5 FAQs That Shopify Merchants Have Around ONDC Network

There is quite a buzz in the Indian eCommerce space around Shopify to ONDC network transition.

Wonder why?

Shopify proves the notion that “bigger” doesn’t necessarily mean “better”. Many Indian merchants have divided opinions about the web application. On one hand, Shopify has a broad reach and gives Indian sellers a platform to build online businesses. But then, what’s the point in having a far-reaching audience when most sellers can’t leverage it to get sufficient traffic and sales?

For that reason and plenty more, ONDC network is the perfect platform to pair with your existing Shopify channel.

Why Shopify to ONDC Network is a Modern Necessity

ONDC network is a GOI-led initiative that aims to shift India’s eCommerce ecosystem from a monolithic platform-centric model to a decentralised, open network model. It’s not a platform or an aggregator; but a market leveler that connects all participants (buyers, sellers, and logistics providers) under one roof. The concept’s primary objective is to help as many local retailers and SMEs become digitally active as possible.

Integrating with a decentralised platform makes total sense from a Shopify merchant perspective. Imagine taking your product visibility from a platform-restricted audience to millions of pan-India buyers. Also, SMEs can choose their preferred, industry-approved logistics partners. You only need an ONDC- network compatible platform like Mystore to get started on the democratic, seller-friendly network.

Open Network is still a novel concept with lots of excitement around it. Shopify merchants wish to learn more about this revolutionary concept and how it bodes well for their businesses. Well, this article is for them as we take a look at the five most burning questions surrounding this novel initiative and why Shopify sellers on ONDC network should be excited about their business’s future:

5 FAQs that Shopify merchants have around ONDC network

Here is a list of most frequently asked questions by sellers who are planning to join the open network:

1. “What’s wrong with my existing Shopify store?”

By now, most sellers agree that operating a Shopify store can be complex, costly, and often counterproductive. Also, all your competitors have an eCommerce platform today. How will your Shopify business stand apart in such a competitive environment and displace existing giants from the totem pole? How will you improve fulfilment and logistics on your own, especially without retaining any Shopify expertise?

Whether it’s a lack of brand visibility or limited logistics options, now is the time to adopt Shopify to ONDC network approach using Mystore. Reinvigorate your dwindling Shopify business & help your brand reach its true potential. 

2. “How will ONDC network benefit my existing Shopify store?”

Once fully implemented, the open network will help millions of SMBs and local vendors get their businesses on the map. If you have an existing Shopify store but generate underwhelming visibility and conversions, ONDC network presents the opportunity to showcase your products to millions of pan-India customers. Instead of being restricted to a single channel, you can expand your audience by showcasing your catalogues across multiple digital channels. Vendors also have access to more (and better) logistics solutions.

Give your Shopify channel an instant boost by finding your ideal logistics & fulfilment partner on the platform. Shopify merchants aren't fond of the platform's high monthly subscription fees and expensive add-ons. But when you upload your products on the democratic, unified network through Mystore, no such commission fees are involved. The platform's "pay as you sell" model means you only pay a small transaction fee per sold item. This means that retailers only pay a fraction of the cost of operating a Shopify enterprise.

3. “How will I find the right seller app for my store?”

An ideal seller app should help you increase business efficiency, lower operating costs, boost productivity and help with inventory - basically everything that leads to an overall improved customer experience.

The purpose of the ONDC network seller app is to provide sellers with a software solution that enables them to create their online presence. Usually, the different seller apps offer features to showcase products and manage orders. 

4. “What makes Mystore seller app the best ONDC network solution for Shopify merchants in India?”

Built on new-age MACH architecture (Microservices-based, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless), Mystore brings you all things eCommerce at zero upfront cost. With Mystore, Shopify sellers on ONDC network can upload their entire catalogue, and start selling to nationwide customers in minutes!

Stacked with a comprehensive and easy-to-use seller dashboard, Mystore offers pan-India merchants a 360 solution to fulfil orders, improve logistics, track inventory, and project sales. Mystore-registered sellers can operate multiple channels from one unified seller account & increase revenues tenfolds.

Mystore seller app is easy to use, even for newbie sellers. Additionally, Mystore has seamless integrations with multiple compatible payment gateways. For Indian vendors, this makes their selling journey simple and hassle-free. This starkly contrasts Shopify's highly complex and often expensive tools.

5. “How to register on Mystore and leverage ONDC network's benefits?”

Mystore seller app brings its next-gen, mobile-first technology to all scales of D2Cs, SMBs, and online merchants. Anyone can become a registered merchant on the open network, even with limited eCommerce experience. All they need is a seller-friendly solution, one that offers them built-in tools they can be utilised to scale their business digitally.

Mystore makes registration a five-finger exercise for Shopify sellers on ONDC network. Visit the registration page, submit your business info and GSTIN number, and you're all set. Once registered, sellers can migrate their product catalogue to their Mystore admin panel using Channel migration tools. From there, enlist them on the democratic platform, where it's visible to customers across the board.

What role Mystore play in the eCommerce revolution

From the moment the concept was first announced, Mystore has been a keen participant in the revolutionary initiative. One of the first (and leading) Technology Service Providers (TSP) in this paradigm, Mystore aims to provide a hassle-free onboarding and registration process for all merchants looking to join the open network.

Through seamless Shopify to ONDC network integration, uploading your entire catalogue (products, customers, inventory, logistics, etc.) from Shopify to the open network becomes a painless, one-click process. Our advanced dashboard is enriched with built-in solutions to help merchants start selling on ONDC network in a jiffy.

To assist sellers using alternative platforms to Shopify (Amazon, Magento, WordPress, etc.), we are looking to extend our services by adding ONDC network-connected channels soon.