How to start an online business in Dubai

Online businesses are certainly nothing new. But, with every passing year, the shift towards trading on the internet continues at pace. By 2040, it is estimated that 95% of purchases will take place via an ecommerce platform.

Last year has accelerated this trend towards doing business online, as for many of us around the world, it has been the only way to trade under lockdown restrictions.

When you start an online business in Dubai, not only do you benefit from access to a worldwide audience, but you can also take advantage of the emirate’s 0% personal and corporate tax rate and its excellent trading location in the heart of the Middle East.

And, with the right guidance, starting an online business out here is easy. Want to know more? Keep reading.

How to start an online business in Dubai

If you’re looking to start an online business in Dubai with minimal fuss, you’ll need the help of a company setup expert. The team at Dtec can provide complete and expert support with every step of the UAE trade license application process. We’ll work with you to outline your business activities, choose a company name, apply for your license, and secure a visa.

You’ll need to decide your business activities, as this will dictate the type of license you require. You must be specific as to the type of business you intend to run.  Making this clear upfront will make the rest of the process much more straightforward.

Next, it’s time to choose your company name. At this stage, you will need to abide by a few naming conventions. These include:

• Only full names allowed, no abbreviations.
• Cannot include any potentially offensive or blasphemous words.
• Must be available to register.

At this point, we’ll help you apply for your business license. We can manage this process for you, ensuring that your application is complete and correct to prevent delays.

When making your application, you are usually required to provide some basic documentation, including:

• Copy of Passport, Visa Page and Emirates ID (if applicable)
• Copy of Trade License (for the applicant and all Shareholders)
• Business Plan Summary
• Attested Birth Certificate

Finally, you will require a visa to live and work in the UAE. You should make this application to the relevant immigration department. Again, we can take care of this application to ensure a fast and straightforward process.

Five online business ideas in Dubai, UAE

When it comes to starting an online company, the world is your oyster. There are very few industries that aren’t thriving online. Need a little inspiration? Here are five potential business ideas.

Digital marketing agency
Provided you have the skills to make it a success, starting a digital marketing agency is quick and simple. All you need is a trade license, a website, and a place to work. And once you have a process in place, there’s little need for further investment.

Job search portal

Dubai’s recruiters are almost always in demand. The emirate is home to thousands of businesses with aspirations of growth, and they all need new hires to achieve those aims. The rewards can be considerable for the businesses that can connect those online job hunters with Dubai’s growing businesses.

Food and grocery delivery
Like starting a job board, starting a food delivery app is a case of connecting supply and demand; In in this case, connecting Dubai’s many eateries with its hungry residents. If you already have coding and development skills, you can design and build the app yourself. If not, there are many businesses in the UAE that will build and maintain your app for you.

Online activity booking platform
With visitor numbers expected to boom in 2021, there’s never been a better time to get into the Dubai tourism market. You could sell tickets to local attractions, activities such as skydiving, or packages at local hotels, restaurants and bars. In most cases, you’ll earn a commission on every successful booking.

Tutoring
More people than ever are learning online. Whether supplementing their education, revising for exams, or learning a new skill, there is plenty of demand for tutoring services. And the best part is, you’ll likely already have all that’s required to start this business.

What is the cost of starting an online business in Dubai?

The cost of starting an online business in Dubai depends on the size of your company and the facilities you require.

Dtec’s flexi desk package includes a service license, the use of a workspace in a common area, and eligibility for two visas for just AED 18,000 per year.

Dtec also offers a license with fixed desks and eligibility for three visas for AED 24,200 per year, plus furnished private offices, inclusive of two visas per desk, for AED 47,820 per year.

Start your business at Dtec

Whatever online business you wish to start in Dubai, UAE, there is no better base than Dtec.

Start your business with us, and we’ll handle every step of the process for you – helping to outline activities, registering your company name, applying for your license and visas, and supporting you once you’re up and running.

For technology startups and entrepreneurs looking for flexible coworking or office space in Dubai, Dtec offers a nurturing, supportive community from which to set up your new business. Our 10,000 sqm facility is home to an integrated ecosystem for hundreds of startups, SMEs and technology entrepreneurs from around the world.

So, if you’ve got a great idea you want to see realised? Everything you need can be found at here. Our coworking space encourages collaboration. Our accelerator programs and funding arm give a young business set up in the UAE a head start. Our networking events ensure you get your name out there and stay on top of industry trends.

We take care of everything, leaving you to take care of running your business.