Published on · By the IT LABS PRO team
Want to sell your products online in Morocco? E-commerce offers real opportunities, but a successful online shop rests on serious preparation. Here is a step-by-step guide, from choosing your products to your first customers. For the budget and payment methods in detail, also see our article e-commerce website in Morocco: prices, payment and delivery.
Step 1: choose your products and positioning
What will you sell, to whom, and why should they buy from you rather than elsewhere? Study demand (what your potential customers search for), the competition (other shops, the big marketplaces) and your margins (purchase price, delivery costs, payment commissions, returns). A clear positioning (specialisation, quality, service, price) makes everything that follows easier: design, communication, advertising.
Step 2: the legal and tax framework
Selling online is a commercial activity and must be carried out within a legal framework. Depending on your situation and volume, several options exist, from the self-employed “auto-entrepreneur” status (governed by law no. 114-13) to setting up a company. Each status has its own conditions, ceilings and tax obligations, especially for VAT and invoicing. Get advice from an accountant before you start: a small investment that avoids big problems.
Your shop will also collect personal data (names, addresses, phone numbers): it falls under law 09-08 and the formalities with the CNDP. See our article on law 09-08 and websites.
Step 3: choose the technical solution
Subscription platforms
Quick to set up, they are fine for testing a market. Check that they work with Moroccan payment methods, what they charge (subscription, commissions) and whether you can take your data with you if you change solution.
WooCommerce (WordPress)
A flexible and very widespread solution, suited to most small and medium shops, provided it is well hosted and maintained. See our comparison WordPress or custom website.
Custom development
For shops with specific needs: prices per customer, product configurators, connection to management or stock software, business-to-business sales.
Step 4: set up payment
Offer card payment, via the CMI (through your bank) or a payment aggregator, and cash on delivery, which Moroccan buyers like. Start the bank process early: getting online payment switched on takes time. All the details are in our guide to online payment in Morocco.
Step 5: organise delivery and returns
- Choose one or more couriers according to your delivery areas, their lead times, their prices and how they handle cash on delivery.
- Set simple delivery charges and show them clearly before the order.
- Write a clear returns and exchange policy.
- Prepare your packaging and your order preparation process.
Step 6: create product pages that sell
- Good photos, from several angles, on a neutral background, plus photos of the product in use.
- Useful descriptions: features, dimensions, materials, use, care.
- Practical information: availability, delivery time, returns.
- Customer reviews as soon as you can.
Step 7: prepare the essential pages
Terms of sale, privacy policy, legal notice, delivery and returns, contact, about us. These pages reassure buyers and meet your obligations.
Step 8: test before you launch
Place complete test orders with every payment method, all the way to delivery. Check the confirmation e-mails, the mobile display, the website’s speed and the journey of a returning customer. Ask a few friends to make a real purchase and note everything that bothers them.
Step 9: attract your first customers
- SEO: optimised category and product pages, useful content.
- Advertising: Google Ads on searches with strong buying intent, social media for discovery (see our article on the cost of Google Ads in Morocco).
- Your network: existing customers, physical shop, partners.
- WhatsApp: a contact button to answer questions before purchase (see how to create a WhatsApp link).
- Loyalty: post-purchase e-mails, offers for loyal customers, review requests.
Step 10: measure and improve
Every month, track the number of visitors, the conversion rate, the average basket, abandoned baskets and refusals on delivery. These figures show where to act: bring in more visitors, improve the product pages, simplify checkout or rethink delivery.
A typical launch timeline
For a medium-sized shop, a well-prepared launch usually goes like this:
- weeks 1 to 2: positioning, choice of solution, bank formalities for online payment, choice of courier;
- weeks 2 to 6: design and development of the shop, with photos and product pages prepared in parallel;
- weeks 6 to 8: adding the products, full testing, legal pages, team training;
- launch: opening, first campaigns, daily follow-up of orders and questions.
Preparing the content (photos, descriptions, prices, stock) is often what takes longest: start on day one.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build an online shop?
At IT LABS PRO, an e-commerce website starts at 15,000 MAD, with a lead time of 4 to 8 weeks depending on the number of products, payment methods and integrations.
Can I sell online as an auto-entrepreneur?
The auto-entrepreneur status may suit you depending on your activity and volume; check its conditions and ceilings with an accountant before you start.
Should I also sell on social media?
Social media is an excellent discovery channel, but an online shop belongs to you: you control the buying experience, the customer data and your search rankings.
In short
Creating an online shop in Morocco means choosing your positioning, getting the legal side right, choosing a technical solution, setting up payment and delivery, taking care of your product pages, testing, then attracting and keeping customers. Discover our e-commerce website development in Morocco.
Sources (in French)
- National auto-entrepreneur register (law no. 114-13): rn.ae.gov.ma
- CNDP, website compliance: cndp.ma
- Centre Monétique Interbancaire (CMI): cmi.co.ma