India – 7 July 2025 – According to the GoDaddy 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Survey, nearly half of small businesses in India now primarily operate online, using websites, marketplaces, or social media to sell. This shows a clear shift as entrepreneurs embrace digital channels to reach customers, grow sales, and stay competitive in today’s market.
Running a business today in India means going beyond a physical store. While 36% of small businesses still work mainly from a physical location, 17% small businesses now run their business primarily through their own website. Another 21% operate mostly on social media. Sales channels also reflect this shift. Though 37% sell in person, 19% use online stores or marketplaces, and another 29% sell directly through social media.
Social media plays a major role in how small businesses in India operate and grow. Nearly 83% of entrepreneurs say it’s important to their sales strategy, and almost 47% say it’s very important. It has also become the top place to learn about running a business: 62% turn to social media for insights, ahead of traditional educational resources like books and blogs (44%), and even artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT (44%).
As Indian entrepreneurs go digital, many know exactly what would help them sell on social. 63% say they need better ways to reach the right audience, and nearly half (46%) want simpler tools for creating and posting content, highlighting a clear demand for practical, time-saving solutions.
“Indian entrepreneurs are digital-first and increasingly tech-savvy. While they are already leveraging social media to connect with customers, the next leap in growth will come from adopting smart AI tools that simplify marketing and enhance reach,” said Apurva Palnitkar, Senior Director of Marketing, GoDaddy India. “At GoDaddy, we’re focused on providing intuitive, AI-powered solutions like Show In Bio that empower small businesses to do more with less, saving time while driving meaningful results.”
As more small businesses in India move online, the need for effective tools and support continues to grow. GoDaddy is committed to helping entrepreneurs succeed with easy-to-use solutions like Show In Bio, GoDaddy Studio, and GoDaddy Airo all designed to simplify digital marketing and turn engagement into real results.