أخطاء شائعة يقع فيها أصحاب المتاجر الإلكترونية الجديدة في الخليج

Sahl Thursday,25 Dec 2025

E-commerce in the Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, is experiencing rapid growth, encouraging many entrepreneurs to enter the field. However, the reality is that a significant percentage of new stores face difficulties from the outset. Often, the reason is a lack of products, a weak market, or even simple mistakes common among beginners. Understanding and avoiding these mistakes from the start can save you considerable losses and give your store a real chance of success.

1️⃣ Starting Without a Clear Plan

One of the most common mistakes is for store owners to start:

Without a clear objective
Without knowing their target audience
Without a plan for how to operate

In the Gulf, the market is large, but the competition is fierce. Those who enter without a plan often stumble and quickly become overwhelmed. The plan doesn't have to be complicated, but you must know where you're going and who your store is serving.

2️⃣ Choosing an unsuitable store type for the business

Some stores fail because they chose:

A general store instead of a specialized one
Or a system unsuitable for the type of products
Or a design too complex for the customer

Gulf customers prefer a clear and easy-to-use store, and any added complexity reduces the chances of purchase, no matter how excellent the product is.

3️⃣ Neglecting to organize sections and products

Many new stores:

List numerous products without order
Unclear sections
Confusing names

The result?

Customers get lost and leave the store.

Organizing sections within an online store in the Gulf is essential for the success of any store, especially with the high mobile usage.

4️⃣ Weak product descriptions

Relying solely on product images is one of the biggest mistakes.

Gulf customers want to know:

Product details
How to use it
Features
What makes it different from others

A strong description compensates for not being able to touch the product and increases customer confidence in purchasing.

5️⃣ Neglecting Mobile Experience

A large percentage of shoppers in the Gulf region purchase from:

Mobile Phones
Tablets

A store that is not mobile-friendly or slow to browse loses many customers, even if its prices are excellent.

6️⃣ Complicated Ordering and Payment Steps

Some stores make:

Registration mandatory
Long ordering procedures
Limited payment options

This is a major reason why customers leave before completing their orders. The simpler the purchasing process, the higher the order volume.

7️⃣ Unclear Shipping and Return Policies

Customers in the Gulf region are very concerned about:

Delivery time
Shipping cost
Return policy

The lack of clarity in these details creates hesitation and reduces trust, even if the product is suitable.

8️⃣ Neglecting Trust Building

Many stores forget to include:

Clear store information
Contact methods
Customer reviews or ratings

Trust is a fundamental element in the purchasing decision, and its absence makes customers hesitant, no matter how attractive the store may seem.

9️⃣ Rushing to Launch Your Store

Launching a store without:

Testing the pages
Testing the order process
Ensuring products display correctly

This is a very common mistake that causes technical problems directly impacting the customer experience from the very first visit.

Most mistakes made by new e-commerce stores in the Gulf can be easily avoided with proper planning from the start. The market is promising and the opportunities are vast, but success requires awareness of the small details that make a big difference. The sooner you learn from others' mistakes, the sooner you'll shorten your path and move one step closer to building a successful and stable online store.