Starting an Online Store in Saudi Arabia: Steps and Rules
How to start an online store in Saudi Arabia: Business Platform verification, platform or custom store, payments, shipping, e-invoicing and first customers.
E-commerce in Saudi Arabia is an active market, and consumers are used to buying from their phones and paying with mada and Apple Pay. But opening a successful store takes more than a nice design: there are regulatory steps, technical decisions, and a plan for attracting customers.
This guide walks through the steps in order. It is specific to Saudi Arabia, and the regulatory requirements may change, so always check them with the official sources.
Step 1: Decide what you’ll sell and to whom
Before anything technical, answer these questions:
- What are your products, and roughly how many are there?
- Who is your target customer, and in which cities?
- How will you deliver orders: a shipping company, your own driver, or pickup from your branch?
- What is your profit margin after shipping costs and online payment fees?
These questions determine the kind of store you need and the right level of investment.
Step 2: The regulatory framework
Commercial registration or freelance certificate
To sell online in the Kingdom, your business needs a regulatory framework: a commercial registration (CR), or a freelance certificate for the activities that individuals are permitted to carry out.
Verifying your online store
Online stores are verified through the Business Platform of the Ministry of Commerce, after the service moved there from the “Maroof” platform in 2023. Verification gives your customers extra confidence, and it is a basic requirement for selling through many platforms.
Disclosures and policies
Show clearly in your store: the business name and contact details, the exchange and returns policy, delivery times, and prices including VAT if you are registered for it. Clarity here protects you and reduces disputes with customers.
E-invoicing
If you are registered for VAT, you are required to issue electronic invoices according to the requirements of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA), known as “Fatoora”. Make sure the store or accounting system you use supports this.
This is a general overview, not regulatory advice. Check the current requirements with the Ministry of Commerce and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.
Step 3: Ready-made platform or custom store?
| Ready-made platform (such as Salla, Zid and Shopify) | Custom store | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed to launch | Fast | Takes time to develop |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Customisation | Within the platform’s limits | Built around your needs |
| Integration with your systems | Through available apps | Built around your systems |
Start with a ready-made platform if you’re testing the market or have few products. Consider a custom store if you have special requirements: wholesale pricing, integration with an in-house inventory or accounting system, a different buying experience, or a sales volume that makes platform fees a burden.
Step 4: Payments and shipping
- Payment gateway: choose a gateway licensed in the Kingdom that supports the methods your customers use, such as mada, Apple Pay and credit cards, and compare fees and payout times.
- Shipping: compare shipping companies on coverage, price and cash on delivery, and set a clear policy for shipping fees.
- Returns: have a practical way to handle returns ready before your first order.
Step 5: Product pages that sell
- Clear photos from more than one angle.
- A description that answers customers’ questions: size, material, use, delivery time.
- Price and stock availability shown clearly.
- A title and description for every product page to help it show up on Google.
Step 6: Customer service
Most store questions are repetitive: “Where’s my order?”, “Do you have a bigger size?”, “When will it arrive?”. An AI agent connected to your store can answer these questions around the clock, track order status, and remind customers about abandoned carts. Read about the benefits of an AI agent on WhatsApp.
Step 7: Bringing in your first customers
Visitors don’t come to a new store on their own. Plan your channels from the start:
- Paid ads on Instagram and Facebook to target your audience precisely. Learn about ads management.
- Social media accounts with regular content. See social media management.
- Showing up on Google for product and category pages, which is a long-term investment. See our Google SEO service.
How Oxira can help
With our e-commerce store design service, we build custom stores connected to payments, shipping and your systems, and we connect AI agents to existing stores on Salla, Zid and Shopify to track orders and answer customers. Every project starts with a free consultation to help you choose the right route for the size of your business.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open an online store without a commercial registration?
In some activities, individuals can sell with a freelance certificate instead of a commercial registration. Check the permitted activities and the current requirements with the relevant authorities.
Should I start with a custom store?
Not necessarily. Many stores start on a ready-made platform, then move to a custom store when their requirements grow.
When do I need e-invoicing?
If you are registered for VAT, you are required to use it according to the requirements of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.