Setting up a Shopify store in India has some unique requirements that most generic setup guides don’t cover — GST compliance, Indian payment gateways, UPI checkout, COD logistics, and a mobile buyer base that behaves differently from Western markets. This guide from OneOnic is written specifically for Indian store owners launching in 2026.
Step 1: Account and Plan Setup
- Create your Shopify account at shopify.com — you get a 3-day free trial, then you’ll need a plan
- For most Indian stores starting out, the Basic plan (₹1,994/month billed annually as of 2026) is sufficient
- Set your store currency to INR immediately — changing currency later can affect historical orders and reporting
- Set your store timezone to India Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30)
- Add your registered business name and address in the store settings
Step 2: Theme Selection and Setup
Your theme is the visual foundation of your store. For Indian stores in 2026, you need a theme that performs well on mid-range Android devices, loads fast on 4G connections, and makes products look premium.
- Install Granivio from the Shopify Theme Store — it’s optimised for the mobile-first browsing patterns common in India
- Set your brand colours and upload your logo
- Configure your homepage sections: hero banner, featured collections, product grid, about section
- Set up your navigation menu with your main product categories
- Configure the announcement bar with your launch offer or delivery promise
Step 3: Payments and Checkout for India
- Connect Razorpay: Razorpay is the most popular Indian payment gateway for Shopify. It supports UPI, net banking, credit/debit cards, and wallets. Create a Razorpay account and connect it via Shopify’s payment providers section.
- Enable UPI: UPI is the primary payment method for a significant portion of Indian online buyers. Make sure UPI appears as an option at your checkout.
- Set up COD (Cash on Delivery): Despite the growth of digital payments, COD still accounts for 30–40% of orders for many Indian ecommerce categories. Enable it through Shopify’s payment settings or via a COD app.
- Configure EMI options: For higher-value products (above ₹3,000), adding no-cost EMI through Razorpay can significantly reduce cart abandonment.
Step 4: Shipping, GST, and Legal
- Set up shipping rates for all major Indian zones — integrate with Shiprocket, Delhivery, or similar for automated shipping calculations
- If your annual turnover exceeds ₹20 lakhs (or ₹10 lakhs in special category states), GST registration is mandatory
- Enter your GSTIN in Shopify’s tax settings to have it appear on invoices
- Configure GST rates per product category (most consumer goods are 12% or 18%)
- Add required pages: Privacy Policy, Refund Policy, Shipping Policy, Terms of Service
- Clearly state your return window — 7 days is standard and helps reduce buyer hesitation
The Fix: Try Granivio Free on Shopify
For an Indian store setup in 2026, the theme choice sets the tone for everything else. Granivio gives you the performance and visual quality your Indian buyers expect, without the cost and complexity of a heavily customised theme. Start with Granivio for free and build from there.
Need help with the full setup? OneOnic builds Shopify stores for Indian businesses end-to-end — from theme setup to payment integration to SEO-ready product pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a business registration to start a Shopify store in India?
You can start a Shopify store as an individual (sole proprietor) without formal business registration for small volumes. However, most Indian payment gateways like Razorpay require a PAN card and bank account at minimum, and may ask for GST registration and business documents as your volume grows. Getting a basic business registration (sole proprietorship is simple and low-cost) makes banking and compliance smoother from the start.
Which shipping partner works best for Shopify stores in India?
Shiprocket is the most popular Shopify shipping integration for Indian stores — it aggregates multiple carriers (Delhivery, Blue Dart, Xpressbees, DTDC) and provides automated label printing and tracking. For stores with higher volumes, direct partnerships with Delhivery or Shadowfax can offer better rates. Most new stores start with Shiprocket for its simplicity.
Can I sell internationally from my Indian Shopify store?
Yes. Shopify’s Markets feature allows you to sell in multiple currencies and countries from a single store. For Indian stores selling internationally, you’ll need to set up international shipping rates and ensure your payment gateway supports international cards. Razorpay supports international payments with additional compliance steps. Stripe is another option for accepting international payments from an Indian entity.
Need Expert Help Building Your Shopify Store?
OneOnic has built 100+ Shopify stores across India for furniture, fashion, home decor, tiles, candles, and more. We handle design, development, SEO, and growth.
