Compared to earlier, starting a business now is a much easier process. With the advent of various digital platforms, various business models also started emerging. E-commerce is one such business model that was a big breakthrough in the digital world. One such model of business gaining attention in 2025 is ghost commerce. Ghost commerce presents an exciting opportunity for people to enter the world of online business with low investment. E-commerce allows you to buy and sell products. Ghost commerce is similar to this, but here you don’t own the products that you sell. Instead, you are promoting the products using digital platforms and earning profit from the sales. With ghost commerce, you can easily make money online without the complications of starting a traditional business. In this blog, we will discover the opportunities of Ghost Commerce for entrepreneurs in Kerala.

Table of Contents

What is Ghost Commerce?

Ghost Commerce is a modern online business model where you sell products or services without owning, creating, or directly managing them. Instead, you act as a facilitator, promoter, or middleman, leveraging other people’s or companies’ products — often through affiliate marketing, dropshipping, or white-label setups — to earn commissions or profits.

Let’s talk about how we can scale your brand together

Whatever your need may be whether it’s SEO, Performance Marketing, Website Design, Branding, Communication Strategy, or a full-fledged digital campaign our marketing agency has the perfect solution tailored for you.

How Ghost Commerce Works

In Ghost Commerce, you don’t actually sell the product, but you promote the product through various digital platforms. For example, entrepreneurs can set up social media pages, websites, and curate products from the existing suppliers. These products can be anything ranging from fashion to technology. When the customer makes a purchase through the entrepreneur’s content or storefront, the order is fulfilled by the supplier or manufacturer. The entrepreneur earns a commission or profit margin without even handling the stock or delivery. This model of business focuses on online presence and digital business. Your sale happens through affiliate links or online stores, and this brings you cash in the form of commission, and you don’t have to worry about the logistics.

Why Ghost Commerce is Trending in 2025

There are several factors for the rise of ghost commerce in 2025. First of all, online shopping has become widely popular, especially with the increase in the use of mobile phones and digital payment being popular in India. Kerala has a highly digitally literate population; hence, the people of Kerala are highly likely to take advantage of this boom.

Secondly, there has been a rise in e-commerce since the pandemic. Its convenience makes everyone attracted to this mode of shopping. Influencers on social media recommend products that they trust. The audience is more likely to trust these influencers and make the purchase. Ghost commerce enables entrepreneurs to monetize this, but without actually manufacturing it.

Traditional businesses require a significant capital. However, ghost commerce can be started with a minimal investment. The major cost involved in ghost commerce is setting up a website and allocating a budget for marketing. You don’t need to set up an inventory, a shop, or anything of that sort to start this business. Traditional Marketing is gaining importance in today’s world, and this model serves as the best example of flexible and remote work.

Also Read: Top 20 Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology

How to Start Ghost Commerce in 2025

Starting a Ghost Commerce business in 2025 is fairly easy, with the resources being available very easily. The first step is choosing a niche. This way, you can attract a specific audience. The next step is to build a digital platform where you can showcase the products. A digital platform can be anything from a website, a social media page, a YouTube channel, or a blog. You can use blogs for reviewing the products along with providing affiliate links, and this can serve as a ghost commerce store.

The next step is to partner with suppliers or affiliate networks. For example, there are Amazon Asso c iates, Flipkart Affiliate Program, Shopify Dropshipping Integrations, etc., or you can also tie up with local producers in your area. Finally, focus on marketing and customer engagement. Online visibility and customer engagement are what fuel ghost commerce. To enhance the visibility, you can use SEO, social media marketing, email campaigns, and collaborate with influencers. Your content must translate as being a genuine one instead of a generic product promotion.

Tools and Platforms You Need

Ghost commerce requires the right digital tools to work successfully. Website builders like WordPress, Wix, or Shopify are convenient for setting up online stores without the need of coding knowledge. Content creators rely on YouTube, social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram or TikTok (if available) to build an audience. Affiliate marketing platforms such as Amazon Associates provide access to a wide range of products. Analytics platforms like Google Analytics or Meta Business Suite helps you to track the performance and optimize the campaigns accordingly.

Benefits of Ghost Commerce

One of the topmost benefits of Ghost Commerce is low cost. You don’t need to invest in product development, warehouses, or supply chains. You can set up a Ghost Commerce business with minimal cost. This makes it accessible for young people, especially students in Kerala, who are exploring side hustles.

Another advantage is scalability. A ghost commerce business can start with a small blog, and it can grow into a huge brand reaching global audiences. There is no location barrier in ghost commerce. A start-up in Kerala can sell to customers globally.

Flexibility is another advantage of course commerce. Entrepreneurs can choose a niche that they are interested in. It can span from food to fashion or technology. This way, running the business becomes more engaging in the long run.

Also Read: A Complete Guide to the Advantages and Disadvantages of E-commerce

Challenges to Consider

There are several challenges to Ghost Commerce. Digital platforms are accessible to everyone alike. Competition is one of the biggest challenges in Ghost Commerce. Since the cost of entry is low, anyone can start a business in Ghost Commerce. Too many people starting Ghost Commerce in similar niches make it difficult for one to stand out. In this competitive space, success depends on building an authentic trust with the audience.

Another challenge is dependence on suppliers and platforms. If a supplier fails to deliver quality products or if there is any delay in shipping, it affects the entrepreneur’s reputation. In reality, the entrepreneurs have no control over the logistics; however, they act as a medium between the supplier and the customer, so their reputation will suffer.

Finally, like any other digital platform, success comes with consistent effort. Compared to traditional businesses, the resources needed for a ghost commerce business are much lower. However, constant effort must be put into content creation, audience engagement, and digital marketing. You won’t get quick results without investing your time and effort into it.

Final Thoughts

Earlier, setting up a business was a herculean task. However, coming to 2025, setting up an online business like ghost commerce is fairly easy. This business model has transformed how digital entrepreneurship works in 2025. Ease of operations, low cost, etc., make this an ideal business opportunity for youngsters, especially students in Kerala. Startups in Kerala can create sustainable income and can also scale globally with ghost commerce. With the right planning, challenges like high competition can be managed. For entrepreneurs in Kerala, ghost commerce will be the next big step towards creating successful online ventures in 2025 and beyond.

dExito Branding is a Digital Marketing Agency in Kerala, delivering expert digital marketing and SEO services tailored to your business goals. As a trusted SEO Company in Kerala, we help brands grow online through innovative, data-driven strategies. Contact us today to drive measurable results and elevate your digital presence.

Salmanul Faris

Salmanul Faris, Founder of dExito Branding, is a seasoned Performance Marketing Expert with over 8 years of experience in Google Ads and Meta Ads. He specializes in helping businesses across India and the GCC achieve measurable growth through data-driven marketing strategies. Amidst his dynamic role at dExito, he shares insights on the latest trends in digital marketing and performance marketing, helping brands stay ahead in the competitive digital landscape

Opportunities in Ghost Commerce for Entrepreneurs in Kerala