How to Start an Online Business in Bahrain — 7 Steps
Start your online business in Bahrain in 7 steps. From Sijilat registration and domain setup to payment gateways and marketing. With estimated costs.
Starting an online business in Bahrain requires 7 steps: choose your model, register with Sijilat, get a domain and hosting, build your site, set up payments (Benefit Pay, Tabby), launch marketing and start selling. Total setup cost ranges from BD 500 for a basic service business to BD 3,500+ for a full e-commerce store.
Step 1: Choose your business model
Before you register anything, decide what you are selling. The three most common online business models in Bahrain are e-commerce (physical products), services (consulting, design, marketing) and digital products (courses, templates, software). Each has different licensing and platform requirements. E-commerce requires a commercial licence with the relevant activity code and typically needs a payment gateway. Service businesses can start with a simple website and invoicing tool. Digital products need a delivery platform and content management system.
Step 2: Register with Sijilat
Bahrain's Sijilat portal (sijilat.bh) is where you get your Commercial Registration (CR). The process is entirely online. You select your business activity, submit your documents and pay the fee. A sole proprietorship CR typically costs BD 100 to BD 300. You will also need to register for VAT if your annual turnover exceeds BD 37,500. Processing time is usually 1-3 business days. If you are a Bahraini entrepreneur, check Tamkeen's programmes for potential funding and support.
Step 3: Get a domain and hosting
Your domain name is your online address. Choose something short, memorable and relevant to your business. Register through a reputable provider and expect to pay BD 8 to BD 15 per year for a .com domain. For hosting, start with a plan that matches your expected traffic. A BD 3.5/month shared plan from BahrainServer is sufficient for most new online businesses. You can upgrade to a BD 11.5/month VPS as you grow. Your hosting should include free SSL, daily backups and 24/7 support.
Step 4: Build your website
You have three main options. Use a website builder like Shopify or Wix for a quick launch (BD 100-300/year for subscriptions). Use WordPress with a theme for more flexibility and ownership (BD 500-1,500 for design and setup). Go fully custom with a professional web development agency for a unique brand experience (BD 1,500-5,000). For most Bahrain businesses starting out, WordPress on managed hosting offers the best balance of cost, control and scalability. Read our guide on e-commerce website features for what to include on your store.
Step 5: Set up payments
Bahraini customers expect Benefit Pay. It is the most widely used online payment method in the Kingdom. You will also want to offer credit card payments through a gateway like Tap or Checkout.com. Tabby is increasingly popular for buy-now-pay-later options. Most e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce have plugins for all of these. Transaction fees typically range from 1.5% to 2.9% plus a fixed fee per transaction. Factor this into your pricing.
Step 6: Launch marketing
Your website is live. Now you need customers. Start with the channels that will reach your target audience fastest. Google Ads for search intent, Instagram and TikTok for visual products and Facebook for community building. Set up Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel from day one so you can measure what works. Budget at least BD 200-500 per month for initial marketing spend. For more, read our guide on digital transformation for SMEs.
Step 7: Start selling and iterate
Your first sale validates your business model. Do not wait for perfection. Launch with a minimum viable product, gather feedback and improve continuously. Track your key metrics: traffic, conversion rate, average order value and customer acquisition cost. Set aside time each week to review performance and make one improvement. The businesses that succeed are the ones that keep iterating.
| Item | Budget option | Standard option |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Registration | BD 100 | BD 300 |
| Domain (.com, 1 year) | BD 8 | BD 15 |
| Hosting (1 year) | BD 42 (BD 3.5/mo) | BD 102 (BD 8.5/mo) |
| Website build | BD 200 (DIY builder) | BD 1,500 (WordPress pro) |
| Payment gateway setup | BD 0 (subscription) | BD 200 (setup fee) |
| Marketing (1 month) | BD 200 | BD 500 |
| Total first year | BD 550 | BD 2,617 |
Frequently asked questions
Yes. You need a Commercial Registration (CR) from Sijilat, even for a sole proprietorship. The cost ranges from BD 100 to BD 500 depending on the activity type. You can complete the application online at sijilat.bh.
A basic online business can start for BD 500 to BD 1,500 covering licensing, domain, hosting and a simple website. An e-commerce store with payment integration costs BD 2,000 to BD 5,000. Hosting starts at BD 3.5/month from BahrainServer.
Benefit Pay is the most widely used Bahraini payment gateway. Other options include Tabby (buy now pay later), Tap Payments, Checkout.com and PayPal. Most e-commerce platforms integrate with multiple gateways.
Yes. Tamkeen offers several programmes including the Startup Support and Enterprise Support grants. The Bahrain Development Bank also provides business loans. Check tamkeen.bh for current eligibility criteria.
No. Many e-commerce and service businesses operate from home addresses or use co-working spaces. Some commercial licence categories require a registered office address, which can be a virtual office service.