Ecommerce Business Consulting, Online Business Consulting Services

Ecommerce Business Consulting | Online Business Consulting Services

The eCommerce market in the GCC region is anticipated to witness significant growth, with projected revenues reaching a substantial amount of US$36.95 billion in the year 2024. Furthermore, experts predict that this growth trend will continue over the next five years, displaying a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.95% between 2023 and 2028. As a result, the market volume is expected to expand and reach an impressive US$54.78 billion by 2028. These estimations indicate a prosperous future for the eCommerce industry within the GCC region, with substantial revenue growth and ample opportunities for businesses operating within this sector.

Among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stand out as the leading markets for e-commerce. Notably, Saudi Arabia takes the lead in terms of e-commerce dominance within the GCC. Additionally, other GCC nations are also experiencing robust growth in the e-commerce sector. The UAE, in particular, has gained recognition for its ability to attract top talent within the e-commerce industry, making it an appealing location for establishing back-office operations. Moreover, GCC-based e-commerce companies often prefer outsourcing their operations to India, considering it a preferred destination for such services. This strategic move allows them to leverage the benefits offered by the Indian market for efficient and cost-effective e-commerce support. If you have an online business idea and wish to start an online store then let’s explore a few challenges and how YRC is helping ecommerce companies in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and across the globe.

Challenges in the GCC’s eCommerce Market

The veterans of online business consulting services would not flinch once to admit that despite the favourable trends and statistics, succeeding in GCC’s eCommerce market is even more difficult. Here are a couple of reasons why we think so.

Finding the eCommerce Niche

When you are starting an ecommerce business in a fierce eCommerce market like that of the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Qatar, you need to have a strong eCommerce niche. With the prior presence of big global brands and lesser-known but prevalent local competition, creating a niche or a UVP in the Middle-east eCommerce market is a tough task. Startups may prefer to enter new markets via proven routes like the Amazon retail business model but even then they will have to build their niche to survive in an B2C multi vendor marketplace solution

Low user Engagement

When you own an eCommerce business or wish to start e-commerce business, you would want your audience to visit and spend time on your website, and eventually make purchases. But this is a problem in the Middle-East; the user engagement on eCommerce websites is on the lower side indicating deficiencies in terms of language support or content relevance or web design or user experience. The general opinion of eCommerce consultants in Dubai or GCC may stress on visibility but visibility alone can only bring traffic but not user engagement or repeat sales.

Online Payments yet to become Popular

Cash-on-delivery (COD) is still the preferred payment mode in the Middle-East. That’s a problem area for eCommerce players because going cash slows down the payment transfer process, increases cost and at the same time increases order return rate. Preference of digital payments is complementary to the concept of eCommerce and push for a digital economy.

Last-mile Delivery Challenge

Most countries in the GCC lack a standard postal address system. Deliveries are dependent on landmarks and instructions. Top ecommerce players like Amazon and Noon give residents the option of availing delivery to the nearby lockers, but this privilege is not available with all players. All these create problems in the last-mile delivery which can escalate into delayed deliveries or even order cancellations.

How YRC can help

In designing and delivering our eCommerce business consulting services, our aim remains to assist our clients build a sustainable and profitable online business with retail & ecommerce experts to deliver services right from ‘concept’ to ‘implementation’. Thus, our role is not confined to assessments and planning but also extends to formulating strategies and defining the operational framework. If you are looking forward to knowing about “how to start an ecommerce business?” then YRC online business consultants shall guide you through at each step required until launch and post-launch support services.

ECommerce Business Model and Strategy

We will help you choose or craft the right business model and come up with a workable eCommerce strategy while starting an online business. In eCommerce strategy consulting, we shall consider your business niche and value proposition which are very important components of an online retail model for establishing a strong footing, especially across all GCC potential markets. Our B2B E-commerce consulting services also explore the strategy to develop revenue streams from B2B ecommerce opportunities within the operating region. If you are confused about which online businesses to start? Then our ecommerce consultants shall help you validate the shortlisted business models by conducting data-driven market research. Making your decision-making process easy.

ECommerce Team

In our eCommerce business consulting services, we will also define the organizational structure for your eCommerce venture in alignment with your business plan. This will include identifying and defining all the roles and positions that will be necessary for the running of your online business. For each role and position, the job description, KRAs and KPIs will be mapped.

ECommerce UX Design & Website Development

We realize the significance of a website while setting up an online store – the most important digital touchpoint. Our team of eCommerce business consultants shall focus on what it matters the most to enhance the user experience, via the right platform and the right features. Best online business ideas have been failed because of a poor user experience on their website. To effectively communicate and engage visitors, it is crucial to present and visualize unique online business ideas in an easily understandable manner, otherwise visitors may become confused, leading to a higher bounce rate on the website.

ECommerce Order Fulfilment & Inventory Management

An order fulfilment centre is the heart of eCommerce business. We will help you in the optimum utilization of space required for key activities like goods receiving, goods processing, walk-ways, staff and office area, etc. In addition, we will also assess the requirements in terms of furniture and fixtures, IT and warehousing tools and equipment, staffing, rack planning, etc. Our online business consultants will work to ensure that your business has a robust order fulfilment function and inventory management.

ECommerce Tools and System Integration

ECommerce businesses need to ensure that their back-end operations and back-end software applications are in perfect sync. In our online business consulting services, we will define the process flow and create a blueprint of the required features to help you choose the right software for managing your back-end eCommerce processes.

We are a boutique ecommerce consulting firm. To know more about our eCommerce consulting services or “how to start an online business?”, drop us a message and we will get back to you.

FAQs

What you need to start an online business ?

When starting an online business, it’s important to consider several key factors that can contribute to success or failure. To help you understand the prerequisites for launching an e-commerce venture, our experts at YRC have highlighted the top reasons why online businesses fail. By paying attention to these factors, you can set yourself up for a profitable and sustainable online business:

Understanding your competitors: Analyzing your competitors’ strategies and understanding their success can provide valuable insights into your target audience’s preferences. YRC’s market research experts can help you decode your competitors’ insights and develop a competitive edge.

Knowing your numbers: Launching an online business involves more than just investing in a website and inventory. Mismanagement of cash flow and unforeseen expenses often lead to business closures. YRC experts can guide you in determining the right investment required with the OPEX, CAPEX, ROI and breakeven period ensuring that you allocate resources appropriately.

Platform selection for your website: Many startups face the need to replatform their websites mid-way through their operations, resulting in loss of business and additional costs. YRC’s e-commerce experts can assist you in selecting an appropriate platform that aligns with your business needs, budget, and growth plans.

Outsourcing and selecting the right partners: Opting for a lean structure, you can outsource activities like warehousing and digital marketing. However, finding the right agencies within your budget is crucial. Poor performance by partners can hinder your business growth and strain your cash flow. YRC can guide you in selecting reliable partners to support your operations effectively.

Brand Reputation and business blueprint: Establishing robust systems and standard operating procedures from day one is crucial in the e-commerce industry. Neglecting the importance of these systems often results in dissatisfied customers and hamper brand reputation. YRC emphasizes that investing in the right software and processes is essential for success in the digital realm.

To build a profitable e-commerce business, it’s essential to address various factors, such as understanding competitors, managing finances, selecting the right platform, choosing reliable partners, and implementing effective systems. By seeking guidance from YRC’s e-commerce experts, you can gain further insights tailored to your specific business model and embark on a path towards success in the e-commerce landscape.

To know about “Why only 2% E-commerce Startups are successful?”. Click Here.

How can i start online business ? or How to start a successful ecommerce business ?

If you’re researching how to start a successful e-commerce business, our experts shall help identify key prerequisites for launching a thriving online business:

E-commerce Business Idea Validation: Adapting from offline to online requires careful consideration. Stand out from the competition by identifying a niche for your online business. A well-defined niche helps you establish a unique identity, making customers remember and choose you. Conducting online market research is crucial to validate your business idea.

Financial Business Plan: Developing a solid financial plan is vital for success. Understand your capital expenditure (CAPEX), operational expenditure (OPEX), ROI, and determine your breakeven period. Many e-commerce businesses fail due to inadequate planning and underestimating required investments. Seek expert advice to create a comprehensive financial plan.

Systems and Processes: Reviews play a significant role in online sales. Building trust requires a reliable customer service team to address queries related to orders, delivery, returns, and refunds. Well-defined standard operating procedures (SOPs) and appropriate software integration are essential for an organized and efficient e-commerce operation.

Sales & Marketing Strategy: A well-crafted sales and marketing strategy is key to digital success. Unlike offline sales, online buying behavior evolves rapidly. Your go-to-market strategy will define your brand’s success and breakeven period. A strong strategy drives sales, while a weak one results in poor performance and extended ROI timelines.

Starting a successful e-commerce business requires careful planning and implementation.

If you’re still seeking guidance on how to start an online business, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts at YRC. We’re here to help you kickstart your online journey and achieve e-commerce success.

To know about “5 Steps to Start an E-Commerce Business in Dubai”. Click Here.

How to open an ecommerce store ?

The following are the major areas to be considered while planning to build your ecommerce website:

Website Platform
Website UI/ UX designing
Order Management System across various channels
Customer Care System for brand reputation

To know more about “Tips to Build Your E-Commerce Website”, Click Here.

E-commerce / Online Stores