Coffee from Mizoram, handloom from Assam and sweets from Bihar now ship to Bengaluru and Mumbai every day. You no longer need a metro address to sell to the whole country.
1. Own your store
Marketplaces are good for discovery, but their commissions and rules change. Your own store keeps customer data and margins with you. See how Blue Mountain and Adwita Looms sell direct.
2. Payments
Use a gateway that supports UPI, cards and net banking. Offer cash on delivery carefully: it raises orders but also returns.
3. Shipping
Aggregators such as Shiprocket connect you to several couriers with one account, including pickups in smaller towns. Check serviceable pin codes before promising delivery dates.
4. GST and paperwork
Most sellers shipping between states need GST registration. Speak to a local accountant before launch so invoices are right from day one.
5. First 100 orders
Start with people who already know you: WhatsApp contacts, Instagram followers and repeat local customers. Their reviews and photos sell to strangers later.
