Open Network for Digital Commerce, abbreviated as ONDC, is a consortium of brands and merchants connected with each other on a single digital platform. The ONDC platform serves as an intermediary layer between buyers and sellers, where both of them can connect for the best experiences.
Buyers can compare product quality, prices, discounts, and more from various sellers. Similarly, sellers can also receive a plethora of advantages upon registering on the ONDC platform. ONDC seller registration is a simple process, offering numerous benefits to merchants.
Read on to learn about the steps that you will need to follow for registration to start selling your products, as well as the benefits of creating a seller account.
How to Sell on ONDC Marketplace?
The primary aim of the government behind establishing the ONDC platform was to address the challenges that sellers have been facing on existing online marketplaces. Since its inception in December 2021, it has been transforming the way businesses operate, motivating over 5 lakh sellers to adapt to ONDC evolution.
The process of selling your products on the ONDC platform is extremely simple. All you will need to do is register on an ONDC seller app and post your products. Targeted customers can easily view your products on the buyer app and accordingly purchase them. Also, the transactions are secured, ensuring you receive the amount on time.
What are the Steps for ONDC Seller Registration?
Registering yourself as a seller on the ONDC seller app is a simple process. Here are the steps that you need to follow to register yourself as an ONDC seller:
Step 1: Visit the online website of an ONDC seller app.
Step 2: Enter other essential details such as product details, business logo, contact details, website, address, bank account details, cancelled cheque, GSTIN, and so on.
Step 3: Within 2 to 3 business days, your KYC details will be reviewed, and you will receive an account approval.
Step 4: Once done, list the products that you sell on the seller app so they get visible on the buyer app.
Step 5: Potential buyers can view your products on the buyer app and accordingly order those online.
What are the Documents Required for ONDC seller Registration?
ONDC seller registration can be completed following the above-mentioned hassle-free steps. However, there are several documents that you will keep handy when registering on the ONDC platform to further hasten the process. These include:
- GSTIN and PAN copies of business
- ID proof and address proof documents of the seller
- Bank details and cancelled cheque of business payment account
- Agreement copy of payment terms and conditions.
Once a merchant uploads all these documents, their ONDC seller registration will be completed. However, the real challenge lies in selecting an appropriate seller app. Due to the presence of numerous online ONDC seller apps, it can be confusing for you to select the top-rated one. Check out some tips to choose the best ONDC seller app.
How to Choose the Best ONDC Seller App?
The ONDC seller apps offer a seller-facing interface providing an end-to-end solution to merchants. They enable sellers to showcase, list and sell their products to potential buyers. Here are some expert-approved tips that you can use to choose the best ONDC seller apps:
- Consider the user's experience: The first and foremost thing that you should consider is the experience of other sellers on this app. For this, you can check out the reviews and ratings of the app.
- Check logistics support: Shipping and delivery of ordered items are some of the important concerns of sellers. So, when selecting the ONDC seller app, try to choose the one that offers additional logistic support.
- Convenient on-boarding: Quick and convenient on-boarding to the ONDC platform ensures that there are no unnecessary complications or delays. Hence, pick a seller app that offers hassle-free on-boarding for new merchants.
- Comprehensive features: Seller apps are usually loaded with numerous features to make the selling process of merchants easy. So, browse through the apps and check their features before finally beginning with the ONDC seller registration.
- Reliable customer support: Round-the-clock customer support is an essential need, especially when conducting business online. Hence, make sure that the app you are finalising offers uninterrupted customer support during the hour of need.
- Multi-level security features: While setting up your business online, you might have to provide some sensitive information. So, make sure that the app you are selecting offers maximum security such that you do not have to be a victim of fraud.
- Multilingual admin panel: Language can at times be a competent barrier when using seller apps. To dissolve this barrier and make communications efficient, select an app that provides a multilingual admin panel.
- Cost-effective option: Seller apps often charge a certain amount from merchants when selling various products through their app. So, before signing up check this amount, such that you can keep the maximum money as profits.
- Advanced technology solution: When choosing a seller app, make sure that it has all the advanced technology. This makes your tasks easier as well as helps you to easily find potential customers and sell your products.
Based on the above factors, you can make a thorough comparison among various ONDC seller apps available. Once you have selected and registered on an authentic seller app, you can be sure of kick-starting your selling journey. Needless to say, there are a plethora of benefits that you can receive upon registering as a seller on ONDC.
What are the Benefits of ONDC Marketplace for Sellers?
The primary aim of the government behind setting up the ONDC platform was to end the ‘monopolistic practices’ of eCommerce giants in India. Additionally, there are numerous benefits that merchants can receive upon completing the ONDC seller registration process and start selling on ONDC:
- Increased market reach: Upon registering on the ONDC platform, merchants can seamlessly connect their venture with multiple platforms. This helps them increase their reach and easily connect with potential customers. Also, it increases the visibility of their offerings, attracting targeted buyers and increasing sales.
- Cost-effective selling option: Presently, online sellers have to pay huge fees upon registering on eCommerce platforms. Thus, a huge percentage of their profit evaporates just by paying this fee. Transitioning to ONDC platforms, helps sellers reduce these overhead expenses and increase profits.
- Transparent pricing system: Transparency and fair pricing are essential to eliminate the undue influence of larger ‘monolithic’ eCommerce platforms. The ONDC platform ensures that sellers get a complete idea of prices of the market value of products. This strategy helps them in offering their products at competitive rates.
- Boost to small-scale businesses: Small businesses need proper exposure so they can reach out to potential customers and grow. While this might be somewhat challenging on ‘monolithic’ eCommerce platforms, ONDC makes the process simpler, increasing their sales and reach to potential customers.
- Neutral eCommerce platform: ONDC is a neutral eCommerce platform, which is independent of any entity. This makes it a fair and transparent platform, where all sellers get equal opportunity to sell their products. This practice fosters digital commerce ecosystems where all sellers can thrive.
- Access to large-scale data: With ONDC, sellers can get access to enormous data that helps them get an insight into the latest trends. Accordingly, they can offer advanced products that consumers are sure to love. Moreover, they can also decide on various offers and discounts based on trends to attract customers.
These benefits motivate various sellers to register on ONDC platforms and give an impressive boost to sales of their products.
ONDC has brought a shift in the Indian eCommerce market to an open network from the traditional platform-centric model. It provides equal opportunities for every seller to compete with large market players who have been operating for quite a long time. What’s more is that a merchant can use various strategies to become more visible online and attract their targeted customers.
In addition, ONDC seller registration is a simple, hassle-free process that can be completed in less than an hour. This simplicity of process and presence of numerous benefits has led to a 40x jump in merchants in 2023 joining the ONDC platform. So, if you are also a merchant looking forward to increasing your product’s sales and attracting new customers, join this platform today itself.
Protean Open Commerce: Your Gateway to ONDC Integration
Protean Open Commerce offers a comprehensive, full-stack solution designed to facilitate seamless integration with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Key features include:
- End-to-End Solution: Protean Open Commerce provides a holistic platform addressing all e-commerce challenges, from infrastructure setup to personalized marketplace management, eliminating the need for multiple service providers.
- Simplified ONDC Integration: The platform ensures easy onboarding and scaling within the ONDC framework, offering the necessary infrastructure and tools for a smooth transition and ongoing operation.
- Regulatory Compliance and Data Security: Protean Open Commerce incorporates robust encryption, authentication, and authorization mechanisms to ensure secure transactions and adherence to relevant regulations.
- Dedicated Expert Support: Businesses receive personalized assistance throughout their e-commerce journey, from initial setup to ongoing management and growth, ensuring confidence in navigating digital commerce complexities.
- Universal Connector (Uniconnect): Acts as a digital bridge, connecting buyers and sellers across multiple applications and platforms, facilitating effortless transactions.
- Reconciliation and Settlement Framework: A decentralized framework co-developed with ONDC enables seamless fund settlement against transactions to respective parties.
- Buyer and Seller Applications: Protean's ONDC-compliant applications offer diverse digital commerce services and products, simplifying order management, refunds, and seller ratings.
- Merchant Success Modules: The solution provides marketplace operations and value-added services, including KYC verification, catalog digitalization and quality control, and assisted order processing.
- Seller-On-Record Feature: One stop plug and play solution comprising of an easy to use dashboard to integrate your product catalog with ondc seamlessly.
By leveraging these features, Protean Open Commerce empowers businesses of all sizes to establish and grow their online presence within the ONDC ecosystem, ensuring a secure, compliant, and efficient digital commerce experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the top 5 ONDC seller apps of 2023?
There are numerous ONDC seller apps available online. Here are the top five seller apps that you can explore to find the best one:
- Unizap
- Mystore
- GOFRUGAL Technologies
- eSamudaay
- Growth Falcons
- SellerApp
2. What are the top 5 ONDC buyer apps of 2023?
The top five ONDC buyer apps of 2023 from where purchasers can browse through they can buy products from reliable sellers include:
- Paytm
- Mystore
- Pincode
- Meesho
- Magicpin
3. What are the challenges faced on the ONDC platform?
The challenges faced by sellers on the ONDC platform include the complexity of the user interface, disputes associated with the platform, difficulty in attracting potential customers, and lack of proper customer services. However, the benefits of ONDC outweigh these challenges.
4. What are the charges levied on selling products on the ONDC platform?
ONDC do not charge extra from sellers upon their registration on the platform. However, the ONDC seller apps charge about 1% to 2% of the selling price of a product from the merchant. So, make sure to calculate it before beginning the ONDC seller registration.
5. Can a seller register on ONDC without a GST number?
No, it is mandatory for sellers to have a GST number when selling through the ONDC app. However, ventures that are exempted under section 9(5) of the CGST Act have the option of not providing the GST number.
- Story by Kakoli Laha
