Launching an online store in India: the checklist to complete before you go live
Products, payments, delivery, policies, search and customer updates: a pre-launch checklist for a new e-commerce store.
By the StackBridge Labs team · Published · Last reviewed · 1 min read
We build and sell some of the software and services mentioned in our guides, and we say so where it applies.
A store that looks good but cannot take payment, ship reliably or answer “where is my order?” will lose customers quickly. Use this checklist to make sure the unglamorous parts are ready before you launch.
1. Products and content
- Clear photos on a plain background, from more than one angle
- A specific title and description for every product, written for customers rather than copied from a supplier
- Prices, sizes or variants, and stock counts that are correct
- Categories that match how people actually look for things
2. Payments
- UPI and card payments through a payment gateway
- A clear order confirmation page and email
- A plan for failed or abandoned payments
- Invoices in the format your accountant needs. Check GST and invoicing requirements for your business with a professional.
3. Delivery
- Shipping partners and rates that you have tested with a real parcel
- Delivery times you can keep
- A way for customers to track their order
4. Policies
Publish a returns and refund policy, a privacy policy, terms of use and your contact details. Clear policies build trust, and they answer questions before customers have to ask.
5. Be easy to find
- A search-friendly structure with one page per product and category
- Fast mobile pages, because most shoppers will arrive on a phone
- Analytics and Search Console set up from day one
6. Keep customers informed
Order confirmation, dispatch and delivery messages cut support questions. Sending them on WhatsApp, with approved templates, gets read more than email. See WhatsApp notification systems.
7. Run it day to day
- Stock updates, order management and a simple daily routine
- Coupons and festival offers you can create yourself
- A look at your best-selling products each week
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