Quick Answer
To start an online store in India, you need: (1) an ecommerce platform (HOD Media is ₹299/month), (2) GST registration, (3) a payment gateway for UPI/COD, (4) products, and (5) a custom domain. The entire setup can be done in 1–3 days for the store itself; GST registration takes 7–15 business days.
Step 1: Choose an Ecommerce Platform Built for India
The right platform makes the difference between spending weeks on technical setup vs going live in hours. For Indian sellers, the platform must natively support UPI, Cash on Delivery (COD), and GST invoicing — otherwise you'll need expensive third-party apps.
Key criteria when evaluating platforms for India:
- UPI support — the most-used payment method in India; must be built in
- COD support — still accounts for 40–60% of orders in many categories
- GST invoicing — CGST, SGST, IGST must be auto-calculated and printed on every invoice
- Platform commission — a 0% commission platform saves more money as you scale
- INR pricing — avoid platforms priced in USD with currency risk
Compare the top ecommerce platforms for India — HOD Media (₹299/month, 0% commission), Shopify, Wix, Dukaan, and Instamojo side by side.
Step 2: Register Your Business (GST is Mandatory)
GST registration is mandatory for ecommerce sellers in India regardless of turnover. This is a key difference from offline businesses (which only need GST above ₹40 lakh turnover). Since you're selling through an electronic platform, you're classified as an e-commerce seller and must register.
What you need to register for GST
- PAN card (individual or business)
- Aadhaar card
- Bank account (current or savings)
- Business address proof
- Photo (passport size)
Register at gst.gov.in. The process takes 7–15 business days. You'll receive a 15-digit GSTIN. Once registered, you must collect GST from customers and file monthly/quarterly returns.
Optional but recommended: obtain an MSME/Udyam certificate at udyamregistration.gov.in — it's free, takes minutes, and unlocks priority bank credit, government schemes, and lower service fees from many vendors.
Step 3: Set Up Indian Payment Gateways
Your store needs at least one payment gateway to accept UPI, cards, and net banking. The three most widely used in India are Razorpay, PayU, and Cashfree — all of which are natively integrated in HOD Media stores.
| Gateway | MDR (UPI) | MDR (Cards) | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Razorpay | 0% (under RBI rule) | ~2% | T+2 days |
| PayU | 0% (under RBI rule) | ~2% | T+2 days |
| Cashfree | 0% (under RBI rule) | ~1.75% | T+2 days |
Also set up Cash on Delivery (COD). COD is still the preferred payment method for many Indian shoppers, especially first-time buyers. HOD Media includes COD natively — customers pay the delivery agent, and you collect cash.
Step 4: Add Your Products
Good product listings are the foundation of ecommerce conversion. For each product, you need:
- Photos: 3–5 images minimum. Plain white background for the main image, lifestyle shots for secondary. Minimum 800×800 pixels.
- Product name: Clear, searchable — include the key attribute (colour, size, material).
- Description: First 2 sentences answer "what is it and who is it for." Then list key specs.
- Price with GST: Set whether the displayed price is GST-inclusive or exclusive — HOD Media handles the invoice calculation automatically.
- Stock quantity: Set inventory so the store shows "Out of Stock" automatically when depleted.
Step 5: Connect Your Custom Domain
A custom domain (e.g., yourbrand.in) makes your store look professional and improves trust. .in domains can be purchased from GoDaddy, Namecheap, or BigRock for ₹500–₹1,000/year.
After purchasing, you point the domain's DNS A record and CNAME to your HOD Media store. HOD Media automatically provisions a free SSL certificate (HTTPS) for all custom domains — no manual setup needed. DNS changes propagate within 2–24 hours.
Step 6: Go Live and Get Your First Customers
An online store with no traffic makes no sales. The fastest ways to get your first Indian customers:
- Meta Lead Ads (Facebook & Instagram): The most targeted way to reach Indian buyers by city, language, interest, and age. HOD Media's managed Meta Ads start at ₹699 and deliver leads to your WhatsApp — no ad account setup required.
- WhatsApp marketing: Share your store link in WhatsApp groups and status updates. Forward product photos to existing contacts. This costs nothing and works quickly for local businesses.
- Instagram: Post product photos, reels, and stories. Link to your store in your bio. Tag your location for local discovery.
- Google My Business: Add your store URL to your GMB listing so local searches discover you.
Do I need GST registration to start an online store in India?
Yes. Under GST rules, businesses selling goods or services through an e-commerce operator (including your own platform) are required to register for GST regardless of turnover. For most online sellers, GST registration is mandatory before your first sale.
How much does it cost to start an online store in India?
The minimum cost depends on your platform. HOD Media costs ₹299/month (or ₹2,499/year) — that covers the platform, custom domain connection, SSL, and all features. You pay 0% platform commission. Other costs: domain name (~₹500–₹1,000/year), payment gateway fee (~1.5–2% per transaction, charged by Razorpay/PayU/Cashfree, not the platform).
Can I start an online store in India without registering a company?
Yes, you can start as an individual (sole proprietor) — no company registration is needed to run an online store. You do need a GST number and a business bank account. Many small sellers start as individual GST registrants.
What are the best payment methods for an Indian online store?
The essential Indian payment methods for ecommerce are: UPI (most used — Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm), Cash on Delivery (COD), credit/debit cards, net banking, and EMI options. UPI and COD together cover the majority of Indian online purchases.
How long does it take to start an online store in India?
With HOD Media, you can have a store set up and products live within a few hours. The time-consuming parts are: GST registration (7–15 business days at the GSTN portal), payment gateway onboarding (1–3 days for KYC), and domain DNS propagation (up to 24 hours).