Thinking about starting your own online business but not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. Many small business owners, resellers, and even

homemakers want to start selling online — but the process feels confusing or overwhelming.

The good news? Ecommerce is easier than ever in 2025, thanks to user-friendly tools, mobile-friendly platforms, and digital payments.

This guide is for complete beginners. Whether you're selling clothes, food products, home items, or digital goods — we’ll walk you through simple steps to

set up, sell, and succeed online.

What Is Ecommerce?

Ecommerce simply means buying and selling products or services through the internet. Customers visit your website (or app), browse your items, place

orders, and pay online.

Some common types of ecommerce sellers:

1. A local shop selling through a website
2. A reseller listing items from wholesalers
3. A home-based business selling homemade crafts
4. A service provider offering paid online consultations

Why Ecommerce Is a Smart Choice Today

If you're still on the fence, here are a few reasons why starting an online business makes sense:

1. Low startup cost — no need to rent a shop
2. Reach more people — sell across cities or even globally
3. Open 24/7 — customers can order any time
4. Flexible — work from home or anywhere
5. Easy to promote — use WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube

Step-by-Step Guide to Start Your Ecommerce Business

Let’s simplify this journey into 6 easy steps:

Step 1: Choose What You Want to Sell

Your product is the heart of your business. Think about:

1. What are you passionate about?
2. Is there a market for it?
3. Can you manage stock, delivery, and pricing?

Popular beginner-friendly categories:

1. Fashion & accessories
2. Homemade food/snacks
3. Beauty & wellness items
4. Toys & educational kits
5. Art & crafts
6. Electronics accessories

Tip: Start with a few best-selling products. Expand as you grow.

Step 2: Pick an Ecommerce Platform

You don’t need to hire a web developer or know coding. Use ecommerce platforms that are ready-to-use.

Best beginner-friendly platforms:

1. Orka Stores – Made for Indian sellers, supports local languages like Tamil, free design help
2. Shopify – Global platform, highly customizable
3. Dukaan – Mobile-first and quick setup
4. Ecwid – Add to any existing website or social page

Look for:

1. Easy product uploads
2. Payment options (UPI, COD, cards)
3. Order tracking
4. Mobile-friendly design

Step 3: Set Up Your Online Store

Now, it’s time to build your digital shop.

Here’s what you need:

1. Store name
2. Logo (even a simple one will do)
3. Product photos
4. Product descriptions with price
5. Contact info
6. Return/refund policy (simple and clear)

Make sure your store looks clean, loads fast, and is easy to browse — especially on smartphones.

Tip: Use real product photos taken in good lighting. Avoid over-editing.

Step 4: Add Payment and Delivery Options

Your customer should feel confident while paying.

Add payment gateways like:

1. UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe)
2. Debit/Credit cards
3. Net banking
4. Cash on Delivery (COD)

Set up delivery using:

1. Courier partners like Shiprocket, Delhivery, India Post
2. Local delivery apps like Dunzo or Porter (for nearby orders)
3. Your own delivery boy if it’s a small area

Give your customer a clear idea of:

1. Shipping charges (if any)
2. Delivery timeline
3. How they’ll get tracking info

Step 5: Promote Your Store Smartly

Now your store is ready — but people need to know about it!

Start with:

1. WhatsApp Status and Groups – Share your link with offers and images
2. Instagram and Facebook – Post product reels, before-after results, customer reviews
3. YouTube Shorts or Lives – Great for product demos or unboxing videos
4. Flyers with QR codes – If you also sell on Amazon or Flipkart, include a note asking customers to buy direct next time

Offer small first-time discounts or cashback to encourage buying directly from your store.

Step 6: Manage Orders and Build Trust

When you get orders, respond quickly. Send a confirmation via SMS or WhatsApp. Ship on time. Communicate clearly if there’s a delay.

After delivery, request feedback. A happy customer is your biggest marketing tool.

Also:

1. Keep track of your orders in a simple Excel or Google Sheet
2. Restock your inventory based on demand
3. Celebrate your first 10, 50, 100 customers — share it on social media

Tips to Make Your Online Business a Success

Here are some extra tips to help you stay ahead:

Be Consistent

Don’t disappear after one or two posts. Post regularly and keep your store updated.

Focus on Customer Experience

Polite messages, neat packing, quick replies — these make customers come back.

Use Your Data

Track which products sell best, which promotions worked, and which platforms bring more traffic. Use that to grow smarter.

Start Small, Think Big

Even ₹5000/month profit is a win when you start. Many big online businesses started small — the key is to keep improving.

Final Thoughts

Ecommerce is no longer just for big brands. With the right tools, even small businesses and individuals can sell online like pros.

You don’t need technical skills or huge investments. All you need is:

1. The right product
2. A simple online store
3. Basic marketing
4. Consistent effort

So if you’ve been thinking about starting, now is the time. The internet is open for business — and your store can be next.

Want to get started without any headache?

Try Orka Stores – a beginner-friendly platform built for Indian businesses. You get local language support, free design help, and all tools to sell in just a few clicks.