How do you know if your idea is suitable for an online store

Sahl Wednesday,16 Jul 2025

Many people come up with excellent ideas and say, "I want to open an online store," but they don't know if their idea is viable or not.
Between you and me, not every idea can become a successful online business. However, many simple ideas have become huge online businesses because they were launched intelligently.
So how do you know if your idea is worth launching as an online store?
Let us help you understand this with practical steps and an easy-to-follow guide.
1. Ask yourself: What problem does your idea solve?
Any successful business starts by solving a real problem.
If you want to sell a product or provide a service, you need to know what makes people really need it.
✔ Does it save them time?
✔ Does it save them money?
✔ Does it solve a specific pain point in their daily lives?
If your idea doesn't solve a clear problem, it may just be a great idea that isn't succeeding in the market.
2. Are there other people looking for the same thing?
Try typing your idea into a search engine and see what people are doing about it:
• Are there people asking about a similar product?
• Are there many stores selling the same thing?
• Are there high comments or ratings for a product similar to yours?
If you see activity, searches, and interest, this is an excellent sign that the market exists for the idea.
3. Compare your idea to the current market
Your idea doesn't have to be 100% new, but it must have a competitive advantage.
Ask yourself:
• What makes my store different from others?
• Do I offer higher quality?
• Do I have a lower price?
• Do I deliver faster?
• Do I target a different audience?
Your idea needs to stand out from the crowd to have a chance of success.
4. Test your idea on a small scale
Before you start a full-fledged online store, try it out on a small scale:
• Post your products on Snapchat or Instagram
• Show them to your friends or acquaintances
• Run a simple campaign on WhatsApp or Twitter
If you see engagement and orders, this is a sign that people are really interested, and you can start expanding.
5. Check if your idea suits a Saudi audience
The Saudi market has a unique character, and people there like certain things:
High quality
Fast delivery
WhatsApp support
Reliable payment methods
Consider whether your product suits Saudi customs and tastes.
If you're selling something seasonal, make sure your timing is appropriate, such as Ramadan, back-to-school season, or Black Friday.
6. Calculate your costs from the start
Before you start, you need to calculate whether your idea can cover its costs and generate profit.
How much does the product cost?
How much do you pay for shipping?
How much is the commission?
How much will it cost to set up the store?
On the "Sahl" platform, we help you build your store smartly from scratch, calculate costs, and provide options to reduce expenses.
7. Ask experts or try a survey.
Get the opinion of experienced people, or distribute a simple survey and ask your audience:
• Do you like the product?
• How much would you pay for it?
• Would you buy it if it was an online store?
This method gives you a preliminary impression and lets you understand how a potential customer thinks.
8. If you see a single "Start" sign... don't hesitate.
If you've followed the points above, feel like your idea is working well, and start receiving engagement even before you open your store, don't think too much.
Start small, experiment, learn, and develop your project step by step.
On "Sahl," we help you start your project easily:
✔ Ready-made online store
✔ Integration with payment gateways
✔ Delivery inside and outside Saudi Arabia
✔ Technical support and Saudi customer service
An idea alone isn't enough.
But if it solves a problem, people are searching for it, it fits the market, and you have the passion to pursue it, then congratulations... your idea deserves to be turned into a successful online store.
Get started with us today, and don't be one of those people who didn't sit around and watch their ideas, but instead turned them into successful online businesses in Saudi Arabia.