Shopify agency for brands across the UAE
Bilingual Shopify stores and growth marketing for UAE brands, with Arabic storefronts, local payment options and fast delivery built in.
Shopify experts for UAE brands
The UAE is one of the most digitally connected consumer markets in the world. Smartphone use is close to universal, shoppers are used to same-day or next-day delivery, and spending on fashion, beauty, fragrance, luxury goods and electronics is high. The population is international, so a store may need to speak to Emirati families, Arab expatriates, South Asian residents and Western professionals at the same time. Shopify works well here when it is set up for Arabic, local payments and the regional shopping calendar.
BOOST STAR Experts is a Shopify Partner agency working remotely from India with brands across the Emirates. We design and build Shopify and Shopify Plus stores, migrate from WooCommerce, Magento and other platforms, and run SEO, CRO, Google Ads, Meta ads, Snapchat-ready creative and email. With only a 1.5-hour time difference, we work in step with your team throughout the day.
Selling online in the UAE: what your store needs
Payments UAE shoppers use
Cards and digital wallets such as Apple Pay lead online, while Tabby and Tamara have made split payments a normal part of checkout for fashion, beauty and electronics. Cash on delivery is still expected by some shoppers, especially for first orders. We set up gateways, BNPL and COD rules that balance conversion with the cost of failed deliveries.
VAT, licensing and data rules
The UAE charges 5% VAT, with mandatory registration above AED 375,000 in taxable supplies. Selling online needs a trade licence that covers eCommerce, issued by an emirate’s economic department or a free zone. We configure VAT-inclusive pricing and invoices, and set up privacy and consent pages with the UAE data protection law in mind.
Fast delivery and GCC shipping
Same-day and next-day delivery are common in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and couriers such as Aramex, Emirates Post and Quiqup offer local services. Many brands also ship to Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries. We set delivery zones, COD fees and cross-border rates with duties made clear before the customer pays.
Arabic, mobile and the shopping calendar
An Arabic storefront with proper right-to-left layout builds trust with Arabic-speaking shoppers, and most traffic is mobile. Ramadan, Eid, the November sales, 11.11 and Dubai Shopping Festival shape the year. Amazon.ae and noon are strong competitors, so a brand’s own store needs clear reasons to buy direct.
Payments, delivery and compliance in the UAE
- Visa & Mastercard
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Tabby
- Tamara
- Cash on delivery
- Aramex
- Emirates Post
- Quiqup
- DHL Express
- FedEx
- UAE VAT (5%)
- Trade licence covering eCommerce
- UAE Personal Data Protection Law
- UAE Consumer Protection Law
Shopify agency services across the UAE
Working together
The UAE is only 1.5 hours behind India and has no daylight saving, so our working days overlap almost completely. Calls, reviews and live launch support happen during your normal business hours, Monday to Friday.
Time zone: GST, Gulf Standard Time (UTC+4). Currency: AED (د.إ). Languages: Arabic, English.
How we work
Discovery call
We learn your goals, catalogue, tech stack and market, then agree what success looks like.
Audit & roadmap
A store, SEO and competitor audit turns into a prioritised roadmap with a timeline and fixed quote.
Design & build
UX, design and development in sprints, with a private preview store you review at every step.
Launch
QA across devices, redirects, tracking and a planned go-live with no downtime.
Grow
SEO, CRO and paid campaigns compound results month after month, with clear reporting.
Ongoing support
A dedicated team for fixes, new features and seasonal campaigns when you need them.
Frequently asked questions
How closely can you work with a UAE team from India?
Very closely. The UAE is 1.5 hours behind India all year, so our working hours overlap for most of your day. Calls, design reviews and urgent fixes happen in real time, and launches are supported live. Most UAE businesses now work Monday to Friday, which matches our week too.
Can you build an Arabic version of our Shopify store?
Yes. We set up Arabic alongside English with a theme that supports right-to-left layout, translate navigation, product content, checkout text and emails, and add separate Arabic URLs for search. Translations are reviewed by fluent speakers or your team so the copy reads naturally rather than literally.
Should we offer cash on delivery?
It depends on your products and customers. COD can raise first-time conversion, but refused deliveries cost money. We often recommend offering COD with a fee, a maximum order value or only for certain areas, while promoting cards, Apple Pay, Tabby and Tamara as the faster option.
How is UAE VAT set up in Shopify?
We configure prices to include 5% VAT, add your tax registration number to invoices and set rules for exports to other GCC countries and beyond. VAT registration, filing and any free zone specifics should be confirmed with your tax adviser before launch.
Do you have an office in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE?
No. BOOST STAR works fully remotely from India and has no office in the UAE. Every project has a named lead, a shared board and video calls during your business hours. Typical store builds take 4 to 10 weeks, and bilingual Arabic and English stores add time for translation and review.