How to start an eCommerce business in Malaysia

Have you ever wondered how to start your eCommerce business? In this new chapter of the second half of 2022, Let me take you to step by step on how I create an entirely new eCommerce store in a category I’ve never known or understood. (p/s: I know someone out there will say that never step foot into something that you didn’t know, here, I will show you how you can work your way to prove that nothing is impossible. Of course, with enough time & effort put in )

Have you ever heard that starting an eCommerce business is not easy? My Answer is Yes and No. I would agree it’s never an easy journey if you never know how you can utilize your available resources as known as your “Unfair Advantage”.

“Every disadvantage can have a corresponding advantage, and vice versa. Your circumstances and unfair advantages, whether apparently positive or negative, can be double-edged swords.” – Ash Ali, Hasan Kubba (The Unfair Advantage)

What tools do you need to start an eCommerce business?

I have seen someone that start their eCommerce business with just a smartphone. For me, I would recommend starting with a Laptop/Desktop. You don’t need a beastly gaming laptop; just a normal budget laptop will do. You will use the laptop for research, light photo editing and other related work. I would recommend checking out this. Microsoft Surface Pro ( i5 / 8GB Ram / 256GB Storage ).

The next thing you will need is a thermal printer, which will speed up the whole process of printing. Instead of printing with an inkjet or laser printer, you will need to cut the Airwaybill and stick it into the waybill bag. By printing with a thermal printer, you can stick it on the parcel easily with thermal sticker paper.

The storage location is essential as well. If your house has an empty storage room or garage, use them. Go with the lean startup method and work your way up. I start with a 300sqft storage area and then move to 600sqft in 6 months. After another half a year, I’m now using a 1200sqft storage area.

Another important thing you will need is cash, which is not easy to acquire, but there is always some way you can fund your startup. Either by saving from your current job, investment from friends and family, venture capital funding, crowd-funding, personal loan from a bank, or even credit card loan.

After having the right equipment, you are halfway ready to start your eCommerce business. In the following article, I will show you how you can source and find the right products for your business.

Quick Disclaimer & Conclusion

A quick disclaimer that the intention of this Ecommerce chapter is not about ‘How To’ is more about ‘How I’ which I will be documenting the journey along the way for anyone who wants to start a new eCommerce store can have a reference on how I do it and follow the footstep.