Websites 101
A practical 30-day plan to bring your offline business online in India — from domain to payments. Start selling on the web with confidence.
Your shop has loyal customers, steady footfall, and a reputation built over years. But every week, someone asks, "Do you have a website?" or "Can I order on WhatsApp?" — and you say no. In 2025, not being online isn't just a missed opportunity; it's a gap your competitors will fill. The good news? You don't need six months or ₹5 lakh to fix this. You need 30 days, a clear plan, and the willingness to act.
This roadmap is written for Indian small-business owners — kirana stores, boutiques, clinics, caterers, tutors, repair services — who want to go online without quitting their day job or blowing their budget.
Week 1 (Days 1–7): Lock Your Digital Identity
Before you build anything, claim your name on the internet. This week is about reserving handles and listing your business where people already search.
Register your domain
Pick a domain that matches your business name. If "sharmatextiles.com" is taken, try "sharmatextiles.in" or "sharmatextiles.co.in" — both work well for Indian businesses. A `.in` domain costs ₹400–700/year from providers like GoDaddy, Hostinger, or BigRock. Don't overthink it. A short, memorable name beats a clever one.
Claim your Google Business Profile
This is free and arguably the highest-ROI thing you'll do. Go to business.google.com, verify your shop's address, add photos, timings, and your phone number. When someone in your city searches "tailor near me" or "dentist in Indirapuram," this profile puts you on the map — literally.
Reserve social handles
Grab your name on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Business. Even if you won't post daily, owning the handle prevents someone else from taking it. WhatsApp Business lets you create a catalogue and share product images without building a full website — a quick win for businesses that sell via chat.
