UAE shoppers are comfortable buying online and expect fast delivery, familiar payment methods and easy returns. A store that gets the basics right converts far better than one that is merely good-looking. Use this checklist before you go live.

1. Licence and legal basics

  • A trade licence with an activity that covers online sales, and an e-commerce licence where your authority requires one.
  • Licence details, company name and contact information shown on the site. See our website checklist.
  • Privacy policy, terms of sale, delivery policy and a refund and returns policy, written in plain English and Arabic where relevant.
  • VAT registration if you pass the threshold; see our VAT guide.

2. Platform and architecture

Choose between a hosted store builder, an open-source platform or a custom build. Think about product count, special workflows (bookings, quotations, B2B price lists), integrations with accounting and stock, performance and who owns the data. If your business has unusual rules, a custom or customised store is often cheaper over time. See our e-commerce service.

3. Payments in AED

  • Card payments with 3-D Secure, and Apple Pay for mobile conversion.
  • A gateway that settles in AED to your UAE bank account. See online payments in the UAE.
  • Cash on delivery and bank transfer for customers who prefer them.
  • Prices in AED with 5% VAT shown clearly, plus a tax invoice emailed after each order. See the invoice checklist.

4. Delivery and returns

  1. Pick delivery partners and rates by emirate, with realistic delivery times.
  2. Offer tracking links by email and WhatsApp.
  3. Define free-delivery thresholds and same-day options where possible.
  4. Write a clear return window and process, and make exchanges easy.
  5. Handle cash on delivery reconciliation with the courier.

5. Product pages that sell

  • Sharp photos, short videos, dimensions, materials and what is in the box.
  • Stock status and delivery estimate on the page.
  • Reviews from real customers, never invented.
  • A WhatsApp button for questions.

6. Arabic and mobile

Most orders come from phones. Test checkout on a mid-range phone, keep forms short, and offer an Arabic version with right-to-left layout if Arabic speakers are part of your market. See bilingual software.

7. Back office

A store is only as good as what happens after the order. Connect it to stock so you do not oversell, to accounting so invoices and VAT are right, and to a CRM so repeat customers and abandoned carts are followed up. See inventory management.

8. Security and speed

HTTPS, strong admin sign-in, updates and backups; see security basics. Compress images and test page speed, because slow stores lose shoppers.

9. Launch marketing

  • Google Business Profile and search ads on your best products. See where to spend first.
  • Instagram and TikTok content, email sign-up with a welcome offer, and WhatsApp broadcasts with consent.
  • Time your launch before a demand moment; see the UAE marketing calendar.

10. After launch

Review orders, abandoned carts, delivery complaints and returns weekly. Fix the top friction first. Small improvements compound quickly in e-commerce.

This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and thresholds change, so confirm current requirements with the relevant authority or a licensed adviser before you act.

Need software built around how your UAE business really works? Tell us what you need or browse our software and request a demo. We customise, install and support it.