Do You Need Trade License In Dubai To Sell On Social Media?

If you are planning to start business in Dubai, whether you’re selling products online or in a physical store, you will need to secure a trade license to operate.

Over the years, selling products online, especially via social media, creating more opportunities for small and start-up businesses to increase their reach and visibility. Despite not having physical stores, these businesses are able to offer their products/services to a larger audience easily. It made shopping more convenient for those who are not able to visit inland stores. While it has many advantages, it has also been used for illegal and fraudulent activities. Hence, the government put measures in place to regulate such businesses and require them to acquire trade licenses.

Is there a penalty for selling online without a license?

Yes. While Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp are the most commonly used app for online selling, you will still need a license no matter which platform you choose for your new business set up Dubai. Businesses who are caught operating without a trade license will be fined up to AED 500,00.

Avoid getting penalized and secure the necessary licenses from the Department of Economic Develop (DED) and the National Media Council (NMC) before selling any goods online. Once you have the necessary trade licenses, you may plan your business set up Dubai. If you’re not sure about where to start, you may use the list below as a guide.

Choose your platform

To successfully set up company in Dubai, you need to determine which platform(s) you will be using for your business. If you wish to have a larger reach, you can use different social media platforms to sell your commodities, as well as increase your reach and visibility. If you will be using different platforms, it’s best to make sure that you can cater to all your customers immediately. If some platforms are not working, you may deactivate these ones and focus on the ones that are working.

Provide value

Aside from offering quality products, providing valuable content for your followers to engage with will help you retain your existing customers, as well as invite new ones to try your offers. Provide useful guides on how to maximise the use of your commodities, as well as guides on proper care for specific goods. This will also help you establish your expertise in the subject and earn the trust of prospective customers.

Build connections and grow your network

Growing your network and reaching out to business owners from relevant industries not only increases your reach and visibility, it also opens opportunities for partnerships that can help grow your business. Even if the entrepreneurs/business owners you communicate with end up not buying from you, they might know someone who may need your products/services.

If you need legal advice or services to set up your business, Austria Business Center offers a range of business solutions and legal services to assist you in acquiring all requirements and completing legal procedures so you can start your operations as soon as possible