The digital landscape in India is booming, and for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners, the lure of selling online is stronger than ever. But with so many options available, a crucial question arises: should you rely solely on established eCommerce marketplaces, or take charge of your online journey by creating your own website or even combining both?
The answer, as with most things in business, isn't a simple one. This guide aims to provide a balanced perspective, specifically tailored for the Indian market, to help you make the most informed decision for your online store.
Understanding Your Options: Marketplaces and Custom Websites
Let's break down the two primary routes you can take to sell online:
Marketplaces: These are ready-made solutions like Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and others. They provide the infrastructure, tools, and often a built-in customer base for you to start selling almost immediately.
Building Your Own Website: This involves creating a website from scratch (or using a website builder like Storepecker) and handling all aspects of your online store, from design and functionality to marketing and customer service.
eCommerce Marketplaces: The Fast Track to Online Sales
eCommerce marketplaces offer a compelling proposition, especially for those new to the world of online selling.
Benefits of Selling on Marketplaces in India:
Instant Access to a Large Customer Base: Marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho have millions of active users in India, giving you immediate exposure to potential customers.
Established Trust and Credibility: Customers often trust established platforms, which can translate to increased sales, especially when starting out.
Simplified Payment Gateways: These platforms handle payment processing, often integrating with various Indian payment gateways seamlessly.
Shipping and Logistics Solutions: Many platforms offer integrated shipping solutions, simplifying order fulfillment.
Marketing and Promotional Tools: Access to platform-specific marketing tools can help you boost your product visibility.
Reduced Technical Overhead: You don't need to worry about website maintenance, security updates, or server management.
Drawbacks of Selling on Marketplaces in India:
High Competition: The sheer volume of sellers on these platforms can make it difficult to stand out.
Commission Fees and Charges: Platforms charge commissions on each sale, which can significantly impact your profit margins.
Limited Branding Opportunities: You have limited control over your brand identity and customer experience.
Reliance on the Platform's Policies: You are subject to the platform's rules and regulations, which can change without notice.
Data Ownership: You may not have full control over customer data, which can hinder your marketing efforts.
Building Your Own Website: Owning Your Online Destiny
Creating your own eCommerce website provides unparalleled control and flexibility, but it also comes with its own set of challenges.
Benefits of Building Your Own Website for Indian Sellers:
Complete Control Over Branding: You can create a unique brand identity and tailor the customer experience to your specific target audience.
Higher Profit Margins: Without commission fees, you can retain a larger portion of your revenue.
Direct Customer Relationships: You can build direct relationships with your customers, fostering loyalty and gathering valuable feedback.
Flexibility and Customization: You have complete control over the design, functionality, and features of your website.
Data Ownership and Analytics: You own your customer data and can use it to optimize your marketing efforts and improve your business.
Scalability: You can easily scale your website to accommodate your growing business needs.
Drawbacks of Building Your Own Website for Indian Sellers:
Higher Initial Investment:
Creating a website usually involves significant upfront costs for design, development, and hosting. But with Storepecker, these concerns are taken care of our affordable plans include secure hosting and access to premium themes that beautifully reflect your brand identity, all without breaking the bank.Need for Technical Expertise:
Managing a website often requires technical know-how or hiring professionals for development and maintenance. Storepecker eliminates this hurdle by offering a user-friendly platform along with dedicated human support, so even non-technical users can build and manage their online store with ease.Marketing and Promotion Efforts:
Driving traffic to a new website can be daunting, especially when you're responsible for managing SEO, social media marketing, content creation, and paid advertising. These efforts require both time and strategy to ensure your website gains visibility and attracts the right audience.Time-Consuming Setup and Management:
Building and managing a website from scratch takes a lot of time and effort. Storepecker speeds things up with an intuitive setup process and a team that handles all development needs, letting you focus on growing your business.Complex Payment & Shipping Integration
Integrating payment gateways and shipping providers can be tricky. Storepecker simplifies this , for example, connecting a gateway like Razorpay can be done with just one click from your Storepecker dashboard, making it easy to start accepting payments instantly.
Key Considerations for Indian Sellers:
When making your decision, consider the following factors, keeping in mind the nuances of the Indian market:
Budget: How much are you willing to invest upfront and on an ongoing basis?
Technical Skills: Do you have the technical skills to build and maintain a website, or will you need to hire someone?
Target Audience: Who are you trying to reach, and where do they shop online?
Product Category: Is your product category well-suited for selling on eCommerce platforms, or does it require a more personalized approach?
Marketing Capabilities: Do you have the resources and expertise to market your website effectively?
Scalability: How quickly do you expect your business to grow, and which option will best support your growth?
Why More Indian Sellers Are Embracing the Hybrid Approach
The smartest sellers in India today are combining the strengths of both models.
Use marketplaces to acquire first-time customers and get immediate orders.
Direct customers to your own website via packaging, email, or WhatsApp to encourage repeat purchases with better offers or exclusive collections.
Build brand loyalty and reduce dependence on large marketplaces that charge fees and limit your control.
This hybrid approach works especially well in India, where customers often start their discovery on marketplaces but prefer direct interactions for repeat purchases, custom orders, or bulk buying.
The Rise of User-Friendly Website Builders: A Game Changer
Fortunately, building your own website has become much easier with the advent of user-friendly website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and, specifically for eCommerce, platforms like Storepecker. These platforms offer simple UI builder, pre-designed templates, and integrated eCommerce features, making it possible for anyone to create a professional-looking online store without coding skills.
Storepecker Features: Consider exploring Storepecker which is designed with the Indian market in mind. Its features often include:
Easy-to-use interface
Mobile-responsive design
Integrated payment gateways popular in India
Shipping integrations tailored for the Indian market
Marketing Your Online Store: Getting Noticed in a Crowded Market
Building a great online store is only half the battle. You also need to market it effectively to attract customers. Some popular digital marketing strategies for Indian eCommerce businesses include:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimize your website for search engines like Google to rank higher in search results.
Social Media Marketing: Use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to promote your products and engage with your target audience.
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: Run targeted ad campaigns on Google and social media platforms.
Email Marketing: Build an email list and send out newsletters and promotional offers to your subscribers.
Influencer Marketing: Partner with influencers to promote your products to their followers.
Conclusion: Choosing What's Right for You
The decision of whether to sell on eCommerce platforms or build your own website ultimately depends on your specific needs, resources, and goals. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to start selling online with minimal upfront investment, marketplaces can be a good option. However, if you want more control over your brand, customer experience, and profit margins, building your own website is the better choice, especially with the availability of user-friendly platforms like Storepecker.
The landscape of Indian eCommerce is constantly evolving, and by carefully considering your options and understanding the nuances of the market, you can make the right decision for your business.
Good luck on your eCommerce journey!
