How to Start E-Commerce: A 2026 Roadmap

April 2, 2026 · KârHesapla · Ferhat Demir · E-commerce Specialist

In 2026, starting to sell on a marketplace is technically easier than ever; the hard part is starting profitably. The order should be:

1. Legal groundwork

• Setting up a sole proprietorship (via e-Devlet) or registering for tax with your existing company
• Clarify your e-invoice/e-archive obligations with your accountant

2. Product selection — with profit math

When choosing a product, look at unit economics before estimating sales volume:

• If the margin after commission + VAT + shipping is below 15%, look for another product
• Avoid cheap products with a high desi — shipping can eat up all of the profit
• In categories with high return rates (shoes, clothing), keep a wider margin buffer

3. Start with a single marketplace

Expanding to many channels before learning the operation increases the error rate. Establish your processes on one platform in the first 3 months, then open a second channel after doing a commission comparison.

4. Record the break-even price for every product

Know in advance the floor price you can go down to when you receive campaign invitations or a competitor cuts prices.