Flipkart is a leading marketplace in the e-commerce industry. The credibility of this platform is so high that if you start selling on it, your brand can experience a 2x spike in growth and visibility than before.
About Flipkart – A Huge Opportunity for Online Sellers
Flipkart offers a thriving platform for entrepreneurs looking to establish their e-commerce presence. While new sellers often face hurdles like stringent onboarding requirements, complex product listing processes, and navigating competitive pricing strategies, Flipkart simplifies these challenges with its seller-friendly policies. The platform provides extensive support, including a seamless registration process, low commission rates, and tools like Flipkart Ads to enhance product visibility. With a vast customer base and growth-oriented seller programs, Flipkart enables businesses to scale efficiently and maximize profitability in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
- 19000+ serviceable pin codes
- 24×7 seller support
- 3000+ Delivery hubs
- Dedicated account managers
- Onboarding in just 10 minutes
- Over 50 Crore+ customers
Do you want to sell on Flipkart but don’t know where to start?
Creating an account on Flipkart is quick and simple—within just 10 minutes, you can set up your seller profile with a single product, provided you have a valid GST number.
After reading this blog, you’ll know everything about how to sell on Flipkart.
- Top Benefits to Sell on Flipkart
- Flipkart Registration process
- Essential Documents required
- What to sell on Flipkart, what not
- Strategies to grow your business on Flipkart
- How to Calculate your ROI
Top Benefits to Sell on Flipkart
Flipkart is trusted by 50+ crore consumers, so if you aren’t yet selling on Flipkart, you are definitely missing out on a great opportunity. Here is why-
1. Product Visibility
Your website sales may not yield faster growth, but if you sell your products on Flipkart, they will be visible to the wide potential consumer base. Gradually, your website sales will also increase once your brand gets recognition.
2. Flipkart Ads
If you have trending products to sell but lack visibility in the market, Flipkart will help you reach your potential consumers. With Flipkart Ads and promotions, your business can drive much-needed visibility that any growing brand needs.
3. Maintain Cashflow
While other marketplaces have long payment cycles, Flipkart offers a 7-day payment cycle, which allows sellers to receive payments just seven days after dispatch.
4. Sky-rocket Your Growth with Flipkart FBF
Opting for Flipkart FBF gives you access to a wide network of fulfillment centers across the country. This means you can store your inventory closer to your target customers, ensuring quicker delivery and a better overall experience.
Who is Eligible to Sell on Flipkart?
Flipkart invites sellers from diverse industries to join its platform. The following entities are eligible to sell on Flipkart:
- Individual Sellers
- Private Limited Companies
- Sole Proprietorship Firms
The Flipkart registration process requires you to do certain documentation; however, it is not as hectic as that of Myntra. In fact, you need to submit only three documents to complete your registration process.
- Pan card
- GSTIN
- Bank Account
Whether you are an individual seller, sole proprietorship firm, or private limited company, the document requirement may vary accordingly. Here is the list of detailed requirements –
Essential Documents Needed to Register as a Flipkart Seller
For Sole Proprietorship
- Proof of identity – Passport/PAN Card/Voters ID/Driving License/Any other government photo identity card
- Proof of address – Telephone bill/Bank Account Statement/Electricity bill/License or Lease agreement
For Private Limited Company
- Proof of identity – Copy of registration documents/Incorporation certificate/Copy of MOA (Memorandum of Association)/PAN Card of the company
- Proof of address – Telephone bill/Bank Account Statement/Rental or Lease agreement
For Partnership Firm or LLP
- Proof of identity – LLP Incorporation Certificate/Partnership Registration/Power of Attorney duly authorized/Liability Partnership or Partnership firm/Partnership deed/PAN Card of Partnership Firm or LLP/Documents identifying themselves as Partners
- Proof of address – Partner’s/LLP’s Electricity bill/Telephone bill/Rental or Lease agreement
Note – Sellers must offer new and authentic products, as Flipkart doesn’t allow the sale of second-hand products.
To become a successful seller on Flipkart, choosing the right product to sell plays a vital role. Let’s explore the popular product categories to sell on Flipkart.
List of Products One Can Sell on Flipkart
- Home Product: Bedsheet, home decor, carpets
- Apparel: T-shirt, ethnic wear, sportswear, activewear
- Electronics: Smartwatches, headphones, tablets, mobile and gaming accessories
- Automotive accessories: bike seat covers, handle grips, vehicle mats, tyres, and wheels
- Kitchen accessories: Utensils, cookware, bottles, Cutlery
After you have decided what to sell on Flipkart, the next step is listing those products. It is a simple process that hardly takes a few minutes, and in two hours, your listing is live, and you are ready to sell across India.
Let’s learn what listing on Flipkart is and how it should be done to get faster sales.
What is Listing on Flipkart?
Listing is the process of making your products visible to consumers so they can learn about your products and make purchasing decisions. It involves-
- A well-defined Product Title
- Product Description (features, dimensions, benefits)
- A clear image of your product
- Setting competitive price
The listing part can be a game-changer for sellers. With a clear product title with a description and high-quality images, you can increase your product visibility by 15%. Listing can be done in two ways, if your product is already available on Flipkart, there is an option link or ‘Latch’ onto existing products. However, for new products, you need to provide complete details.
When it comes to the registration process on any marketplace, many may feel intimidated by the long and time-consuming process, but Flipkart has a simple and straightforward process. In just eight steps, you can start selling your products in no time.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start Selling on Flipkart
1. Enter Contact Details
Visit this site, www.seller.flipkart.com, to start the registration process. Click on ‘Start Selling.’ Enter your mobile number and verify it through OTP. Enter your email address for further processing.
Source – Flipkart
2. Enter GSTIN or PAN
On completing the contact details, you will see a section, “What are you looking to sell on Flipkart?” there will be two options— “All Categories” and “Only Books.” If you choose to sell in all categories, you are required to provide your GST no., and if you choose the latter, only PAN verification will be required.
3. Create Strong Password
Create a strong password of eight characters using Upper case and Lower case along with a special character. Click on the ‘Continue’ button. You’ll be directed to the dashboard that displays the status of pending data along with filled ones.
4. Verify Email Address
Go to the dashboard; you’ll see a button beside the email address. Upon clicking it, you’ll receive an email verification link. Simply click on it to verify your email address within seconds.
5. Enter your Signature
You don’t need to upload any documents. There are two options to enter your signature, ‘ Create, or ‘Draw’. If you choose the first option, enter your name, and it will create the signature automatically. However, if you choose the latter, you need to manually draw your signature on a phone or computer.
6. Enter Store and Pickup Details
Ensure that you provide accurate details about your store and pickup location to facilitate smooth deliveries. Provide the store and owner’s name, a clear and engaging store description, the pin code, and the exact address. These details help delivery executives efficiently pick up your products. Once entered, click “Save” to confirm your information.
7. Enter Bank Details
Provide basic bank details, such as your account number and IFSC code. This information will be the same as provided in GSTIN. Ensure that the information provided is correct.
8. Create New Listing
The final step in this online selling guide is creating a product listing, a critical stage that influences shopper decisions. To craft an effective listing, include a clear description, high-quality images, key selling points, care instructions, and details about return or replacement policies. Click on “Go to Listing” on the onboarding page, select “List your own products,” and enter the necessary details. This process ensures your product is registered and ready to go live.
Tips to Overcome Barriers for New Sellers on Flipkart
New sellers often face some challenges when they start selling on Flipkart. If you encounter these challenges, you can refer to the explanation below to fix your problems.
1. GSTIN Number Already Registered
If you encounter the “GSTIN Number Already Exists” error while registering as a seller, it means your GSTIN is already linked to another account.
In such cases, either provide a new GSTIN or contact Flipkart’s Support Team. They can delist your existing GSTIN, allowing you to register as a new seller.
2. Check Pincode Serviceability
If a Flipkart seller finds that certain pin codes are marked as unserviceable for pickups, they can register a nearby serviceable pin code instead. This allows the system to accept the pin code for the seller’s pickup, even if the exact pin code is not serviceable. The seller should ensure that the pickup address they provide is valid and accessible for logistics to collect the items.
3. Identify Genuine Product Category
It’s crucial for sellers to list their products under the correct category.
For example, if you list a serving bowl under the “storage bowl” category, your product won’t be visible to customers searching with serving bowl filters, and eventually, it could turn into dead stock. Ensure your products are in the correct category to improve visibility and avoid stock issues.
4. The “Feel Factor” in Product Images
Consumers often rely on product images to get a sense of the material, size, and overall look of a product.
Source – Flipkart
For example, when looking for a table lamp, a photo showcasing the lamp on a bedside table helps buyers understand its aesthetic and how it fits into their space. It also gives them a sense of scale and measurements.
As a seller, including context-rich images can make a significant difference in how your product is perceived and increase the chances of a sale.
5. Input Credit
Input Tax Credit (ITC) in GST allows businesses to reduce the tax payable on their sales (output tax) by the amount of tax already paid on their purchases (input tax). This mechanism can be applied at each stage of the supply chain, ensuring tax is only paid on the value added.
- The seller buys the product for ₹1,000 + ₹180 GST = ₹1,180 and claims ₹180 as input tax credit.
- The seller sells the product for ₹2,000 + ₹360 GST = ₹2,360 to the customer and collects ₹360 GST.
The seller offsets the ₹180 input tax credit against the ₹360 collected GST, so only ₹180 needs to be remitted to the government.
In the above case, the seller could have reduced the selling price by ₹180, as they would still receive the input tax credit. However, many sellers are unaware of this and end up increasing their selling price unnecessarily.
Although registering on Flipkart is free, the platform charges minimal fees varying according to the product categories.
As a Flipkart seller, you must be aware of these charges so you can adjust your pricing strategy accordingly and don’t miss out on your profit margin.
Flipkart Commission Structure
1. Closing Fees
This is charged when a product is sold in a marketplace. These are distributed according to the selling charges.
For instance, if you sell an item on Amazon for INR 500-1000, it will charge Rs. 30, but Flipkart will charge Rs. 24. And if you sell an item for Rs 1000+, Amazon will charge Rs 58, but Flipkart will charge Rs. 47.
2. Shipping fees
Every marketplace divides the shipping charges according to the zones- local, zonal, and national.
If you sell a 500 gm product at the zonal level on both marketplaces, Flipkart will charge Rs. 2 less than Amazon. And at the national level, Flipkart will charge Rs. 9 less than Amazon.
Why is Flipkart’s commission structure better than that of Amazon?
1. Lower Commission
While Amazon charges a referral fee+ closing fee, Flipkart charges a fixed fee + Commission fees ( based on product category).
Let’s take the T-shirt as our product category for comparison. For a T-shirt price > Rs. 500, 21% will be charged as a commission on Amazon, but on Flipkart, you have to pay only 15% commission.
2. RTO charges
Amazon charges some fees for undelivered products and reimburses it to the seller later. But, there are no charges on Flipkart in case of RTO.
How to Calculate Your ROI on Flipkart
Calculate your ROI on Flipkart using this formula:
ROI = (Total revenue from sales — Total cost incurred to Flipart)/ Total cost incurred to Flipart
While calculating ROI, new sellers many face some challenges as they may miss out on important calculations, so there comes the role of reconciliation. Check out the Flipkart reconciliation policies before you calculate your ROI.
Flipkart Reconciliation Policies
1. Data sets required for Reconciliation
Flipkart order report, sales report, settlement report, and return report.
2. Configuration Method
Pick the order report to generate a summarized report report on order no. level. For each order, refer to the sales report to compute the expected amount. In sales reports, sales and returns or cancellations are treated as positive and negative amounts. The process is repeated for all orders.
3. Reconcile Output
- If the expected amount matches the payment amount in any order, it is reconciled.
- If the expected amount > the amount received, the received payment is less than expected
- If expected payment< amount received, more payment received.
- If no payment is received in the settlement report against an order, no payment is received.
Flipkart has introduced a tool where you can check reconciliation against every order ID. Sellers can use this tool to automate the process and for better transaction transparency.
Flipkart has introduced a tool where you can check reconciliation against every order ID. Sellers can use this tool to automate the process and for better transaction transparency.
How to Leverage Flipkart’s Big Billion Days Sales
Big Billion Days is Flipkart’s flagship annual festive shopping festival. Sellers can leverage this opportunity to increase their sales and product visibility.
1. Fulfillment by Flipkart
Fulfillment by Flipkart ensures better product handling and a smooth delivery process. This enhances the brand’s product visibility as consumers prefer products fulfilled by Flipkart. As they are assured of timely and reliable delivery, this impacts their level of satisfaction.
2. Create Artificial Competition
Pricing is crucial for ensuring product visibility, and with the right strategy, sellers play with the pricing strategy to improve their product reach. Create artificial competition for your products by registering with different names on Flipkart and keep the price of their products high compared to your original products. This will make consumers choose your products over your artificially created competitive products.
3. Flipkart Ads
Using Flipkart Ads is an effective way to increase your product’s visibility on the platform. These ads position your products in prime locations, such as at the top of search results or highlighted on relevant pages. To maximize their impact, target the right audience with clear and compelling ad content. Regularly track ad performance and refine your strategy to achieve the best results.
Source – Google Images
Boost your E-commerce Success on Flipkart
Flipkart is a lucrative marketplace where sellers can expand their e-commerce business with significant growth opportunities. It has a minimum fee structure and a simplified registration process compared to other marketplaces. Flipkart offers tools and support to survive in the highly competitive space; for instance, sellers can leverage Flipkart Ads to improve their product visibility. With Flipkart’s assured badge, sellers can improve their product visibility and enable repeat product purchases. Flipkart can serve as a powerful channel for scaling your online business and building long-term customer loyalty.
Boost your Flipkart sales with Unicommerce Marketplace Integration
Unicommerce’s Marketplace Integration helps sellers optimize operations for maximum growth. The seamless integration and powerful features simplify order management and inventory tracking, offering real-time updates and streamlined e-commerce operations. With Unicommerce, you can efficiently manage your Flipkart sales and achieve your business goals faster.
FAQs on How to Sell on Flipkart
1. How can I sell my product on Flipkart?
You can sell on Flipkart by creating an account at www.seller.flipkart.com with your PAN/GST, bank details, and business information. List your products with detailed descriptions, images, and keywords to attract customers. Choose a fulfillment option—FBF for Flipkart-managed logistics or NFBF to handle storage, packing, and delivery yourself.
2. How to sell products on Flipkart without a GST number?
You can sell products on Flipkart without a GST number if the products are exempt from GST, by registering on the Flipkart Seller Portal, listing exempt products, and managing orders through the platform.
3. What are the seller charges on Flipkart?
Flipkart charges sellers various fees, including a commission (percentage of product value), shipping fees, a fixed fee based on order value, and collection fees. Additional charges include GST on fees and payment mode fees (e.g., COD or prepaid). These charges are deducted from the order value before payment is credited to the seller.
4. How does Flipkart pay its sellers?
Flipkart pays its sellers through a secure payment cycle that begins once the product is picked up, with payments transferred directly to the registered bank account after deducting Flipkart fees. Sellers can receive payments in as fast as 7 days, depending on their seller tier. Payment schedules are accessible via the Flipkart seller account.
5. What is Flipkart’s commission fee?
Flipkart’s commission fee is a variable percentage of the selling price, depending on the product category. Rates typically range between 2.8% to 25%, with categories like electronics having lower rates and fashion or books having higher rates. The exact fee is determined by the category of the product sold.
6. What documents are required to register as a seller on Flipkart?
To register as a seller on Flipkart, you need a PAN card for identity proof, an address proof like a utility bill or bank statement, and business registration documents such as a partnership deed or incorporation certificate. You must also provide bank account details (account number, IFSC code) and GST registration, except for exempt products. A digital signature is required for GST registration.
7. How can I optimize my product listings to increase sales?
To optimize your product listings and increase sales, conduct keyword research to improve discoverability, use high-quality images and videos to showcase products, and write engaging descriptions. Display customer reviews, offer size charts, and multiple payment options, and use competitive pricing with discount popups to attract buyers.
8. How can I maintain a high-performance score on Flipkart?
To maintain a high-performance score on Flipkart, set a procurement SLA for faster deliveries, improve regional inventory utilization, and monitor product performance using analytics tools. Regularly update product details, use relevant keywords, and offer attractive deals or promotions. Additionally, use high-quality images and Flipkart Adsis to increase visibility.
9. How do I handle customer service and support on Flipkart?
To handle customer service and support on Flipkart, promptly respond to customer queries through the seller dashboard, and resolve issues efficiently. Maintain clear communication regarding order status, delivery, and product details. Ensure timely processing of returns, refunds, and exchanges to maintain customer satisfaction.
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