Want to start an online bedsheet business but not sure how to start?
As we know, bedsheets are a popular product in the home decor industry. Bed And Bath Linen Market size in India is Rs. 488 billion in 2023.
So, if you are wondering how to turn your passion for home decor into a profitable business, then follow the steps below.
9 Steps to Start an Online Bedsheet Business :
Step 1: Understand the market:
Before starting an online bedsheet business, it is crucial to conduct thorough market research.
The concept of this product line involves pattern design, gathering supplies, packaging, and selling through different marketing channels.
So firstly, identify your target market because customers have different preferences, such as cotton or silk material, sizes, and designs when buying bed sheets.
Points to following during your research:
Demographics: Age, gender, income, location, household size, etc.
Lifestyle: Normal bedsheet, luxury bedding, or kid-friendly designs.
Types of bedsheets: Flat sheets, fitted sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, warm sheets, etc.
Materials and thread: Cotton, polyester, bamboo, and silk.
Design patterns and trends: Understand the current design trends and popular patterns.
Pricing structure: The price of products depends on the quality, brand, and cost of manufacturing.
Also, consider the type of target customers in the market:
Homeowners
Hotels and resorts
Hospitals and healthcare facilities
College students
Interior designers
Gift buyers
Airbnb hosts
Online shoppers
By using social media, you can connect directly with local customers, or by reviewing online sales reports, you can analyse the structure of your target market.
Step 2: Capital structure:
The cost of starting a bedsheet business in India can depend on several factors, such as the type of bedsheets you want to sell, the location of your business, marketing expenses, and more.
The cost to start a small to medium-sized bedsheet business in India can range from INR 5 lakhs to INR 80 lakhs (not fixed) depending on the scale of production and the type of equipment required.
Capital structure for a smaller or medium-sized business includes:
Business registration and legal fees: INR 10,000 - INR 20,000 ( (depending on the nature of your business. )
Inventory cost- 2 lakhs to 20 lakhs approx. (depending on the type and quality of materials you choose. )
Here are some other monthly expenses that will be incurred :
Rent of store (If you open one) - 20 thousand - 1 lakhs or more ( depending on the area you want to set up your business. )
Marketing Expenses: 4 lakhs - 15 lakhs or more ( depending on your business, it can vary on the channels you choose.)
Miscellaneous expenses - 1 lakh - 2 lakhs approx ( transportation, day-to-day expenses, petty cash, etc.)
However, the amount of capital may also vary depending on the size of your business.
For example, if you start a business at home, then you'll save a lot of cost on location.
But if you plan to open a big store, the location will be a crucial decision as the store should be in an area with high foot traffic so that your customers will want to visit it.
Step 3: Registration and licensing:
Registration and licensing are essential steps when starting an online bedsheet business in India.
Specific requirements can vary based on factors such as the business structure and location, here are some general licenses and registrations that may be applicable:
Company Registration
Goods and Services Tax (GST) Registration
Shop and Establishment License (if offline store)
Trademark Registration
Contact us by filling out the form on your right to get a free consultation.
Step 4: Supply of products:
A consistent and reliable supply of products ensures that you can meet customer demand on time. Customers expect to find the products they want when they're ready to purchase.
Here are some options from where you can receive a supply of your orders:
Manufacturers: you can contact manufacturers directly. Some places for purchase can be Sanganeri in Jaipur, Solapur in western Mumbai, Surat in Gujrat, etc.
Wholesalers and Distributors: they often deal with bulk quantities of products. BedCoouture in Kalbadevi Mumbai, Pavitra Textile in Shiv Chonk Panipat, and Prami Textile Jaipur are some distributors and wholesalers who deal in bulk orders.
Local Market: Visit a local market or wholesale in your region. You may find suppliers who specialize in bedding products and are willing to fulfill bulk orders.
Trade Shows and Exhibitions: Attend trade shows specific to the home decor and textile industry. These events provide opportunities to meet manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors face-to-face.
When you place a bulk order, there's a chance you'll waste inventory. If you want to reduce inventory waste, you may want to consider ordering trial pieces.
For example, If you want to introduce a new design, ask your manufacturer to share 4 to 5 pieces in available colors.
Continue the sale of that product if customers show interest otherwise, move on to other stuff.
Place a bulk order only on your maximum-selling product.
Some manufacturers make a dart of bulk orders and share them with their regional distribution area. You can receive your order from there and easily transport it to your place.
It's necessary to have clear communication with the vendors, ask for samples, negotiate terms, and ensure that the supplier meets quality and ethical standards.
Step 5: Create a Product Catalogue:
Choosing the right niche for a bedsheet business helps to target a specific audience of customer groups and helps create a brand.
Here are the types of bedsheets you can add to your list:
Organic and eco-friendly
Luxury
Children’s
Flannel
Microfiber
Bamboo
Silk
Egyptian cotton
Including this, you should also consider the material, sizes, and designs of the bedsheets:
Material: Cotton, Bamboo, silk, linen, polyester.
Size: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, Toddler, Crib.
Design: Solid colors, patterns (including geometric, floral, and animal patterns), sports team logos, movie and TV show characters, holiday designs, etc.
Generally, bed sheets come with two pillow covers, but if you want to do something different and break the loop, You can offer a variety of bedsheets.
For example, a full set of bedsheets ( bedsheet, two pillowcases, two cushions, and Dohar ), elastic fitted bedsheet, bedsheet combo set, Cultural designs (Jaipuri camels and forts, Punjabi phulkari and pind visuals ), etc.
Step 6: Setup your Online Bedsheet business:
Building an online store and selling your product online is one of the great options to evolve and make your business unique in the market.
It will help you connect with a wider audience.
Choose an online portal where you want to sell your products. Here are some ideas on how you can set up your brand for your target audience.
You can sell your product line on Amazon sellers and Flipkart sellers directly.
Sell Bedsheet on Amazon:
As an Amazon seller, you first need to register. Next, you need to select your product segment since each segment charges differently. As per the sources, Amazon charges a 20% commission on the bedsheet business section.
As soon as you finish the registration process, you can contact the support team. Besides helping you with future processes, they also help with maintaining day-to-day changes.
Publish your product list on their website with pictures, details of products, prices of the products, and color and design options.
Sell Bedsheet on your website:
If you want to set up your website, then you can register your business website through GoDaddy, Register.com, Shopify, etc.
After creating a domain you will receive an FSl certificate (Floriculture Sustainability Initiative) as these certifications are often crucial in this industry to ensure the quality, safety, and sustainability of products.
Once your website is created, choose an E-commerce platform, then customize your online store with high-quality product photography and detailed product descriptions.
Otherwise, you can also create a page on Instagram and Facebook where you can share product photos and descriptions. Try to keep your page lively by regularly updating it.
Step 7: Payment Procedure:
When operating an online bedsheet business, providing various payment methods is important to analyse the diverse preferences and needs of your customers.
Here are the options you can give to your customers for hassle-free and smooth payment of their purchase:
Credit/Debit Cards
Digital Wallets( google pay, PayTM, phone pay)
Net Banking
UPI (Unified Payments Interface)
Bank Transfers
COD (Cash on delivery)
Step 8: Packaging and labeling:
Packaging and labeling play crucial roles in the success of an online bedsheet business as they serve multiple purposes, like protecting the product during transportation and displaying essential information to customers.
A good packaging has the following :
It acts as an effective marketing tool, like giving discount codes for repetitive purchases
Sets a unique brand identity,
Labels should contain security features, holograms, or QR codes
Saves damage during transit, leading to fewer returns and improved customer satisfaction.
You can also use sustainable packaging or eco-friendly packaging for your products. Most consumers are becoming environment conscious, and thus, they prefer buying products that come in sustainable packaging.
Step 9: Brand promotion:
Promoting a bedsheet business online involves showcasing the quality, design, and comfort of your products to your target customers.
Here is a guide on how to promote your bed sheet brand effectively online:
Design a user-friendly and visually appealing website that shows your bed sheet products.
Invest in professional photography to showcase your bedsheets in various settings and angles.
Use online platforms to share customer reviews, behind-the-scenes content, and lifestyle images featuring your products.
Create virtual showrooms that allow customers to explore your bedsheets in a 360-degree view.
Encourage customers to leave reviews on your website and social media.
Introduce limited-edition or themed collections to create a sense of exclusivity.
Give some discount options and seasonal sales on your products for customers.
Give a buy-one-get-one-free offer or buy-two-get-one-free offer to your target audience.
Customise your product on an order basis. Like Mrs and Mr, His side and her side, Baby on board, etc.
Your eCommerce brand is something that people can relate to and connect with beyond just your physical products, and by using these tips you can make your brand effective and build a strong and loyal customer base.
As we know, a good bed sheet that matches an aesthetic look is an essential part of the interior of your bedroom.
Home decor is considered the status and taste of the owner who is willing to spend money to decorate the house.
However, some factors can influence the success of an online bedsheet business. Here are some key factors that can affect an online bedsheet business in India:
- Return of Product:
Online shopping involves uncertainty since customers can't physically inspect the product before purchase. Due to that customers return the products sometimes.
According to some sources, the costs of return policies are borne by owners. All expenses involved in collecting and transporting the product are included in the seller's cost.
So, creating a clear and fair product return policy is essential for any online business, including an online bedsheet business.
Here are some key components to consider when establishing a product return policy:
A clear and customer-friendly return policy builds confidence in shoppers. Knowing they can return a product if it doesn't meet their expectations encourages them to make a purchase.
Multiple images from different angles and close-ups can give customers a better understanding of the product's appearance and features.
Give a live chat support option on your website that helps customers with product-related queries and reduces the likelihood of returns.
By proper packaging, you can prevent damage during shipping and enhance the overall unboxing experience, reducing the likelihood of returns.
- Make your Brand Niche:
Marketing your bedsheet company is not easy, but there are many ways to make your brand niche in the market. Here are some tips that help in making a brand niche in the market:
Regularly update the designs and patterns of your bedsheet so your product will highlight more than a regular brand in the market.
Create transparent and clear communication with your potential customers and ask for reviews and feedback. Make them feel that their voice is heard.
For products like home decor items, it will be a great option to introduce virtual try-on or visualisation tools, by this feature a customer will see your product differently than others.
Focus on the product that has a maximum sale on your website.
Share their review message and videos on your social media to encourage them to purchase your product again. It will also help in engaging with new customers.
Give an option of some discount coupons and reference codes to new and existing customers.
Word of mouth is one of the biggest powers a customer can have and it helps you establish a niche in the market. Therefore, try to make your website and pages engaging for your customers and open and clear communication with them.
- Consumer Buying Behavior:
Customer behavior in this market can change due to various factors, including quality, designs, trends, lifestyle changes, and external events.
Every customer has a dynamic nature when it comes to buying any product. For example, a girl who lives in Pg will likely buy a simple cotton bedsheet, whereas a girl who wants her room to look aesthetic will likely buy a solid premium bed sheet that matches the vibe of the room.
But it is not that hard to understand the nature of customer behavior, so here are some ways in which customer behavior may change in the bedding market:
Try to cover maximum customer demand by sharing a variety of products. Like, solid colour bedsheets, flower print bedsheets, cartoon print bedsheets, etc.
Give different fabric material options in bedsheets. Like, cotton, linen, silk, eco-friendly, etc.
Consider offering personalised or customizable bed sheet options. This could include monogramming, customization of colours or patterns, etc.
Show the health and wellness benefits of your bed sheet products and how your products contribute to a good night's sleep, comfort, and overall well-being.
Try to engage your customers through social media and other platforms and create some activity for them, respond to feedback, and show that you value and appreciate your customer's response.
To sum up-
Starting and running an online bedsheet business in India involves a combination of strategic planning, market understanding, and customer-dynamic approach approaches.
By careful consideration, these steps and factors will give you an understanding of how you can start your online bedsheet business effectively and hassle-free.
If you have any other questions related to the bedsheet business, you can contact our experts at Starteazy.