E-commerce has become an attractive business opportunity for many in the country due to the growing demand for more products and services, United Filipino Entrepreneurs in Qatar (UFEQ) chairperson Analyn Esmer has said.
"A number of start-ups have ventured into the field, of late, offering consumers a wide variety of choices," she said while observing that QR100,000 would be enough to start the business.
"The bank requires a minimum deposit of QR25,000; then you need QR5,000 for securing the permits; and QR10,000 to QR15,000 for developing a website; and an office with staff such as graphic designers and content writer."
While stressing that e-commerce has been a success in Southeast Asia, she said that Qatar is no exception because it hosts different expatriate populations such as Asians, Middle Eastern nationalities, Europeans, Americans, Africans and others.
Describing e-commerce as an effective and useful way of communicating with target markets, Esmer, who is set to launch her own online business soon, maintained that it is becoming a huge market with a number of start-ups in Qatar entering this business.
However, most of the products and services offered by these websites come from various establishments in Qatar. Restaurant gift certificates, air tickets, hotel accommodations, spa services, beauty treatments and salon services, retail products, gadgets, home appliances, concert tickets, are among those that could be bought using a credit card, Paypal or cash through bank deposit.
She cited convenience for both the businessman and the clients as one of the main reasons for the growing popularity of e-commerce. Compared with other traditional businesses, the risk is less with such a modest amount of capital.
For the consumers, products are delivered right at their doorsteps or they have the option of picking it up at their convenient time. She noted that the weather and the limited parking spaces in some areas could be another reason.
Online marketing also offers a variety of discounts, products and privileges without waiting for certain promotional periods.
"In e-commerce, we ensure discounts and privileges that you cannot find during your visit to your favourite outlets," Esmer claimed.
Online businesses can accommodate and entertain as many clients as possible with just a click, whereas conventional trading requires many personnel to deal with a certain number of people going inside a store.
"Many business establishments are ready to offer special rates for deals routed through e-commerce sites," she said while disclosing that a group of hotels had confirmed three different deals that they do not usually offer to other clients.
"One of the best advantages of e-commerce sites is that clients could browse through a number of products at their convenience and get all the details, without visiting shops," Esmer added.
© Gulf Times 2014
