E-commerce website launch checklist for Indian businesses
Launching an online store in India involves more than setting up WooCommerce. Here is the complete checklist to make sure nothing gets missed before you go live.
Launching an e-commerce site feels like crossing a finish line, but it is really a starting line. A poorly launched store loses sales from day one, sometimes without the owner realising why. I have helped several Indian businesses launch online stores, and the same categories of mistakes come up repeatedly. This checklist covers what you need before you hit publish.
Payment gateway and checkout
This is the highest-stakes part of an Indian e-commerce launch. Test every payment method end-to-end before going live. That means actually completing a test purchase using UPI, credit card, debit card, net banking, and EMI if you offer it.
Razorpay and PayU are the most widely used payment gateways for Indian stores. Cashfree is popular for its UPI success rates. Whichever you choose, get your account fully verified (KYC completed, bank account linked, settlement schedule confirmed) before launch, not after. A payment gateway that is not fully set up will hold your first few payouts for days or weeks.
Check that your refund workflow is clear. Under Indian consumer law and RBI guidelines, customers have certain refund rights. Know how your gateway handles refunds and communicate this clearly in your returns policy.
GST and tax configuration
Every product on your Indian e-commerce store needs the correct GST rate applied. Different product categories have different rates: 0% for fresh food, 5% for essential goods, 12%, 18%, or 28% for other categories. WooCommerce's tax settings need to be configured correctly from the start.
If you are GST registered, your checkout should collect the customer's GSTIN for B2B orders so they can claim input tax credit. If you are not yet registered (under the Rs 20 lakh annual turnover threshold for most states), you still need to decide whether to register before launch based on your expected volumes.
Product pages and images
Every product needs at least three to four quality photos: front, back, detail shots, and a lifestyle or in-use photo. Indian shoppers check images carefully before buying, especially for clothing, electronics, and home products.
Product descriptions should answer the questions a customer would ask a salesperson. Size, material, compatibility, warranty, and what is included in the box. Do not copy descriptions from the manufacturer. Write original content that reflects how your customers think and speak.
Shipping and delivery setup
Configure your shipping zones correctly. If you only deliver within your state, restrict the checkout to those pincodes. If you ship pan-India, set up proper rate cards or integrate a shipping aggregator like Shiprocket or Delhivery.
Display delivery timelines clearly on product pages and at checkout. "3 to 5 business days" is far better than a vague "dispatched soon." Indian shoppers have been trained by Flipkart and Amazon to expect specific timelines, and vague language creates support tickets.
Legal pages and trust signals
Indian e-commerce stores need: a Shipping Policy, Returns and Refund Policy, Privacy Policy, and Terms and Conditions. These are not just good practice. Consumer protection regulations in India require clear disclosure of return and refund terms.
Trust signals matter for Indian shoppers who are still cautious about buying from new, unknown brands. Display your physical address, phone number, and email clearly. Add customer reviews. If you have an FSSAI licence (for food), a trademark, or other certifications, show them.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register a company before launching an e-commerce store in India?
You can start as a sole proprietor, but you will need a GST registration and a current account in your business name to use most payment gateways properly. Consult a CA about the right business structure for your situation.
Which is better: WooCommerce or Shopify for Indian e-commerce?
WooCommerce is more flexible and has lower monthly costs. Shopify is easier to set up and manage. For Indian payment gateways, both have good integrations. Shopify Payments is not available in India, so you will need a third-party gateway on Shopify too.
How do I handle COD (cash on delivery) orders?
COD is still significant in India, especially for first-time customers and tier-2 or tier-3 cities. Enable it in your payment settings but be prepared for higher return rates. Some businesses add a small COD handling fee of Rs 30 to Rs 50 to offset the logistics cost.