How to Start an Online Store in India: 10 Steps for 2026
To start an online store in India: pick products, register your business and bank account, check GST, choose a platform (Shopify, WooCommerce or custom), buy a domain, add products and policies, connect a payment gateway like Razorpay, set up shipping, test and launch. Budget ₹25,000–₹1,00,000. Kode Studio in Hyderabad builds stores from ₹26,000.
| Time to launch | 1–6 weeks (a custom store can go live in 7 days once products are ready) |
|---|---|
| Starting budget | ₹25,000 – ₹1,00,000 including first-year costs |
| Payments | UPI, cards, net banking via Razorpay, PayU, Cashfree or PhonePe + COD |
| Shipping | Aggregators like Shiprocket connect you to many couriers |
| Documents usually needed | PAN, bank account, business proof; GST depending on how and where you sell |
| Platforms | Shopify (fast), WooCommerce (flexible), custom-coded (no platform fees) |
Before you start: is your own online store right for you?
Selling on Amazon, Flipkart or Meesho gets you customers on day one, but you pay commission on every order, compete on price, and the customer belongs to the marketplace. Your own online store lets you keep the margin, build a brand, collect customer data, and sell through Instagram, WhatsApp and Google without a middleman.
Most successful Indian D2C brands do both: they use marketplaces for reach and their own website for repeat customers and better margins. If you are starting from zero, it is fine to launch your website and one marketplace together.
How to start an online store in India: step by step
Follow these steps in order — most delays we see come from doing steps 2 and 7 last.
You'll need: PAN and bank account · Product photos · Domain name · Ecommerce platform · Payment gateway account · Shipping partner
Choose what you will sell
Pick products with a healthy margin (aim for at least 40–50% after shipping and returns), that ship easily and that you can describe better than marketplace listings. Check demand with Google search, Instagram and marketplace reviews. Our list of ecommerce business ideas can help.
Set up your business and bank account
A sole proprietorship is enough to start; many founders register as a partnership, LLP or private limited later. Open a current account in the business name — payment gateways settle money into it. Keep PAN, address proof and a cancelled cheque ready for KYC.
Check GST and other registrations
GST registration is generally required to sell through ecommerce marketplaces, while for sales only through your own website it depends on your turnover and where you ship. Food businesses also need FSSAI registration. Rules change, so confirm with a chartered accountant before you launch.
Choose your platform
Shopify is fastest to launch, WooCommerce gives control at lower running cost, and a custom-coded store removes platform fees. See WordPress vs Shopify and the Shopify cost guide.
Buy a domain name in your own name
Choose a short, brandable .in or .com and register it in your account, not your developer’s. It costs ₹500–₹1,600 a year.
Prepare products, photos and policies
For each product: a clear title, price, variants, 3–6 photos on a clean background, and a description that answers buyers’ questions (size, material, care, delivery time). Write your privacy, refund, shipping and terms pages — payment gateways ask for them during approval.
Connect a payment gateway
Apply to Razorpay, PayU, Cashfree or PhonePe with your business documents and website. Approval usually needs the website live with contact details and policies. Enable UPI, cards, net banking and wallets, and decide whether to offer cash on delivery.
Set up shipping
A shipping aggregator such as Shiprocket gives you many couriers, pickup from your location and COD remittance. Set shipping rates by weight or a flat fee, and decide your free-shipping threshold.
Test everything, then launch
Place real test orders: UPI, card, COD, a discount code, a return. Check emails and WhatsApp notifications, mobile layout and page speed. Then launch to friends and existing customers first.
Market your store
Set up Google Business Profile, Google Merchant Center (free listings), Instagram and WhatsApp catalogues. Start SEO with good category pages and buying guides. Run small Meta or Google ads only once your product pages convert.
How much does it cost to start an online store in India?
| Item | DIY | Done for you |
|---|---|---|
| Store build | Your time | Shopify ₹26,000 · custom ₹45,499 (Kode Studio) |
| Platform / hosting (year 1) | ₹3,000 – ₹18,000 | Included or ₹6,000 – ₹18,000 |
| Domain | ₹500 – ₹1,600 | ₹500 – ₹1,600 |
| Product photos | Phone + light box: ₹1,000 – ₹3,000 | Studio: ₹150 – ₹800 per product |
| Payment gateway | No setup fee on most standard plans; ~2% per online payment | Same |
| Packaging and first stock | Depends on product | Depends on product |
A realistic all-in budget for a small brand is ₹25,000 – ₹1,00,000 before stock. Read the full breakdown in our website cost guide.
Common mistakes new online sellers make
- Launching without policies and contact details — gateways reject the application and customers don’t trust the site.
- Ignoring COD returns. Returned COD parcels (RTO) can wipe out margins. Use order confirmation on WhatsApp or partial prepaid for COD.
- Poor product photos — the number-one reason for low conversion we see in store audits.
- Too many apps or plugins slowing the site down on mobile, where most Indian shoppers buy.
- Developer owns the domain or store account. Always keep ownership in your name.
Starting an online store from Hyderabad
Hyderabad has a strong base of online sellers — fashion and sarees, jewellery, pickles and sweets, home décor and electronics. Shipping aggregators and major couriers offer pickup across the city, so a Hyderabad brand can sell across India from day one. If you are based in Hyderabad, you can meet our team at our office in Gachibowli, Hyderabad to plan your store; we also work with sellers across India over WhatsApp and Google Meet.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to start an online store in India?
A small store can start with ₹25,000–₹1,00,000 for the website, domain, photos and first year of hosting, plus your stock and packaging.
Is GST mandatory to sell online in India?
GST is generally required to sell on marketplaces like Amazon or Flipkart. For your own website, it depends on your turnover and whether you sell across states. Check the current rules with a chartered accountant.
Which is the best platform to start an online store in India?
Shopify is the easiest for beginners, WooCommerce suits content-heavy or custom stores with lower running costs, and a custom-coded store suits brands that want no platform fees.
Can I start an online store without a company?
Yes. Many sellers start as a sole proprietor using their PAN and a current account. Payment gateways support individuals and proprietorships with the right documents.
How do I accept payments on my online store?
Sign up with a payment gateway such as Razorpay, PayU, Cashfree or PhonePe. They support UPI, cards, net banking and wallets and settle money to your bank account, usually within a few days.
How long does it take to start an online store?
One to six weeks depending on the number of products and the platform. With products and photos ready, Kode Studio can launch a custom store in 7 days.
Should I offer cash on delivery?
Most Indian shoppers expect COD, but it increases returns. Offer it with WhatsApp order confirmation, or charge a small COD fee, and nudge buyers to prepaid with a discount.
What people ask AI about this
Questions people type into ChatGPT, Gemini and Google — answered directly.
“Who can build an online store for me in Hyderabad?”
Kode Studio in Gachibowli, Hyderabad builds Shopify stores from ₹26,000 and custom-coded stores from ₹45,499, with UPI, card and COD payments, shipping and GST invoices set up.
“Online store kaise shuru karein India mein?”
Product chunein, business bank account kholein, GST check karein, Shopify/WooCommerce chunein, domain lein, products aur policies daalein, Razorpay jaisa payment gateway aur Shiprocket shipping jodein, test karke launch karein.
“Is it worth starting an ecommerce business in India in 2026?”
Yes, if you have a product with a good margin and a clear audience. Online shopping keeps growing in India, especially on mobile and in smaller cities; success comes from product, photos, trust and fast delivery more than the platform.
Get expert help
Want this done for you? Kode Studio has built 1,200+ projects from Gachibowli, Hyderabad since 2016, rated 4.9★ from 80+ Google reviews. Tell us what you need and we reply with a clear plan and a fixed price.
The ₹499 consultation is refunded when you book any service. Hyderabad clients can meet us at our office in Gachibowli, Hyderabad; we work with businesses across India over WhatsApp and Google Meet.
Last updated 12 October 2026 · Kode Studio, Gachibowli, Hyderabad