How to Start E-commerce from Scratch: A Beginner's Guide

Mohamad AboAzan · · 5 min read

In short

Starting e-commerce comes down to five decisions: what you sell, who you sell to, how you get paid, how you deliver, and where you show your products. Start with a simple store and a few products, sell first to people who know you, then grow based on what actually sells.

Create your store on Matjarji →

E-commerce means selling products or services online: customers choose from your store or your pages, order, pay and receive. You don't need a shop or a big budget to start, but you do need a clear plan. This guide walks you from idea to first order.

Step 1: Choose what to sell

  • Do I know this product? Knowing it lets you answer questions confidently and describe it honestly.
  • Can I source it reliably? Make sure you have a steady supplier before promising customers.
  • Is the margin right? The price must cover cost, delivery, packaging, advertising and your profit.
  • Is it easy to ship? Small, light, unbreakable items are easiest for beginners.
  • Is there demand? Look at who sells the same category on Facebook and Instagram and how people react.

Step 2: Understand your customer and competitors

Define your customer precisely: age, city, what matters to them (price, quality, fast delivery). Then study five competitors: their prices, how they present products, what customers praise and what they complain about. Your competitors' complaints are your opportunity.

Step 3: Price for real profit

Selling price = product cost + delivery + packaging + advertising share + your profit. An illustrative example with made-up numbers: a product costing 100 units, 10 for delivery, 5 for packaging and 15 of advertising per order. Sell it at 150 and you keep only 20. Do this sum before setting any price, and redo it whenever costs change.

💡 Record every expense, however small. Sellers who don't track costs can sell a lot and still lose money.

Step 4: Set up payment and delivery

  • Cash on delivery: the most trusted option for new customers buying from a store they don't know.
  • Prepaid options: such as Sham Cash, for customers who prefer to pay upfront.
  • Delivery: set your areas and fees clearly, and state realistic delivery times.

Step 5: Photograph your products and write good descriptions

Photos sell more than words. Shoot in natural light on a clean background, from several angles. In the description, cover what the customer cares about: size, material, colours, use and your exchange policy. Don't exaggerate — a product that arrives different from its description costs you the customer and your reputation.

Step 6: Win your first ten customers

Don't wait for search traffic in week one. Share your store link with friends, family and local WhatsApp groups, and ask for honest feedback. After each order, ask for a review or a photo. Your first ten orders teach you more than any course: what customers ask, where they hesitate and what they want most.

How to create your store on Matjarji

Once you know the steps, the store itself is the easy part. 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.

Common beginner mistakes

  • Launching with hundreds of products before knowing what sells. Start with 10 to 20.
  • Ignoring the real profit after delivery and advertising.
  • Promising delivery times you can't keep.
  • Leaving messages unanswered — fast replies close sales.
  • Depending on one social page. Keep your customers and your link somewhere you own, like your own store.

Conclusion

Start small: a product you know, a calculated price, a simple store and first customers you know. Watch what works, repeat it, and drop what doesn't sell. Whoever starts today with small steps is ahead of whoever waits for the perfect plan.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need to start e-commerce?
It depends on the product. You can start with a few items and minimal stock, then reinvest your first profits. Don't borrow to start before testing the idea on a small scale.
Do I need a developer to build an online store?
No. Store builders like Matjarji let you create a complete store in simple steps, without writing code.
Do I need a licence to sell online?
Legal requirements depend on your business and your country. Check with the relevant authority about licences and taxes before you scale.
How long until my store shows up in search results?
Usually weeks to months. Sell to your network and on social media while your store builds its presence in search.

Start your online store on Matjarji in 5 minutes

No technical skills and no commission on your sales. Orders on WhatsApp or in a dashboard, and cash on delivery.

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