Gone are the days when people only shopped from websites or visited stores. In 2025, more and more Indians are buying directly from WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. This trend is called social commerce — and it’s making shopping easy, quick, and fun.

Today, sellers don’t always need a full website or app. With just a smartphone, a social media account, and a payment method, anyone can start selling. That’s the power of social commerce. In this article from Business Magazine, we’ll break down what’s happening in this space, who’s leading it, and what it means for small and big brands alike.

Social Commerce in Numbers

Detail	Figure
Market Size in India (2025)	₹70,000 crore+
Top Platforms	Instagram, WhatsApp, Meesho, Facebook
Active Social Sellers	Over 10 million
Growth Rate	17% annually

According to industry reports, India’s social commerce market is expected to hit ₹1.1 lakh crore by 2027. The biggest users? Women entrepreneurs, small shopkeepers, and local brands.

How It Works: Simple Shopping, Right Where You Chat

Social commerce allows businesses to:

Show products through Instagram posts or stories
Take orders through WhatsApp chats
Collect payments via UPI or payment links
Deliver using local courier partners

It’s that simple. Sellers use tools like Meesho, Shopsy, and GlowRoad to manage everything — from product listings to shipping and payments.

Why It’s Growing Fast in India

Here’s why social commerce is working so well, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities:

✅ People trust their WhatsApp groups and Instagram influencers
✅ No need for a credit card or complicated checkout
✅ Language is not a barrier — sellers use Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, and more
✅ Low investment — anyone can start without a big budget

Even homemakers and students are running full-time online businesses through these platforms.

Top Players in India’s Social Commerce Market

Platform	What They Do
Meesho	Allows users to resell fashion, home, and beauty products easily
Shopsy (by Flipkart)	Share and earn on every order through WhatsApp
Trell	Combines influencer videos with shoppable links
WhatsApp Business	Lets sellers showcase products in a catalog and chat with buyers

Real-World Example

Pooja, a 28-year-old from Lucknow, started selling handmade jhumkas on Instagram. She now takes orders via WhatsApp, collects payments through Google Pay, and ships using India Post. In just one year, her small venture has turned into a monthly income of ₹30,000. Stories like Pooja’s are becoming more common every day.

Challenges Sellers Face

While social commerce is growing fast, it comes with its own challenges:

Trust issues: Some buyers fear fraud or low-quality products.
Delivery delays: Small sellers may struggle with logistics.
Returns and refunds: Many sellers don’t have proper return policies.
Platform dependency: If a seller relies only on Instagram or WhatsApp, they risk losing customers if the platform changes rules.

Still, the pros outweigh the cons for most small sellers — especially those just starting out.

What the Future Holds

Experts believe that social commerce will become as big as traditional e-commerce. Features like:

Live shopping videos
Voice shopping in Indian languages
AI-based product recommendations

…are already being tested and rolled out by leading platforms. And as more Indians come online, the customer base is only going to grow.

Final Words from Business Magazine

Social commerce is not just a trend — it’s a big opportunity for millions of Indians. Whether you are a student, housewife, small trader, or a brand looking to grow, selling directly on social media is one of the smartest ways to reach your customers today.

For more updates on marketing trends, small business stories, and branding strategies, keep reading Business Magazine.