How to start an online store in Egypt, step by step

If you already sell on Instagram or WhatsApp and want a real store with your own link, this walks through what actually matters in the Egyptian market.

Start with one clear product

The most common mistake is launching with a hundred products. Start with what already sells, and add the rest after your first ten orders. That way you test shipping and payments at small scale first.

Payments: cash still rules

A large share of Egyptian orders are still cash on delivery. Offer cash from day one, and add Vodafone Cash and cards alongside it to reduce returned orders.

Shipping: price it before you launch

Set a clear shipping price per governorate before you open. A customer surprised by shipping at the last step abandons the cart — the single biggest cause of lost orders.

Your first 100 visitors

• Put the store link in your Instagram and TikTok bio
• Send the link to your existing customers on WhatsApp
• Shoot real product photos, not stock images
• Reply to messages in under an hour

The store is not the goal — it is where followers turn into customers. Start simple and measure every step.