Start an online store in India.
UPI drives ~70% of Indian ecommerce checkouts. Cards + COD handle the rest. International cards + Apple Pay exist but rare for domestic buyers.
Market snapshot
$120B+ online retail market. UPI drives ~70% of transactions. COD still 25-35% of orders outside metros.
Recommended platforms
Best-fit platforms for India.
Ranked by country fit. We factored local payment methods, currency support, tax compliance tools, and the quality of regional agency ecosystems.
Shopify
Top pickThe fastest, most polished way to launch a store.
Cleanest UPI + Razorpay integration. Indian merchants' default at ₹3-4L+/year revenue.
WooCommerce
The most flexible, content-driven way to sell online.
Best when catalog > 500 SKUs or you need deep customisation. WordPress talent is cheap and everywhere.
Dukaan
WhatsApp-first ecommerce for India and emerging markets.
Zero-cost, WhatsApp-native — perfect for micro-merchants selling via Instagram / reels.
Payment gateways
9 gateways available in India.
Native to India
Global gateways available here
Checkout expectations
What India buyers expect to see at checkout.
Missing any of the dominant methods below typically costs 15-40% of conversions. Pick a gateway that covers these:
Legal + operational
Tax, KYC, and cross-border realities.
Tax & VAT
GST registration mandatory above ₹40L turnover (₹20L for services). Ecommerce operators must collect TCS @ 1%. HSN codes required on every invoice.
KYC & registration
PAN + GST + bank account minimum. Gateway onboarding typically needs business PAN + authorised signatory KYC. Current account with matching business name essential.
Cross-border considerations
Exporting India→world uses different gateway rails (PayPal, Instamojo International, Razorpay International). Imports face IEC code + FEMA compliance.
Top categories online
- Fashion & apparel
- Beauty & personal care
- Electronics
- Home & kitchen
- Ayurveda / wellness
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✗Ignoring UPI — then losing ~60% of checkout drop-offs
- ✗Picking a gateway that doesn't support the ₹2000 RBI limit for card-on-file
- ✗Not registering GST early — penalties stack when turnover crosses threshold mid-year
Questions about India
Founders ask these a lot.
What's the best ecommerce platform for India?+
Shopify is typically our top pick for India. Cleanest UPI + Razorpay integration. Indian merchants' default at ₹3-4L+/year revenue.
Which payment methods do India buyers expect at checkout?+
UPI drives ~70% of Indian ecommerce checkouts. Cards + COD handle the rest. International cards + Apple Pay exist but rare for domestic buyers.
How many payment gateways are available in India?+
We track 9 payment gateways operating in India: PayPal, 2Checkout (Verifone), Razorpay, Cashfree Payments, PayU India, CCAvenue, Instamojo, Telr, dLocal. Razorpay, Cashfree Payments are native to the country.
What are the tax requirements to sell online in India?+
GST registration mandatory above ₹40L turnover (₹20L for services). Ecommerce operators must collect TCS @ 1%. HSN codes required on every invoice.
What registration / KYC do I need to launch in India?+
PAN + GST + bank account minimum. Gateway onboarding typically needs business PAN + authorised signatory KYC. Current account with matching business name essential.
Need a launch plan for India?
30 minutes with Dharmendra — platform pick, gateway setup, tax strategy, and the first-90-days roadmap specific to your India business.
Book a call · $29