Selling online in Tunisia: an e-commerce checklist for SMEs

Many Tunisian SMEs already sell on Facebook and Instagram, taking orders by private message. An online store changes the scale: a catalogue that is always up to date, online payment, tracked orders, and customers who find you on Google. Here are the decisions to make, in order.

1. Choose the right platform

• Shopify: quick to launch, with ready-made themes and apps; ideal for a classic catalogue.
• WooCommerce or a custom store: more freedom over design, pricing rules and integrations, in exchange for a longer project.
• Social media only: useful to start, but your customer data and orders stay scattered.

The right choice depends on the size of your catalogue, the integrations you need (ERP, carrier, payment) and your maintenance budget.

2. Offer the payment methods your customers use

Plan for local gateways such as D17 and Flouci in addition to bank cards, and keep cash on delivery if your customers are used to it. Every payment method should flow automatically into your orders and your accounting.

3. Organise delivery

Set your zones, lead times and delivery fees before launch, and show them clearly on every product page and in the cart. A visible order status (prepared, shipped, delivered) sharply reduces “where is my order?” messages.

4. Sync stock with your back office

Selling a product that is out of stock is the quickest way to lose a customer. Connect the store to your ERP or business software so that stock, orders and invoices stay consistent, in the shop and online.

5. Think mobile and speed

Your customers mostly buy from their phone. Test the whole journey on an entry-level phone and an average 4G connection: catalogue, search, cart, payment.

6. Be found on Google, in French and Arabic

Every product deserves its own title, description and clean photos. If your customers search in French and Arabic, publish both versions with distinct URLs rather than a translation that only changes what is displayed.

7. Measure from day one

• conversion rate and average basket;
• most viewed and best-selling products;
• abandoned carts and the step where they happen;
• where visitors come from: Google, social media, campaigns.

Mistakes that cost sales

• blurry photos or shots taken from too far, with no product detail;
• delivery fees revealed only at the last step;
• an order form that is too long, or that forces account creation;
• no visible phone or WhatsApp number for questions;
• a missing or vague exchange and returns policy;
• a catalogue that still shows products sold out for weeks.

The pre-launch checklist

• every product has a price, stock, photos and a description;
• a test order has been placed with every payment method;
• confirmation emails or SMS are actually sent;
• terms of sale, delivery and returns are published;
• key pages exist in French and Arabic;
• analytics are installed and checked.

How we can help

Our team builds e-commerce platforms with an admin dashboard, local payments (D17, Flouci) and cards, and synced stock and orders. We also build and optimise Shopify stores and work on SEO in French, Arabic and English. For the management behind the store, see Nexora ERP.