Launching an Online Saree Business from Home in India: A Step-by-Step Guide
Starting an online saree business from home can be a great way to turn your passion for sarees into a profitable business venture.
With the rise of e-commerce platforms and the growing demand for traditional Indian attire, there’s never been a better time to start a saree business.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the essential steps to launch your own online saree business, from selecting high-quality sarees to setting up an e-commerce store and marketing your products effectively.
Whether you’re a saree enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to succeed in the online saree business.
Scope of online saree business:
The scope of online saree business is quite promising, considering the increasing trend of online shopping and the popularity of sarees worldwide.
The online saree market offers a vast range of options for customers to choose from, including traditional sarees, designer sarees, wedding sarees, and many more.
As per the market research by SEBI, the size of the women’s apparel market, including sarees, in India was valued at INR 2,697 billion in the financial year 2021, and it is estimated to reach INR 4,267 billion by the year 2025.
This growth is attributed to the increasing popularity of e-commerce platforms and the rising demand for traditional attire among the Indian population.
Various business models are available for saree businesses, including wholesale saree business, retail saree business, online marketplace, social media store, and home run store.
Among these, online saree business is gaining significant attention due to its low setup cost, scalability, and the ability to reach a wider audience. Online saree retailers like Sareevenue have shown success in the market, providing various types of sarees ranging from handlooms to Banarasi.
How to Launch a Profitable Online Saree Business from Home:
Looking to start a profitable online saree business from the comfort of your home? Here is the step-by step Guide to start online saree business:
STEP 1: Conduct Market Research
Before launching your online saree business, it’s crucial to conduct thorough market research. This involves analyzing the Indian saree market, identifying your target audience, understanding consumer preferences, and conducting competitor analysis.
1. Analyzing the Indian Saree Market
Start by analyzing the Indian saree market to determine the demand for different types of sarees, price points, and popular designs. Identify the gaps in the market and opportunities for your business.
2. Identifying the Target Market
Next, identify your target market. Who are your potential customers? Are they brides, working women, or college students? Determine the age range, location, and income level of your target audience.
3. Understanding Consumer Preferences
To attract and retain customers, it’s essential to understand their preferences. Research the color, fabric, and design choices of your target market. Find out what styles are trending and what saree designs are considered timeless classics.
4. Conducting Competitor Analysis
Finally, research your competitors. Who are the major players in the market? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What sets your business apart from theirs? Use this information to differentiate your brand and create a unique selling proposition.
By conducting thorough market research, you’ll be able to develop a deep understanding of your target market and create a business strategy that meets their needs and preferences.
STEP 2: Develop a Business Plan
Once you have conducted market research, the next step is to develop a business plan. This involves creating a business model, defining business goals, creating a marketing strategy, and setting up a budget.
1.Creating a Business Model
Start by determining the type of online saree business you want to launch. Will you offer a wide range of sarees or specialize in a particular type of saree? Will you focus on a particular region or offer sarees from across India? Determine your business model to create a clear path forward.
2.Defining Business Goals
Next, define your business goals. What do you hope to achieve with your online saree business? Are you looking to generate a specific amount of revenue, expand your customer base, or establish a strong online presence? Set clear and measurable goals to track your progress.
3.Creating a Marketing Strategy
To attract customers to your online saree business, you’ll need to develop a marketing strategy. Identify the best channels to reach your target market, such as social media, email marketing, or influencer collaborations. Determine your brand messaging and create a content strategy that resonates with your audience.
4.Setting Up a Budget
Finally, set up a budget for your online saree business. Determine the costs associated with website development, inventory sourcing, marketing, and shipping. Identify potential sources of funding and ensure you have enough capital to launch and sustain your business.
By developing a comprehensive business plan, you’ll be able to define your goals, create a clear strategy, and set up a budget that ensures the success of your online saree business.
STEP 3: Register Your Business and Obtain Licenses
Before launching your online saree business, it’s important to register your business and obtain the necessary licenses. This will ensure that your business is legal and compliant with Indian laws.
1.Business Registration
The first step in registering your online saree business is to choose a business name and register it with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). You’ll need to file the required documents and pay the registration fee to obtain a Certificate of Incorporation.
2.Tax Registration
Next, you’ll need to register for a Goods and Services Tax (GST) number. This is mandatory for all businesses with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 20 lakhs. You’ll also need to obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN) from the Income Tax Department.
3.Licenses and Permits
In addition to business and tax registration, you’ll need to obtain the necessary licenses and permits to operate your online saree business. This may include a Shop and Establishment License, a FSSAI License if you plan to sell food items, and a Trademark Registration to protect your brand.
4.Online Marketplaces
If you plan to sell your sarees on online marketplaces such as Amazon or Flipkart, you’ll need to register as a seller and comply with their requirements.
By registering your business and obtaining the necessary licenses and permits, you’ll ensure that your online saree business is legal and compliant with Indian laws. This will also give your customers confidence in your business and help you establish a strong brand reputation.
STEP 4: Set Up Your Website and Online Store
To launch your online saree business, you’ll need to set up a website and online store. This will allow customers to browse and purchase your sarees from the comfort of their own homes.
1.Domain Name and Website Builder
The first step in setting up your website is to choose a domain name and website builder. Your domain name should be easy to remember and reflect your brand. A website builder such as Aasaan, a zero-code platform, can provide the necessary infrastructure to build your website without technical skills required.
2.Website Design and Development
Next, you’ll need to design and develop your website. You can use a website builder or hire a web developer to create a custom website. A platform like Aasaan can help you build a stunning online storefront and mobile app with advanced SEO, FOMO badges, speed, AI features, performance, and integrations.
3.Product Catalogue and Inventory Management
Once your website is up and running, you’ll need to create a product catalogue and manage your inventory. This will involve uploading high-quality images and detailed descriptions of your sarees, and keeping track of your stock levels to ensure timely deliveries.
4.Payment Gateway and Security
To process online payments, you’ll need to integrate a payment gateway into your website. Popular payment gateways in India include Paytm, Razorpay, and PayPal. You’ll also need to ensure that your website is secure and protected against hacking and cyber threats.
5.Shipping and Returns Policy
Finally, you’ll need to create a shipping and returns policy that outlines your delivery options and return policy. Consider partnering with a reliable shipping provider such as Ship rocket, Delhivery ,Ship Station ,Borzo to ensure timely deliveries and customer satisfaction.
By setting up your website and online store using a platform such as Aasaan, you’ll be able to reach a wider audience and provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers.
How to sell sarees online with aasaan?
To sell sarees online with aasaan, follow these steps:
- Download and sign up for the aasaan app Google Play Store , IOS Store , Web.
- Choose a unique name for your online store.
- Use the catalog builder feature to add sarees to your online store. Include detailed descriptions, images, pricing, and other relevant information.
- Select a theme for your online store that represents your brand and products.
- Add a custom domain name to your online store to make it unique and easily searchable.
- Promote your online store through various marketing channels to attract potential customers and increase sales.
By following these steps, you can easily set up an online saree store on aasaan and start selling your products to a wider audience.
STEP 5: Sourcing Sarees and Inventory Management
Once you have decided on the type of sarees you want to sell and your target market, the next step is to source reliable suppliers who can provide you with high-quality sarees at competitive prices. Here are some key considerations when sourcing sarees for your online business:
1. Finding Reliable Suppliers:
One of the best ways to find reliable suppliers is to attend trade shows or exhibitions that feature saree manufacturers or distributors. You can also search for suppliers online, but make sure to verify their reputation and check customer reviews before placing an order.
2. Negotiating Pricing and Delivery:
Once you have found a few suppliers, you will need to negotiate pricing and delivery terms. Make sure to ask for quotes from multiple suppliers and compare their offers to get the best deal. Negotiate delivery terms such as shipping costs, lead times, and minimum order quantities.
3. Ensuring Quality Control:
Quality control is critical when sourcing sarees. You need to ensure that the sarees meet your quality standards before selling them to customers. To do this, you can request samples from your suppliers before placing bulk orders.
4. Managing Your Inventory:
Effective inventory management is crucial for the success of your online saree business. Make sure to keep track of your stock levels, and reorder popular items before they run out of stock. Consider using inventory management software to streamline the process.
By sourcing high-quality sarees from reliable suppliers and managing your inventory effectively, you can ensure that your customers are satisfied with their purchases and keep coming back for more.
STEP 6: Pricing and Promotion
Once you have sourced your sarees and managed your inventory, the next step is to set competitive prices and create a promotion plan to market your business effectively. Here are some key considerations for pricing and promotion:
1. Setting Competitive Prices:
To set competitive prices, you need to consider the cost of sourcing and shipping your sarees, as well as your profit margin. Research your competitors’ prices and adjust your prices accordingly. You may also consider offering discounts for bulk orders or repeat customers.
2. Offering Discounts and Deals:
Offering discounts and deals can help attract new customers and encourage repeat purchases. Consider offering discounts for first-time customers or seasonal sales. You can also offer free shipping or bundle deals to entice customers to purchase multiple items.
3. Creating a Promotion Plan:
Creating a promotion plan is essential for marketing your online saree business effectively. Consider using social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase your sarees and reach potential customers. You can also consider running ads on these platforms or partnering with influencers to promote your business.
4. Utilizing Social Media Marketing:
Social media marketing is an effective way to reach your target audience and promote your business. Consider creating a social media content calendar to plan and schedule your posts. You can also engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages and hosting giveaways or contests.
By setting competitive prices, offering discounts and deals, creating a promotion plan, and utilizing social media marketing, you can attract new customers and grow your online saree business.
STEP 7: Shipping and Fulfillment
Once you have received orders from your customers, the next step is to fulfill and ship them. Here are some key considerations for shipping and fulfillment:
1. Determining Shipping Methods:
When it comes to shipping, you need to determine the best shipping method for your business. Consider factors such as the distance, shipping time, and cost. You may also consider offering multiple shipping options for customers to choose from.
2. Establishing a Return Policy:
Establishing a return policy is important to ensure customer satisfaction. Make sure to clearly communicate your return policy to customers, including the time frame for returns and any requirements for returned items.
3. Partnering with Shipping Carriers:
Partnering with reliable shipping carriers is essential to ensure that your packages are delivered on time and in good condition. Research shipping carriers in your area and choose one that offers competitive rates and reliable service.
4. Ensuring Smooth Order Fulfillment:
Order fulfillment involves the process of receiving, processing, and shipping orders to customers. Make sure to have a system in place for order processing, including tracking orders, updating customers on the status of their orders, and packing and shipping orders promptly.
By determining the best shipping methods, establishing a return policy, partnering with shipping carriers, and ensuring smooth order fulfillment, you can provide excellent customer service and ensure that your customers receive their orders on time and in good condition.
STEP 8: Providing Excellent Customer Service
Providing excellent customer service is crucial for the success of your online saree business. Here are some key considerations for providing excellent customer service:
1. Building Relationships with Customers:
Building relationships with your customers is important for gaining their trust and loyalty. You can do this by responding promptly to their inquiries and concerns, personalizing their shopping experience, and sending them personalized offers or discounts.
2. Handling Customer Complaints:
Handling customer complaints in a professional and timely manner is important for maintaining customer satisfaction. Make sure to listen to your customers’ concerns and offer a satisfactory resolution.
3. Offering After-Sales Support:
Offering after-sales support can help build long-term relationships with your customers. Consider offering services such as repair or alteration services, or providing information on how to care for their sarees.
4. Creating a Loyalty Program:
Creating a loyalty program can help incentivize repeat purchases and encourage customer loyalty. Consider offering rewards such as discounts, free shipping, or exclusive access to sales or new products.
By building relationships with customers, handling complaints effectively, offering after-sales support, and creating a loyalty program, you can provide excellent customer service and ensure that your customers are satisfied with their shopping experience.
STEP 9: Scaling Your Business
Once your online saree business is up and running, the next step is to focus on scaling your business. Here are some key considerations for scaling your business:
1. Analyzing Business Performance:
Analyzing your business performance is essential for identifying areas for improvement and making data-driven decisions. Consider tracking metrics such as sales, customer acquisition costs, and customer retention rates.
2. Expanding Product Line:
Expanding your product line can help attract new customers and increase sales. Consider offering new styles of sarees or expanding into related products such as jewelry or accessories.
3. Exploring New Markets:
Exploring new markets can help increase your customer base and revenue. Consider expanding your business to new geographic regions or targeting a new demographic.
4. Increasing Online Presence:
Increasing your online presence can help attract new customers and increase brand awareness. Consider utilizing search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to improve your website’s visibility in search engine results or investing in online advertising.
By analyzing your business performance, expanding your product line, exploring new markets, and increasing your online presence, you can scale your online saree business and reach new heights of success.
Different Models of Saree business:
There are different models for starting a saree business, and one can choose the one that suits them the best. Here are some of the most popular models:
1. Retailing:
In this model, the business owner buys sarees from manufacturers or suppliers and sells them directly to customers through their physical or online store.
2. Dropshipping:
In this model, the business owner doesn’t keep an inventory of sarees. Instead, they partner with a dropshipping supplier who stocks the inventory and ships the sarees directly to customers on behalf of the business owner.
3. Wholesaling:
In this model, the business owner purchases sarees in bulk from manufacturers or suppliers at a discounted rate and sells them to retailers or other businesses for a profit.
4. Customization:
In this model, the business owner offers customized sarees to customers based on their preferences and requirements. This can be done either by designing the sarees themselves or by outsourcing the customization work to a third-party.
5. Home Run Store
The Home Run Store model involves selling sarees from the comfort of one’s home, rather than from a physical shop. This model is typically used for small-scale operations and relies heavily on personal interactions with customers.
Customers either visit the seller’s home or the seller takes the sarees directly to the customers. Due to its limited scalability, this model heavily relies on word-of-mouth marketing strategies to attract new customers.
6. Social Media Store
This model is ideal for those who want to start a saree business with minimal investment as they can use their existing social media accounts to showcase their collection.
It also allows for direct communication with customers, which can help build trust and loyalty. However, managing inventory and orders manually can be challenging, and there is a risk of fraud or fake orders.
Therefore, sellers need to be vigilant and careful while conducting transactions through social media platforms. That’s why we recommend start your business with aasaan.
Platforms to sell saree online from home:
- E-commerce platforms: There are several e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, and Snapdeal, where one can list and sell sarees online.
- Social media platforms: Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp can also be used to sell sarees online by creating a business page or a WhatsApp business account.
- Online marketplaces: There are various online marketplaces like Etsy, Craftsvilla, and Jaypore, that specialize in handmade or artisanal products, including sarees.
- Custom-built websites: One can also create their own website to sell sarees online using website builders like aasaan, Shopify or WordPress, or by hiring a web developer to build a custom website.
Are you ready to start your online saree business from home in India? Sign up for a free trial of aasaan today and start managing your inventory with ease. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
FAQ’S:
1. How do I start an online saree business from home?
To start an online saree business from home, you need to first research the market, identify your target audience, and decide on a niche. You will also need to source your products, create an online store, and promote your business through social media and other marketing channels.
2. What are some popular niches for an online saree business?
Some popular niches for an online saree business include designer sarees, traditional sarees, wedding sarees, and sarees for special occasions. You can also focus on a specific region or style of saree, such as Banarasi sarees or Kanchipuram sarees.
3. How can I source sarees for my online business?
You can source sarees for your online business from wholesalers, manufacturers, or local artisans. You can also consider dropshipping, where you partner with a supplier who handles the fulfillment of orders for you.
4. How can I market my online saree business?
To market your online saree business, you can use social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, run targeted ads, and collaborate with influencers in your niche. You can also use email marketing, content marketing, and SEO to drive traffic to your website.
5. How can I ensure profitability for my online saree business?
To ensure profitability for your online saree business, you need to focus on creating a strong brand identity, offering high-quality products, and providing excellent customer service. You should also optimize your pricing strategy and keep a close eye on your expenses to ensure that you are making a profit.
