The potential of online stores has increased substantially. Ecommerce platforms have provided every business with boundless possibilities. It enables small businesses a platform to gain an edge and compete with giants such as Amazon and Walmart. As per Statista, retail ecommerce sales in the U.S. are projected to exceed 4.3 trillion globally. Whether you craft handmade soaps or sell jewellery from social media, creating an ecommerce website can do wonders for your business growth. Ecommerce website development in the UAE has gone up a scale with the integration of AI-powered features, advanced technologies, and innovation.
In this blog, we have rounded up a few points you should consider before you start with your ecommerce website development.
A Market Analysis of Ecommerce Website Development in the UAE
Statista reports that in the ecommerce market, the number of users is expected to reach 5.7 million by 2029, with user penetration of 49.6% by this year’s end and 58.0% by 2029.
- EcommerceDB states that the yearly growth rate of UAE commerce revenue will be 8.6% during 2023-2027, growing swifter than most European countries.
- As per reports, People in Dubai are using digital wallets now, accounting for 53% of online transactions, up from 41% in 2020. Meanwhile, the “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) services such as Tabby and Tamara have become widely adopted, especially among Gen Z and millennial consumers.
- The ecommerce industry is set to generate 8 billion in sales by the end of 2025, according to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. They also state that 100% of the UAE population has access to the internet and mobile phones.
Strategic Planning Tips for Ecommerce Website Development in the UAE
1. Define Business Goal
Before you begin ecommerce website development in the UAE, ensure that you have a clear business vision. Many strategists and thinkers have emphasized the significance of long-term thinking and planning. This plan should include the UAE eCommerce market strategies, operational plans, and a vision board for the company. Developing a strategic plan helps startups to stay focused and execute everything effortlessly.
For instance, calculate the benefits of investing in a platform, decide on your website features and marketing costs. While long-term planning is advantageous, keeping yourself updated on the latest trends in web development should also be on your bucket list. You can go one step ahead and reach out to expert ecommerce developers in the UAE for suggestions or queries.
2. Ecommerce Platform Choice
The backbone of every ecommerce site is a CMS – the program or platform you select to run your online store. There are numerous content management systems (CMS) you can choose from, such as;
- Open-source platforms
An open-source platform offers access to its source code to any other developer or user. You can build your ecommerce website on an open-source or you can hire a programmer who can do it for you. A programmer can add features, fix bugs and make necessary changes.
Popular examples of open-source platforms:
– WooCommerce
– Magento Open Source
– Drupal Commerce
- SaaS platforms
If you have hundreds of products to sell via your online store, then a SaaS platform might be the perfect choice. A SaaS platform offers subscription-based services with pre-built web design templates and solutions. Most ecommerce businesses opt for SaaS platforms because they prove to be beneficial in the long run.
Popular examples of open-source platforms:
– Shopify
– Wix
– BigCommerce
– Salesforce
- All-in-one website builders
A website builder is a tool or program that permits you to design and create a website without having to create or edit any code. Yes, you can do everything yourself, and it has become all the easier with drag-and-drop builder software. Many templates are available on such platforms, you can choose one that fits your vision best and start building. If you find it confusing or time-consuming, you can hire a dedicated tool expert. They can help you build eCommerce website in Dubai– with their help, you can launch the website earlier.
Popular examples of all-in-one website builders:
– Wix
– Squarespace
– WordPress
– Webflow
3. Optimize Your Website for Mobile-First Shoppers
More than 70% of online traffic in the UAE comes from smartphones. You must ensure that the website you develop is mobile-first, and not just mobile-friendly. Nowadays, users expect a fast-loading website with creative design and easy navigation. As a professional development company in the UAE, we follow below best practices while developing ecommerce websites in the UAE;
- Ensure seamless layout across all device screen sizes
- Reduce site loading time with optimized code
- Give top priority to single-click checkouts
- Apply touch-friendly navigation
Also Read: eCommerce App Development: Steps, Key Features & Trends
4. Incorporate a Secure Payment Gateway
Another crucial element you should take care of is payment methods. After you place your products, create different categories, name them, and publish content for them. Next, you need to set up a payment system. When it comes to paying via an app, for a user, security is most potent. A user needs to have trust in your website to pay for the products or services.
How to Choose a Payment Gateway?
Many ecommerce platforms have in-built payment processors and gateways, while others offer you the choice to decide from a list of compatible providers. Some of the best payment gateways are Stripe or PayPal- these gateways make the process easier. If you want to redirect the consumers to third-party websites such as PayPal to complete the transaction, you the responsible for ensuring that the user data is protected before transfer.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Selecting a Payment Method:
– How easy is it to integrate?
– Is the tool secure?
– What is the fee that the customer and business must pay?
5. Social Strategies
Social Media Ecommerce is the activity of using social media to market an ecommerce firm by raising brand exposure, improving online recognition, expanding a customer base, and increasing revenues. There are around 5 billion social media users worldwide. And, while not every one of those 5 billion will be your ideal consumer, social media provides a big chance for those who are to discover your company. When you post on your social media sites, you provide individuals the opportunity to discover your brand, follow your accounts, and even share your items with people they know.
Ready to Build Your Ecommerce Website in the UAE?
The UAE’s ecommerce industry is rising by the day. If you are a business owner, creating a website is a wise move. Partner up with a dynamic development team that understands your business and can establish a strategic approach to designing, developing, and deploying your application. We can help you build a new website or redesign an existing one. Our professional developers can create a scalable ecommerce website specifically for UAE consumers. CodKnox has been successfully running an ecommerce website development UAE for many years. With our expertise, we can effortlessly manage each development stage.
Get in touch today to start developing!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How much does it cost to build an ecommerce website in Dubai, UAE?
The cost of developing an ecommerce website in Dubai depends on numerous factors such as app features, complexity level, platform choice, and much more.
Q2. What are the five stages of ecommerce website development?
Ecommerce development has five stages these are;
- Analysis
- Design
- Programming
- Testing & Review
- DeploymenteCommerce Website Development UAE
- Maintenance (bonus)
Q3. How to choose the best web design & development agency in Dubai?
If you are searching for a web developer in Dubai, ensure to partner up with a company that has a team of skilled designers and developers. Additionally, hire a company that has expertise, skills, a reliable team, a proven portfolio, and client reviews. CodKnox has a team of web developers that can create a functional and growth-oriented site, contatc us to know more.
