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So, you too are dreaming of opening your own online boutique on Reunion Island? Perhaps to share your passion for beauty, sell stylish accessories, or transform your craft business into a recognized e-commercesite in Saint-Pierre, Le Port or even on the slopes of La Fournaise? Well, let me tell you, it’s the perfect time to get started: e-commerce is exploding on the island! Here’s the lowdown (and some real-life anecdotes) đ.
Let’s set the scene. As of May 2025, there have never been so many e-commerce sites on Reunion Island, whether selling local products or exporting exotic items to the world. Investing in the creation of a website has become much more accessible (you don’t need a 1 million euro fund-raiser anymore, I promise). What have I noticed in recent years? Quite a few businesses in the South of France, from small family stores to innovative brands, are going digital. Onlinesales have become a classic, like a hike to Mafate or a chicken carry-out evening.
But… (yes, there’s always a “but”): competition climbs fast. If you’re wondering, “Who’s all this for?”, just think: it’s just as much for the clothing retailer made in RĂ©union, the interior design house, or even the self-employed entrepreneur who wants to test a product without opening a store. This is a land of creativity!
Why set up a website to sell online in Reunion Island rather than waiting for customers to come into your store? Stay put, I’ve got a magic list:
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: You can attract customers at all hours (even insomniacs in search of the latest gadget or skincare range).
Geography wiped out: no more Cornelian choices between selling in Saint-AndrĂ©, Saint-Denis or Saint-Pierre…
Lower fixed costs: Say goodbye to the high cost of renting a downtown store, and hello to controlled costs.
Growing is simple: thanks to onlinesales , your catalog is aimed at both the island and the rest of the world (hello, Reunionese expats!).
Ultra-targeted digital marketing: You can speak directly to your ideal customers, even those who swear by the web or mobile shopping.
Unlimited catalog: Offers more items, products, equipment, and even tutorial videos to boost the customer experience.
And, last but not least: you make the planet breathe (goodbye to driving every day đ ).
I’ll have you know that every time I ask my customers what their biggest regret is, they all say, “Why didn’t I do it sooner? Octo the Zourit, on the other hand, always says: “There’s no low tide on the internet!” đ
You may be thinking, “Okay, I’ve got some products, a cool brand, but which platform should I choose?” Well, that’s where it’s at. But don’t worry, no administrative tunnel worthy of a prefecture: you’ll love it, I promise.
Let’s take our flippers and compare the main “systems” of the moment, battle royale style:
Shopify: International platform, known for its simplicity đ Ideal for a quick start, with a French interface, but expect monthly fees. Great tools, range of themes, and modules for delivery in the Indian Ocean zone.
WooCommerce (WordPress): Flexible, suitable if you want to keep your site your own, with no subscription required. Perfect for showcasing your brand with a hyper-customized design and a wide choice of plugins ( localdelivery, CB/Pei payment, SEO content, etc.).
Prestashop: Popular with many Reunionese stores that want to take their business to the next level, especially in terms of catalogs and advanced solutions. Local specialists in Saint-Pierre offer fast support for last-minute bugs.
And that little “974” touch? Think web agencies on theisland! Avoiding time zone problems, having a contact who understands your problems during hurricane season… it’s invaluable! One of my buddies, a vegan accessories designer, struggled for weeks with a “northern hemisphere” support. Then he switched to a local service provider : it changed his life (and saved a lot of orders!).
Ah, hosting, that scary word! But there’s no secret about it: for a site that moves fast, stays secure and reassures your customers, choosing a “pei” host or a global cloud pro (available around the clock) makes all the difference.
Here are the options:
Shared hosting (cheaper, perfect for getting started).
Dedicated servers for stores with large catalogs (or seasonal traffic peaks).
Platform + hosting combos (“turnkey” type, useful when you want to concentrate on your articles and not the ” lines of code” ).
A little advice from Octo le Zourit đ: check the availability of local support. A server that crashes at 5pm on Friday means the weekend goes to the beach without you!
Let’s dive in! If you want to get started, here’s my simple swim plan:
Design is like the Sainte-Suzanne lighthouse: it either guides or scares. Opt for :
A clear layout: each category clearly visible (like, you don’t want to lose your customers in a maze of menus!).
Colors that tell the story of your brand: forget the “default themes” that are so sad you’ll cry, and go for the punchy, sunrise-on-a-Boucan-beach look.
Authentic “pĂ©ĂŻ” photos (and videos if possible, to showcase your products or the story behind each creation, accessory or skincare range).
An eco-friendly touch is in: highlight optimized delivery, a selection of sustainable equipment or a range of environmentally-friendly services.
Anecdote: A colleague of mine boosted sales of his decorating brand by 50% just by adding two fun videos to his product pages (“how to give your Creole home a summer makeover”). True story!
Tell yourself you’re not alone in the webjungle , but there’s nothing like local tips to make you stand out from the crowd:
Use “Reunion” in your titles, descriptions and “about” pages (yes, Google loves to know where you operate).
Don’t forget to include your physical address if you mix in a store or physical store, and a map if you’re near Saint-Pierre or Saint-Denis.
Insta & Facebook are the basis for showing off your new products and organizing contests (like, guess how many Octo are hidden in the picture?).
TikTok is gaining ground, especially among young people who love fashion, accessories and stylish challenges.
Create campaigns for your special offers: free delivery one day a week, new items available, or gifts for new subscribers.
Octo’s tip: “We always remember the site that offers a little sweet note or promo for the Kaf party or back-to-school!”
Ease of purchase (fast process, secure payment, various payment methods… you’re probably thinking of local credit cards or even digital wallets like Paylib, which have recently become very popular on the island).
Responsive customerservice (online chat, WhatsApp or Messenger for emergencies).
Customer reviews: the social proof that reassures (if you can, collect as many reviews as you can – preferably written with Creole humor, it makes a lasting impression!)
Imagine: your website becomes the showcase of your “neighborhood”, where you bring together culture, flavors, know-how and products from Reunion Island in every page, every article.
Tip from Octo le Zourit đ : Highlight your local commitments. Highlight collaborations with island designers, manufacturers, and artisans. Create a page dedicated to your story, your vision, and share a few anecdotes from your journey (a bit like me, by the way!). Customers love to feel connected to a human brand.
It’s not easy to ensure ultra-fast delivery, especially for certain bulky or fragile products! Don’t hesitate to be transparent about delivery times, to offer in-store collection for faster delivery, or to negotiate preferential rates with La Poste or a locallogistics firm .
Little secret: offering “express delivery” between Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre sells even better than bread with corks. And good follow-up (e-mail or SMS) is the key to customer loyalty.
Confidence is the key! Offers the most reassuring solutions: CB, Paylib, bank transfers, even cash on delivery if required. For peace of mind, work with a Reunionese fintech or a local bank (and yes: less hassle with direct debits or incomprehensible charge lines in euros đ ).
You can’t go swimming without armbands! Even if creating an e-commercesite is much more accessible than it was 10 years ago:
Learn the basics: there are lots of workshops (webinars, e-commerce days in Saint-Pierre, free tutorial videos on YouTube).
Join a local group or community of entrepreneurs (974 solidarity is a strength!).
Use monitoring and tracking tools (Google Analytics, SEMrush, or good old Excel for starters).
Are you suffering from the “it’s not ready yet” syndrome? The truth is, you can improve it after launch. Even Octo didn’t produce its site overnight! Just get started, take a look at the products you like, adjust your catalog… and fine-tune as you go along, taking into account feedback and real needs.
Communicate: an informed customer is a happy customer. Add messages to play down delays, reply quickly on Messenger, slip in a card or a little gift “Ă la rĂ©unionnaise”… Building loyalty is a marathon (but under the sun).
In Reunion Island, creating an e-commerce site means :
Open your business 24/7 all over theisland (and beyond).
Promote your brand, products and services (skincare, accessories, etc.) to a wide and varied audience.
Join a community of entrepreneurs motivated by local innovation.
Enjoy sustainable growth, with lower costs than a physical store, but greater impact on your market.
Why not try out your first boutique today? Octo and I say: grab a vanilla coffee, open your webbrowser , and imagine your brand at the top of the billboard. Go ahead, test, adjust. Never wait until you’ve learned everything before diving into a lagoon!
Now you’ve got all the steps you need to structure and launch your e-commerce site in Reunion Island. If you’d like to chat about platforms, share your catalog ideas, or tell us about your best delivery problem, drop me a line in the comments: What’s THE Reunionese product you’d like to sell first?
And remember Octo the Zourit’s advice: “The Internet has no low tide, you can always find takers!” đ
See you soon on the Reunionese web, and may online sales bring you luck!
Our team is here for you!
