How do I get orders from outside my city for my boutique?
To sell outside your city, people need to trust you without visiting. Set up an online store or catalogue with clear prices, sizes and return policy, offer reliable shipping with…
Should I sell on my own website or just on Instagram and WhatsApp?
Quick answer
Start on Instagram and WhatsApp while orders are few and you can handle them by chat. Move to your own website when you spend hours answering "price?" and "size?", lose orders after hours, or want buyers from Google and other cities. A website shows prices, sizes and stock and takes payment instantly.
Instagram and WhatsApp: good for
- New boutiques testing designs.
- Personal service and custom orders.
- Small, frequently changing collections.
Where they hold you back
- Every buyer must message you for price, size and stock.
- Orders wait until someone replies.
- Payment follow-ups and screenshots of UPI transfers.
- No presence on Google Shopping or search.
- Your shop disappears if the account is restricted.
What a website adds
- Prices, sizes and stock shown upfront.
- Cart, instant payment and order confirmation.
- Automatic shipping updates.
- Product pages that can show up on Google.
Best setup
Use Instagram for discovery and the website for checkout. Link products in posts and stories, and use WhatsApp for questions and custom orders.
Cost to switch
Simple store builders cost little to start. A full online store built by a developer usually costs ₹50,000–₹2,50,000 depending on products and features.
Start with your best-selling 30–50 products rather than the full collection; you can add more once orders flow.
| Instagram + WhatsApp | Own website | |
|---|---|---|
| Shows price and size upfront | Only if you post it | Yes |
| Takes orders after hours | No | Yes |
| Found on Google | No | Yes |
Key numbers
E-commerce websites in India typically cost ₹50,000–₹2,50,000 to build.
Pointersoft, Website Designing Cost in India 202677.76% of web traffic in India came from mobile phones in September 2026.
StatCounter Global Stats
Key takeaways
- Start on Instagram and WhatsApp while testing.
- Switch when chats slow down orders.
- Use Instagram for discovery and the website for checkout.
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