further problems managing your store.

Therefore, the best solution is to hire a digital marketing company on a monthly subscription, or—on your budget. The SEO experts and marketing professionals help skyrockets your web presence within few months. Imperial IT provides solid digital marketing services to handle all your marketing goals, so you can sit back, relax, and focus on boosting your sales.