If you're an established business that has thrived offline - but now wants to ride the digital wave - this one’s for you.

Over the last few years, I've worked with dozens of traditional businesses that made the jump from offline to online. Some had decades of legacy, others were family-run setups. But the common thread? They all wanted to grow. Digitally.

So, here’s a simple, no-jargon playbook. A step-by-step guide we at The eCom Show put together to help product businesses like yours get started online, without hiring a 10-member tech team or burning lakhs on experimentation.

Let’s dive in. Let’s get online.

Step 1: Know Your Customer - Start with Google Analytics

Before scaling, you need to understand your audience:

• Who’s visiting your website?

• Where are they coming from?

• What’s making them bounce?

📊 Use Google Analytics—it’s free and powerful.
Data-backed decisions > assumptions.

Step 2: Add a WhatsApp Button - Enable Instant Conversations

Trust is everything in Indian commerce.

🟢 A simple WhatsApp button helps customers:

• Ask questions

• Get clarity

• Convert faster

Start with a basic plugin. Or if you want flows and automation, explore Meta’s WhatsApp Business API.
Remember: Over 500 million Indians are on WhatsApp. Meet them where they are.

Step 3: Set Up Your Store with Shopify

Don’t let tech stop your business.

🛍 Shopify makes it easy to:

• Launch a clean, mobile-ready website

• Accept payments

• Manage inventory

• Fulfill orders seamlessly

Their starter plan is just ₹1,994/month. No coding. No tech headaches.

Step 4: Basic SEO - Get Discovered Organically

Simple tweaks. Big impact.

✅ Do this:

• Use clear product titles (“Cold Pressed Coconut Oil” > “CPCO 500ml”)

• Write helpful, keyword-based descriptions

• Add alt-text to product images

• Create must-have pages (About, Contact, Returns)

• Blog about questions customers often ask

Shopify already has built-in SEO fields. Use them well.

Step 5: List on Marketplaces

Your site is your home. But don’t ignore traffic-heavy platforms like:

• Amazon

• Flipkart

• JioMart

More visibility = more customers. Simple.

Step 6: Create Content That Connects

📸 You don’t need a DSLR.

Use your phone. Show:

• Behind-the-scenes of packing/shipping

• How your product is made

• Customer testimonials

• Your own story

Post on Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and even LinkedIn.
Keep it real, not perfect.

Step 7: Build a Founder Brand

People buy from people. Not just logos.

💡 Share:

• Lessons you’ve learned

• Challenges you’ve faced

• What keeps you going

Check out founder-led brands like @taranchhabra, @vaibhavsisinty, or @tyreguru.in for inspiration.
Your story matters.

Step 8: Use Paid Ads (Smartly)

When you’re ready to scale:

💰 Start with Google or Facebook ads.
Target audiences, retarget site visitors, and test what works.

Pro tip: Don’t hire an agency right away. First, get your basics in place. Then bring in pros to scale further.

Bonus: Stay Ahead in a Changing Market

🌊 Markets shift. Be agile. Try:

• Launching your own D2C brand

• Becoming a white-label supplier for a rising brand

• Partnering with creators (yes, you can even offer equity!)

If this helped you even 1%, imagine what tailored support could do.

Send us a “Hi” on WhatsApp – Click here to talk to our team at The eCom Show. We’ll help you take your offline success into the digital age - one smart step at a time.

Want to download this playbook? Click here to download