If you are looking for a way to earn money online by selling products, you might have come across two popular e-commerce platforms in India: Flipkart and Meesho. Both of them offer a range of products and services for customers and sellers, but they also have some differences that may affect your decision. In this blog, we will compare Flipkart and Meesho based on several factors such as eligibility, product listing, shipping, commission fee, and customer support. By the end of this blog, you will have a better idea of which platform is more suitable for your online business.
Eligibility:
Both Flipkart and Meesho require you to have some legal documents to start selling on their platforms. For Flipkart, you need to have a PAN card, a bank account in the name of the individual or business, a GST registration, a proof of identification, an address proof document, a valid email ID, a valid contact number, and a bank statement or canceled cheque of the registered account. For Meesho, you need to have a GSTIN, an active bank account, a mobile number, and an email ID. The process of registration is simple and straightforward for both platforms, and you can start selling once your account is verified.
Product Listing:
Listing your products and uploading catalogs are easy on both platforms. Flipkart provides a Flipkart Seller Dashboard where you can upload your listings and access the catalogs anytime you want. You can list a minimum of one product on Flipkart. Meesho provides a Meesho Supplier Panel where you can also upload your listings and access the catalogs anytime you want. You are suggested to upload at least three to four products on Meesho. The structure of the item title, description, and pricing is similar for both platforms. However, Meesho has a special feature called the Price Recommendation Tool, which suggests the best price for your products based on the pricing of similar products from other sellers. This can help you compete with other merchants and attract more customers. Meesho also has a feature called the NDD (Next Day Dispatch), which allows you to promote and advertise your listings by promising faster delivery times.
Shipping:
Both Flipkart and Meesho provide logistics partners to deliver the products from the seller to the buyer’s doorstep. All you have to do is pack the products properly once the order is received and hand them over to the courier partner. They will deliver them all over India. However, Flipkart has an advantage over Meesho in terms of delivery speed and reliability. Flipkart has an extensive logistics network that allows it to offer faster delivery times, especially for its Flipkart Plus and Flipkart Assured customers. Meesho relies on individual sellers, so delivery times may vary depending on the seller’s location. However, Meesho provides free shipping on many orders, which can save you some money and attract more customers.
Commission Fee:
If you want to choose a platform based on the commission fee, Meesho is the clear winner. Meesho is the first e-commerce platform to introduce a ‘Zero Commission Fee’ policy, meaning you don’t have to pay anything to Meesho to sell on their platform. From registration to order cancellation, everything is free without any hidden charges. On the other hand, Flipkart charges a commission fee on each sale, which is either a percentage of the product value or a fixed fee based on slabs of order values. The commission fee varies depending on the product category and the seller tier. Flipkart also charges a shipping fee, a collection fee, and a fixed fee per order. Therefore, you have to consider these costs before setting your profit margin on Flipkart.
Customer Support:
Both Flipkart and Meesho offer customer support for sellers and buyers, but they differ in their quality and responsiveness. Flipkart has a dedicated seller support team that can be contacted through phone, email, or chat. Flipkart also has a seller help center where you can find answers to common queries and issues. Meesho also has a seller support team that can be contacted through phone, email, or chat. Meesho also has a seller help center where you can find answers to common queries and issues. However, some sellers have complained that Meesho’s customer support is not very helpful or responsive and that they often face issues with order tracking, payment, and refunds.
Conclusion:
As you can see, both Flipkart and Meesho have their pros and cons when it comes to selling online. Flipkart offers a wider range of products, faster delivery, and better customer support, but it also charges a commission fee and other costs. Meesho offers free shipping, zero commission fee, and price recommendation tool, but it also has slower delivery, limited product categories, and less reliable customer support. Ultimately, choosing between these platforms depends on your preferences, goals, and budget. You should do your own research and compare the features and benefits of each platform before making a decision. Happy selling!