Description
Starting an online business is easier to imagine than to manage. First-time sellers often have questions about where to find products, how to build a website, accept online payments, handle delivery, manage returns and attract customers. When these responsibilities require multiple tools, suppliers and service providers, the process can quickly become confusing and expensive.
Research by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) highlights both the opportunities and challenges of e-commerce for Indian MSMEs. Its 2025 research on digitalisation found that businesses selling through e-commerce and other online channels are adopting digital tools to expand their reach. However, lack of knowledge, limited resources, platform charges and operational challenges can make online selling difficult for smaller enterprises. Read the ICRIER research.
For first-time sellers, the answer is not necessarily to build a complicated business from day one. They need a clear starting point, a suitable product range, a reliable way to receive payments, a delivery arrangement and a practical marketing plan. Understanding product costs, pricing, customer service, returns and applicable tax requirements is equally important. Sellers should also compare platform fees and terms before choosing where to sell.
Government initiatives are helping make digital commerce more accessible. The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises' Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) Initiative supports eligible micro and small enterprises with onboarding, catalogue creation, account management, packaging and logistics assistance through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Explore the official TEAM Initiative. The government has also outlined how ONDC can provide access to digital storefronts, payments and logistics without requiring every small business to develop its own e-commerce infrastructure. Read the Press Information Bureau's overview.
Another option is to build an independent online store. Platforms such as factori.com aim to simplify this process by bringing together a branded website, a product catalogue, payment gateway integration and fulfilment support. Its retailing platform advertises access to more than 10,000 ready-to-sell products and a store setup process that can take around 30 minutes, without requiring sellers to purchase inventory upfront. Explore factori.com Retailing and its free Retailing Academy.
However, launching a store is only the beginning. First-time sellers still need to identify their target customers, promote products consistently, price items carefully and deliver a good customer experience. Starting small, tracking expenses and learning from customer feedback can help them improve before expanding.
Ultimately, e-commerce without complexity does not mean running a business without effort. It means choosing the right tools, understanding the essentials and avoiding unnecessary barriers. With the right preparation and support, first-time sellers can focus less on managing complicated systems and more on building a business that customers trust.