UPI and card payments aren't optional for an Indian online store anymore — customers expect to pay however is convenient for them, right at checkout. Razorpay is one of the most common gateways we set up for Chennai ecommerce clients because it supports UPI, cards, netbanking, and wallets through a single integration.

1. Get your business KYC ready first

Before any technical setup, Razorpay requires business verification — PAN, bank account details, and business proof (GST certificate or shop establishment licence, depending on your business type). Getting this ready upfront avoids delays later, since payouts won't start until KYC is approved.

2. Create your Razorpay account and get API keys

Once verified, you'll get a Key ID and Key Secret from the Razorpay dashboard. These are what your website uses to securely communicate with Razorpay's payment system — they should never be exposed in your site's public-facing code.

3. Choose the right integration method

For most small-to-medium stores, Razorpay's Standard Checkout is the simplest route — a pre-built payment popup that handles UPI, cards, and wallets without you needing to build a custom payment form. Larger stores wanting a fully custom-branded checkout can use Razorpay's more advanced APIs instead.

4. Test in sandbox mode before going live

Razorpay provides test API keys and test card/UPI details so you can run through the entire purchase flow — order creation, payment, and webhook confirmation — without moving real money. Skipping this step is where most launch-day payment issues come from.

5. Set up webhooks so orders update automatically

A webhook tells your website's backend the moment a payment succeeds or fails, so an order can move to "Paid" and trigger things like an invoice email or stock deduction automatically, rather than someone manually checking the Razorpay dashboard.

Checklist before you launch

  • Business KYC approved on Razorpay
  • Live API keys generated and stored securely (not in public code)
  • Full checkout flow tested in sandbox mode
  • Webhooks configured for automatic order status updates
  • Refund process tested at least once before go-live

Once it's live, keep an eye on your Razorpay dashboard's settlement reports for the first few weeks — it's the easiest way to catch any mismatch between your store's order records and what's actually been paid out.