Selling books online in India has become a growing trend, as people have access to more technology and the Indian book market has grown in recent years. With this growth comes an increasing number of ways to create a successful online business selling books. If you’re an established seller looking for new ways to reach customers, understanding the basics like eCommerce logistics, etc. can help you succeed. This guide will walk you through some of the key considerations when setting up an online bookselling business, from understanding the different marketplaces and payment systems to getting your first customers. With a little planning and dedication, you can create a successful bookselling business that’s profitable for years to come.
The Process of Selling Books Online
eCommerce in India has changed the way things were purchased by consumers. It has facilitated consumers to buy almost everything at the tip of their fingers. However, when it comes to selling books online, here’s a quick guide you can refer to.
Procurement
The first step is to decide where you are going to source the books from. You can source books from book wholesalers and distributors, publishers, or even authors. You will need to check the prices offered by each of these sources and negotiate for better terms if possible. This step is critical as it will determine your profit margin in the process of selling books online.
You will also need to decide the type of books that sell the best in India. Indian readers are increasingly reading novels, humour, mythology and spiritual books. Therefore, if you want to focus on the traditional Indian market, these types of books would be ideal for your online store. Additionally, you can also stock international bestsellers.
Marketplaces
Once you have sourced the books, the next step is to decide on the platforms to sell. You can either create your website or sell through online marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart which are ideal for selling books online in India as they have large distribution networks and are trusted by consumers. You will need to set up an account with them, which involves registering yourself as a seller on their respective websites.
Marketing
Once you have registered your online store, the next step is to market the books to potential customers. You can use various marketing tools such as social media campaigns, SEO, email marketing etc. to reach your target audience. You can also use targeted ads on Google and other search engines. Additionally, you can leverage influencers who have a good following in order to reach more people with your bookstore.
Payments
Next, you will need to set up payment methods to facilitate transactions. You can accept payments through credit cards or debit cards along with other popular payment gateways such as Paytm and Google Pay in India. Considering the popularity of COD payment option among Indian consumers, it’s important to offer COD payments. Additionally, you should also make sure that the checkout process is easy and intuitive for customers. This will ensure a positive user experience and ensure that customers come back to your store for repeat purchases.
Shipping
Finally, you will need to partner with a trusted eCommerce logistics aggregator like NimbusPost which can result in huge savings on the distribution of your books. Their state-of-the-art infrastructure, wide network of 27+ courier partners, and a delivery reach across 29000+ pin codes provide an efficient and convenient way to ship orders across India. They offer a wide variety of shipping and warehouse services including an automated courier recommendation engine, fraud order detection feature, real-time shipment tracking, fastest pick-ups from multiple locations, and discounted rates for bulk shipments. This allows you to stay competitive in the market and save a lot of money in the process.
When it comes to choosing an ideal eCommerce logistics partner for your online bookselling business, you must ensure that your customers get their orders safely and on time. You should look for a partner with a reliable delivery network and discounted shipping rates. Plus, an ideal shipping partner would help you handle returns and refunds easily.
Conclusion
Selling books online is a decent business that requires a little research, primarily on choosing the right genre of books, sourcing platform, and shipping partner that can help you earn a high margin on sales with its low shipping rates. With careful planning, thoughtful execution and a little help from the above guide, you can easily create a profitable eCommerce book store in India.
