How to Start an Online Store in Mumbai (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

To start an online store in Mumbai, you pick what to sell, register your business and GST if needed, choose where to sell, build the store, set up payments and shipping, and then launch and promote it. A basic website starts at ₹9,999 and a full e-commerce website at ₹24,900 with Javedify, and you can begin from home with no warehouse.

This guide is written for beginners. It explains how to start an online store in Mumbai from home, how to start an e-commerce business in Mumbai step by step, what the main platforms cost, how Razorpay payments work, and when to sell on Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho instead. Javedify is a web design and development company near Reay Road station in Mazgaon, Byculla. Prices and fees in this guide were checked in October 2026.

How to Start an Online Store in Mumbai: Step by Step

These eight steps work for any product, from clothes and perfumes to sports jerseys and home goods.

Step 1: Decide What to Sell and Who Will Buy It

Start with one product group and one type of customer. A narrow store is easier to photograph, price, ship and promote than a store that sells everything. Check what similar Mumbai and Indian stores charge, and make sure your price leaves room for shipping, payment fees and returns.

Step 2: Register Your Business and Check GST

Choose a business structure such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP or private limited company. A GST registration is needed if you sell through marketplaces such as Amazon or Flipkart, and the rules for an own-website store depend on your turnover and what you sell. You also need to publish terms, refund and privacy policies on your website. Sources do not agree on every threshold, so confirm your GST and registration needs with a chartered accountant before you launch.

Step 3: Open a Business Bank Account

A current account in your business name keeps your sales money separate from personal money. You will connect this account to your payment gateway so customer payments reach you.

Step 4: Choose Where to Sell

You can sell on your own website, on marketplaces such as Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho, or on both. Many Mumbai sellers use a marketplace to get first orders and an own website to build their brand and keep customer details.

Step 5: Get a Domain and Build Your Store

Pick a short domain name that matches your brand. A .com or .in domain usually costs about ₹600 to ₹1,200 a year. Then build the store with a platform like Shopify, a store builder, or a custom website. Add clear product photos, prices, descriptions, a cart and a checkout.

Step 6: Set Up Payments

Connect a payment gateway such as Razorpay so customers can pay by UPI, cards and netbanking. Offer cash on delivery too if your products suit it, because some shoppers prefer to pay on arrival.

Step 7: Set Up Shipping and Stock

Choose a courier or shipping platform such as Shiprocket, set delivery charges and track your stock so you never sell what you do not have. Light parcels under 2 kg usually cost about ₹60 to ₹150 within India.

Step 8: Launch and Promote

Launch with 10 to 20 good products, then share your store on Instagram and WhatsApp, optimise product pages for Google search, and ask early customers for reviews. Our SEO service and Google Ads package help stores get found.

How to Start an Online Store in Mumbai from Home

You can run an online store from home in Mumbai without a shop or a warehouse. Many stores begin with a small stock kept at home and shipped by courier, and move to a rented storage space only when orders grow.

  • Start small. List a limited number of products you can pack and ship yourself.
  • Use a shipping platform. Print labels and book couriers online, so you do not run to the courier office for each order.
  • Keep stock organised. A stock management feature on your website stops you from overselling.
  • Set a daily packing time. Fast dispatch gives you better reviews, whether you sell from home or from a shop.
  • Move to a warehouse later. Warehouse space in India usually costs about ₹15 to ₹50 per square foot per month, so wait until volume justifies it.

Online Store for Beginners: What You Need Before You Start

Keep these items ready before you contact a website company, and your store goes live much faster. We ask for the same list when we build an e-commerce website.

  • Business or brand logo
  • Domain name you want to use
  • Brand colours (just type the colour names)
  • Product category names and category images
  • Product photos with full details such as price, size and description
  • Gmail ID and mobile number
  • Shop or office address and contact details
  • Social media links
  • A short text about your business or brand
  • One website you like, as a design reference

Own Website vs Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho

An own website gives you your brand, your customer list and your pricing control. A marketplace gives you shoppers from day one but takes fees and sets the rules.

PointOwn online storeAmazon, Flipkart and MeeshoTrafficYou bring visitors through SEO, ads and social mediaShoppers already visit the marketplaceFeesPayment gateway fee, usually 2% to 3% per transactionCommission, shipping and other fees set by the marketplace. Meesho advertises 0% commission.Brand and customer dataYour brand, your customer listThe marketplace owns the customer relationshipSetup effortNeeds a website build, which takes days to weeksQuick to register and list productsGSTDepends on turnover and what you sellNeeded for Amazon and Flipkart. Meesho allows some non-GST categories.

Fee details: gateway fees from Hostinger, Meesho from SW Cybernetics, GST from Kanakkupillai. If you want help running marketplace accounts, see our Meesho, Flipkart and Amazon account management services, from ₹2,900 a month.

Shopify vs Razorpay Webstore vs Custom Website

The best platform depends on your budget, how much control you want and how fast you want to grow.

OptionCostBest forWatch out forShopifyBasic plan ₹1,499 a month on yearly billing, ₹1,994 on monthly billingQuick launch with ready themesMonthly fee continues, extra apps cost more, and Shopify adds a 2% fee on third-party payment gateways on the Basic planRazorpay Webstore or InstamojoCheck each provider's current pricingVery simple stores with few productsLimited design and features as you growCustom e-commerce website (Javedify)₹24,900 one time, with free domain and hosting for 1 yearBrands that want their own design, admin panel and featuresDomain and hosting renewal after the first year

Shopify prices from Shopify India. Apps for extra features usually cost ₹800 to ₹8,000 a month or more, according to Hostinger. Our custom e-commerce website includes a user-friendly admin panel, payment gateway integration, stock management, call and WhatsApp buttons, OTP login, cart tracking and a loyalty and rewards system.

How to Set Up Razorpay and Online Payments

Razorpay charges a flat 2% plus GST on domestic cards, netbanking and wallets, with no setup fee and no annual maintenance charge, according to Razorpay's pricing page. Settlement is usually next day (T+1).

  • UPI and RuPay debit cards. These follow separate rules, so check Razorpay's current pricing page before you plan your margins.
  • Other gateways. Most Indian gateways charge about 2% to 3% per transaction.
  • Cash on delivery. Keep it as an option for first-time buyers, and mark it clearly at checkout.
  • Your bank account. Payments settle into the business account you register with the gateway.

Javedify works with Razorpay and PhonePe for payment gateway integration, and Shiprocket for shipping.

Shipping, Stock and Delivery

Shipping decides how customers feel about your store, so set it up before launch. Offer clear delivery times, tracking and a simple return process.

  • Shipping rates. Light parcels under 2 kg usually cost ₹60 to ₹150 within India, and heavier parcels cost more.
  • Shipping platforms. Tools like Shiprocket connect to your store and automate labels and order updates.
  • Stock tracking. Keep your inventory updated on the website so sold-out items cannot be ordered.
  • Order alerts. Instant order notifications help you pack and dispatch quickly.

How to Start an Online Clothing Store or Boutique in India

If you want to start an online clothing store or an online boutique in India, add a few things to the basic steps. Show every size with a size chart, shoot photos in clear daylight, and write fabric and care details for each item. Offer easy exchanges, because size and fit questions are common in clothing. Meesho can help you test designs with 0% commission before you invest in your own website.

How Much Does It Cost to Start an Online Store in Mumbai?

You can start for under ₹10,000 for the website, and a full online store with payments, stock and an admin panel costs about ₹24,900 with Javedify. Mumbai agencies commonly quote ₹50,000 to ₹3,00,000 for an online store, according to Codingclave.

Cost itemTypical amountWith JavedifyBasic website (5 pages)₹5,000 – ₹50,000₹9,999Full e-commerce website₹50,000 – ₹3,00,000 in Mumbai₹24,900Domain name₹600 – ₹2,500 per yearFree for the first year with the e-commerce packagePayment gateway2% – 3% per transactionRazorpay and PhonePe integration includedShipping per light parcel₹60 – ₹150Paid per order to the courierMarketplace account management₹2,000 – ₹5,100 per month₹2,900 to ₹4,600 per monthSafety buffer for surprises10% – 20% of the budgetPlan it yourself

Sources: Hostinger's e-commerce cost guide, Hostinger's India website cost guide, Codingclave and IndiaMART. Marketing, stock and packing costs are extra. For a detailed price guide, read our article on website design cost in Mumbai.

How to Get Your First Customers

  • Google search. Write clear product titles and descriptions with the words shoppers type, and keep your pages fast on mobile.
  • Instagram and WhatsApp. Share product photos, offers and your store link with friends, family and local groups.
  • Reviews. Ask every early customer to review the product, because new shoppers trust them.
  • Offers. A first-order discount gets hesitant shoppers to try you.
  • Paid ads. Use Google Ads or Meta ads once your product pages convert. Our digital marketing packages cover social media, Google Ads and SEO.

Common Mistakes When Starting an Online Store

  • Listing too many products before one product sells well
  • Poor photos and thin product descriptions
  • Forgetting shipping, payment and return costs when setting prices
  • Skipping policies such as refund, privacy and terms pages
  • Choosing the cheapest builder without checking how it grows with you
  • Not tracking stock, which leads to cancelled orders

How to Start an Online Store in Mumbai: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start an online store in Mumbai with no money?

You can test your product on a marketplace first, because joining Meesho is free and it advertises 0% commission. When orders start coming in, add your own website, which starts at ₹9,999 with Javedify. Free store builders exist, but they limit design, features and growth.

How much does it cost to start an online store in Mumbai?

A basic website starts at ₹9,999 and a full e-commerce website at ₹24,900 with Javedify. Mumbai agencies commonly charge ₹50,000 to ₹3,00,000, and you also pay for stock, shipping, payment fees and marketing.

Can I start an online store in Mumbai from home?

Yes. Many sellers start from home with a small stock and ship by courier. You do not need a shop or warehouse at the start.

How do I start an online store for beginners?

Pick one product group, register your business and GST if needed, choose a platform, add 10 to 20 products, connect a payment gateway, set up shipping and launch. A website company can build the store while you collect products and photos.

Do I need GST to start an online store in India?

You need a GSTIN to sell on Amazon and Flipkart. For your own website, it depends on your turnover and what you sell, so ask a chartered accountant. Meesho allows some categories without GST.

Should I sell on my own website or on Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho?

Many sellers do both. A marketplace gives you quick first orders, and your own website builds your brand and customer list over time.

Which payment gateway should I use for my online store?

Razorpay is widely used in India and charges a flat 2% plus GST on domestic cards, netbanking and wallets. Compare it with other gateways and check the current UPI pricing before you decide.

How long does it take to build an online store?

Mumbai e-commerce stores usually take 2 to 6 weeks, according to Codingclave. Our custom e-commerce website is delivered within 13 days of project kick-off, once we receive your logo, product images and business details.

Shopify or a custom website, which is better?

Shopify is quick to start but charges a monthly fee and extra for apps. A custom website costs more upfront but gives you full control of design, features and your data, and you only renew domain and hosting after the first year.

Start Your Online Store in Mumbai with Javedify

Tell us what you sell and we will recommend the right plan: a basic website from ₹9,999, a business website at ₹15,999, a custom e-commerce website at ₹24,900 or a Next.js website at ₹34,999. Book a free 30-minute consultation on our booking page, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 89284 87610.

See live stores we built: Emporio Sports, a football jersey store in Santacruz, Mumbai, and Goldior Luxury, a perfume brand in Andheri West, Mumbai. You can also read about our e-commerce website development in Mumbai and website development in Mumbai services.

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