💡 Selling online is no longer limited to large brands. From a home bakery in Galle to a clothing boutique in Colombo, thousands of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs are turning digital to reach new customers.
Whether you’re just starting or want to expand your physical business, selling online gives you access to 24/7 visibility, cashless payments, and island-wide delivery. This step-by-step guide will help you set up your first online store the right way — smart, secure, and scalable.
🌐 Step 1: Define What You’ll Sell
Before setting up a website, identify your niche.
- Products that work well online: fashion, beauty, gadgets, books, health foods, handmade crafts, services (courses, consulting).
- Check market demand: use Facebook Marketplace, Ikman.lk, or Daraz to see what sells.
- Validate your product: sell to 10–20 people manually before investing in tech.
Tip: Focus on what’s lightweight, easy to deliver, and repeat-purchase friendly.
🏪 Step 2: Choose Where You’ll Sell
You can start selling online in Sri Lanka through three main paths:
1. Marketplaces (No Website Needed)
- Platforms like Daraz, Kapruka Global Shop, and Ikman.lk already have traffic.
- Pros: Fast setup, built-in delivery, customer trust.
- Cons: Fees and limited brand control.
2. Social Media Commerce
- Start with Facebook Shop, Instagram Shop, or TikTok Shop.
- Add your WhatsApp Business link and QR payments.
- Ideal for early-stage sellers with strong visual content.
3. Your Own Website (Full Control)
- Use WooCommerce (WordPress), Shopify, or Wix eCommerce.
- Best for brand-building and repeat sales.
- Integrate payment gateways like PayHere, WebXPay, or OnePay.
💰 Step 3: Set Up Payments
Cash on delivery still dominates, but digital payments are rising fast.
Options:
- LANKAQR – Accepts all major banking apps.
- PayHere – Accepts cards, wallets, and QR.
- WebXPay – Great WooCommerce plugin support.
- FriMi / Genie / Solo – Ideal for small-ticket items.
Pro Tip: Offer both COD and digital payments until you build customer trust.
🚚 Step 4: Arrange Delivery and Logistics
Best local courier partners (2025):
- Koombiyo Delivery – fast metro and islandwide coverage.
- PickMe Flash – for same-day deliveries in cities.
- Domex / Pronto / CityPak – for eCommerce parcel networks.
Checklist:
- Always confirm address and phone via WhatsApp before shipping.
- Print order labels with order ID and QR for easy tracking.
- Offer free delivery thresholds (e.g., “Free shipping over Rs. 5000”).
🧱 Step 5: Build Your Brand Online
A good online brand is consistent in visuals, tone, and message.
Essentials:
- Logo, color palette, and typography.
- One-line pitch (“Natural skincare made in Sri Lanka”).
- High-quality product photos in natural light.
- Customer testimonials or review highlights.
Tip: Use Canva to design banners and ads that match your theme.
📸 Step 6: Create Compelling Product Content
Product photos sell more than descriptions.
- Shoot in daylight, simple background.
- Use multiple angles and show product in use.
- Add clear captions: price, material, size, usage.
Video sells:
Short 15-second Reels or TikToks showing how your product works can outperform static posts.
📱 Step 7: Promote Smartly
Even the best online store fails without marketing.
Key channels:
- Facebook Ads Manager – geo-target Sri Lankan audiences.
- Instagram Reels – free organic reach.
- WhatsApp Broadcast Lists – perfect for loyal customers.
- Google My Business – boosts local search ranking.
Post ideas:
- Behind-the-scenes packaging clips.
- Customer shoutouts.
- Product care tips.
- Flash sale countdowns.
📈 Step 8: Build Customer Trust
Online selling success = trust + service.
How to build it:
- Display “Secure Payments” badges.
- Offer cash-on-delivery until first purchase.
- Share delivery proofs on stories.
- Reply fast — within one hour during the day.
- Add a clear refund or replacement policy.
Tip: Use WhatsApp labels: “New Lead,” “Awaiting Payment,” “Delivered,” “VIP.”
📊 Step 9: Track and Improve
Track what works and repeat it.
- Instagram Insights / Facebook Meta Business Suite for engagement.
- Google Analytics for website traffic.
- Payment gateway dashboard for sales trends.
Identify top products, customer regions, and best-performing campaigns. Adjust your offers monthly.
🔐 Step 10: Stay Legal and Compliant
To grow sustainably, formalize your business.
- Register your business name with DCRC.
- Get a Business Registration Number (BRN).
- File basic income tax if your annual revenue exceeds thresholds.
- Follow the Data Protection Act (2024) for customer data.
Professionalism builds long-term partnerships with banks and suppliers.
🧭 Online selling is the fastest way for Sri Lankan SMEs to scale in 2025. Start small with your smartphone, build trust through service, and expand with a professional eCommerce setup.
Every successful brand today began with a single online post. Your next customer might find you in a scroll — make sure you’re there.
