E-commerce in Syria: Opportunities, Challenges and How to Start

Many people in Syria now buy online because it saves time and travel, lets them compare prices and shop from home. Sellers, meanwhile, face particular conditions that need practical answers. This article describes the situation as it is and suggests ways to work with it.

Why e-commerce suits the Syrian market

• Social media and WhatsApp are everywhere: customers already browse pages and order by chat.
• Low start-up cost: no shop rent, and a small stock.
• Reach other cities: one store can serve several governorates where delivery exists.
• Flexible pricing: change prices and offers any time — important in a volatile market.

The main challenges

1. Payment

Online payment options are limited compared with other countries, so most sellers rely on cash on delivery, and many use Sham Cash for customers who prefer to pay in advance. Offer both clearly.

2. Delivery

Delivery prices and times vary between cities. Define the areas you serve and the fee for each, work with a reliable courier, and state realistic delivery times.

3. Internet and electricity

Connection or power can cut out at any moment. Use a platform that works smoothly on a phone, keep images light, and keep an offline copy of your products and prices.

4. Changing prices

Costs and exchange rates change quickly. Review prices regularly, keep a margin for change, and never accept an order at an old price that no longer covers your cost.

5. Trust

Many customers hesitate to buy from unknown pages after past scams. Build trust with cash on delivery, a clear exchange policy, real photos of your products and a store link in your own name.

How to start in Syria, step by step

1. Choose a product you know and can source consistently.
2. Calculate your full cost (product, delivery, packaging) and a realistic margin.
3. Create a simple store, take orders in a dashboard or on WhatsApp, and turn on cash on delivery and Sham Cash.
4. Set your delivery areas, fees and times.
5. Share your store link with people you know and local WhatsApp groups.
6. Watch your statistics, repeat what works and update prices regularly.

💡 Legal and tax requirements depend on your type of business. Check yours with the relevant authorities before you scale.

How to create your store on Matjarji

If you sell in Syria and need a store built around cash on delivery and WhatsApp orders, that is exactly what Matjarji was designed for. Matjarji is an online store builder made for Arab merchants wherever they are: you create your store in about five minutes, with no technical skills and no commission on your sales.

1. Go to the store creation page.
2. Choose your business type (clothing, supermarket, perfumes, cars, real estate and more) and a plan.
3. Write your store's name and pick its own address, like your-name.matjarji.com.
4. Add your WhatsApp number, how customers pay (cash on delivery, Sham Cash) and your delivery fee.
5. Press create: your store is online with sample products you edit with your own photos and prices.

What you get:

• Organised orders in a dashboard or sent to your WhatsApp, with guest checkout if you want it.
• Cash on delivery and Sham Cash, with your delivery fee shown before the customer orders.
• Discount coupons, notifications for your customers and statistics on visitors and orders.
• Product and category pages built for search engines, so new customers find you on Google.
• A fixed subscription with no commission on your sales, paid by Sham Cash or Western Union.

Plans: «Intilaqa» is the low-cost plan to begin with; «Tawassu'» and «Riyada» are for more orders and come with a free trial, so you can try your store before paying. Current prices and offers are in the pricing section.

Conclusion

E-commerce in Syria needs realism: cash on delivery, clear delivery, up-to-date prices and trust built order by order. Start small, learn from your first orders, and you have a real chance of building a lasting store.