How to start an online store in Saudi Arabia (2026)
Legal setup, platforms, payments, shipping, and 2026 tax notes with linked sources on the guide pages.
Updated for
Topic-based guides for Saudi e-commerce
Pick a topic below or follow the recommended path. Every guide is available in Arabic and English from the same hub card.
1. Start here
One place to see the whole picture before you go deep.
2. Platforms and hands-on setup
Tutorial-style setup for Salla plus a neutral comparison of the two major Saudi platforms.
How to start a Salla store step-by-step
Signup, themes, apps, payments, and shipping wiring in checklist form.
How to start a Zid store step-by-step
Merchant account setup, product prep, activation, and first-order verification before launch.
Salla vs Zid: which should you choose?
Fees, features, “use this if…” guidance, plus setup-and-verify flows for both platforms.
Zid guide for Saudi merchants
Zid-specific compliance reference: legal setup, VAT threshold, ZATCA Phase 2, and PDPL.
3. Payments and shipping
Operational guides once you are ready to accept money and fulfil orders reliably.
4. Tools
Estimate monthly and yearly platform costs before you lock in a plan.