Paytm, one of India's foremost e-commerce and digital payment platforms, offers immense opportunities for businesses to tap into a vast customer base. This blog outlines the streamlined process to set up as a seller, from registration, and product listing, to managing sales. By understanding the platform's features and best practices, you can optimise your Paytm storefront for maximum reach and profitability.
Introduction:
Launched in August 2010, Paytm began its journey as a mobile wallet, a pioneer in ushering in the era of digital transactions in India. Over time, with the rise of internet penetration and the increasing adoption of online shopping in the country, Paytm expanded its horizon into the e-commerce domain. Today, it stands not just as a digital wallet but as a formidable e-commerce platform, offering a diverse range of products from electronics to groceries. The brand’s evolution has been strategic, leveraging its vast existing user base familiar with its digital wallet services to provide an in-built customer base for its e-commerce wing.
For sellers, this evolution of Paytm presents a golden opportunity. The platform, known for its trustworthiness as a reliable mobile wallet provider, has seamlessly integrated this trust into its e-commerce offerings. As a result, sellers find a vast, ready-to-shop audience when they register on Paytm. The process, from registration to product listing and order management, is designed to be user-friendly, inviting more sellers to explore the world of online commerce. Consumers, already accustomed to the Paytm ecosystem for their bill payments and mobile recharges, find it a natural transition to shop on the same platform, making it a win-win for both sellers and shoppers.
Why Register as a Paytm Seller?
E-commerce in India is experiencing significant growth, with offers, discounts, and cash-back deals driving this surge. Paytm, having entered this thriving sector, already boasts a vast user base of over 100 million customers and collaborates with more than 60,000 sellers, providing an expansive range of products to almost every postal region in India. Merchants partnering with Paytm don’t have to stress about setting up or maintaining their own online storefront; instead, their main priority is efficiently processing customer orders. Moreover, since there’s little to no upfront cost associated with becoming a Paytm seller, it’s easy for anyone to start selling and expand over time.
Who Can Become a Paytm Seller?
- Individual Sellers:
- An individual, without any formal business structure, can register on Paytm.
- This implies that you don’t need to own a registered company to sell.
- Such sellers operate in their personal capacity and transactions are done in their own name.
- One Person Company (OPC), Private Limited Company, and Public Limited Company:
- These are formal business structures recognized under the Companies Act.
- An OPC is a hybrid structure where it combines the benefits of sole proprietorship and a company. It has only one shareholder.
- A Private Limited Company restricts the right to transfer its shares and has a maximum of 200 members.
- A Public Limited Company can sell its shares to the public and has a minimum of seven members.
- All of these can register on Paytm as separate corporate entities.
- All business transactions on Paytm will be carried out in the name of the registered company.
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP):
- LLP is a partnership structure where partners have limited liabilities. It combines elements of partnerships and corporations.
- It’s governed by the Limited Liability Partnership Act.
- An LLP can register on Paytm as a distinct entity to sell goods and services. Transactions will be carried out in the name of the LLP.
- Partnership Firm:
- A partnership firm is an arrangement where two or more people collaborate to run a business.
- Partnerships are governed by the Indian Partnership Act of 1932.
- Such firms can also register on Paytm.
- The business transactions will be carried out in the name of the partnership firm, with partners sharing the profits or losses.
Steps to Register as a Paytm Seller
- Go to the Paytm seller sign-up page.
- Enter your personal details: name, contact number, email, and select a secure password.
- Verify your email by following the provided link.
- Confirm your mobile number through the OTP received.
- Fill in your business details and physical address.
- Submit the necessary KYC documents (details provided further).
- Accept and agree to the terms of service.
- List and detail your product offerings.
- Start your selling journey on Paytm.
Documents Required for Paytm Seller Registration
- Identification Information:
- The company, LLP, firm, or individual’s name must be provided.
- Contact number associated with the entity.
- Official email address of the registering body.
- PAN Card Details:
- Companies, LLPs, or Partnerships must submit a PAN Card in the entity’s name.
- For individuals, a PAN Card in their name is mandatory.
- Banking Information:
A business’s active bank account details are crucial.
- GST Compliance:
- Post-April 2017, it’s mandatory for businesses to have GST registration if they’re trading on e-commerce platforms.
- This requirement has been effective from 1st April, 2017.
Documents necessary for GST registration include:
- PAN Card.
- A cancelled cheque from the receiving account.
- Aadhaar card details.
- Email contact.
- Contact phone number.
- Proof of address, which can be a bank statement, utility bill, passport copy, etc.
- Incorporation and Partnership Documents:
- If registering as a company, the Certificate of Incorporation is needed.
- For partnership firms, a copy of the Partnership Deed is a prerequisite.
Is VAT Registration Required to Sell on Paytm?
To sell on Paytm, VAT registration is typically mandatory. However, there are specific exemptions and arrangements:
- Product-based Exemption:
Sellers focusing solely on categories like unstitched apparel, books, and handicrafts are exempted from requiring a VAT registration.
- Provisional Selling with an Undertaking:
- Sellers who don’t possess a VAT registration can still initiate their selling journey on Paytm.
- This is permissible when the seller commits, through a formal undertaking, to procure VAT registration soon.
- It’s important to note that during this provisional period, Paytm will retain any payments due to the seller.
- Only after the seller presents authentic proof of their VAT registration will Paytm release the payments.
Conclusion:
Understanding the world of digital selling, especially on platforms like Paytm, requires an understanding of various operational frameworks. Whether you’re an individual seller, a corporate entity such as One Person Company, Private or Public Limited Company, or even a Partnership Firm or LLP, the platform give opportunities. However, the regulatory landscape, particularly VAT registration, is very important. While there are exemptions based on product categories like unstitched apparel, books, and handicrafts, for most other products, VAT remains an essential component. Yet, the flexibility offered by Paytm—allowing provisional selling with a commitment to obtaining VAT registration—underscores the platform’s inclusivity. As with any e-commerce venture, aligning one’s operations with the stipulated guidelines ensures a seamless selling experience.
FAQ:
1. How do I become a seller account?
The steps to registering is given. However, initially, go to the registration page. In step 2, give your name, phone number, and email, and create a password. Step 3 involves finishing the email confirmation. For step 4, complete the verification of your mobile number.
2. Does the seller have to pay GST?
With the introduction of GST, there's a big change for online sellers and platforms like Flipkart, Amazon, and Paytm. They now have to take out 1% of the money they pay to their suppliers and give it to the government as a tax. This tax is part of the GST, and it's called Tax Collected at Source (TCS).
