Guides
Straight answers, from accounts we actually run.
Questions Indian ecommerce sellers ask us, answered properly. The answer is at the top of every page — scroll only if you want the detail behind it.
Ads
- 2026-08-09
When is Meta Ads the wrong first channel for a new D2C brand?
Meta Ads is the wrong first channel when your product needs explanation to sell, when you have no proof yet, or when your margin can't absorb Meta's typical cost per acquisition — Google, marketplaces or organic often work better first.
- 2026-08-09
How do you decide when to scale an ad campaign, and when to stop?
Scale only when new orders convert into money that actually stays with you, not RTOs or one-time buyers. Stop the moment new spend buys volume instead of profit — even when the on-screen numbers still look good.
- 2026-08-05
How much should an Indian D2C brand spend on ads to start?
Start at ₹1,000–₹2,000 a day — enough for the platform to gather data without burning cash while you learn. Expect the first three to four weeks to be spent finding what works, not making a profit.
- 2026-08-05
How do you read a Google Ads report if you're not technical?
Ignore impressions and clicks. Look at four numbers — conversions, conversion value, cost, and ROAS. If conversion value divided by cost is above your break-even multiple, the account is working. Everything else is diagnostic detail.
Getting started
- 2026-08-05
What does it actually cost to launch a Shopify store in India?
Budget ₹3,500–₹8,000 a month to run a Basic Shopify store in India — subscription plus GST, apps, and transaction fees. A one-time build costs ₹10,000–₹50,000 depending on who does it and how custom it is.
- 2026-08-05
Should a new Indian D2C brand start on Shopify or on a marketplace?
Start on a marketplace if you need cash flow and validation fast. Start on Shopify if you have a brand and want to own the customer. Most Indian brands end up on both — the question is sequence, not either/or.
Marketplaces
- 2026-08-05
Amazon or Flipkart — which should an Indian seller start with?
Amazon suits higher-value, brand-led catalogues and has better fulfilment infrastructure. Flipkart suits value-priced, tier-2/3 categories like fashion and has a clearer seller-tier system. Both now waive commission on much low-priced inventory, so fees are no longer the deciding factor.
- 2026-08-05
What does Flipkart Gold tier actually get you?
Flipkart Gold tier requires roughly ₹30 lakh revenue or 4,000 units sold, plus cancellation under 0.15% and RTD breaches under 1%. It gets you faster payment — about five business days — a dedicated account manager, and earlier sale-event access.
Pricing
- 2026-08-05
When should a D2C brand hire an agency instead of doing it in-house?
Hire an agency when the work is costing you more in lost time than the fee, or when you need a skill you cannot hire for at your size. Below roughly ₹3 lakh monthly revenue, doing it yourself usually wins.
- 2026-08-05
Gross revenue or net revenue — which should you judge an agency on?
Judge an agency on net revenue — what stayed with you after refunds, returns and RTOs. Gross revenue counts orders that came back and you paid shipping on twice. In India that gap is routinely 20–30%.
- 2026-08-05
How much do ecommerce agencies charge in India?
Most Indian ecommerce agencies charge a monthly retainer of ₹75,000 to ₹10,00,000, commonly ₹1,50,000–₹6,00,000. Others take 10–20% of ad spend. A third model charges a percentage of net sales after returns — Orcas Prime takes 3.5% + GST.
Product strategy
- 2026-08-09
How do you decide pricing for a new product in D2C ecommerce?
We price backward from your real per-unit cost including returns and RTO, then test where demand actually holds — not by copying a competitor's number or picking a round figure that feels right.
- 2026-08-09
What's a good framework for launching a new product online in India?
A launch works when creative, listings and ad budget are ready before the launch date, sequenced in a fixed order — not scrambled together afterward. Launch week is the result of prior setup, not the starting point.
RTO and returns
- 2026-08-09
How do you choose a courier partner for a D2C store in India?
We choose a courier by real delivery success in your specific pin codes, not headline rate. A cheaper courier that fails more often costs more overall — you pay for it as RTOs instead of on the invoice.
- 2026-08-05
How do you reduce COD return rates in India?
Cut COD RTO by verifying addresses before dispatch, confirming high-risk orders by WhatsApp or call, offering a small prepaid discount, and blocking repeat offenders. Most Indian D2C brands can move RTO down several points with these alone.
- 2026-08-05
What is RTO in ecommerce, and how much does it actually cost you?
RTO is a shipment the customer refuses or that fails delivery, returning to you unsold. India averages 20–30% RTO on D2C orders, higher on COD. Each one costs you forward shipping, return shipping, and the packaging — with no revenue.
The next guide comes from whatever gets asked most.
Ask yours on WhatsApp. If it's a good one, it becomes the next guide.
No forms, no discovery call booking, no sales sequence. A conversation.