Ready, Net, Go!

Bahrian may not have the most vibrant local online scene, but things are about to change says Fadhel Aman, Managing Director of Twindi E-Commerce - a new Bahrain-based online shopping portal.

BAHRAIN HAS A RELATIVELY HIGH INTERNET PENETRATION RATE, BUT SEEMS TO HAVE A RELATIVELY IMMATURE ONLINE SCENE – WHY IS THAT?

Compared to countries like the US or the UK, it can be said that Bahrian has a relatively immature online scene. A clear reason for that is the time lag between Bahrain and such countries. Internet entered Bahrain nearly 15 years ago. And, in my opition, it is just a matter of time before we are there. A study conducted by Ernst & Young for Twindi reveals that Bahrainis already have a high willingness and tendecy to shop online. 63% of people in Bahrain, the study says, would consider using the internet for searching or purchasing different products and services suct as eLearning, Books, Music and Electronics. Moreover, Amazon.com the well known US shopping website, is now among the 40 most visited websites by the internet users in Bahrain. Having the potential, what Bahrainis are now missing is a local website that satisfies theor shopping needs and, most importatnly, one that they trust. Twindi eCommerce is to bridge this gap by launching twindi.com

WHAT ARE THE THEREE BEST REASONS TO VISIT TWINDI?

Firstly, to shop! Users ca get information about the product they are interested in, compare discounted prices from different sellers and order online with free delivery. Secondly, to sell! Whether for the purpose of experiencing the excitement of selling online, or to do a serious business. Thirdlyt, to socialise! Users can interact with others sharing the same interests and make friends.

IF YOU HAD TO RECOMMEND ANY LOCAL WEBSITES (APART FROM TWINDI), WHICH WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Being able to secure 30,000 visitors a day, I would highlight alwasatnews.com as a successful online site in Bahrain. A main factor behind this high score is enabling the visitors to participate with their feedback on the written articles making it two way communication, not push only.

WHEN IT COMES TO GREAT WEBSITES, WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR THEIR SUCCESS, IN YOUR OPINION?

I belieave that it is all about the Philosophy of the website and how it looks at itself. In my opinion, the most important factor for the success of a website Is building it around the interests of the users, not the website owner. Only the users themselves decide what they want to do. They have their own mind that needs to be recognized, understood, respected and valued. And this is the concept based on which Twindi operates.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE BIGGEST MISTAKE MOST NEW WEBSITES IN BAHRAIN MAKE?

One fundamental mistake to talk about here is mixing up between the concepts of setting up a website and setting up an online business. Having the first does not mean having the latter.

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