Starting an online store in the UAE: what to sort out first

Selling online in the UAE has a lot going for it: customers who are used to ordering online, reliable delivery networks and payment by card is common. It also has more formal steps than many places, so it is worth getting them in order before you build anything.

Start with your licence

In the UAE, trading activities, online ones included, generally need to be covered by a licence. Whether your existing licence already covers selling online, or you need a new activity added, depends on your emirate, whether you are on the mainland or in a free zone, and what you sell.

Check with the authority that issued your licence, such as your emirate's economic department or your free zone authority, before you launch. Rules change, and they are the only reliable source for your situation.

Price in dirhams, and be clear about tax

Show prices in UAE dirhams, the currency your customers think in. If your business is registered for VAT, make sure your prices and invoices handle it correctly, and be consistent about whether the prices you show include it. Your accountant or the Federal Tax Authority is the right place to confirm what applies to you.

On Biizay each store has one base currency, so a store set to AED shows every price in dirhams. Biizay's own plans can also be paid in AED; see the plans.

Decide how you will deliver

Customers in the UAE expect delivery to be quick and to be told when it will arrive. Decide which areas you deliver to, how long it takes, and what it costs, and state all three plainly on the store. For a service business, the equivalent is being clear about which areas you cover for visits.

• Use a courier for wider deliveries and your own driver for nearby areas, if that is cheaper.
• Set delivery charges by area or by weight so each customer sees the right amount.
• Say when orders placed today will be dispatched.

Payments

Card payment is widely used in the UAE, and many customers also expect cash on delivery for a store they do not know yet. Offer what your customers use, show it clearly at checkout, and keep track of which orders are paid.

Trust comes first for a new store

A customer who has never heard of you is deciding whether to trust you with their money. Make that easy: a clear 'about' page with who you are, real contact details, a returns policy in plain language, and photos of your actual products, not stock images.

Services in the UAE

Home services such as AC maintenance, repairs, cleaning and installation are a large part of small business in the Emirates. If that is you, your website's job is to make booking a visit or requesting a quote effortless. Our guide to selling services online covers how, and Imran Khan Technical Services, a Dubai repair company, runs its site on Biizay.

Get live, then improve

Once your licence is in order, start with your best products or services, real photos and clear prices, and improve from what customers ask. You can create your store on Biizay for free and connect your own domain when you upgrade.