Best Ecommerce Platform: Top Platforms of 2025 for Your Business in UAE

E-commerce is the most in-demand business model in today’s market. People like the luxury of ordering what they want from the comfort of their houses and paying online. It provides ease to the customers and the business for the stores. The best part is that through e-commerce, small businesses can reach a wide range of audiences that used to be impossible in the traditional marketplace.

If you’re looking to start an online store for your e-commerce brand, it is important to understand the process and explore the best ecommerce platforms available online. This guide provides you with that and more!

Benefits of E-Commerce in the UAE Marketplace

• No income or corporate taxes in many areas.
• Over 99% internet penetration.
• Fast delivery access across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
• Young, digital-first consumer base.
• Strong government support for digital growth.
• Trusted online payment systems.
• Diverse market with high spending power.
• Easy and fast business setup.
• Full foreign ownership in many sectors.
• Dedicated eCommerce zones with perks.

Steps to Start an E-commerce Store in the UAE

Plan Your Business

You have to choose your product, audience, and business model. The success of your business depends a lot on this step. Do market research before making any decisions.

Register & License

You have to reserve a trade name for your business, choose the partnering authority i.e., mainland or free zone, and get your eCommerce license by providing them the required documents and information.

Set Up Online

See what model is best for you. There are many popular ecommerce platforms that you can use, or you can buy a domain, build your store, and connect payment gateways to own an independent setup.

Handle Logistics

If you’re developing an independent setup, you will have to choose reliable delivery partners and set shipping options. This step is crucial to provide efficient service to your clients.

Launch & Market

With a trade license and a website in hand, you can start your operations. Feel free to go live, promote your brand online, and stay compliant with UAE laws.

10 Best Ecommerce Platforms of 2025

Shopify

Shopify is a global leader in eCommerce. This platform offers UAE-friendly payment gateways like Telr, PayTabs, and Stripe. It also connects easily with local providers like Aramex and DHL. It provides the perfect opportunity for beginners.

How to Set Up Shopify in the UAE:

1. Go to Shopify website and sign up.

2. Choose a plan (you get a 3-day free trial).

3. Pick a theme and customize your store.

4. Add products with pricing and images.

5. Set up UAE payment gateways (e.g., PayTabs, Telr).

6. Integrate local shipping options.

7. Launch your store and start marketing.

Wix eCommerce

With its drag-and-drop functionality, Wix provides an easy-to-use website building tool suitable for online businesses in the UAE market. Users can find basic features for their business, along with product gallery display along with mobile responsive design capabilities, and shipping and payment solutions.

How to Set Up Wix eCommerce:

1. Go to the Wix website and create an account.

2. Choose an eCommerce template.

3. Use the editor to design your store.

4. Add products and set pricing.

5. Connect a payment gateway (PayPal, Stripe, or local options).

6. Set up delivery preferences.

7. Upgrade to a Business plan and go live.

Magento (Adobe Commerce)

Magento is best for large-scale UAE businesses with tech teams. This platform provides businesses with comprehensive customization capacity, superior SEO capabilities and robust administrative functionalities. Large GCC brands and retailers use this platform as their selling platform.

How to Set Up Magento:

1. Visit the Magento website

2. Choose Adobe Commerce Cloud or open-source version.

3. Set up hosting (Adobe Cloud or a provider like AWS).

4. Install Magento and configure your store backend.

5. Customize your design and integrate payment/shipping.

6. Add products, categories, and local tax rules.

7. Test thoroughly before going live.

WordPress + WooCommerce

Startup businesses in UAE can achieve complete control through this system while spending little money. The plugin WooCommerce functions as an online merchant solution which converts any WordPress site into a retail platform. Highly flexible with tons of plugins for local needs.

How to Set Up WooCommerce in the UAE:

1. Buy a domain and hosting with WordPress support (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround).

2. Install WordPress.

3. Add the WooCommerce plugin.

4. Follow the setup wizard to configure store basics.

5. Add products and payment methods (e.g., PayTabs, Stripe).

6. Set up shipping for the UAE.

7. Customize your theme and launch.

Salla

This platform was designed for the GCC market. It offers a full Arabic interface, local payment gateways (like STC Pay, PayTabs). This platform also helps in growing your online brand by providing you with the right audience. It essentially makes it easy to sell to a Gulf audience.

How to Set Up on Salla:

1. Go to Salla website and sign up for an account.

2. Choose a plan (free tier available with basics).

3. Set your store language, name, and categories.

4. Add products with pricing and images.

5. Connect to local payment providers.

6. Set shipping rules and partners.

7. Launch your store and manage via mobile or desktop.

Zid

Zid is a well known ecommerce platform based in Saudi Arabia. It is widely used across the UAE. It’s built for the regional market, with full Arabic support, local payment integrations, and an intuitive ecommerce website builder. It is an excellent ecommerce solution for any small business looking to grow its online reach in the Gulf.

How to Set Up an Ecommerce Store on Zid:

1. Go to the Zid website and sign up to start your ecommerce business.

2. Choose a plan that fits your business needs—there’s a free trial available.

3. Set up your store’s language, name, and business category.

4. Add products and descriptions to build your ecommerce site.

5. Integrate local payment gateways like STC Pay and PayTabs.

6. Connect to regional delivery services like SMSA or Aramex.

7. Launch your online store and manage online stores easily from your dashboard.

ExpandCart

ExpandCart is the best ecommerce platform choice for MENA brands. This website builder is packed with features for ecommerce business owners. It has everything from multilingual support to regional shipping integrations. It’s best for small business owners who want ease of use and fast deployment across the Middle East.

How to Set Up an Online Store on ExpandCart:

1. Visit the ExpandCart website and sign up.

2. Pick a plan tailored to your online business—a free trial is available.

3. Use the drag-and-drop ecommerce website editor to design your site.

4. Upload your products and customize the layout to suit your business needs.

5. Connect popular payment providers such as PayPal and HyperPay.

6. Add regional shipping options for seamless logistics.

7. Launch your ecommerce store and track orders in real-time.

Amazon.ae (Marketplace)

Amazon is the world’s largest marketplace. It is now local to the UAE via Amazon.ae. It’s ideal for businesses that want an easy setup to sell online using a trusted ecommerce platform with built-in logistics, payments, and delivery support.

How to Set Up on Amazon UAE:

1. Go to the Amazon website and register.

2. Choose a seller plan based on your business needs.

3. Submit legal documents like your trade license and ID.

4. Upload your product listings and set pricing.

5. Choose between FBA or your own delivery method.

6. Set up payment and return policies.

7. Start selling on the ecommerce site with a massive audience.

Noon.com (Marketplace)

Noon is a regional marketplace and ecommerce platform option for UAE sellers. It helps small businesses and larger brands grow their online visibility across the GCC, offering local warehousing and fulfillment services.

How to Set Up on Noon:

1. Visit the seller wesbite and sign up.

2. Submit trade license, ID, and banking information.

3. Wait for approval and start adding products.

4. Set your pricing and choose fulfillment (Noon Express or self-shipping).

5. Connect with UAE-based logistics and customer service teams.

6. Go live and sell on one of the most popular ecommerce platforms in the region.

7. Easily manage online stores via the Noon seller dashboard.

ShopGo

ShopGo is a suitable ecommerce solution for the MENA region that supports Arabic stores, regional payment systems, and cash on delivery. It’s great for brands looking to build a scalable ecommerce site with a powerful backend and frontend experience.

How to Set Up an Ecommerce Store on ShopGo:

1. Visit the ShopGo website and sign up or request a demo.

2. Pick a pricing plan that scales as your business grows.

3. Choose a template and customize your online presence.

4. Upload your catalog and organize it for the ecommerce store experience.

5. Integrate payment gateways like PayTabs and HyperPay.

6. Link with local delivery services like Fetchr or Aramex.

7. Launch your ecommerce platform for your business and scale compared to other platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the top ecommerce platforms of 2025 for new businesses?

The best ecommerce platforms in 2025 include Shopify, ExpandCart, Zid, and WooCommerce, among others. These platforms in 2025 offer modern ecommerce features, local integrations, and scalability to help you grow your business efficiently.

2. Can I run an online store without technical skills?

Yes, you can set up an online store without coding using all-in-one ecommerce platform solutions like Wix, Shopify, or ExpandCart. These platforms for online businesses make it simple to launch with drag-and-drop tools and prebuilt templates.

3. What should I consider when choosing an ecommerce platform?

When choosing an ecommerce platform, consider your budget, target audience, payment methods, and shipping needs. Look for ecommerce functionalities like inventory tracking, SEO tools, mobile responsiveness, and local payment gateways.

4. Is there a platform designed for small businesses in the UAE?

Yes, many ecommerce platforms of 2025 are ideal for small brands. For example, Salla is an ecommerce platform for small businesses in the GCC, while WooCommerce and Wix are great options for a small brand owner looking for flexibility and low costs.

5. What are some open-source ecommerce platforms?

Magento (Adobe Commerce) and WooCommerce are two popular open-source ecommerce platform options. They are highly customizable and suitable for those who need a comprehensive ecommerce solution with full control over design and backend settings.

6. Can I add ecommerce functionality to my existing website?

Yes, you can add ecommerce to an existing website by integrating tools like WooCommerce (for WordPress) or using Shopify’s “Buy Button” feature. These options let you sell products without building a new site for ecommerce from scratch.

7. Which platform is best for building in Arabic?

Zid, ExpandCart, and Salla are platforms that cater to Arabic-speaking audiences with RTL language support and local integrations. These are platforms you can use if you’re setting up an ecommerce business in the UAE or broader GCC region.

8. How do hosted platforms compare to self-hosted ones?

Hosted platforms like Shopify and Wix are easier to manage, with updates and security handled for you. In contrast, dedicated ecommerce platforms like Magento require hosting and maintenance but offer more flexibility. Your business depends on your specific goals and resources.

9. Are there any social media platforms that support ecommerce?

Yes, many social media platforms now integrate shopping features. Instagram and Facebook let you tag products and drive sales directly through your posts, helping you grow your online store via organic reach and ads.

10. What’s a good platform like Shopify but focused on MENA?

If you’re looking for a platform like Shopify but tailored to the MENA region, ExpandCart and Zid are excellent alternatives. Each platform provides localized tools, regional payment gateways, and logistics support.