Most retailers starting online should launch on a hosted e-commerce platform like Shopify or on WooCommerce, then move to a custom build only when their catalogue, pricing rules or integrations outgrow those tools. A custom store is worth it from day one only if you sell in an unusual way, such as B2B pricing per customer, made-to-order products or a marketplace with many sellers.
We hear the same story from shop owners in Gujarat. The physical store does well, Instagram brings enquiries, and orders are taken over WhatsApp and noted in a register. It works until it doesn't: stock gets oversold, payments get missed, and nobody knows which products actually sell.
What should a good online store include?
- Product pages with clear photos, sizes or variants, and stock status
- Checkout with the payment methods Indian buyers expect: UPI, cards, net banking and often cash on delivery
- GST-compliant invoices
- Shipping integration so orders, labels and tracking aren't handled by hand
- Stock that stays in sync with your physical store, if you have one
- WhatsApp order updates, because many customers prefer them to email
Which e-commerce platform: Shopify, WooCommerce or custom?
| Option | Good fit | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify | Getting started quickly, standard retail | Monthly fees and app costs add up; limited for complex pricing |
| WooCommerce | Businesses already on WordPress, more control | You handle hosting, updates and security |
| Custom build | B2B, made-to-order, marketplaces, unusual workflows | Higher upfront cost and longer build |
None of these is wrong. The right one depends on how unusual your selling process is and how much you expect to grow.
Why connect online and offline?
Customers move between channels. They see a product on Instagram, check your website, then visit the shop, or the reverse. When stock, prices and offers match everywhere, you stop overselling and customers stop being surprised at the counter.
Common tactics that work for Indian retailers:
- One stock count shared by the shop and the website
- Order online, pick up in store
- The same prices and offers on every channel
- WhatsApp catalogue linked to the same product data
Free consultation
Planning something like this?
Tell us what you need. After a short call we send a written scope, timeline and fixed quote.
What mistakes cost the most sales?
- A slow mobile site. Most shoppers browse on phones, and a store that takes ages to load loses them.
- A long checkout. Every extra step and forced sign-up loses buyers.
- No cash-on-delivery or UPI option where customers expect it.
- Poor product photos and missing size or material details.
- Not tracking what sells, so stock decisions stay guesswork.
How long does it take and what does it cost?
A store on Shopify or WooCommerce with a modest catalogue can launch in a few weeks. Custom stores take longer because of design, integrations and testing. Costs depend on catalogue size, design, integrations (shipping, ERP, accounting) and whether you need custom features. We give a detailed quotation after a scoping call instead of a guess.
What do you need before you start selling online in India?
Sort these out early, because they take longer than the website itself:
- GST registration. Most businesses selling online need it; confirm the rules for your case with your CA.
- A current account and payment gateway KYC with a provider such as Razorpay, PayU or Cashfree. Gateways usually check your website during approval.
- Policy pages on your site: terms, privacy policy, refund and cancellation policy, shipping policy and contact details. Payment gateways and marketplaces expect to see them.
- A shipping partner or aggregator, such as Shiprocket or Delhivery, with rates agreed for your package sizes.
- Good product photos and complete product details: sizes, materials, care instructions.
- A clear returns process, including who pays for return shipping.
How Codelix helps
We build online stores on existing platforms and as custom builds, including marketplaces and payment integrations. Our e-commerce solutions and payment integration pages explain the options, and our case studies include e-commerce projects for a book retailer and a food brand.
