How to Start an Online Store in Singapore (2025 No-BS Guide for New Sellers)

Thinking of selling online in Singapore? You're not alone.

More Singaporeans than ever are launching online stores—whether it’s a side hustle, brand extension, or full-time leap into entrepreneurship.

But most new sellers hit a wall early:

“What do I sell?”“Where do I start?”“How do I handle orders and delivery?”

This guide cuts through the noise with practical steps for local sellers, from setup to shipping.

1️⃣ Step 1: Choose What to Sell (Hint: Don’t Just Follow Trends) 

You don’t need a 1,000-product catalogue to win.

Start with what you know, or a niche you can source reliably.

✔ Ask yourself:

1. Can I get stock easily in SG?

2. Is this product margin-friendly?

3. Does it solve a need or spark impulse buys?

Avoid products:

1. With high returns (e.g., complex electronics)

2. That require refrigeration or HSA licensing (unless you're ready)

3. With paper-thin margins and high competition (e.g., generic phone cables)

💡 Tip: Check Shopee & Lazada’s bestsellers to validate demand—but carve your own space with unique angles or bundles.

2️⃣ Step 2: Pick the Right Platform (Website vs Marketplace) 

Marketplaces (Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop)

Pros:

1. Instant traffic

2. Trusted platforms

3. Low startup cost

Cons:

1. High commission fees

2. No real customer ownership

3. Limited branding control

Your Own Website (Shopify, Wix, WooCommerce)

Pros:

1. Full branding & control

2. Collect emails, retarget customers

3. Bundle with services (e.g., subscriptions)

Cons:

1. You need to drive your own traffic

2. Requires some setup and cost

🎯 Winning formula for 2025:

Start with 1-2 marketplaces for traction, but build your website early so you own the customer journey.

3️⃣ Step 3: Set Up Your Fulfilment Flow 

This is where most new sellers underestimate the workload.

If you’re packing at 2am, answering delivery complaints, and running to SingPost daily… it gets old, fast.

You need to think:

1. Where will my stock sit?

2. How will I track inventory?

3. How do I handle failed deliveries?

4. Do I want to scale—or stay small?

💡 This is where YouMart comes in.

We help new sellers:

1. Store stock locally

2. Pack and ship every order (marketplace or website)

3. Automate delivery and tracking updates

4. Scale to same-day/next-day without hiring a team

4️⃣ Step 4: Set Up Payment Methods 

If you’re using marketplaces, they handle this.

For websites:

1. Use Shopify Payments, Stripe, HitPay, or PayNow

2. Offer flexible options like BNPL (Atome, GrabPayLater)

Don’t overthink—just make sure checkout is mobile-friendly, fast, and secure.

5️⃣ Step 5: Market Yourself (Without Burning Budget) 

Marketing isn’t always about big ad spends. Start lean:

1. Post short videos on TikTok/IG Reels (showing use cases)

2. Run giveaways or bundles

3. Collect customer reviews and share them

4. Use WhatsApp groups or Telegram channels for niche products

Consistency > perfection.

People buy from brands they see often and trust.

6️⃣ Step 6: Automate What You Can Early 

Even small sellers benefit from automating:

1. Order syncing from marketplaces

2. Inventory tracking across platforms

3. Label printing

4. Notifications to buyers

The earlier you do this, the easier it is to scale.

With YouMart, this automation is already baked in. We connect to Shopify, Shopee, Wix and more—so your backend runs while you focus on growth.

So....

Starting an online store in Singapore is easier than ever—but growing it sustainably takes backend clarity.

Set up right from Day 1 and avoid the bottlenecks that kill most first-time sellers: stock issues, poor delivery experience, customer complaints, and burnout. Whether you’re selling skincare, snacks, stationery, or smart gadgets—you don’t need to do it all yourself.

Don’t waste months figuring things out alone.

👉 Let YouMart support your online store launch with smart fulfilment and tools built for Singapore sellers.