How to Start an Online Store in Lebanon: A Step-by-Step Guide

More Lebanese businesses are moving online — not because it's trendy, but because customers now expect to browse and order from their phones. A WhatsApp link to an ordering page, a store you can share in an Instagram story, or a QR code at the register that doubles as an online shop: these aren't optional extras anymore. The good news is that setting one up is faster and cheaper than most business owners expect.

Step 1: Create your account and set up your store profile

Start by signing up and filling in your business basics: name, type (restaurant, retail, café, etc.), phone number, and a short description. This becomes the header of your store page — the first thing customers see when they land on your link. Add a logo or cover photo if you have one; even a clean, simple image makes the store feel real and trustworthy. Your store gets a unique link (e.g. yourstore.yellowpos.com) that you can share anywhere.

Step 2: Add your products and categories

Create categories first — this gives your catalog structure. For a restaurant, categories might be Starters, Mains, Desserts, and Drinks. For a retail shop, think along the lines of product type or brand. Then add products under each category: name, description, price, and a photo. A clear photo is the single biggest factor in whether customers add something to their cart. Even a good phone photo with natural light is better than no image at all.

Don't worry about having a perfect catalog from day one. Start with your 10–20 best-selling items and expand from there. A focused menu of popular products converts better than a bloated list with gaps and missing images.

Step 3: Set your prices in USD and LBP

In Lebanon, customers think in both currencies. YellowPOS lets you show prices in USD, LBP, or both — and you control the exchange rate. Set a rate once, and all LBP prices update automatically when the rate changes. This means no manual math and no confusion at checkout. If you sell mostly to locals, showing LBP prominently helps; if you have international customers or price in dollars, leading with USD makes more sense. You can switch the display at any time without touching individual products.

Step 4: Choose your payment methods

For most Lebanese businesses, the right combination is Whish Money and cash on delivery. Whish is widely used, doesn't require a bank account, and transfers instantly. Cash on delivery removes any friction for customers who don't have Whish or prefer to pay when they receive their order. You can enable both and let the customer choose at checkout. You don't need a credit card terminal or an international payment gateway — these two options cover the vast majority of Lebanese customers.

Step 5: Set up delivery zones and fees

Define where you deliver and how much you charge. You can set flat delivery fees per area or offer free delivery above a minimum order. Keep it simple at first: one or two zones with clear fees. Customers want to know the delivery cost before they commit to an order — showing it clearly at checkout reduces abandoned carts. You can also set a minimum order amount to make delivery economically worthwhile on smaller orders.

If you're not doing delivery yet and only offer pickup or in-store ordering, you can skip this step entirely and set orders to "pickup only" or turn off delivery for now.

Step 6: Share your store link

Once your store is live, share the link everywhere: WhatsApp status, Instagram bio, a pinned post, your Google Business profile, and printed as a QR code on tables or at the entrance. The link is permanent and always up to date — when you change prices or add items, the store reflects it immediately. You don't need to reshare the link or notify anyone; customers who visit the link always see your current catalog.

For WhatsApp, consider sending a short message to existing customers introducing the store: "We're now online — order here: [link]." Existing customers are the easiest first orders. Once orders start coming in, the workflow becomes routine: you get a notification, confirm the order, and fulfill it.

Summary

Starting an online store in Lebanon is a one-day job, not a one-month project. Set up your profile, add your top products with photos, enable Whish and cash on delivery, define your delivery zones, and share the link. That's it. You don't need a developer, a hosting plan, or a complicated payment gateway — just a clear catalog and a way for customers to reach you.