How to build a free online store in India — step-by-step

Build a free e-commerce website in India: tools, tips, and a simple launch plan

Want to create an online store in India without paying monthly fees? This guide shows practical free options in 2025, plus step-by-step setup, payment and shipping choices, and common traps to avoid. I include real examples and platform trade-offs so you can pick the right path and launch fast.

Who this guide is for

Beginners with limited budgets. Side-hustlers testing a product. Makers who want to validate sales before investing in a paid plan. If you want a no-code solution, or a path to scale later, this guide helps.

Can you truly create a free e-commerce site?

Yes, with limits. Free plans often give a subdomain, basic templates, and transaction fees. They are perfect to test demand. When sales grow, upgrade to a paid plan or move to a platform with more automation and integrations.

Best free paths for sellers in India (trade-offs included)

• Hosted seller platforms (fastest): Instamojo, Shop101, or other India-focused services let you create a store and accept payments quickly. They often charge per-transaction fees instead of monthly fees.
• Store widgets & marketplaces (least technical): Use Ecwid’s free plan (up to 10 products) or list on marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon Handmade. Marketplaces give traffic but take higher fees and control.
• WordPress + WooCommerce (most flexible): The WooCommerce plugin is free. Hosting is not free unless you use a free tier or local testing. This path gives control and no platform lock-in.
• Website builders with free tiers: Wix or Carrd can host a simple store with links or buy buttons. They may not support full cart features on the free tier.
• Payment pages and links: Razorpay Payment Pages or Instamojo payment links let you sell without a full storefront. Use them with social posts or a simple landing page.

Popular free options and how they fit India sellers

Instamojo (India-friendly store)

Instamojo offers a simple store builder and payment links. It’s built for Indian sellers and supports UPI, netbanking, and wallets. Good for digital products, services, and small product catalogs. Fees apply per transaction, but you can start without monthly cost.

Ecwid’s free plan

Ecwid lets you add a shop to any site and has a free tier for up to 10 products. It integrates with many site builders. Use Ecwid if you want a lightweight store and plan to scale to a paid plan later.

WordPress + WooCommerce

WooCommerce is free and feature-rich. You’ll need hosting and a domain. Low-cost hosting can still be affordable and gives long-term control. This setup is best if you plan to scale and want no platform-imposed limits.

Wix and other builders

Wix has a free tier with a subdomain and limited ecommerce features. It is easy for visual design and quick experiments. For real sales and brand trust, move to a paid plan or custom domain later.

Razorpay Payment Pages

Razorpay lets you create payment pages and links. It’s fast for accepting payments and works with UPI and other Indian payment methods. Combine payment pages with social or a landing page to sell quickly.

How to choose the right free option

Ask three questions:

• How many SKUs will I list? (If more than 10, prefer WooCommerce or a paid plan.)
• Do I need brand control and a custom domain? (If yes, paid hosting or Shopead-like builders will help.)
• How will customers pay? (Ensure UPI, netbanking, and wallets work.)

For many Indian sellers, starting with Instamojo or Razorpay payment links is the fastest way to test sales. If you need a lightweight shop on your site, Ecwid or a free Wix page works well. If you plan a real brand and growth, WordPress+WooCommerce or a scalable builder is better.

Step-by-step: Launch a free e-commerce site in India (30-60 minutes to test)

1. Pick one product. Start with one clear product or a small collection. Keep SKUs low.
2. Create a free account on Instamojo, Ecwid, Wix, or WordPress.com depending on your choice.
3. Set up payments. Link your bank account and enable UPI/Netbanking via Razorpay or Instamojo.
4. Add product pages. Use clean photos, 3–5 bullet points, and clear sizing or ingredients.
5. Set shipping. Start with prepaid shipping only. Choose India Post for low-cost parcels or a courier with pay-on-use like Delhivery or Shiprocket when orders grow.
6. Publish and promote. Share the link on WhatsApp, Instagram, and community groups. Use a small paid ad if you want faster validation.
7. Collect emails. Even a simple signup helps you retarget buyers and sell again.

Payments and compliance for Indian sellers

Enable local payment methods for higher conversion. Razorpay and Instamojo support UPI, netbanking, and cards. Keep records for GST and file taxes when you cross the threshold. For official information on digital business and government services, see Digital India: Digital India.

Shipping options that work for small sellers

India Post is cost-effective for small parcels and wide reach. Courier aggregators (Shiprocket, Pickrr, etc.) let you pay per shipment and offer label printing and tracking. Start with a pay-as-you-go courier to avoid warehousing costs. When you scale, integrate with a platform that automates shipping and tracking.

Promote without big ad spend

• Use WhatsApp groups and Instagram reels for quick social reach.
• Ask friends and first buyers to share and review your product.
• Run small, targeted ads on Facebook or Instagram to test demand.
• Collect emails and send a welcome discount to convert first-time buyers.

When to upgrade from free to paid

Upgrade when you need a custom domain, lower transaction fees, more products, or automation (order routing, inventory sync). If you want faster scaling and advanced features, consider a full ecommerce platform. Platforms with drag-and-drop builders, automation, and integrations reduce time to scale. For a seamless upgrade path, explore an ecommerce website builder that supports growth. Check Shopead themes for ready templates and compare pricing plans when you are ready to move up.

Example launch plans by niche

• Handmade jewelry: Start on Instamojo and Instagram. Use Razorpay links for quick checkout and India Post for shipping.
• Art prints: Use Ecwid free plan on a simple site and start with print-on-demand to avoid inventory.
• Homemade snacks: List on a marketplace for initial sales and use a free site to collect repeat customers and manage subscriptions.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Trying to list too many products at once. Start small.
• Ignoring local payment methods. UPI is essential in India.
• Not testing shipping times. Always order a sample to check delivery quality.
• Skipping legal basics. Track income and check GST rules if you cross thresholds.

Conclusion and next steps

Starting a free e-commerce site in India is realistic. Use Instamojo, Razorpay pages, Ecwid, or WordPress + WooCommerce based on your needs. Test one product, collect emails, and keep costs low until you validate demand. When you want better design, automation, or multi-channel selling, consider a scalable builder. Learn more on the Shopead blog or contact Shopead to discuss migration and features like AI tools for online stores.

FAQ

Can I accept UPI and Indian wallets on a free store?

Yes. Instamojo and Razorpay support UPI and wallets. Enable these during payment setup to improve conversions.

Is WooCommerce free to use in India?

The WooCommerce plugin is free. You will pay for hosting, domain, and any premium extensions. Low-cost hosting makes WooCommerce affordable and flexible for scale.

Which free option gives the fastest sales?

Razorpay payment links or Instamojo stores are fastest. They remove setup friction and let you start accepting payments within minutes.

Do I need GST registration to start small?

GST rules depend on turnover and state. Check the official GST portal and consult local advisors. Keep records even when you start small.

How do I move from a free plan to a scalable store?

Export your product and customer data. Pick a platform with migration guides. If you prefer a hosted path with automation, explore an ecommerce website builder that helps you scale fast and reduces manual setup.

Start small, test fast, and focus on payments and shipping that match Indian buyers. When sales grow, upgrade to a builder with automation and themes to scale smoothly.