You don't need a developer, a big budget, or any tech background to start selling online in Nepal. If you can use Facebook and send a Viber message, you can open a real online store today. This guide walks you through it step by step, in plain language, so you can go live in under an hour.
We'll use Saauzi, a Nepal-based platform built specifically for local shops, because it already handles the things that usually trip up Nepali sellers: eSewa and Khalti payments, prices in NPR, VAT/PAN invoicing, and delivery with cash on delivery (COD). Let's get your store live.
Before You Start: Keep These 4 Things Ready
A little prep makes the whole process smooth. Gather these before you begin:
- A business name and logo — even a simple logo made on your phone works fine to start.
- 5 to 10 clear product photos — natural daylight near a window beats any expensive setup.
- Your payment details — your eSewa/Khalti number and a bank account for settlements.
- Your PAN/VAT number (if you have one) — needed if you want to issue proper tax invoices to customers.
Don't have everything? That's okay. You can launch with the basics and add the rest later. Done is better than perfect.
Step 1: Create Your Store (5 minutes)
Sign up on Saauzi with your mobile number or email. Pick your store name and you'll get a free web address like yourshop.saauzi.com. Add your logo, a one-line description of what you sell, and your city. That's enough to have a living storefront — you can connect a custom .com.np domain later once sales start coming in.
Step 2: Add Your Products (15–20 minutes)
This is where most of your time goes, so do it carefully. For each product, add:
- A clear title people actually search — e.g. "Pashmina Shawl - Handwoven" instead of just "Shawl".
- Price in NPR — and if you charge VAT, set the tax so the final price is honest at checkout.
- 2–3 photos per item from different angles.
- A short, useful description — size, material, color, and what makes it good.
- Stock quantity — so you don't oversell something you've run out of.
Start with your best 8–10 products, not your entire inventory. A focused store looks more trustworthy than a half-finished one with 100 blank listings. You can keep adding items every week.
Quick tip for retail shops
If you also run a physical counter, set up your products once and use them for both your online store and in-shop POS. Selling the same item in two places without double data entry is exactly the kind of headache Saauzi is built to remove for Nepali retailers.
Step 3: Turn On Payments — eSewa, Khalti & Bank (10 minutes)
This is the part that makes you a real store instead of a "DM for price" page. In your payment settings, connect:
- eSewa and Khalti — the two wallets most Nepali customers already use and trust.
- Bank transfer / connectIPS — for larger orders and customers who prefer it.
- Cash on Delivery (COD) — still the most popular option across Nepal, especially outside Kathmandu. Keep it on; many first-time buyers will only purchase if they can pay on delivery.
Offering digital payments and COD together removes the biggest reason carts get abandoned: "I'm not sure I trust this shop yet."
Step 4: Set Up Delivery & COD (10 minutes)
Decide how orders reach customers. Most small sellers use a mix:
- Inside the Valley — your own rider, a local delivery boy, or a courier. Set a flat charge (for example, NPR 100) so there are no surprises.
- Outside the Valley — a courier or logistics partner with COD collection, so you still get paid when you ship cash-on-delivery to Pokhara, Biratnagar, or Butwal.
Set clear delivery zones and charges in your store. Customers strongly prefer knowing the exact shipping cost upfront rather than being told "we'll let you know." Add a simple line about expected delivery time (e.g. "1–2 days inside Valley, 3–5 days outside") to set expectations.
Step 5: Test One Order Yourself (5 minutes)
Before telling anyone, place a test order on your own store. Walk through it like a customer: add to cart, choose COD or Khalti, and complete checkout. Check that the price, VAT, and delivery charge all add up correctly and that you receive the order notification. Fixing a broken step now saves you an awkward refund later.
Step 6: Share Your Store & Make Your First Sale
Your store link is your new shopfront — put it everywhere:
- Your Facebook and Instagram bio, and pin a post with the link.
- Your WhatsApp and Viber status, plus your personal broadcast lists.
- In TikTok captions if you make short product videos.
Instead of replying "price?" in comments all day, just drop your store link. It saves you hours and lets people buy at midnight without you lifting a finger.
Bonus: Plan for Dashain & Tihar Now
The festive season is when Nepali shopping peaks. A few weeks before Dashain and Tihar, prepare a small "festive collection," offer a simple discount or free delivery above a certain amount, and stock up on your bestsellers. Having your store ready before the rush means you capture sales while competitors are still posting "inbox for price."
Your Takeaway
You can genuinely launch a working Nepali online store in under an hour: create the store, add 8–10 products, switch on eSewa/Khalti/COD, set delivery, test one order, and share the link. Don't wait for everything to be perfect — open today with what you have, make your first sale this week, and improve as you grow. Your shop is one hour away from being online.
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