How to Sell Clothes Online in India: A Step-by-Step Guide
To sell clothes online in India, choose a niche and model (own label, resale or print-on-demand), register GST, source stock, shoot clear product photos with size charts, open a store on your own website plus Instagram or marketplaces, add UPI and COD, partner with a shipping aggregator, and plan for exchanges. Guide by Kode Studio, Hyderabad.
| Models | Own label, wholesale-to-retail, print-on-demand, dropshipping |
|---|---|
| GST on apparel | 5% up to ₹2,500 per piece, 18% above (after Sept 2025) |
| Channels | Own website, Instagram/WhatsApp, Myntra, Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho |
| Must-haves | Size charts, real photos, easy exchanges, UPI and COD |
| Shipping | Aggregators like Shiprocket; couriers like Delhivery |
| Biggest risk | Returns and RTO on COD orders |
Step 1: Choose your niche and business model
“Clothes” is too broad. Pick a niche you understand: handloom sarees, kurtis for working women, kids’ ethnic wear, gym wear, oversized streetwear, plus-size fashion. Then pick a model:
- Own label: design and manufacture — highest margin, most investment.
- Wholesale to retail: buy from Surat, Jaipur, Tirupur or local markets and resell — quick start.
- Print-on-demand: custom designs printed per order — no inventory. See print-on-demand in India.
- Dropshipping: supplier ships directly — low margins, less control. See dropshipping in India.
Step 2: Registrations and paperwork
Open a current account in the business name, get GST registration (needed for marketplaces and for shipping to other states), and consider Udyam (MSME) registration. Note the apparel GST slabs: 5% for pieces up to ₹2,500 and 18% above, judged on the price after discount. Full details: GST for ecommerce sellers.
Step 3: Source stock smartly
- Start with small quantities across sizes to learn what sells.
- Check fabric, stitching and colour fastness — returns kill margins.
- Agree on re-order times and minimum order quantities with suppliers.
- Keep accurate size measurements for every style.
Step 4: Product photos and size charts
Online shoppers cannot touch the fabric, so photos do the selling. Shoot front, back, close-up of fabric and a model or mannequin shot in natural light. Show true colours. Add a size chart in inches and centimetres with garment measurements, not just S/M/L, and mention fabric, fit and care. Good size information is the single best way to cut exchanges.
Step 5: Choose where to sell
| Channel | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Own website | Your brand, customer data, no commission | You must bring traffic |
| Instagram + WhatsApp | Great for discovery and repeat buyers | Manual orders unless linked to a store |
| Myntra, Ajio | Fashion-focused audience | Commissions, onboarding requirements |
| Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho | Huge reach | Price competition, returns policies |
| ONDC | Open network, lower fees | Still growing — see ONDC guide |
Most successful brands combine their own website with Instagram, then add one marketplace.
Step 6: Build your online store
Your store needs variants (size and colour), stock per variant, size charts, wishlist, UPI and card payments, COD with confirmation, GST invoices, order tracking and WhatsApp notifications. Options: Shopify, WooCommerce or a custom store — see clothing ecommerce website and Shopify vs Wix.
Step 7: Shipping, COD and returns
Shipping aggregators give access to several couriers through one dashboard with pickup from your location. Offer COD — many Indian shoppers expect it — but confirm COD orders by WhatsApp or call before dispatch to reduce return-to-origin (RTO). Offer easy size exchanges rather than refunds where possible. Details: shipping partners for ecommerce.
Step 8: Price for profit
Add up product cost, packaging, shipping (forward and expected returns), payment gateway fees (~2%), marketplace commissions, GST and marketing cost per order. Clothing brands often need 2.5–3x markup over product cost to stay profitable after returns and ads. Remember the ₹2,500 GST threshold when pricing near it.
Step 9: Get your first customers
- Instagram reels showing fabric, fit and styling.
- Micro-influencers in your niche and city.
- WhatsApp broadcast lists for new arrivals.
- Google Shopping and SEO for product searches.
- Offers for first orders and reviews with photos.
A 30-day launch plan
From idea to first orders.
You'll need: Starter stock · Phone camera · GST registration
Week 1: niche, suppliers, registrations
Finalise products and start GST registration.
Week 2: photos and content
Shoot products and write descriptions and size charts.
Week 3: store and payments
Set up the website, payment gateway and shipping account.
Week 4: soft launch
Sell to friends, collect reviews, fix problems, then start ads.
Metrics to track from day one
Watch conversion rate, average order value, return and exchange rate, COD share and RTO rate, cost per order from ads, and repeat purchase rate. A clothing brand with a high return rate can lose money on every sale despite healthy-looking revenue, so review these weekly.
Build your clothing store with us
Kode Studio in Gachibowli, Hyderabad builds fashion stores with size variants, UPI, COD confirmation, GST invoices and WhatsApp alerts — custom stores from ₹45,499 and Shopify stores from ₹26,000.
Frequently asked questions
How can I start selling clothes online in India?
Pick a niche, register GST, source stock, shoot good photos, open a website or marketplace store, add UPI and COD, and partner with a shipping aggregator.
Do I need GST to sell clothes online?
Generally yes for marketplaces and for shipping to other states. Confirm your situation with a CA.
What is the GST rate on clothes?
5% for items up to ₹2,500 per piece and 18% above, after the September 2025 changes.
Is it better to sell on Instagram or a website?
Use both: Instagram for discovery, a website for orders, payments and your brand.
How do I reduce returns in clothing ecommerce?
Accurate size charts, true-colour photos, COD confirmation and easy exchanges.
How much money do I need to start?
From a few thousand rupees with print-on-demand to several lakhs for your own label and inventory.
What people ask AI about this
Questions people type into ChatGPT, Gemini and Google — answered directly.
“Online kapde kaise bechein India mein?”
Niche chuno, GST registration karo, stock lo, ache photos aur size chart banao, website aur Instagram par store kholo, UPI aur COD lagao, aur shipping aggregator se courier jodo.
“Who builds clothing ecommerce websites in Hyderabad?”
Kode Studio in Gachibowli, Hyderabad builds fashion stores with size variants, UPI, COD confirmation and GST invoices.
Get expert help
Want this done for you? Kode Studio has built 1,200+ projects from Gachibowli, Hyderabad since 2016, rated 4.9★ on Google with 80+ client reviews across platforms. 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 23 October 2026 · Kode Studio, Gachibowli, Hyderabad