The full form of ONDC is Open Network for Digital Commerce. This initiative was launched by the Government of India in April 2022, to promote local business sectors. The ONDC platform acts as an intermediary between consumers and sellers, where both of them can communicate for better experiences.
This platform enables buyers to compare the quality of products, prices, discounts, etc. from different sellers. Similarly, sellers can get multiple benefits like better market reach, cost efficiency, access to Government rules, etc.
Apart from various products and services, the ONDC platform also gives individuals an opportunity to order their favourite foods from both small businesses and popular restaurants. In this article, we will discuss more about ONDC, how to order from ONDC, how it works, its advantages, and more.
How Does the ONDC Platform Work?
The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) acts as an intermediary platform and drive of the Indian Government in the domain of online shopping, connecting buyers and sellers. It operates just like the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), a widely used mobile payment system that allows individuals to make payments online irrespective of the type of payment app they use.
For a better understanding, let’s consider the Paytm app and ONDC. By using ONDC either via the Paytm app or the official ONDC portal, one can avail an extensive range of options. For example, when it comes to a food section, people enjoy the scope of ordering food from multiple local popular restaurants and renowned food chains. ONDC assembles these different providers, offering more choices, and reasonable prices while encouraging healthy competition.
This same principle also applies to home décor, groceries, electronics, etc., and a host of other services available under ONDC. For people searching how to order on ONDC, this platform helps them choose items from a large number of vendors, ranging from small locality stores to large supermarket belts. In other words, it gives the scope to enjoy complete freedom to explore many products and go for the top deals.
In case of sellers, a small amount of fee needs to be paid to the ONDC network. However, vendors do not require paying commissions to various aggregators to retain their revenue flow. Ultimately, this system will bring every e-commerce under one roof which will automatically lessen the delivery charges. Presently, one can use the ONDC shopping portal across different locations such as Delhi, Kolkata, NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and so on.
As this centralised marketplace gives the opportunity to attain various necessities from the providers in the vicinity, one can make quick savings through this platform. Due to its promising facilities, many renowned financial institutions like the State Bank of India (SBI), Kotak Mahindra Bank, ICICI Bank, etc., as well as the famous Indian e-commerce marketplaces like Dunzo, Flipkart, etc., have registered themselves on this portal.
What are the Benefits of ONDC for Buyers?
Choosing ONDC online shopping offers data privacy and provides consumers with advantages like complete control over personal information, proper data sharing, etc.
Here are some benefits of ONDC for buyers and consumers:
Internationally recognised e-commerce websites like Amazon, Uber, etc., always do not succeed in rendering every specific want of Indian citizens. Often, the elements they provide may not fulfil the individual expectations of customers. This is why ONDC has jotted down the stock of every seller to provide a virtual catalogue so that every consumer enjoys a convenient shopping experience.
Analysing user data helps understand the exact consumer behaviour, taste, and trends. Businesses use this information to personalise the products for the fast fulfilment of customer needs, thereby increasing profitability.
Making quick and secure payments is amid the major challenges faced by the Indian e-commerce stores. ONDC adopts the blockchain technology through which it removes any third-party payment gateways virtually. This ensures timely payments and also make the transactions safe. Moreover, the ONDC platform can be unified alongside the Aadhaar Payments Network (APN) which helps in verifying customers’ identity and prevent financial malpractice.
As the buyers get the scope to access a centralised platform of the Indian Government, they are able to communicate with various sellers before buying any product or service. This helps individuals get variant choices on the ONDC app regardless of wherever they stay across India.
ONDC's exceptional algorithm facilitates hyperlocal deliveries, enabling buyers to get top discounts and reasonable delivery charges. Here, customers get the scope to select any seller from the ONDC catalogue.
Apart from the unified interface on the seller's end, consumers also get an innovative platform where they can find their desired goods and services within a fraction of second. This enables excellent shopping experiences alongside proper delivery that supports better end-to-end impressions.
What are the Benefits of ONDC for Sellers?
Sellers also use the ONDC application in order to connect with the logistic companies and modernise the delivery service. Since it was unveiled on 31st December 2022, ONDC has helped more than 3.8 lakh sellers across India, thereby enhancing businesses.
Following are the advantages, which sellers get by using ONDC:
Often, small business entrepreneurs and start-ups come across various challenges when it comes to enhancing their online presence. To enable them to compete against emerging monopolies in the groceries and consumer goods sector, ONDC offers standardised protocols which are beneficial to every party.
Most of the Indian people have not yet garnered the advantages of the e-commerce world. In various regions, people face problems like unsteady internet connectivity, insufficient supply of materials, poor infrastructure, etc.
With the emergence of ONDC, these problems are reduced since it has brought many e-commerce business sectors under one umbrella. This considerably helps sellers to find fresh clientele bases while bestowing great value for money.
ONDC provides higher transparency by making government information more accessible to people. This helps in building accountability and trust. Due to the influence of ONDC, sellers enjoy better control over the pricing of their products and services. As a result, sellers are able to make knowledgeable decisions while formulating a competitive pricing approach to develop trust in customers.
In the prevailing e-commerce market, sellers need to pay a considerable amount of fees to the e-commerce platforms, thus influencing their profits. ONDC is a lucrative alternative to traditional e-commerce portals since it helps in lessening overhead expenditures and platform fees. Doing so enables businesses to provide competitive pricing to retain their profitability.
Even though a government initiative, ONDC functions as a neutral and regulated e-commerce platform. Since ONDC is independent of any entity and transparent in nature, it provides equal opportunities to every single seller. In general, the ONDC platform tends to create a robust e-commerce ecosystem.
ONDC-operated platforms streamline the exchange of services, which includes microtasks, contractual work, and various economic opportunities. This also enables individuals with different skills to access a host of job openings. Consequently, it enhances income generation and lessens unemployment.
The open-source technology influences supply chain management, which in turn, makes it more cost-effective and beneficial. This reduces obstacles for small-scale manufacturers to hit the market, ensuring a unique range of products accessible to customers or buyers.
To get the best possible output, sellers must enhance the market acquisition process and give more focus to customising the offerings. This brings more innovative approaches to automate sales and solidify security while managing transactions.
Which are the Top ONDC Apps for Buyers?
To ensure seamless buying over the open network, many establishments have entered the e-commerce platform and brought the feature-rich ONDC network buyer apps.
Following are the top eight ONDC apps for buyers:
- Paytm
- Craftsvilla
- Meesho
- PhonePe
- Mystore
- IDFC First
- Spice Money
- Namma Yatri
There are many payment gateways of which Protean is very important. It allows fast and secure transactions of funds. The buyer is not required to pay any additional cost during the transaction. Also, one can stay assured that no third party can crack their bank details, which can cause financial scams.
How to Order on ONDC through Different Apps?
People can easily order their desired foods, groceries, home décor, electronics, etc., via the ONDC platform via different apps as mentioned above.
Here we will be discussing the step-by-step process to order food on Paytm ONDC:
Step 1: At first the user needs to enter his/her credentials for logging into the Paytm application.
Step 2: In the search bar above, insert ‘ONDC’ for fast access. Several options like food, home décor, grocery, and electronics will appear on the screen, from which the user has to make his/her choice.
Step 3: After this, consider choosing a specified menu or restaurant.
Step 4: Then users should select their desired food items and add them to their cart.
Step 5: After this, users have to select ‘Go to Cart’ and enter their ‘Delivery Address’.
Step 6: Later on, people should use the map to determine their location and click on ‘Confirm’.
Step 7: After this, apply a coupon code and click on ‘Proceed’ to go to the payment stage.
Step 8: Users can select their preferred payment modes from the options available.
Step 9: Customers should enter the PIN of their respective payment mode to complete the food order.
If the transaction is successful, customers will get a notification on their registered mobile number.
Key Takeaways
In a nutshell, ONDC presents a transformative opportunity for the e-commerce ecosystem in India. With its attention to proper competition, user-friendliness, and assistance for local businesses, it has the ability to rejuvenate the market. Learn the convenience and explore the significance of Paytm ONDC for food and grocery delivery needs.
Even though the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a forward-thinking and innovative initiative, it still has a lot of challenges. These comprise problems based on competitiveness, operational strategy, and technicalities of MSMEs to use ONDC.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who gets the maximum benefits from ONDC?
The Indian Government aims to revitalise and foster the current e-commerce market of India through ONDC. As a result, this gives more supremacy to MSMEs.
2. How does ONDC food delivery app distinguish itself from other food and grocery delivery apps?
ONDC forms an open e-commerce network, helps small businesses to flourish, provide better user experience, offer competitive pricing, and give plenty of choices. On the contrary, other platforms have different business models and may not concentrate on supporting small businesses.
3. Does ONDC charge a delivery fee?
In general, no delivery fees are charged against the ONDC Food orders on account of the Rs. 75 subsidy. However, in case of distant orders that go beyond Rs. 75, delivery charges are applicable.
4. Which are the key ONDC seller apps of 2023?
There are many ONDC seller apps available. Following are the five main seller apps:
5. Which cities are mostly using ONDC?
At present, five major cities are mostly using the ONDC network, which includes: Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
