If I tell you that, you don’t have to step out of your house and everything will be available to you at your doorstep without any hassle, will you believe me? I am sure you won’t! No, we are not bluffing. The accessibility and advancement of e-commerce stores in India have made the Indian lifestyle much easier, similar to that of Western countries. In this article, we will discuss a great deal about e-commerce stores in India and how you can set up one.

1. What is E-commerce?

E-commerce is the activity of buying and selling goods and services using the internet as a medium. The act of purchasing or selling anything is called commerce, doing it online on the internet or on the phone, is e-commerce. Whatever you wish to buy, from food products to a lavish car, are available on the internet in the form of an e-commerce store. Ecommerce is also known as e-business or electronic business.

2. What is an E-commerce Store?

An e-commerce store is an online store where you can buy goods and services. Purchasing from an ecommerce or an online store is much easier than purchasing from a normal store because you can comfortably place your order simply by sitting at the comfort of your home. What’s better? You can track your order too. All online orders come with information about their estimated delivery date and it’s part of the customer service they provide. An e-commerce store in India also provides you with a variety of options to choose from with every single detail mentioned in their description. With the advancement of technology, you can also upload a picture of what you want to buy on the web and run a search to see if it’s available to order. Fascinating, right? 

3. What is an Ecommerce Website or Store?

In simple words, an ecommerce website or store is an online portal where you can indulge in buying or selling goods and services. Through ecommerce websites, you can place orders, make payments, track your shipping and also read what other customers have to say about their purchase in terms of ‘reviews’.

4. Types of Ecommerce Websites:

The e-commerce websites can be classified into the following types-

  1. Business-to-consumer (B2C) – This is one of the most common types of business, where there is a direct exchange of goods between a business and a consumer. A few examples of B2C brands that you may be familiar with are: Myntra, Nike, Air BNB, Starbucks, GoPro, etc.
  2. Business-to-business (B2B) – These websites allow customers to buy and sell products between two businesses. For example, the purchasing or selling between a wholesaler and a retailer can be done through B2B websites. A few examples to name here are Apple, Google, IBM, Intel, etc
  3. Business-to-administration (B2A) – Through these websites, you can perform the transactions between a business and a public institution. When A government-related organization purchases or sells anything to a business company, then it is referred to as B2A. The best example of B2A is Accela.com.
  4. Consumer-to-consumer (C2C) – C2C websites allow a consumer to trade with another consumer in an online environment. The best examples of C2C business are Alibaba, eBay, Mercari, Etsy, etc.
  5. Consumer-to-Business (C2B) – C2C businesses include consumers offering services to other business websites. Websites that provide opportunities to freelancers are examples of C2B websites. A few to name are companies such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Scripted.
  6. Consumer-to-administration (C2A) – In this type of business model, consumers provide goods, information, and services to government-related organizations. It includes all electronic transactions between government and public administrations. Websites that perform electronic tax filing, paying toll tax, and other government-related activities come under C2A websites. The income tax department’s e-payment website is the best example of a C2A website. 

5. How Does Ecommerce Work?

If you know how a normal offline retail business works, e-commerce business functions in a similar fashion. Understand the functioning of an e-commerce set-up more simply, let’s say it is classified into three categories:

  • Receiving Orders– In this step, the customers place an order from an e-commerce store. During this time, the customer’s information is recorded, applicable tax is calculated, their order and tracking numbers are generated, the delivery details are shared, the billing information is processed and finally the access to the billing gateway is provided.
  • Payment- The payment is done via payment gateways. Under this step, the payment option is chosen from a list of options like a Credit card, Debit card, UPI, Wallet, and more. After this multi-step authentication is done for secure payments.
  • Shipping- This process is done once the order is placed. Typically it means that the item has left the warehouse of the supplier.

If you don’t want yourself to get indulged in legal trouble regarding your e-commerce store in India, then you should fulfill all the legal requirements beforehand. A few of the legal requirements for e-commerce websites are:

  • Business registration- You need to register your business as a private limited company, limited liability partnership, or one-person company. Through this registration, you can specify your liabilities and opt for tax benefits too.
  • VAT/Sales Tax Registration- The two types of sales tax are: VAT (Value added tax) and the other is CST (Central sales tax). To start your e-commerce business, you need to register for both these taxes. VAT is applied on each stage of production or distribution, while CST is not applied on each stage of production and distribution. VAT and CST both are indirect taxes. CST is applied in interstate sales.
  • Vendor Agreement- This agreement is for defining the expectations of the parties. Under this agreement, the vendor list is stated in the portal.
  • Intellectual property protection- This is for ensuring that while conducting this business, nobody’s intellectual property is being affected. Also, it ensures that your intellectual property is also protected.

7. How to Set Up an E-commerce Store in India?

Setting up an e-commerce store may sound complex, but in reality, it is way simpler than you think. To set up an e-commerce store in India, you need to follow the following steps: Step 1- Choose an e-commerce platform where you want to create your online store.

Step 2- After choosing the platform, you need to purchase a domain name.

Step 3- After this step, you need to choose your e-commerce theme and customize your e-commerce template.

Step 4- Once the above steps are done, you need to add your products.

Step 5– After this, you need to set up your payment options.

Step 6– Once the above steps are completed, you need to preview, test, and publish your online store.

8. Bikayi as an Ecommerce Enabler:

Bikayi is one of India’s most efficient and well-known e-commerce enablers. At Bikayi, we understand the significance of e-commerce in today’s world. Thus, we allow you to create your e-commerce store seamlessly. All it takes is 90 seconds to create your online ecommerce store with Bikayi, and We empower 5M+ businesses to build, grow, and achieve success in the online world. You can also generate ecommerce store names with Bikayi’s free business name generator.

9. How to Set up E-commerce Store on Bikayi App

There are two ways by which you can start your e-commerce store on Bikayi: Through Bikayi App- To start your eCommerce store via the Bikayi app, you need to follow the following steps: Step 1- Download the Bikayi app Bikayi app Playstore view Step 2- Click on Start using Bikayi Bikayi screen 1 Step 3- Enter your phone number for OTP Step 4- After this you will receive an OTP, enter it and click on Login. Step 5- Enter the name of your business. Step 6- Add your products to your store. For this add the Product’s name, photos, description, price, and other details. bikayi store setup Step 7- Click on Save. store setup bikayi   Step 8- Now your Online Store is ready on Bikayi.

10. How to setup e-commerce store on Bikayi’s Website

To start your e-commerce store through Bikayi, you need to follow the following steps: Step 1- Go to the official website of Bikayi Step 2- Click on login. Step 3- Login using your mobile number, email address, or by connecting your Facebook (Meta) account. Web login bikayi Step 4- Complete the steps by answering a few questions about your business. bikayi theme selection Step 5- Enter your store name and your name. Step 6- Click on Done, and you will get the link to your ecommerce store.  Bikayi Web Dashboard

If I tell you that, you don’t have to step out of your house and everything will be available to you at your doorstep without any hassle, will you believe me? I am sure you won’t! No, we are not bluffing. The accessibility and advancement of e-commerce stores in India have made the Indian lifestyle much easier, similar to that of Western countries. In this article, we will discuss a great deal about e-commerce stores in India and how you can set up one.

1. What is E-commerce?

E-commerce is the activity of buying and selling goods and services using the internet as a medium. The act of purchasing or selling anything is called commerce, doing it online on the internet or on the phone, is e-commerce. Whatever you wish to buy, from food products to a lavish car, are available on the internet in the form of an e-commerce store. Ecommerce is also known as e-business or electronic business.

2. What is an E-commerce Store?

An e-commerce store is an online store where you can buy goods and services. Purchasing from an ecommerce or an online store is much easier than purchasing from a normal store because you can comfortably place your order simply by sitting at the comfort of your home. What’s better? You can track your order too. All online orders come with information about their estimated delivery date and it’s part of the customer service they provide. An e-commerce store in India also provides you with a variety of options to choose from with every single detail mentioned in their description. With the advancement of technology, you can also upload a picture of what you want to buy on the web and run a search to see if it’s available to order. Fascinating, right? 

3. What Is An Ecommerce Website or Store?

In simple words, an ecommerce website or store is an online portal where you can indulge in buying or selling goods and services. Through ecommerce websites, you can place orders, make payments, track your shipping and also read what other customers have to say about their purchase in terms of ‘reviews’.

4. Types Of Ecommerce Websites:

The e-commerce websites can be classified into the following types-

  1. Business-to-consumer (B2C) – This is one of the most common types of business, where there is a direct exchange of goods between a business and a consumer. A few examples of B2C brands that you may be familiar with are: Myntra, Nike, Air BNB, Starbucks, GoPro, etc.
  2. Business-to-business (B2B) – These websites allow customers to buy and sell products between two businesses. For example, the purchasing or selling between a wholesaler and a retailer can be done through B2B websites. A few examples to name here are Apple, Google, IBM, Intel, etc
  3. Business-to-administration (B2A) – Through these websites, you can perform the transactions between a business and a public institution. When A government-related organization purchases or sells anything to a business company, then it is referred to as B2A. The best example of B2A is Accela.com.
  4. Consumer-to-consumer (C2C) – C2C websites allow a consumer to trade with another consumer in an online environment. The best examples of C2C business are Alibaba, eBay, Mercari, Etsy, etc.
  5. Consumer-to-Business (C2B) – C2C businesses include consumers offering services to other business websites. Websites that provide opportunities to freelancers are examples of C2B websites. A few to name are companies such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Scripted.
  6. Consumer-to-administration (C2A) – In this type of business model, consumers provide goods, information, and services to government-related organizations. It includes all electronic transactions between government and public administrations. Websites that perform electronic tax filing, paying toll tax, and other government-related activities come under C2A websites. The income tax department’s e-payment website is the best example of a C2A website. 

5. How Does Ecommerce Work?

If you know how a normal offline retail business works, e-commerce business functions in a similar fashion. Understand the functioning of an e-commerce set-up more simply, let’s say it is classified into three categories:

  • Receiving Orders– In this step, the customers place an order from an e-commerce store. During this time, the customer’s information is recorded, applicable tax is calculated, their order and tracking numbers are generated, the delivery details are shared, the billing information is processed and finally the access to the billing gateway is provided.
  • Payment- The payment is done via payment gateways. Under this step, the payment option is chosen from a list of options like a Credit card, Debit card, UPI, Wallet, and more. After this multi-step authentication is done for secure payments.
  • Shipping- This process is done once the order is placed. Typically it means that the item has left the warehouse of the supplier.

If you don’t want yourself to get indulged in legal trouble regarding your e-commerce store in India, then you should fulfill all the legal requirements beforehand. A few of the legal requirements for e-commerce websites are:

  • Business registration- You need to register your business as a private limited company, limited liability partnership, or one-person company. Through this registration, you can specify your liabilities and opt for tax benefits too.
  • VAT/Sales Tax Registration- The two types of sales tax are: VAT (Value added tax) and the other is CST (Central sales tax). To start your e-commerce business, you need to register for both these taxes. VAT is applied on each stage of production or distribution, while CST is not applied on each stage of production and distribution. VAT and CST both are indirect taxes. CST is applied in interstate sales.
  • Vendor Agreement- This agreement is for defining the expectations of the parties. Under this agreement, the vendor list is stated in the portal.
  • Intellectual property protection- This is for ensuring that while conducting this business, nobody’s intellectual property is being affected. Also, it ensures that your intellectual property is also protected.

7. How To Set Up an E-commerce Store In India?

Setting up an e-commerce store may sound complex, but in reality, it is way simpler than you think. To set up an e-commerce store in India, you need to follow the following steps: Step 1- Choose an e-commerce platform where you want to create your online store.

Step 2- After choosing the platform, you need to purchase a domain name.

Step 3- After this step, you need to choose your e-commerce theme and customize your e-commerce template.

Step 4- Once the above steps are done, you need to add your products.

Step 5– After this, you need to set up your payment options.

Step 6– Once the above steps are completed, you need to preview, test, and publish your online store.

8. Bikayi As An Ecommerce Enabler:

Bikayi is one of India’s most efficient and well-known e-commerce enablers. At Bikayi, we understand the significance of e-commerce in today’s world. Thus, we allow you to create your e-commerce store seamlessly. All it takes is 90 seconds to create your online ecommerce store with Bikayi, and We empower 5M+ businesses to build, grow, and achieve success in the online world. You can also generate ecommerce store names with Bikayi’s free business name generator.

9. How to setup e-commerce store on Bikayi App

There are two ways by which you can start your e-commerce store on Bikayi: Through Bikayi App- To start your eCommerce store via the Bikayi app, you need to follow the following steps: Step 1- Download the Bikayi app Bikayi app Playstore view Step 2- Click on Start using Bikayi Bikayi screen 1 Step 3- Enter your phone number for OTP Step 4- After this you will receive an OTP, enter it and click on Login. Step 5- Enter the name of your business. Step 6- Add your products to your store. For this add the Product’s name, photos, description, price, and other details. bikayi store setup Step 7- Click on Save. store setup bikayi   Step 8- Now your Online Store is ready on Bikayi.

10. How to setup e-commerce store on Bikayi’s Website

To start your e-commerce store through Bikayi, you need to follow the following steps: Step 1- Go to the official website of Bikayi Step 2- Click on login. Step 3- Login using your mobile number, email address, or by connecting your Facebook (Meta) account. Web login bikayi Step 4- Complete the steps by answering a few questions about your business. bikayi theme selection Step 5- Enter your store name and your name. Step 6- Click on Done, and you will get the link to your ecommerce store.  Bikayi Web Dashboard

 

11. Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is e-commerce?

Ecommerce is also called electronic commerce or internet commerce. It involves buying and selling products on the internet. There are plenty of e-commerce stores available online.

What are the main types of e-commerce websites?

The main types of e-commerce websites are business-to-customer, business-to-business, business-to-administration, consumer-to-consumer, consumer-to-business, and consumer-to-administration.

What is the purpose of e-commerce?

The main purpose of e-commerce is to make everything accessible to the customers at their doorsteps. You don’t have to step out of your house to place an order and you can get your order delivered at your doorsteps.

 

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