Best Online Platforms and Sites to Sell in India
India serves as a thriving global market hub, with millions of potential buyers. It’s easy to enter the Indian market since eCommerce is highly developed there. When you’re looking to start selling, consider both international and local online marketplaces, as they offer different opportunities and conditions for sellers.
In this article, we will provide an in-depth analysis of the popular marketplaces in India, highlighting the ones where sellers can start a business most efficiently.
15 Best Online Selling Platforms in India
There are a plethora of eCommerce platforms available in India, from well-established giants like Flipkart and Amazon.in to innovative platforms such as Meesho and Snapdeal. Each marketplace accommodates different consumer preferences and categories. Here are just a few examples of the diverse online platforms available there.
Amazon.in
Amazon's worldwide reputation precedes itself, making Amazon.in a prime choice for online sellers in India. Their vast customer base, comprehensive interface and solid logistics network have contributed to their popularity. Amazon captures 30% of Indian traffic among other shopping websites, and attracts more than 295 million visitors every month.
It’s easy for both new and experienced sellers to enter this marketplace. Find out more about the process below.
How to Sell on Amazon.in
Here’s a brief guide on how you can effectively enter and navigate one of the most popular eCommerce platforms in India.
Step 1. Discover potential products using AMZScout's Product Database.
To select a product for sale in India, you need to first explore the trends of the Indian market and carefully select items that are going to be successful there. With AMZScout’s Product Database, you can choose India as a country where you’d like to sell products, choose a specific category, set a price range, indicate your preferred number of sales and reviews, and set other filters to pick potentially profitable product ideas for Amazon.in.
A free trial is available, so you can even test out this tool with no risks.
Step 2. Choose a profitable product for selling using AMZScout PRO.
Open the page of any item you’ve chosen with the help of AMZScout’s Product Database or any other product on the Amazon website. The AMZScout PRO Extension will give you the opportunity to examine a range of critical data for this specific product, and the entire niche, including:
Sales volume and history
Price history
Competition
Potential profits
…and other essential details.
Using this data, you can select a profitable product that has sufficient demand and minimal competition.
Step 3. Find reliable suppliers.
To find trustworthy suppliers, you can conduct thorough research using online directories, attend industry-related events, and seek recommendations from local businesses. Additionally, establish clear communication, request samples, and consider third-party verification services to ensure the credibility of your chosen suppliers.
Step 4. Create a seller account and start your business.
You can create a seller account on Amazon India through the Seller Central platform. You will need to provide all of the required business information and complete the verification process. Then, create converting product listings and descriptions (Amazon will translate them if needed), and make photos attractive to your target audience. All these steps will help you succeed in the dynamic Indian market.
Step 5. Manage orders.
Confirm orders promptly, handle all shipping and customer inquiries professionally and follow Amazon's guidelines for returns and refunds, specifically those in India. Maintain high-performance metrics to adapt to the unique preferences and trends of the Indian market.
With the right strategy and attention to detail, sellers can explore the vast opportunities Amazon.in offers and thrive in the competitive Indian eCommerce landscape.
Flipkart.com
Flipkart is one of India's biggest eCommerce companies, where sellers can offer a wide range of products including electronics, fashion, appliances, books, and more. Flipkart's user-friendly interface, competitive pricing, and efficient delivery service create an ideal environment for reaching a customer base of hundreds of millions of users.
In less than 10 minutes, you can create a Flipkart seller’s account and get access to more than 19,000 pin codes.
Indiamart.com
IndiaMART is an online B2B (business-to-business) marketplace based in India. It serves as a platform for connecting buyers and suppliers all across the Indian market.
On IndiaMART, businesses can list their products and services, making them accessible to a vast network of potential buyers. This site makes it possible to sell items and provide assistance in such categories as agriculture, electronics, industrial machinery, chemicals, and many others.
Meesho.com
Meesho.com is among the largest Indian eCommerce markets that is designed to enable individuals, particularly women and micro-entrepreneurs, to start and run their own online businesses with minimal investment.
Meesho has been particularly popular in India because it provides a means for people, especially those without significant capital or prior business experience, to start their own businesses just by leveraging their social networks.
Snapdeal.com
Snapdeal provides sellers with an extensive marketplace to showcase their high-quality and value-priced products. Its logistics network covers over 96% of India's pin codes, ensuring deliveries to over 2500 towns and cities.
PaytmMall.com
Paytm Mall serves as India’s largest mobile commerce platform where sellers can present products from over 500 categories, including electronics, fashion, home and kitchen items, appliances, mobile phones, and more. It offers a secure and convenient payment experience, using the digital payment infrastructure of its parent company, Paytm.
Myntra.com
Myntra is an Indian fashion eCommerce platform that primarily focuses on clothing, footwear, and fashion accessories.
It offers a wide range of fashion products for men, women, and children, including clothing, footwear, jewelry, beauty products, and more. This platform features a vast selection of both national and international brands. Therefore, sellers can benefit from reaching a huge customer base in the fashion industry.
ShopClues.com
ShopClues is a platform where it’s possible to buy and sell a wide range of products, including electronics, fashion, home goods, and more. It offers cost-effective plans for sellers, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes.
Tata CLiQ.com
Tata CLiQ is an Indian eCommerce platform that distinguishes itself as a premium shopping destination. It offers a diverse array of products, including electronics, fashion, home appliances, and more. Tata CLiQ adopts an omnichannel approach, allowing sellers to present their products online or in ‘CLiQ and PiQ’ physical stores, where customers can experience each item in-person or pick up online orders.
This platform places a strong emphasis on selling stuff from trusted brands. Merchandising products there can be a strategic move for sellers looking to get access to a reputable platform in India.
Nykaa.com
Nykaa.com is a prominent Indian eCommerce platform specializing in a wide array of beauty and personal care products, ranging from makeup and skincare to haircare and fragrances. If you sell cosmetics, skincare, haircare, or wellness items, Nykaa provides a dedicated platform with a targeted customer base.
Pepperfry.com
Pepperfry is one of the largest online selling sites in India that specializes in furniture and home decor products. It offers a wide range of furniture items, including sofas, beds, dining sets, and home decor accessories like lighting, rugs, and wall art.
It has gained recognition as a leading destination for online furniture shopping in India, giving sellers an opportunity to showcase their products to more than 12 million potential customers.
Ajio.com
Ajio is a selling website specializing in fashion and lifestyle products. It offers a diverse range of clothing, footwear, accessories, and beauty products for men, women, and children.
You can reach more than 10 million people through this platform while benefiting from low fees.
Limeroad.com
Limeroad is an Indian marketplace with a focus on fashion and lifestyle products. They are known for their unique concept of enabling their customers to create and share their fashion and home decor designs. Sellers can easily benefit from this unique approach because it involves users in the shopping experience.
Limeroad also allows users to discover and purchase similar things they see in the photos, which can lead to increased sales. This platform offers a wide range of clothing, accessories, home furnishings, and more.
Voonik.com
Voonik is an Indian fashion platform that serves the needs of men, women, and children. It is known for its exclusive shopping experience, where users can create style profiles and receive customized fashion recommendations. Sellers can showcase products in a wide range of categories, including clothing, accessories, and beauty products.
FirstCry.com
FirstCry is India's largest online store for newborn, baby, and kids products. Sellers can present products from various categories, including clothing, toys, and essentials. Businesses gain access to reliable and efficient delivery services and high-profit margins.
Tips for Selling Online in India
Track Trending Products
To stay competitive in the evolving landscape of India’s eCommerce market, it's essential to track trending products and seize profitable opportunities.
Here are some quick tips for you to easily find top products in India:
Monitor trends. Use tools like Google Trends to compare search terms related to different products, revealing changing customer preferences.
Research the market. Examine eCommerce websites like Amazon India and Flipkart, industry reports, and surveys.
Identify Popular Categories. According to online statistics, categories like Electronics, Clothing, Home Appliances, Mobile Phones, Beauty, Books, Toys, Sports, Automotive, and Baby Products are extremely popular in India.
You can use this comprehensive guide to find the most demanded products in India with ease.
Negotiating Wholesale Prices
To sell products effectively, it's important to strike a balance between pricing and quality. It’s better to seek wholesale suppliers who can provide you with the most advantageous pricing terms.
Here are three essential strategies to help you negotiate effectively:
Thoroughly research the market. Gather information on market prices, competitors' pricing strategies, and the supplier's pricing history.
Build Strong Relationships. Consider forming long-term partnerships with suppliers, as this can often lead to better pricing.
Negotiate Quantity and Terms. Suppliers may be more willing to lower their prices if you commit to larger order volumes or agree to faster payment terms.
Maintaining a respectful and cooperative approach is very important in India. Ensure a balance between getting the best price and maintaining a healthy supplier relationship as you successfully negotiate wholesale prices.
Understand Legal Aspects
When entering the Indian market, businesses need to consider several key legal aspects to effectively navigate the regulatory environment in this country. Here are some of the main nuances:
1. Register your business with the Registrar of Companies (ROC), and obtain the necessary licenses.
2. Understand India's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policies and sector-specific guidelines.
3. Comply with India's tax laws, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
4. Protect your intellectual property (IPR), including trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets.
5. Understand customs duties, import/export restrictions, and trade regulations that may affect your industry.
6. Be aware that India is a federal country, and state-level regulations may differ from one region to another.
It's essential to understand the legal landscape and proactively address legal matters to ensure a smooth and compliant market entry process.
Conclusion
The dynamic landscape of online selling platforms in India presents a multitude of opportunities for sellers. Marketplaces like Amazon.in, Flipkart, Meesho, Snapdeal, and many more ensure smooth product selling on the Indian market for sellers in any category.
You can easily start selling to hundreds of millions of customers by choosing trending items, negotiating with wholesale suppliers, and understanding the legal aspects of Indian regulations. This country remains a promising destination for online sellers in 2024 with its rapidly growing eCommerce ecosystem and welcoming environment.