Author: Pranav Deshpande
Read Time: 5-7 mins
Oct 16, 2024
ONDC: The Indian Super App?
ONDC: The Indian Super App?
ONDC: The Indian Super App?
Author: Pranav Deshpande
Read Time: 5-7 mins
Oct 16, 2024
The excitement surrounding ONDC's potential to become India's version of China's super apps is growing as it expands beyond e-commerce to include travel and banking services. This evolution suggests that ONDC could develop into a comprehensive platform like WeChat, creating a more interconnected digital ecosystem in India and improving user engagement and convenience.
The ONDC network allows buyers to access a wide range of products and services from various sellers through a single network, eliminating the need to switch between multiple platforms and varying commissions. This approach aims to make digital commerce fairer and simpler, helping small businesses and consumers connect and do business more easily.
The excitement surrounding ONDC's potential to become India's version of China's super apps is growing as it expands beyond e-commerce to include travel and banking services. This evolution suggests that ONDC could develop into a comprehensive platform like WeChat, creating a more interconnected digital ecosystem in India and improving user engagement and convenience.
The ONDC network allows buyers to access a wide range of products and services from various sellers through a single network, eliminating the need to switch between multiple platforms and varying commissions. This approach aims to make digital commerce fairer and simpler, helping small businesses and consumers connect and do business more easily.
Launched by the Indian government in early 2022, ONDC is designed to create an open network for e-commerce that connects buyers and sellers directly, cutting out traditional middlemen. This approach allows for more competition and better access, especially benefiting small businesses and consumers by offering a wider range of products and services. As of September 2024, ONDC has reported over 100 million cumulative transactions , showing strong acceptance from users and sellers alike.
ONDC's newest integration in the travel sector allows users to book various services, such as flights, hotels, and transportation, through a single platform, enhancing trip planning. EaseMyTrip has launched ScanMyTrip, the first travel marketplace on ONDC, enabling online travel agencies and small businesses to list their services and connect with travellers more effectively. This would empower smaller providers and foster competition in India's travel ecosystem while simplifying the onboarding process for businesses.
ONDC is working with banks like HDFC Bank and IDFC First Bank to provide loans and insurance as part of its expansion into financial services. Users can apply for personal loans and insurance while booking travel or shopping online. This makes financial transactions easier and improves the overall experience. By collaborating with various financial institutions, ONDC ensures that users get competitive rates suited to their needs, benefiting both consumers and smaller financial service providers.
Launched by the Indian government in early 2022, ONDC is designed to create an open network for e-commerce that connects buyers and sellers directly, cutting out traditional middlemen. This approach allows for more competition and better access, especially benefiting small businesses and consumers by offering a wider range of products and services. As of September 2024, ONDC has reported over 100 million cumulative transactions , showing strong acceptance from users and sellers alike.
ONDC's newest integration in the travel sector allows users to book various services, such as flights, hotels, and transportation, through a single platform, enhancing trip planning. EaseMyTrip has launched ScanMyTrip, the first travel marketplace on ONDC, enabling online travel agencies and small businesses to list their services and connect with travellers more effectively. This would empower smaller providers and foster competition in India's travel ecosystem while simplifying the onboarding process for businesses.
ONDC is working with banks like HDFC Bank and IDFC First Bank to provide loans and insurance as part of its expansion into financial services. Users can apply for personal loans and insurance while booking travel or shopping online. This makes financial transactions easier and improves the overall experience. By collaborating with various financial institutions, ONDC ensures that users get competitive rates suited to their needs, benefiting both consumers and smaller financial service providers.
The technology supporting ONDC is crucial for its potential success as a super app. Google Cloud’s recent partnership with ONDC also shows how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve user experiences by providing personalised recommendations and real-time assistance in multiple languages. This is particularly important in India, where language barriers can often make accessing services difficult.
Moreover, the focus on security and data privacy ensures that user information remains safe while allowing smooth transactions across various sectors. By using cloud technologies and AI-driven insights, ONDC can create a secure environment where users feel confident engaging in digital commerce.
To achieve a super app-like status, ONDC can actually learn from the success of Chinese super apps like WeChat and Alipay. These apps succeeded because of high smartphone and internet use, government support for digital payments, and less competition from big Western tech companies. ONDC should focus on these factors and offer many services in one app. Using these mini-programs, ONDC can allow businesses to create small apps on its platform, giving users access to many services. A mobile-first approach and promoting digital payments will improve the user experience. By learning from Chinese super apps and encouraging innovation, ONDC can build a strong digital ecosystem for Indian users and change how they use digital services.
The technology supporting ONDC is crucial for its potential success as a super app. Google Cloud’s recent partnership with ONDC also shows how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve user experiences by providing personalised recommendations and real-time assistance in multiple languages. This is particularly important in India, where language barriers can often make accessing services difficult.
Moreover, the focus on security and data privacy ensures that user information remains safe while allowing smooth transactions across various sectors. By using cloud technologies and AI-driven insights, ONDC can create a secure environment where users feel confident engaging in digital commerce.
To achieve a super app-like status, ONDC can actually learn from the success of Chinese super apps like WeChat and Alipay. These apps succeeded because of high smartphone and internet use, government support for digital payments, and less competition from big Western tech companies. ONDC should focus on these factors and offer many services in one app. Using these mini-programs, ONDC can allow businesses to create small apps on its platform, giving users access to many services. A mobile-first approach and promoting digital payments will improve the user experience. By learning from Chinese super apps and encouraging innovation, ONDC can build a strong digital ecosystem for Indian users and change how they use digital services.
The potential for ONDC to evolve into a comprehensive super app is enormous. Ongoing developments like multilingual support through Bhashini technology will further improve user engagement by breaking down language barriers. As more businesses join the network and offer their services, users will enjoy an increasingly rich array of options.
ONDC will surely be facing key challenges on its path towards enabling a super app. It needs to attract more consumers and make use of economies of scale, as only 70-80 million people in India currently shop online, with e-retail penetration at just 8%. ONDC should aim and boost this by onboarding more sellers and improving user experience.
Another challenge is limiting the dominance of large aggregators like Google and Paytm to maintain a diverse ecosystem, despite having over 7,00,000+ vendors by mid 2024. Ensuring a seamless shopping experience is also critical, as issues like failed deliveries have caused some big players to exit. Finally, managing the technical integration of mini-apps and adhering to regulations will be crucial for ONDC's success in democratising e-commerce.
As ONDC integrates travel and banking services, it can expand further by adding sectors like event ticketing, healthcare, and education. Event ticketing could allow users to book concert or sports tickets while integrating transportation and accommodation for a seamless experience. Healthcare services could offer telemedicine, online consultations, and pharmacy services, meeting the growing demand for accessible healthcare. In education, ONDC could partner with e-learning platforms to provide courses, making learning more convenient. Expanding into these areas would help ONDC become a comprehensive super app, increasing user engagement and creating a stronger digital ecosystem.
The potential for ONDC to evolve into a comprehensive super app is enormous. Ongoing developments like multilingual support through Bhashini technology will further improve user engagement by breaking down language barriers. As more businesses join the network and offer their services, users will enjoy an increasingly rich array of options.
ONDC will surely be facing key challenges on its path towards enabling a super app. It needs to attract more consumers and make use of economies of scale, as only 70-80 million people in India currently shop online, with e-retail penetration at just 8%. ONDC should aim and boost this by onboarding more sellers and improving user experience.
Another challenge is limiting the dominance of large aggregators like Google and Paytm to maintain a diverse ecosystem, despite having over 7,00,000+ vendors by mid 2024. Ensuring a seamless shopping experience is also critical, as issues like failed deliveries have caused some big players to exit. Finally, managing the technical integration of mini-apps and adhering to regulations will be crucial for ONDC's success in democratising e-commerce.
As ONDC integrates travel and banking services, it can expand further by adding sectors like event ticketing, healthcare, and education. Event ticketing could allow users to book concert or sports tickets while integrating transportation and accommodation for a seamless experience. Healthcare services could offer telemedicine, online consultations, and pharmacy services, meeting the growing demand for accessible healthcare. In education, ONDC could partner with e-learning platforms to provide courses, making learning more convenient. Expanding into these areas would help ONDC become a comprehensive super app, increasing user engagement and creating a stronger digital ecosystem.
ONDC represents a significant opportunity for India's digital economy. By enabling the creation of a super app that also combines travel and banking services within an open network framework, ONDC aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for millions of users. As technology continues to evolve and more players enter this space, the future of digital commerce in India looks bright—one where consumers have greater control over their choices and experiences across various sectors.
By partnering with SellerSetu, your brand can confidently join the ONDC network and unlock new growth opportunities. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your operations, SellerSetu provides the tools and support you need to succeed in the digital marketplace.
ONDC represents a significant opportunity for India's digital economy. By enabling the creation of a super app that also combines travel and banking services within an open network framework, ONDC aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for millions of users. As technology continues to evolve and more players enter this space, the future of digital commerce in India looks bright—one where consumers have greater control over their choices and experiences across various sectors.
By partnering with SellerSetu, your brand can confidently join the ONDC network and unlock new growth opportunities. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your operations, SellerSetu provides the tools and support you need to succeed in the digital marketplace.
More on ONDC…
More on ONDC…
Are You Ready To Start A Successful Journey On ONDC ?
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Are You Ready To Start A Successful Journey On ONDC ?
Join the growing community of successful sellers who trust SellerSetu for their online selling needs. Start selling on the best online marketplace on ONDC. Fill out this form, and our team will reach out to you within the next 24 hours.
Are You Ready To Start A Successful Journey On ONDC ?
Join the growing community of successful sellers who trust SellerSetu for their online selling needs. Start selling on the best online marketplace on ONDC. Fill out this form, and our team will reach out to you within the next 24 hours.