How to start an eCommerce business in India without any risk of investment? Qikink is the answer.
Back in the day, starting a business required significant investment, stock holding, an offline office, and other expenses. That was the customary way we saw and conducted business.
However, with changing times, improved technology, and internet access, the strategy for beginning a business has also altered significantly.
You can now start a business from any part of the world, without making any investment, carrying inventory, or setting up a space using Dropshipping in India.
What is eCommerce Website?
An ecommerce website is a platform that enables businesses to sell their products or services online, providing customers with a convenient and accessible shopping experience. With the rapid growth of online shopping, ecommerce has become a vital part of the modern retail landscape, with many businesses shifting their focus towards digital sales channels.
According to a report by eMarketer, global ecommerce sales are expected to reach $4.89 trillion by 2025, with Asia-Pacific emerging as the largest ecommerce market. This trend has been fueled by factors such as the increasing use of smartphones and mobile devices, the rise of social media and influencer marketing, and the growing demand for personalized and on-demand products.
A great example of a successful ecommerce website is Amazon.com, which has revolutionized the online shopping experience with its vast selection of products, easy-to-use interface, and fast and reliable delivery options. Amazon.com has capitalized on the growing trend of online shopping, becoming the largest ecommerce retailer in the world with a market value of over $1.6 trillion.
When creating an ecommerce website, it’s important to consider factors such as user experience, website design, product selection and pricing, payment processing, and customer service. The website should be easy to navigate, visually appealing, and optimized for search engines to attract and retain customers. It should also have secure and convenient payment options and responsive customer support to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.
An ecommerce website is a crucial tool for businesses looking to expand their reach and capitalize on the growing trend of online shopping. With the right strategy, design, and execution, an ecommerce website can offer a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience for customers, while driving revenue and growth for the business.
A 10 Point Guide to Start & Scale your eCommerce Business
Launching an eCommerce store can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start. Here are the basic steps to launch an eCommerce store:
1. Define Your Niche
Defining your niche is the first step to launching a successful eCommerce store. Firstly, you need to identify the type of products or services you want to sell. Once you have a clear understanding of your product or service, it’s important to determine your target audience. This will help you tailor your marketing strategy to reach the right customers.
Furthermore, conducting market research is crucial to determine the demand for your product or service. By studying your competitors and analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, you can find ways to differentiate yourself and offer unique value to your customers. Additionally, researching the market will help you identify potential challenges and opportunities, and allow you to make informed decisions about your business.
So, defining your niche and conducting thorough market research will set the foundation for a successful eCommerce store. It’s important to take the time to research and understand your product or service, target audience, and competition to position your business for success.
2. Conduct Market Research
The second step in launching an eCommerce store is conducting market research. This involves gathering and analyzing information about your competition, target audience, and the demand for your product or service.
To begin, you need to study your competition and identify their strengths and weaknesses. This will help you determine how to differentiate your business and offer unique value to your customers. By analyzing their pricing, marketing strategies, and product offerings, you can identify areas where you can improve and stand out in the market.
In addition to researching your competition, it’s important to understand your target audience. This involves identifying the characteristics of your ideal customer, such as their age, gender, interests, and buying habits. By understanding your target audience, you can tailor your marketing strategy and create content that resonates with them.
Furthermore, you need to determine the demand for your product or service. This involves researching industry trends, analyzing customer behavior, and identifying potential challenges and opportunities. By understanding the demand for your product or service, you can make informed decisions about your business and position yourself for success.
3. Choose Your Business Name
Choosing a business name is the third step in launching an eCommerce store. Your business name is an essential part of your brand identity, and it should be memorable, unique, and reflective of your brand values.
To begin, brainstorm a list of potential business names. Think about words that relate to your product or service, and consider using words that are catchy, easy to spell, and easy to remember. You can also use online tools like a thesaurus or business name generator to help you come up with ideas.
Once you have a list of potential names, check for availability. Make sure the name you choose is not already trademarked or being used by another business. You can conduct a trademark search on the US Patent and Trademark Office website or use a tool like Namechk to check for domain name and social media handle availability.
Additionally, consider the legal requirements for registering your business name. Depending on your state or country, you may need to register your business name with a government agency or obtain a trademark.
4. Register Your eCommerce Business
Choosing a business name in India is a crucial step in launching an eCommerce store. It is essential to comply with the rules and regulations set forth by the Companies Act of 2013 and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act. The Companies Act of 2013 governs the incorporation of companies in India, and it mandates that the business name should be unique and not similar to any existing company or trademark.
To incorporate a company, you must obtain a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and a Director Identification Number (DIN) for each of the company’s directors. The DSC and DIN are necessary for filing documents with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) and obtaining a Certificate of Incorporation. The Certificate of Incorporation serves as proof that your business has been legally incorporated and can begin operating.
Additionally, you must consider the GST registration process when choosing a business name. GST is a value-added tax that applies to most goods and services in India. If your eCommerce store exceeds the threshold for annual turnover, which is currently Rs. 40 lakhs for most states and Rs. 20 lakhs for northeastern states, you must register for GST.
When registering for GST, you will need to provide your business name and other details such as your business address, bank account details, and the type of goods or services you sell. Once registered, you must collect and pay GST on your sales and file regular GST returns. Non-compliance with GST can result in penalties and legal consequences.
5. Choose An eCommerce Platform
When selecting an eCommerce platform, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the platform meets the business’s unique needs and requirements. These factors include:
Loading Speed:
A fast-loading website is crucial to eCommerce success. Slow-loading websites can result in high bounce rates and low conversion rates. It is important to choose a platform that has a fast loading speed and can handle high traffic levels.
SEO:
Search engine optimization is critical for eCommerce success. The platform should have built-in SEO features, such as customizable URLs and meta descriptions, to optimize the website for search engines.
Better Conversion Rates:
The eCommerce platform should provide features that help increase conversion rates. This includes a user-friendly interface, clear call-to-action buttons, and a smooth checkout process.
Pricing:
The platform’s cost should be reasonable and within the business’s budget. It is important to consider any hidden fees or additional costs that may arise over time.
Ease Of Use:
The platform should be easy to use, with a user-friendly interface and intuitive navigation. This is particularly important for businesses without technical expertise who need to manage their online store.
Store Security:
The platform should provide robust security features to protect customer information, such as SSL certificates, encryption, and secure payment gateways.
Popularity For App/Plugin Ecosystem:
The platform should be popular enough to have a thriving app/plugin ecosystem, providing businesses with access to a wide range of plugins and integrations to enhance their online store’s functionality.
Based on these factors, some popular eCommerce platforms are:
- Shopify: Shopify is a cloud-based platform that offers a wide range of features, including built-in SEO tools, fast loading speed, and a user-friendly interface. However, pricing can be high, and customization options are limited.
- WooCommerce: WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that provides a range of eCommerce features. It is highly customizable, and pricing is reasonable. However, it requires technical expertise to set up and manage.
- Magento: Magento is a scalable platform suitable for large businesses. It offers advanced features such as customizable pricing rules and built-in SEO tools. However, it requires technical expertise to manage and is expensive to set up.
In my opinion, Shopify is the best eCommerce platform for most businesses. It offers a range of features, including fast loading speed, built-in SEO tools, and a user-friendly interface, making it suitable for businesses without technical expertise. Although pricing can be high, Shopify’s ease of use and scalability make it a popular choice among eCommerce businesses.
6. Design Your eCommerce Website
Designing an eCommerce website requires expertise and attention to detail to ensure that the website is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. As an expert-level eCommerce store designer, I can provide insights into the best practices for designing an eCommerce website.
Understand The Target Audience:
Understanding the target audience is critical in designing an eCommerce website. This includes demographics, behavior, and purchasing habits. This information helps in determining the design, layout, and navigation of the website.
Focus On User Experience:
User experience (UX) is key to the success of an eCommerce website. A user-friendly and intuitive website increases the likelihood of conversion. A few essential UX elements include easy navigation, fast load times, mobile responsiveness, and clear product descriptions.
Prioritize Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO):
CRO involves analyzing customer behavior and making design adjustments to improve the likelihood of conversion. This includes the placement of calls to action, landing page design, and easy checkout process.
Develop A Strong Brand Identity:
A website’s design should reflect the brand’s identity and values. This includes color schemes, typography, and imagery. A strong brand identity helps to create a memorable experience for customers and differentiates the website from competitors.
Optimize for SEO:
Search engine optimization (SEO) helps to increase website traffic and improve visibility on search engine results pages. This includes optimizing keywords, meta descriptions, and alt text for images.
Ensure Website Security:
eCommerce websites deal with sensitive customer information, so it’s essential to prioritize website security. This includes ensuring secure payment processing and implementing SSL certificates.
Test The Website:
Continuously testing and optimizing the website helps to improve user experience and increase conversion rates. This includes A/B testing, heat mapping, and usability testing.
To ensure a successful eCommerce website, it’s essential to implement best practices such as designing for user experience, prioritizing conversion rate optimization, developing a strong brand identity, optimizing for SEO, ensuring website security, and testing the website. By taking these steps, eCommerce store designers can create effective and visually appealing websites that increase customer engagement and drive sales.
7. Setup A Payment Gateway
Setting up payment gateways is a critical component of an eCommerce website, as it enables customers to make secure online transactions. In India, there are several payment gateway options available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few examples:
- Paytm: Paytm is a popular payment gateway in India that offers a range of payment options, including credit/debit cards, net banking, and UPI. The platform has a user-friendly interface and offers quick and easy payment processing. However, Paytm charges higher transaction fees compared to other payment gateways.
- Razorpay: Razorpay is another popular payment gateway in India that offers various payment options, including credit/debit cards, net banking, and UPI. Razorpay also has a robust fraud detection system and offers features such as instant refunds and subscription payments. However, Razorpay’s pricing is slightly higher than other payment gateways.
- PayPal: PayPal is a global payment gateway that is widely used in India. It offers a secure and easy-to-use payment platform and supports various payment options, including credit/debit cards and PayPal balance. However, PayPal charges a higher transaction fee for international transactions and has a longer settlement period.
- CCAvenue: CCAvenue is one of the oldest payment gateways in India and offers a range of payment options, including credit/debit cards, net banking, and mobile wallets. CCAvenue also offers features such as recurring billing and multi-currency support. However, the platform’s interface can be complex, and the setup process can be time-consuming
Choosing the right payment gateway is essential to the success of an eCommerce website. Business owners must consider factors such as transaction fees, payment options, and security features while selecting a payment gateway that best suits their business needs.
8. Develop A Fulfilment Strategy
E-commerce businesses can opt for several fulfillment options for their customers. Fulfillment options can impact customer satisfaction, shipping times, and overall business profitability. In this response, we will discuss the most common fulfillment options, their pros, and cons.
In-House Fulfillment:
In-house fulfillment is when an e-commerce business manages its own warehouse, staff, and shipping operations. This option is suitable for businesses with enough resources to manage their fulfillment.
Pros:
- Full control over the fulfillment process
- Ability to customize the packaging and branding
- Better control over inventory management and quality control
- More profitable since there is no need to pay a third party for the service.
Cons:
- Requires a significant initial investment in infrastructure and staff
- Requires ongoing investment to maintain and upgrade the warehouse and staff
- Time-consuming, taking away time and resources from other parts of the business
Third-Party Logistics (3PL):
A 3PL service provider manages the e-commerce business’s fulfillment process, including warehousing, picking, packing, and shipping. The e-commerce business can focus on other aspects of the business, such as marketing and sales.
Pros:
- The e-commerce business does not need to invest in warehousing and staffing
- The e-commerce business can scale quickly since the 3PL provider can handle increased order volumes.
- Provides access to specialized knowledge in logistics and warehousing
- Reduced risk since the 3PL provider is responsible for the fulfillment process
Cons:
- Less control over the fulfillment process, including packaging and branding
- Higher costs since the e-commerce business needs to pay for the 3PL provider’s services
- Communication and coordination issues may arise since the 3PL provider is not part of the e-commerce business’s internal team
Dropshipping:
Dropshipping is when an e-commerce business does not hold inventory but instead partners with a supplier or manufacturer who ships the product directly to the customer.
Pros:
- No need for inventory management, warehousing, or staffing
- Low initial investment since the e-commerce business only needs to set up an online store
- Ability to test the market and product viability with minimum risk
Cons:
- Lack of control over the quality of the product and the fulfillment process
- Dependence on the supplier or manufacturer for stock availability, shipping times, and product quality
- Lower profit margins since the e-commerce business needs to pay for the product and shipping costs
Hybrid Fulfillment:
A hybrid fulfillment model combines one or more of the above fulfillment options to provide the best possible experience to customers. For example, an e-commerce business can manage its inventory and fulfillment in-house for popular products while using a 3PL provider for less popular or seasonal products.
Pros:
- Provides flexibility to choose the best fulfillment option for each product
- Enables the e-commerce business to balance control and cost-effectiveness
- Enables the e-commerce business to scale efficiently while maintaining quality control
Cons:
- Requires more complex logistics and coordination
- The e-commerce business needs to manage multiple vendors and processes
- Requires more investment in infrastructure and staff to manage multiple fulfillment options
There are multiple fulfillment options available for e-commerce businesses, each with its own set of pros and cons. The best fulfillment option depends on the e-commerce business’s resources, priorities, and goals. E-commerce businesses should carefully evaluate each option and choose the one that aligns with their needs and objectives.
9. Sales And Marketing Plan
A well-designed sales and marketing plan is crucial for the success of any eCommerce store. Here are some effective and profitable sales and marketing strategies for a new eCommerce store:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
Search engine optimization involves optimizing your website and its content to improve its ranking in search engine results pages. This strategy can increase organic traffic to your website, resulting in more leads and sales.
Social Media Marketing:
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn are great channels to engage with your audience and promote your products. You can use social media to build your brand, run targeted ads, and showcase your products.
Influencer Marketing:
Influencer marketing involves partnering with social media influencers to promote your products to their audience. This strategy can help you reach a wider audience and build credibility for your brand.
Email Marketing:
Email marketing is a highly effective way to engage with your customers and promote your products. You can use email marketing to build relationships with your customers, offer exclusive discounts, and promote your products.
Content Marketing:
Content marketing involves creating high-quality content such as blog posts, videos, and infographics to attract and engage your audience. This strategy can help you build your brand, establish yourself as an industry expert, and drive traffic to your website.
Paid Advertising:
Paid advertising involves paying for ads on search engines or social media platforms. This strategy can help you target specific audiences and drive traffic to your website.
Referral Marketing:
Referral marketing involves incentivizing your existing customers to refer their friends and family to your store. This strategy can help you build your customer base and increase customer loyalty.
Upselling And Cross-selling:
Upselling and cross-selling involve offering additional products or services to customers who have already made a purchase. This strategy can help you increase revenue per customer and build customer loyalty.
Customer Retention:
Customer retention involves creating a strategy to retain existing customers by offering exceptional customer service, providing loyalty programs, and creating a community around your brand.
In total, a well-designed sales and marketing plan for a new eCommerce store should include a mix of these strategies. The key is to focus on strategies that align with your business goals and target audience. By implementing these strategies, you can increase your brand awareness, drive traffic to your website, and ultimately increase your sales and revenue.
10. Monitor And Improve
As an eCommerce store manager, there are several ways to monitor and improve the sales of your eCommerce store. Here are some daily points to note and actions to take to improve sales and profitability:
Analyze Your Website Traffic:
Use Google Analytics to monitor your website traffic and identify which pages are receiving the most traffic. Use this information to optimize your website for conversions and improve the user experience.
Monitor Your Conversion Rates:
Use analytics tools to monitor your conversion rates and identify any areas where you can improve. This includes optimizing your product pages, checkout process, and payment options.
Keep An Eye On Your Inventory:
Ensure that you have enough inventory to meet customer demand and avoid stockouts. Monitor your inventory levels and use forecasting tools to predict future demand.
Monitor Your Competition:
Keep an eye on your competition and monitor their prices, promotions, and marketing strategies. Use this information to adjust your own pricing and marketing strategies accordingly.
Focus On Customer Retention:
It is more expensive to acquire new customers than to retain existing ones. Focus on creating a positive customer experience, offering exceptional customer service, and providing loyalty programs to retain existing customers.
Optimize Your Product Listings:
Ensure that your product listings are optimized for search engines and provide accurate and detailed product information. Use high-quality images and videos to showcase your products and highlight their features.
Test And Optimize Your Marketing Campaigns:
Use A/B testing and other optimization techniques to test and optimize your marketing campaigns. This includes testing different ad copy, landing pages, and targeting options to improve your click-through and conversion rates.
Use Social Media To Engage With Your Customers:
Use social media to engage with your customers and build brand loyalty. Respond to customer feedback and comments, offer exclusive promotions and showcase your products on social media.
Monitor Your Customer Reviews:
Monitor your customer reviews and use this feedback to improve your products and customer service. Address any negative reviews promptly and use positive reviews to showcase your products and build credibility for your brand.
By implementing these daily points and actions, you can monitor and improve the sales and profitability of your eCommerce store. Remember to focus on providing a positive customer experience, optimizing your website and product listings, and using data to inform your decisions.
What Is Dropshipping?
Dropshipping in India is a terrific opportunity for new entrepreneurs to establish an e-commerce business at a low cost.
Dropshipping enables entrepreneurs to sell things online without worrying about manufacturing or carrying inventory, making it a low-risk business strategy for those just starting out.
The most excellent aspect of dropshipping is that you only pay for the product when somebody makes a purchase on your website, which saves you money.
The drop-shipping industry is estimated to be worth $200 billion by 2021 and expanding at a 29% annual pace to $550 billion by 2025.
Start your Dropshipping business in India with Qikink
Difference Between Dropshipping And Traditional Retail
If you are Dropshipping in India or from anywhere, you as a seller, do not hold any inventory or own any product before you make a sale. Only when you receive an order, do you make a purchase from a manufacturer.
Your order is fulfilled on your behalf by the manufacturer. The manufacturing company handles everything from product manufacture to packaging and shipping.
Here’s how dropshipping in India works:
Retail requires an offline shop and product inventory, and you sell only trendy products while managing unsold stocks over time, making it a high-risk enterprise.
Why Should You Start Dropshipping In India?
Dropshipping is a low-cost method to start an eCommerce business or online store in India.
India’s eCommerce sales are growing at a rate of 51% annually, making it the most attractive market for online retailers.
You can sell products online without worrying about product inventory and stock keeping, quality control, packaging, or shipping hassles.
To start an ecommerce business, all you need is a product-selling platform and marketing expertise. Dropshipping is a low-risk business approach that allows you to sell things under your own brand. You can create your online store on flatforms Shopify and Woocommerce and get started immediately.
There are also some reasons why you should start dropshipping in India
- It is simple to get started
- Flexible location
- Less initial capital investment
- A diverse range of products to sell
- It is simpler to experiment with marketplaces.
- Scalability is improved.
- No investment in inventory
- No dead stock and quality control
3 Major Advantages of Starting Dropshipping In India
Around 27% of Online Retailers Have Adopted Dropshipping
It takes time and patience to build income and see it rise gradually. For newcomers to the eCommerce market, in particular, it includes a number of actions.
By using dropshipping, new businesses may immediately optimize their product delivery and begin to receive regular advantages like:
1. Cost Efficiency And Low Risk:
Dropshippers can earn more than 50% profit than those who keep their own stock inventory.
Dropshipping enables you to start your business without any signup fee or upfront payment. You pay when you receive an order at your store. It is the most efficient way to start a business in India.
Since you do not hold any inventory, you do not have the risk of dead/unsold stock. Hence, you can use that time and money in marketing your online store.
2. Flexibility:
Flexibility is one of the key benefits of dropshipping in India. You set the guidelines and are the boss. It’s undoubtedly one of the most adaptable professions that someone may choose from.
With only a laptop and internet, you may work from home or any part of the world whenever it is most convenient for you. This is ideal for entrepreneurs who want to start a business that works for them. You won’t have to exert much effort to finish things. You choose your own pace instead.
Dropshipping is extremely adaptable in that it provides you lots of flexibility to choose options that suit your needs. You can quickly switch your marketing strategies whenever you want and easily add new products to your catalog. You can automate things if you’re going on vacation to make money while you’re away.
3. Automated Functions:
If you pay close attention, you’ll see that several dropshipping operations can be automated, making them more effective and freeing up merchants to concentrate on things like marketing, branding, and business expansion.
Order monitoring, performance reviews, pricing setting, promotions, and other processes may all be automated so they don’t need to be monitored on a regular basis.
Dropshipping enables you to test how well these products are selling and, depending on the feedback from customers, you can always adjust your idea and offer another product. By preventing unsold goods from building up in your warehouse, you’ll make money.
Pick items that can provide you with a profit margin of at least 40% to 70%. Even if there are no costs associated with inventory or storage, sellers need still think about company overhead costs like shipping and marketing costs.
Therefore, as a start-up seller, you should preferably opt for a low-cost yet high-demand product to increase your chances of succeeding in dropshipping in India.
Conclusion
According to statistical projections, the value of the dropshipping industry in India would reach $557.9 billion by 2025.
Dropshipping is a business model chosen by 33% of online businesses. Dropshipping in India is a very profitable ecommerce business because of its tremendous growth potential, wide open market for experimentation, and little risk.
Since dropshipping only produce things when there is a rise in demand, there is a low chance of failure for this strategy, which accounts for its popularity.
FAQ
Who can start a eCommerce dropshipping business?
Anyone who wants to start a business or is already selling on marketplaces like Amazon can start an ecommerce business by dropshipping without any investment. If you are already selling on Amazon, you can simply list dropshipping products and start making profits.
Should your dropshipping supplier be in the same city?
No, you can start dropshipping from any part of the world. Your dropshipping supplier will ship your orders directly to your customer.
Will the products have the manufacturer’s branding on them?
The products will not have any branding of the manufacturer. Your orders will be shipped under your brand name to your customers.