Last Updated on November 13, 2025 by WebsiteDesigner.sg
This is a comprehensive guide on how to setup an online business in Singapore in 2021.
Core things to setup for an online business
This is a very long guide as it is comprehensive
Business Name
First, it all starts with a name. A good name is vital for business success. Especially when you want to exit and sell the business, choose a name that buyers would potentially like.
- business name generators
- check acra for name availability
- buy domain name (international markets)
- buy domain name (singapore market)
- Google the brand name and check for historical data, web archive
Bank Account Setup
Business banks
Virtual Address Setup
Office Setup
Rental
Location
Mobile Plan Setup
m1
singtel
starhub
Giga
skype
Payment Processors Setup
Stripe
Paypal
Insurance Setup
Freelancer
Business insurance
Accounting Tools Setup
quickbooks
Seller Accounts
For ecommerce, you will want to tap on ready available traffic on these ecommerce platforms.
Create A Website
Ecommerce platforms have some limitations compared to having your own website
- branding
- customer emails
WordPress
Shopify
- setup 1 product
- add a product
- edit homepage
Email Setup
Gsuites
Zohomail
Social Media Setup
YouTube
Google Setup
Mobile Apps Setup
- WhatsApp Business
- API
- Telegram
- Shopify
- Woocommerce
- Amazon Selelr
- Shopee
- Lazada
Graphics Setup
Logo
Banner
Research Tools Setup
Junglescout
Helium10
Chrome Extensions Setup
Storage Setup
Delivery Setup
Ninjavan
Photography Setup
Camera
Analytics Setup
Hotjar
Google Analytics
Outsource Account Setup
fiver affiliate
Upwork
Find one more
Office Setup
We assume you are working from home, hence home office setup would be a suitable recommendation
Chair
Table
Mouse
Internet Access
Laptop
Keybaord
Printer
Labelling
Stationary
Job Websiters Setup
- jobsdb
- template
Marketing Setup
- Websites that you can buy ads from
- Free classifies
- Forums where your users are
Networking Setup
- Groups you can meet (like minded people)
- Ecommerce fairs inSingapore
- Suppliers
Sell your business setup
- business for sales
- flippa
- empire flippers
Misc Tools Setup
1password
Lastpass
vpn
Grants Setup
geBiz Setup
Website Monitoring Tools
CRM
Inventory
- logo design
- graphic design
- poster design
- warehouse rental, FBL, FBA (Ecommerce)
- delivery accounts
- research tools
- supplier list
- office setup
- equipments
- mobile apps
- chrome extensions
- advertising
- Google my business accounts
- search console, google analytics
- photography
Buy domain
Things to consider
- domain privacy
- what country are you targeting
How to choose
- intl
- sg
WordPress Guide
Buy hosting
WordPress installation
Buy SSL
Shopify Guide
Wix Guide
Square Guide
Benefits
These are some of the benefits of selling online
- User penetration in Singapore is increasing over the years and it will hit 67.2% in 2025
- Lower startup costs compared to retail business
- Global outreach
- Ability to outsource entire process to virtual assistants
1) Types
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a type of ecommerce model where one does not have to hold inventory. The seller will only purchase the item when the buyer has made a purchase.
Pros
- Lower operating costs
- Product research before committing a bulk order
- Many online materials to learn from
Cons
- Thin margins as you do not own the product
- Unpredictable product quality such as packaging or damages
- Returns can eat into your profit margin
Hold inventory
Holding inventory is another type of ecommerce business where one purchases products in bulk quantities and usually requires a space to store.
Pros
- Higher margins
- Control product quality
- Ability to repackage and brand better
Cons
- Risk of not selling stock
- Storage can be costly for unsold goods
- It can be made worse if goods expire fast which ends up as waste
2) Product Research
Google Trends
Google trend is an online tool that you can use to forecast demand for your ecommerce business idea.
In this case study,
If you search for “computer keyboard“, it returns a trend of the demand of keyboards in Google. From this graph, you are able to notice a spike in demand during 2020’s pandemic period as more people are working from home and need a keyboard.
Exploding Topics
Explodingtopics.com is a website that you can search for topics that are trending. The only drawback is there is no country filter at the moment which means you can’t filter the search by Singapore.
Kickstarter
Kickstart is a website where people would create and list new products to get funding. It is a great place to see what people want. And also by funding the project, it confirms that the idea could be financially viable.
3) Suppliers
Now that you have an idea of what to sell, you would search for suppliers for your product.
China Websites (English Friendly)
Aliexpress
Aliexpress is a website that you can purchase small quantities of products from China. Usually, this is used to test buy items at a small investment to test for product quality and demand.
7) Storage
Your house
Fulfilment By Lazada
Warehouse rental in Singapore
8) Packing & Labelling
- Printers for labelling
9) Delivery
- ninjavan
- singapore post
- ezparcel
- drive yourself
- grab delivery
10) Inventory
- Tradegecko
- Excel
11) Mobile Apps
- Shopify
- Aliexpress
- Taobao
- Ezbuy
12) Shopify Apps
- Refersion
- Smile
13) Forecasting
- expiry of goods
14) Marketing Channels
- influencer marketing
- google shopping ads
15) Photography
- Lightbox
- Camera
- Photoshop
- Watermark
- Compression
16) Website
- Buy a Domain name
- Grants IMDA shopify
17) Branding
- logo
18) Generic Vs Niche
19) Customer Service
- intercom
20) Bundling
- average order value
21) Seasonal Promotions
- Marketing strategy
22) Return Policies
- Restocking Fee
23) Sell Your Shopify Business
24) Official Distributor
25) Business Address
- Virtual address
- Rent an office in Singapore
26) Credits Cards & Cashbacks
- Credit cards to use
- Multicurrency
- Cashback
27) Outsourcing
- VAs