Prothes Barai
Founder & Engineer, PSBM Labs
E-commerce in Bangladesh has its own set of requirements that generic international platforms don't always handle well — local payment methods, delivery logistics, and trust-building for customers still new to buying online. Here's the roadmap we actually follow.
1. Define the catalog structure first
Before any design work starts, map out product categories, variants (size, color, weight), and how inventory is tracked. Getting this data model right early saves significant rework later — it's the foundation everything else is built on.
2. Design for trust, not just aesthetics
Customers new to online shopping look for specific trust signals: clear return policies, visible contact information, and real product photos rather than stock imagery. These aren't decoration — they measurably affect conversion for a Bangladeshi audience still weighing whether to trust a new store.
3. Build checkout around local payment habits
Cash on delivery remains the dominant payment method for many first-time online shoppers here, alongside bKash and Nagad. A checkout flow that only supports card payments will lose a meaningful share of customers before launch even begins.
4. Plan delivery logistics as a first-class feature
Integrating with local courier services (Pathao, Steadfast, RedX, or similar) for shipping rate calculation and order tracking should be part of the initial build, not a phase-two add-on — delivery visibility is one of the biggest drivers of repeat customers.
5. Inventory sync across channels
If you're also selling through a physical shop or social media, plan how inventory stays in sync so you don't oversell a product that's already gone. This is one of the most common operational headaches we help clients solve.
6. Launch small, then iterate
Launching with a focused product range and a solid checkout flow beats launching with every planned feature but a shaky core experience. We usually recommend an MVP scope that covers catalog, checkout, and order management first, with reviews, wishlists, and loyalty features following once real usage data comes in.
Typical build phases
| Phase | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Foundation | Catalog, cart, checkout, admin panel |
| Payments & delivery | bKash/Nagad, COD, courier integration |
| Growth features | Reviews, promotions, customer accounts |
| Scale | Performance tuning, analytics, multi-vendor support |