E-Commerce Launch Checklist (Payments, GST, Shipping)
Updated 31 May 2026 · 7 min read
Before launching an India online store, verify five areas: payments and checkout, GST and tax, shipping and returns, product pages and trust, and security and testing. Working through these checks prevents failed orders, tax mistakes, and the broken checkouts that lose first customers.
Key takeaways
- Test every payment method and refund flow with real orders.
- Configure GST correctly and display tax-inclusive or clear pricing.
- Set up shipping rates, COD, and a visible returns policy.
- Make product pages complete with photos, prices, and stock status.
- Secure the store with SSL, backups, and tested checkout before go-live.
Payments and checkout
Checkout is where money changes hands, so it must work flawlessly. Test every payment method you offer with a real transaction, then refund. A single broken payment path quietly loses sales you never even see.
- Payment gateway connected and live (not test mode)
- UPI, cards, and netbanking all tested with real payments
- A successful refund processed and confirmed
- Order confirmation email and invoice generate correctly
- Cart and checkout work on mobile
- Failed-payment path handled gracefully
- Currency, prices, and totals display correctly
GST and tax
Getting tax right at launch avoids painful corrections later. Indian stores selling across states or on marketplaces need GST configured and pricing shown clearly. Confirm the numbers on a real order before you go live.
- GST registration completed if required
- Tax rates set correctly per product category
- Tax shown clearly at checkout or in price
- GST-compliant invoices generated automatically
- Business and GSTIN details on invoices
- HSN codes added where applicable
Shipping and returns
Indian buyers care about delivery options, cost, and the safety net of returns. Set these up clearly so there are no surprises at checkout, the moment most carts are abandoned.
- Shipping rates configured by zone or weight
- Free-shipping threshold set if you offer one
- Courier or aggregator connected for labels
- Cash on delivery enabled and tested if offered
- Delivery timeframes shown to buyers
- A clear, visible returns and refund policy
- Order tracking available to customers
Product pages and trust
Product pages do the selling. Incomplete pages and a lack of trust signals are why visitors leave without buying. Make every page complete and reassuring before launch.
- Clear photos from multiple angles
- Accurate descriptions, sizes, and specs
- Prices and stock status visible
- Trust signals: reviews, ratings, or guarantees
- Contact details and support options shown
- Secure-checkout and payment badges
- Search and category navigation work well
Security and final testing
Finish by locking down security and doing a full dry run. A store handles money and customer data, so these checks are not optional. Test as a real customer before you announce.
- SSL installed and forcing HTTPS
- A full store backup is taken
- Strong admin passwords and limited accounts
- Software, themes, and plugins updated
- Analytics and conversion tracking installed
- A full test order placed end to end
- Mobile experience checked thoroughly
- Privacy policy and terms published
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most critical e-commerce launch check?
Testing every payment method with a real transaction, then refunding, is the single most important check. Broken checkout silently loses every sale, so it must work flawlessly before launch.
Do I need GST before launching my store?
If you sell across states or on marketplaces, yes. Configure GST, set correct tax rates, and ensure invoices are GST-compliant before go-live to avoid corrections and compliance issues later.
Should I offer cash on delivery?
Many Indian buyers still expect COD, and offering it can lift conversions, especially outside metros. Balance that against the cost and return risk, and test the COD flow before launching.
How do I reduce cart abandonment at launch?
Show shipping costs early, offer trusted payment methods, keep checkout short and mobile-friendly, and display a clear returns policy. Surprise costs and clunky checkout are the top abandonment causes.
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