How to Create an Online Store in Egypt: A Step-by-Step Guide for WhatsApp and Instagram Sellers
You don't need a company or a developer to start. You need a clear product list, good photos and a way to stop losing orders. Here are the steps in the right order.
Most people selling online in Egypt started with an Instagram page or a WhatsApp group. That works well for reaching people, but it gets exhausting as messages pile up: the same "how much?" question every day, outdated photos, and orders lost in the chat.
An online store doesn't replace WhatsApp. It gives your products a permanent home with photos and prices. Customers browse and order there, and you receive each order already organised.
Do you actually need an online store?
Probably yes, if any of these sound familiar:
- You answer the same price, size and delivery questions more than 10 times a day.
- You have more than 15 products, and customers don't know everything you sell.
- An order has been lost or delayed because it was buried in an old chat.
- You want to know your best-selling product, and you don't have a clear number.
Step 1: Prepare your product list before choosing a platform
Write each product on its own line, even in a notebook or an Excel sheet:
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| A clear name customers search for | Short-handle crochet bag |
| Price | In EGP, and whether it's per piece, per kilo or per box |
| Category | Bags, accessories, gifts |
| Short description | Material, size, available colours |
| Availability | In stock or sold out |
A tidy list is the most important part of any store, and it saves you hours when you upload products to any platform.
Step 2: Photograph every product clearly
Photos are what sell online. You don't need a professional camera: a recent phone, daylight from a window and one plain background for every product is enough. The full method is in our guide to product photography with your phone.
Step 3: Decide on delivery and pickup
Before you share your link, decide:
- Which areas you deliver to, and the delivery fee for each.
- Whether customers can pick up from a set location.
- Whether you ask for a deposit before preparing an order, and when.
These decisions prevent most "how much is delivery to Nasr City?" messages. See the guide to delivery zones and fees.
Step 4: Choose how to build the store
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Ready-made store with WhatsApp orders | Sellers already selling on WhatsApp and Instagram | That the order is saved before WhatsApp opens |
| Store with full online payment | High order volume and shipping nationwide | Payment fees, gateway setup and setup time |
| Custom-built website | A brand with special needs and a budget | Cost, maintenance and time |
For most small and home businesses in Egypt, the easiest start is a ready-made store where orders arrive on WhatsApp, because that's what customers are used to.
Step 5: Share the link everywhere your customers look
- In your Instagram, Facebook and TikTok bio.
- In your WhatsApp Business greeting message and quick replies.
- In stories with every new product.
- On a card included with each order.
Step 6: Review orders every day
A store nobody checks is like a shop without a seller. Set two times a day to review new orders, confirm each one, and mark sold-out products immediately so nobody orders something you can't deliver.
How much does it cost to create an online store in Egypt?
It depends on the option. Ready-made platforms charge a monthly subscription; a custom website costs more and needs maintenance.
Tajrova as an example (prices as of November 2026, always check the pricing section): a 30-day trial with every feature, then a free plan that shows 10 products, or the Pro plan at 499 EGP a month (349 EGP for the first 100 stores, locked for 6 months) with 100 products, or 3,490 EGP a year. Each extra 100 products is 99 EGP a month.
Mistakes that keep happening in the first month
- Hidden prices. "Price in DM" means fewer orders and more messages.
- Photos from the internet. Customers want to see your product.
- Sold-out items still showing. The worst experience is ordering and then getting an apology.
- Your store link in only one place. Repeat it in your bio, stories and replies.
If your brand needs a full website rather than a ready-made store, read this guide to website design for your business from OBELIX Agency.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a commercial register to start an online store?
Many home businesses start without one, but as sales grow, review your legal and tax position with an accountant.
Does the customer need an app to order?
Not on Tajrova. They open the link on any phone and enter only their name, number and address.
Who uploads the products the first time?
On Tajrova, the OBELIX team uploads them for you from your catalogue or a spreadsheet. After that you edit and add products yourself from your phone.
