Skip to content Why Start an Online Shoe Store Now?
- Footwear demand is steady throughout the year.
- Sports shoes and sneakers are trending on social media.
- Low setup cost with dropshipping or just-in-time stock.
- Huge audience across cities and age groups.
In short, shoes sell. The market is large. The entry cost can be low. Your job is to pick a clear plan and execute well.
Overview: The 10-Step Launch Plan
- Choose a focused niche.
- Validate demand and pricing.
- Set up a brand and domain.
- Pick your platform and theme.
- Source suppliers and sign terms.
- Create product pages that convert.
- Enable payments and COD.
- Set up shipping and returns.
- Launch your first marketing sprint.
- Track, optimise, and scale.
Step 1: Choose a Focused Niche
Do not sell every shoe on day one. Focus wins. It helps your ads, it helps your content, it helps your buyers decide fast.
Winning niche ideas
- Budget sports shoes under ₹2,999.
- Casual sneakers for college students.
- Gym and training shoes for beginners.
- Lifestyle sneakers for daily wear.
- Women’s athleisure shoes.
Pick one. Make it your identity for the first 90 days. You can add more lines later.
Step 2: Validate Demand and Pricing
Validation saves money. It avoids dead stock. It gives you confidence.
Simple validation methods
- Scan search terms and trends. Note “running shoes,” “sneakers,” and “gym shoes”.
- Browse top stores. Check pricing bands, photos, and offers.
- Post a poll on Instagram. Ask followers which style they want.
- Run a small pre-launch ad. Use a landing page with “notify me”.
Look for clear signals. Do people click? Do they submit? If yes, proceed.
Step 3: Set Up a Brand and Domain
Your name must be short. It must be easy to say. It must be easy to type. Avoid trademark issues. Check the domain and social handles.
Brand kit checklist
- Logo in SVG and PNG.
- Two brand colours. One accent colour.
- Font pair for headings and body.
- Favicon and app icons.
Buy a .in or .com domain. Set a professional email like support@yourbrand.in.
Step 4: Pick Platform and Theme
You need a stable platform. You need a clean theme. Keep it fast. Keep it mobile-first.
Good choices
- WordPress + WooCommerce: Flexible. Strong for SEO.
Theme must-haves
- Fast load speed.
- Clear product grids.
- Sticky add-to-cart on mobile.
- Native size chart support.
- Trust badges and reviews.
Step 5: Source Suppliers and Sign Terms
Suppliers are the backbone. Choose quality partners. Ask for samples. Test fit, comfort, and finish.
Supplier checklist
- Catalogue with current trends.
- Clear wholesale or dropship prices.
- Shipping time commitments.
- Return and replacement rules.
- COD support, if offered.
- Brand-neutral packaging if you need it.
Sign a simple agreement. Define SLAs. Define damages for delays. Keep things clear.
Step 6: Create Product Pages That Convert
Your product page is your sales rep. Make it strong. Make it clear. Make it fast.
Photos and video
- Front, side, top, heel, and sole shots.
- Close-ups of mesh, stitching, and grip.
- Short try-on video. Show movement.
Copy and structure
- SEO title: include type and use case. Example: “Lightweight Running Shoes for Daily Jogging”.
- 3–6 bullet benefits. Keep them crisp.
- Material and weight notes.
- Care tips and warranty notes.
Size and fit
- Add an Indian size chart.
- Suggest the foot length in cm for each size.
- Include “fit advice”: true to size, narrow, or wide.
End with urgency cues. Use “Limited stock” or “Fast-moving style”. Keep it honest.
Step 7: Enable Payments and COD
Indian buyers love choice. Add UPI, cards, net banking, and wallets. Offer COD if you can manage it.
Fraud and COD tips
- Use OTP confirmation for COD.
- Call high-value COD orders.
- Block repeat fake addresses.
Step 8: Set Up Shipping, Returns, and Support
Fast and predictable delivery builds trust. Clear returns build confidence. Great support builds loyalty.
Shipping basics
- Show delivery estimates on product pages.
- Enable live tracking via SMS or email.
- Use sturdy boxes and tamper tape.
Returns policy
- Simple language. Short paragraphs.
- Clear window (e.g., 7 days from delivery).
- Hygiene and wear rules.
Support playbook
- Reply within 24 hours.
- Offer size exchange first.
- Refund speed: set and stick to it.
Step 9: Launch Your First Marketing Sprint (14 Days)
Go live with a focused push. Keep it simple. Keep it trackable.
Prep
- Create 5–7 reels. Show try-ons and styling.
- Make 3 ad creatives. One lifestyle. One close-up. One review style.
- Set a small daily ad budget. Start with one city or region.
Run and learn
- Run Instagram and Facebook ads. Optimise placements.
- Post daily stories with polls and Q&A.
- Ask micro influencers for shoutouts. Offer sample pairs.
Optimise
- Pause weak ads. Scale the top one.
- Feature your top 5 products on the home page.
- Add a limited-time bundle or “Buy 2, Save More”.
Step 10: Track, Optimise, and Scale
Use data. It guides the next step. It prevents guesswork.
Metrics that matter
- Click-through rate on ads and pages.
- Add to cart and checkout starts.
- Conversion rate and CPA.
- Refund rate and delivery times.
Scale winners. Replace losers. Keep testing one change at a time.
Legal and Compliance Basics
- Register your business as required.
- Set up GST if you cross thresholds or use certain platforms.
- Avoid trademarked brand names in titles, slugs, or images.
- Publish clear policies for privacy, returns, and shipping.
Your 7-Page Launch Kit
- Home page with hero offer and bestsellers.
- Category page: your niche (e.g., Sports Shoes).
- Product page template with size guide.
- About page with your brand story.
- Contact page with WhatsApp and email.
- Shipping and returns policy page.
- Blog with 2 starter posts.
Starter Content to Publish This Week
- Blog 1: How to Choose the Right Running Shoes for Beginners.
- Blog 2: Sneaker Style Guide for College Students.
- FAQ page section on size, care, and delivery time.
Conversion Boosters You Can Add in One Hour
- Sticky “Buy Now” on mobile.
- Trust badges near the CTA.
- “Cash on Delivery Available” label.
- Check the progress bar.
- Free returns banner (if you offer it).
Simple Tech Stack (Lean and Effective)
- Platform: Shopify or WooCommerce.
- Analytics: GA4 and Meta Pixel.
- Email: welcome series + order updates.
- WhatsApp: order alerts and support.
- Reviews: photo reviews on product pages.
Pre-Launch Checklist (24-Hour Dry Run)
- Place a test order with prepaid and COD.
- Check all emails and SMS alerts.
- Open the site on 4 G. Test speed and layouts.
- Verify size charts and returns link.
- Check tax and shipping rules at checkout.
Post-Launch 30-Day Plan
- Week 1: Identify 3 bestsellers. Feature them.
- Week 2: Add 10 new SKUs in the same niche.
- Week 3: Start an email welcome series and a win-back flow.
- Week 4: Run a “Buy 2 and Save” offer. Push UGC reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need inventory to start?
No. You can start with dropshipping. Your supplier ships to your buyer. You pay after an order comes in.
Is COD required in India?
COD helps trust and conversions. If you can manage fraud checks, offer it. Also, keep UPI and cards.
How many products do I need at launch?
Start with 20–30 SKUs. Keep it focused. Add more once you see winners.
How long until I see sales?
With a niche offer and active ads, many stores see first orders within 2–3 weeks. Keep testing and improving.
Conclusion and Next Steps
You now have a clear, step-by-step plan to launch your online shoe store in India. Start with one niche. Test demand. Build a simple, fast store. List products with strong photos and size guides. Offer COD. Run a focused marketing sprint. Track results. Improve fast. That is the blueprint.
Take action today:
- Pick your niche and buy your domain.
- Request samples from two suppliers.
- Build your store and upload 20 products.
- Launch your first 14-day ad sprint.
Ready to move faster? See our plans and tools to speed up product imports, size charts, and order routing. Explore our blog for growth guides, or check the contact page to talk with us.
