Day 1 – How to Start Online Selling in India | 15 Days Ecommerce Challenge
“Sabko lagta hai online business shuru karna sirf Amazon account kholne jaisa easy hai… par sach alag hai.”
Most people believe that starting an online business is as simple as opening an Amazon seller account. But the truth is – ecommerce success requires planning, strategy, and strong financial understanding.
In this 15 Days Ecommerce Challenge, I, CA Devesh Thakur, will walk you through the core problems, solutions, and winning strategies for building a profitable ecommerce business. Let’s begin with Day 1 – How to Start Online Selling in India.
Step 1: Decide Your Business Structure
Before you even think about products, marketplaces, or profits, you need to decide what type of business entity you want to create. Your options include:
- Proprietorship – Easy to start, low compliance, best for beginners.
- Partnership Firm / LLP – Suitable when you have partners involved.
- Private Limited Company – Recommended if you aim to scale and attract investors.
- Others (One Person Company, Public Limited, etc.) – Based on long-term plans.
📌 Tip: Think long-term. If you plan to build a brand, Pvt. Ltd. or LLP is often better for credibility.
Step 2: Obtain GST Registration (Mandatory)
No matter which marketplace you sell on—Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Zepto, JioMart, Myntra, or even your own Shopify/WooCommerce website—GST registration is compulsory.
Without GST, you cannot sell through E-commerce Operators (ECOs) or list your products legally.
Step 3: Product Selection – The Most Critical Step
Here’s where most sellers go wrong. Don’t fall into these traps:
❌ Selling because it’s in the Top 10 list – What works for others may not work for you. Profitability depends on sourcing cost, competition, and commission.
❌ Selling because someone else is selling – Just because there’s demand doesn’t mean you’ll make profits.
❌ Selling because you “think” it might work – Ecommerce is data-driven, not assumption-driven.
Instead, consider:
- Price point (affordable but profitable)
- Source reliability (quality + cost control)
- Profit after all expenses (not just MRP – costs matter!)
Remember: We are here for positive financials, not just vanity sales numbers.
Step 4: Analyze These 6 Key Points Before Listing
Once you finalize your product, evaluate these crucial aspects:
- Category – Where your product will be placed. Some categories require approval.
- Commission – Every marketplace charges a percentage per sale.
- Shipping – Who bears the cost? How fast can you deliver?
- GST Rate & HSN Code – Tax impacts pricing and compliance.
- Rank – Not mandatory, but helps in visibility and competition analysis.
- Trademark & NOC – To list branded products, you need Trademark registration or an NOC from the brand owner.
⚠️ While you’re assessing these points, start your Trademark and GST registration process simultaneously. Delays here can lead to financial loss. Money not earned = loss.
Step 5: Pricing Strategy – Don’t Get Fooled by “Gross Profit”
Many beginners think:
“I buy from IndiaMart at ₹100, sell on Amazon at ₹350 → ₹250 profit.”
Reality is different. Factors reducing your margins include:
- Fixed Costs – Business registration, software, accounting, etc.
- Variable Costs – Packaging, courier, returns, FBA fees, storage.
- Marketplace Commission – Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho all charge fees.
- Inventory Management – MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity), EOQ (Economic Order Quantity).
Sometimes, after considering everything, you might not make profit at all unless you plan pricing smartly.
Key Takeaway for Day 1
✅ Start with the right organizational structure
✅ Get GST & Trademark registration early
✅ Select products with logic, not emotion
✅ Understand costs, commission, shipping, GST & pricing before listing
This is just the beginning. In the upcoming days of the 15 Days Ecommerce Challenge, we’ll deep dive into marketing, inventory, scaling, and profitability hacks.
👉 What’s your biggest struggle in starting an online business? Comment below and let’s solve it together!
