Progressing from a business idea to launch takes focus and commitment. And when that business is in an entirely new sector, the learning curve is steep.

eQatar.com founder and CEO, Tariq AlSheikh, can attest to this.

The Qatari businessman first formed the idea for his e-commerce business while working on computer applications for a large company. Drawn to the internet’s global reach and its appeal – for gaming, creating communities and shopping – he was inspired by the possibilities and decided to establish his own e-commerce business.

But the move from a corporate career to e-commerce entrepreneur took considerable research. To build on his knowledge base, Tariq attended seminars, exhibitions and conferences in China and the US. He thoroughly researched case studies, consulted with e-commerce experts, and immersed himself in understanding e-commerce’s critical success factors.

Tariq focused on addressing the fundamental issues of e-commerce:

–         Sourcing products
–         Payment options
–         Shipping and delivery, and
–         Adhering to Qatar’s cyber security laws.

Product sourcing in particular proved to be the most challenging aspect of setting up his site, eQatar.com, and required Tariq to make frequent, regular trips to China to source quality products and reliable manufacturers.

This is a common obstacle for e-commerce entrepreneurs worldwide, yet overcoming it is crucial for success.

Tariq has since sourced his manufacturers, and established his base in China to ensure quality control and to eliminate the possibility of fraudulent products.

After securing the eQatar.com domain name, Tariq set about developing and designing a local online shopping portal similar to Amazon and Alibaba. Serving online shoppers and offering business owners an online platform to sell their products, eQatar.com is a user-friendly site focused on meeting customer expectations.

It’s a model that works, especially in Qatar, where a “marketplace” platform of this nature tends to be preferred among online shoppers.

In addition, eQatar.com’s 24/7 customer support, well-priced products, Theqa trustmark and free local delivery, align the site with those factors that matter to local online shoppers. According to the same survey, Qatar’s online customers are most positively affected by a site having:

Significantly, Qatar’s online shoppers prefer Facebook, Instagram and Google advertising as a means to find out about new products and promotions (MCIT 2019 Impact Survey).

eQatar.com has indeed emerged as a fresh and innovative platform in Qatar’s e-commerce sector. For Tariq, the learning continues, as he seeks out new technologies, stays abreast of industry developments, and continues to competitively position his company as a viable, quality shopping portal for the country’s online shoppers.