Launch checklist for selling online in the UAE

Payments

• Card payments through a gateway that settles to your UAE bank account.
• Apple Pay and Google Pay for faster mobile checkout.
• Buy now, pay later options such as Tabby or Tamara if your average order value suits instalments.
• Cash on delivery rules: which areas, order limits, and any COD fee.

Delivery

• Courier accounts and rates for each emirate, plus international if you ship abroad.
• Clear delivery times on product and checkout pages.
• Tracking links sent automatically by email or WhatsApp.
• A plan for failed deliveries and returned COD orders.

VAT and invoices

If you are VAT-registered, your store should show prices and invoices correctly, including your TRN. Rules change, so confirm your set-up with your accountant before launch.

Policies and trust

• Returns and refund policy written in plain language.
• Delivery policy, privacy policy and terms.
• Your trade licence details and a real contact method.
• Product photos that show size, texture and use.

Arabic and mobile

Most UAE shoppers browse on their phones. Test your full checkout on a real phone, on mobile data. If you serve Arabic speakers, check every page in right-to-left, not just the homepage.

WhatsApp and customer service

Many customers will message before they buy. Put a WhatsApp button on product pages with a pre-filled message, and decide who answers and how quickly.

Tracking before ads

Set up Google Analytics 4, Tag Manager, the Meta Pixel and purchase tracking before you spend on ads. Without it, you can't tell which campaigns make money.