In the UAE, especially in Dubai, the future of an eCommerce business is very bright. EshopWorld states that 60% of all online buyers are based in Dubai. In this, 81% of Dubai’s 3.2 million adult populations make product purchases online. 

This number shows that setting up an eCommerce business in Dubai is a great option, for today, tomorrow, and forever as the number of online buyers is going to increase with time. Another reason to set up an eCommerce business is the Dubai E-Commerce Strategy launched by the Dubai government. The initiatives under this strategy include attracting more foreign direct investments and reducing the cost of e-commerce activities by 20%. The activities include storage, custom fees, VAT, and transportation. 

After knowing these reasons, we hope you are ready to set up an eCommerce business in Dubai. If yes, then consider the following steps. 

Research the market that needs your offerings

You cannot sell everything through your eCommerce platform. It means everyone cannot be your customer. There will be a section of people who will look at your website and buy products from there. You need to research and find out that section of people. Those people will be your target audience. With this, you will know where to sell, what to sell, and how to sell. Don’t forget to understand the culture and habits of your target audience. 

Decide the jurisdiction for business registration 

When it comes to jurisdiction in Dubai for your eCommerce business, you have two options. The options are Dubai Mainland and Dubai Free Zone. To decide the jurisdiction, you should pay heed to your long-term business needs, including your budget as well as the pros and cons of the jurisdiction. You should choose a jurisdiction that checks all the boxes for the products or services you are planning to offer to your customers. 

Decide and register your company’s trade name

To get the eCommerce trade license, your company’s trade name should be on paper and approved by the Dubai DED. You should register your name in Dubai by filling out an application form provided by the authority. Make sure the proposed name doesn’t contain any foul, religious, or controversial words or terms and is legitimate in Dubai. Also, check if it is available to use before registering. 

Apply for the trade license 

This is a very important step. You cannot run a business in Dubai without a trade license. You should gather, organize and submit all the documents required by the licensing authority along with the duly filled trade license application form. Pay for the license and collect it after approval from the licensing authority. Generally, the Dubai DED takes 5 working days to dispense a trade license if all the documents are accurately presented.  

Create your eCommerce website 

After receiving the trade license, it’s confirmed that you can set up an eCommerce business in Dubai. Next, you need to develop your eCommerce website to list your products and receive orders. Seek help from a website developer and designer to create the best website for your business. Make sure your website is free from any technical glitches. Most importantly, your website should be user-friendly. 

Create a bank account 

With a trade license and website, you can set up your eCommerce business but cannot operate it. To operate, you should have a corporate bank account in the UAE. The steps to open a bank account are very simple; you just need to have all your valid documents. 

The steps to set up an eCommerce business seem easy, but actually, they are not. So, we recommended taking guidance from one of the best business setup consultants in Dubai.