Simple E-commerce Guide to Sell and Grow on Amazon, Flipkart, etc

Starting an online business in India is easier than you think. This guide breaks down everything into simple steps that anyone can follow.

Why Do You Need Registration?

All major platforms, like Amazon and Flipkart, require proper registration before you can sell.

What happens without registration?

You can't sell on major platforms

Heavy fines from the government

Your business can be shut down

No legal protection for your brand

Essential Documents You Need

Gather these basic papers before starting:

For the Owner:

Aadhaar card (yours)

PAN card (yours)

Bank account details

Phone number and email

Address proof (electricity bill, rent agreement)

For the Business:

Business address proof

Cancelled cheque from business bank account (open after registration)

Photo for applications

How Much Does Platform Selling Cost?

Simple Commission Breakdown

Platform	Comission	Extra Cost	Good For
Meesho	0% on Majority Items	2%-3% Payment Fee	New Seller
Flipkart	5%-20% by Category	₹14-₹50 Closing Fee	Indian Brand
Amazon	8%-25% by Category	₹5-₹45 Closing Fee	All products

Real Example: Selling a ₹1,000 Phone Case

On Meesho:

Commission: ₹0

Payment fee: ₹25 (2.5%)

You keep: ₹975

On Flipkart:

Commission: ₹120 (12%)

Closing fee: ₹20

Payment fee: ₹25

You keep: ₹835

On Amazon:

Commission: ₹150 (15%)

Closing fee: ₹25

Payment fee: ₹25

You keep: ₹800

How to Reach Customers (Simple Methods)

Free Ways to Get Customers

1. Social Media (No Cost)

Post product photos on Instagram

Share in WhatsApp groups

2. Create a Facebook business page

Make simple videos showing products

Friends and Family First

3. Ask friends to share your posts

Give small discounts to first customers

Request reviews and ratings

Word-of-mouth is powerful in India

4. Local Communities

Join local Facebook groups

Participate in community events

Partner with local influencers

Focus on your city first

Paid Methods (Low Budget)

1. Facebook/Instagram Ads

Start with ₹500-1,000 per month

Target people in your city

Show ads to friends of customers

Test what works, then spend more

2. Google Ads

Target people searching for your products

Start with ₹1,000-2,000 per month

Focus on buying keywords like "buy phone case online"

Track which ads bring sales

Content That Sells

What to post regularly:

Before/after photos of products in use

Customer photos using your products

Quick videos explaining the benefits

Seasonal offers and discounts

Behind-the-scenes content

Quick Start Checklist

Month 1: Foundation

 Choose a business structure

 Get DIN and a digital signature

 Register the company with MCA

 Apply for GST registration

 Open a business bank account

Month 2: Go Live

 List products on Meesho (easiest start)

 Create an Instagram business account

 Take professional product photos

 Start with friends and family

Month 3: Grow

 Expand to Flipkart or Amazon

 Start small paid advertising

 Collect customer reviews

 Plan next batch of products

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Registration Mistakes:

• Not getting the GST registration first

• Choosing the wrong business structure

• Missing important documents

• Not keeping backup copies

• Selling Mistakes:

• Pricing too low (forgetting platform fees)

• Poor product photos

• No customer service plan

• Starting on too many platforms

• Marketing Mistakes:

• Trying all methods at once

• Not tracking what works

• Ignoring customer feedback

• Spending too much on ads initially

Smart tip: Start with Meesho to test your products, then expand to other platforms.

Focus on completing one step at a time, start small with one platform, and grow gradually. The key is to begin with proper registration and then learn as you sell.