How to Start an E-commerce Business in Bangladesh

What if you could earn money from your bedroom, even while you’re asleep? That’s the magic of e-commerce.

In Bangladesh, more and more people are making this dream a reality every single day. From university students to stay-at-home moms, anyone with an internet connection can now start their own online business.

The e-commerce industry in Bangladesh is booming and if you start today, you won’t be left behind.

According to the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB), over 35 million people in Bangladesh now shop online, and the number is growing every year. In 2024 alone, the local e-commerce market crossed BDT 27,000 crore (around USD 2.5 billion) in annual sales. This means there is a massive opportunity waiting for you.

So, how do you grab it?

In this step by step e-commerce starter guide, you’ll learn How to Start an E-commerce Business in Bangladesh from scratch.

Let’s start.

Understand What E-commerce Really Is

E-commerce stands for “Electronic Commerce.”

It means buying and selling things online. That could be clothes, gadgets, books, cosmetics, digital products or even food.

There are different types of e-commerce models:

• B2C (Business to Customer): You sell directly to people. Example: Daraz
• B2B (Business to Business): You sell to other businesses. Example: Alibaba
• C2C (Customer to Customer): You let users sell to other users. Example: Bikroy.com
• Dropshipping: You sell items you don’t stock yourself. The supplier ships directly to the customer.

Most beginners in Bangladesh start with B2C or Dropshipping because it’s easier to manage and market.

Find Your E-commerce Niche

You can’t sell everything to everyone. Instead, focus on a niche — a specific category of products or target audience.

Some profitable e-commerce niches in Bangladesh are:

• Fashion (sarees, panjabis, t-shirts, shoes)
• Beauty and skincare products
• Home decor items
• Health and wellness products
• Gadgets and accessories
• Baby products
• Digital products (ebooks, courses, templates)

Use free tools like Google Trends and Facebook Audience Insights to understand what people are searching for. Look at what’s trending on platforms like Daraz, Ajkerdeal, Rokomari and Facebook.

Choose Your Business Model

Here are three easy models to start with in Bangladesh:

1. Stock and Sell (Inventory-Based)

• You buy products in bulk, stock them and deliver when orders come.
• You need capital, space and delivery staff.

2. Dropshipping

• No need to stock items.
• You list products on your website or page.
• When someone orders, your supplier ships the product.

3. Print on Demand

• You sell custom designs on t-shirts, mugs, phone covers, etc.
• Items are printed and shipped only when someone buys.

Legal Setup and Registration (If Needed)

For small Facebook or Instagram-based stores, you can start without any license. But for long-term growth and trust:

• Get a Trade License from your city corporation.
• Register a domain name (like yourshop.com)
• Create a logo and brand identity.
• Consider getting a BIN (Business Identification Number) if you plan to scale.

This helps build trust and allows you to take payments through SSLCommerz, bKash Merchant, Nagad Business, etc.

Set Up Your Online Store

You have 3 major options:

1. Social Media Store (Free, Easy for Beginners)

• Create a Facebook Page and Instagram account
• Post product photos, run ads, and respond to DMs

2. Marketplace Store (Low Risk, Competitive)

• Sign up on Daraz, Ajkerdeal, Rokomari
• Pay commissions but get a ready audience

3. Own Website (Best for Branding and Profit)

• Use Shopify or WordPress (WooCommerce)
• Cost: around BDT 10,000 – 30,000 to set up

If you can, start with both social media and your own website.

Source or Create Your Products

Where can you get products from?

• Local wholesale markets: Islampur, Gulistan, New Market, Bangabazar
• Import from China: Use Alibaba, AliExpress
• Make your own: Handmade crafts, skincare, baked goods
• Digital products: If you’re good at design, writing, or coding, create digital tools and sell online or Hire agency.

Always test your products first. Give samples to friends, gather reviews and improve quality.

Set Up Payment and Delivery

In Bangladesh, customers prefer Cash on Delivery (COD), but many now trust online payment gateways.

Popular payment systems:

• bKash/Nagad/Rocket (Personal or Merchant accounts)
• SSLCommerz or PortWallet for online gateways

Popular delivery companies:

• Pathao Courier
• Steadfast
• RedX
• E-Courier

Negotiate commission rates (usually 60–100 BDT per delivery). Choose based on your product type and target area.

Promote Your Business (Marketing Time!)

This is the most important part.

You can have the best products in the world, but if nobody sees them, you won’t make a single sale.

Basic Marketing Channels:

• Facebook & Instagram Ads (Start with just 200–500 BDT/day)
• Content marketing (Viral videos or Quick tips can get thousands of free views and impressions)
• Google My Business (Helps you show up on local searches)
• WhatsApp/SMS Marketing for regular buyers
• Email Marketing if you have a website

Deliver Great Customer Experience

To build a long-term E-commerce Business in Bangladesh, focus on:

• Fast replies (use auto-responders)
• Honest delivery times
• Clean packaging
• Asking for reviews and feedback
• Offering return or exchange if possible

People remember how you made them feel, not just what they bought.

Track, Learn, Grow

Business is about trial and error. Start small, test everything and keep learning.

Use tools like:

• Meta Business Suite for Facebook/Instagram data
• Google Analytics for your website
• Excel or Google Sheets to track costs, profits, and product performance

Most people quit before they even start. They overthink, wait for the “perfect” moment, or get scared of failure.

But here’s the truth: The best time to start an e-commerce business in Bangladesh was 5 years ago. The second best time? Today.

You don’t need a million taka. You don’t need a fancy office. You just need one product, a laptop and the guts to begin.

Starting an E-commerce Business in Bangladesh is not a one-night success story. It takes effort, creativity and consistency. But here’s the truth: your first sale will change your life.

You’ll realize that money can come from your ideas, not just from jobs. You’ll start to believe in your ability to build something from scratch. And that belief will open up a world of possibilities.

So don’t wait for the perfect time.

Because five years from now, you’ll either say:
“I wish I had started.”
Or:
“I’m glad I did.”

The choice is yours.