Start small with products you can deliver reliably, choose how customers will pay, plan delivery and returns before launch, then build a shop that works perfectly on a phone.
Start with what you can deliver
Begin with the products you already sell well and can always keep in stock. A small catalogue that is always accurate beats a large one where half the items are sold out.
- Write down every product with its price, sizes or colours, and real photos.
- Decide which areas you deliver to, and your fee for each.
- Decide how returns and exchanges work, in writing.
How customers will pay
| Method | Good to know |
|---|---|
| MTN MoMo and Airtel Money | What most customers in Rwanda expect. Online, it works through a payment provider connected to your shop. |
| Cards | Important for customers from abroad and some businesses. |
| Pay on delivery | Builds trust at first, but you carry the risk of refused orders. |
The business side
Before taking payments online, make sure the business side is in order: your business registration, your tax obligations with the Rwanda Revenue Authority, and the agreements your payment provider asks for. Rules change, so check the current requirements with RDB, RRA and your provider rather than relying on a website guide.
The shop itself
- Product pages that answer questions without a phone call.
- A checkout with as few steps as possible, built for a phone.
- A clear message the moment payment is received.
- An order notification that reaches you instantly, so nothing waits.
- A way for you to add products and change prices yourself.
Getting your first customers
- Tell the customers you already have, on WhatsApp and Instagram, with a link to the shop.
- Put the shop link in your Google Business Profile and on your social profiles.
- Reply to every question quickly, especially in the first months.
- Ask happy customers for a Google review.
Further reading
Official documentation behind the technical guidance in this article.
