A website is a very important part of any business in the UAE. If you are running a business in the UAE, you need a website. You have no choice. But most business owners who start afresh don’t know about the process of website development. They don’t know the steps that are involved in creating a website in the UAE. For those small business owners, we have shared this blog post.

Here, we have shared the steps that you need to take when you need to build a website for your UAE business.

Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Choose a Domain Name

A domain name serves as a business’s identity on the internet. It should be memorable and relevant to the business while incorporating key industry-specific words whenever possible.

Suggestions For Choosing A Domain Name:

• Select a name that is easy to remember and makes sense with your brand (ie., www.yourbusinessname.com).
• For businesses focusing on a UAE clientele, it is suggested to use the .ae extension.
• Eliminate the use of special characters such as hyphens to prevent complications.
• Confirm domain name availability on domain registration websites.

Domain Name Expenses

.com domains are reasonably priced in the range of AED 40 – AED 200 per annum.
.ae domain names range from AED 150 to AED 300 annually.

Step 2: Employ a Professional Web Designer

Hiring a web developer to build your website is a crucial part. A professional web developer can help you build a profitable website; however, an inexperienced developer may create a non-functional and buggy website that is full of errors. You can’t impress your potential customers with an unprofessional website. The more elegant & professional your website is, the better reputation your business will build.

A professional web developer will guarantee that your site is active, easy to navigate, and appealing to the eyes. Based on your specifications, you may select from:

There are hundreds of web developers and website agencies in Dubai and the UAE that you can choose from. But the question is, “Which web developer should you hire for your website development?”.

No worries, we’ve got you covered!

Here Are a Few Things To Consider While Getting a Web Designer:

• Check out the pricing of your web developer. Don’t overpay to build a website.
• Check out the experience of your web developer in the UAE.
• Make sure to check their past works to ensure they meet your expectations.
• Sign a contract/agreement with them to make sure both parties are on the same page.
• Ask them about their post-launch support.
• Meet them or talk to them face to face to know how well they understand your requirements.
• Don’t let the website cost be the only factor for hiring a web developer. Not all cheap web developers are good.

Step 3: Settle on the Price and Decide on a Website Package

In the UAE, website prices change based on the type and complexity of the site. Pricing should be discussed when making arrangements with a web developer as it is advisable to set a budget beforehand.

Determining Factors of a Website Design Price:

• The number of site pages.
• Custom elements such as e-commerce, or booking engine.
• WordPress website versus a fully designed and custom-coded website.
• Website support and maintenance.

Average Prices of Sites in the UAE:

• Basic corporate site: AED 1,500- AED 3,000.
• E-commerce Website: AED 5,000- AED 25,000.
• Custom Designed Website: AED 15,000 and above.

Step 4: Choosing a Web Host and Securing Your Website

Every site on the internet requires a hosting service to give users access to it. You should choose the most reliable hosting distributor, so your website is secure, loads quickly, and is reliable.

Things To Keep In Mind While Selecting A Host:

• Shared Hosting: The most affordable. It is enough for smaller sites.
• VPS Hosting: Mid-tier option with faster speeds and more security. It comes with more costs. 
• Dedicated Hosting: Suited for bigger websites that attract a lot of users. It’s the most expensive hosting option.

How to Choose An Ideal Web Host

• Ensure 99.9% uptime guarantee.
• Security with an SSL certificate.
• Prompt assistance from customer support.
• If applicable, it allows for WordPress development.

Prices of Hosting in UAE:

• Shared Hosting: AED 200 – AED 500 per year.
• VPS Hosting: AED 600 – AED 3,000 per year.
• Dedicated Hosting: AED 3,000 or more a year.

Step 5: Conducting A Prelaunch Audit of The Website

You should check whether everything works as expected before launching the site. Validation is done to recognize flaws, misplaced hyperlinks, and layout mismatches.

What Do You Need To Validate?

• Mobile Responsiveness: Check that the page works on every device.
• Loading Speed: Check that images and scripts render in a timely manner.
• Contact Forms & Payment Gateways: Ensure you are available for customer contact along with the ability to purchase.
• SEO Performance: Google Pagespeed Insights fulfills this purpose, and there are SEO plugins.

Step 6: Offer Your Feedback And Ask For Revisions

After developing and testing your website, take time to review the site. Then, proceed to give feedback to your web developer. This process makes sure the website properly supports your business goals.

Key Areas To Pay Attention To:

• The flow and ease of use of the interface.
• Uniformity in design elements and logos.
• Overall ease of reading and search engine friendliness of the content.
• All clickable elements are in the expected place.

Your website developer must be willing to change the website at their discretion, so the site may be completed to the user’s needs before going live.

Step 7. Promote and Prepare For Your Website Launch

Get ready because promoting your brand-new site goes hand in hand with launching it! Set up proper marketing tactics to ensure you attract customers and visitors.

Start with launching your site with this checklist:

• Set up visitor Google Analytics to track any activity.
• Submit it to the Google Search Console for better visibility.
• Promote it on your social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter).
• Use marketing emails to promote the website to already existing customers.
• Invest in SEO & PPC advertising.

Conclusion: Your Business Website is Ready!

Congratulations! You now have a professional website designed specifically for your business in the UAE. While this guide primarily focused on WordPress development, customizing a website is also an option.

With the right planning and hiring of the best web developer in UAE, the sky is the limit.