What is the Development Cost of Building a Home Shopping E-Commerce Platform Like CitrussTV.com?

In recent years, the Middle East’s e-commerce sector has seen remarkable growth, driven by increased internet penetration, smartphone usage, and evolving consumer habits. One standout player in this transformation is CitrussTV.com—a unique hybrid of traditional home shopping television and digital e-commerce. Platforms like CitrussTV not only offer products via TV broadcasts but also provide a seamless online shopping experience, combining entertainment with instant purchasing capabilities. This innovative business model has attracted a loyal customer base and has set a new standard for regional online retail.

For entrepreneurs and businesses looking to tap into this lucrative market, understanding the development cost of building a home shopping e-commerce platform like CitrussTV.com is essential. The cost of development can vary significantly depending on several factors, including platform features, technology stack, integrations with broadcast systems, user experience design, and scalability requirements. This article will explore the key components that influence the cost of developing such a platform and provide insights into the budgeting process for launching a competitive and engaging digital home shopping solution.

What is CitrussTV.com?

CitrussTV.com, also known as Citruss World of Shopping, is the Middle East’s leading home shopping platform, offering a mix of television broadcast shopping and online retail. Launched in 2005 and headquartered in Dubai, Citruss delivers a diverse range of products including beauty, fashion, kitchenware, electronics, home essentials, and jewelry through TV, web, and mobile channels. It has blended traditional teleshopping with digital commerce, targeting a tech-savvy yet culturally diverse audience across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar.

User Base and Reach

CitrussTV.com is watched by millions of households across MENA through satellite channels like Arabsat, Nilesat, and online platforms.
Its e-commerce platform attracts over 200,000 monthly visitors and the Citruss app has thousands of downloads on both Android and iOS.
Backed by global retail group Chalhoub Group, Citruss has built strong trust among shoppers looking for curated, demo-driven purchases.

Unique Features of CitrussTV.com

• TV-to-Web Shopping: Customers can view live TV product demos and immediately purchase the products online or through the app.

• Multi-Language Support: Available in English and Arabic, with localized payment and delivery options across GCC.

• Curated Product Selection: Products are handpicked for quality, innovation, and regional appeal, often unavailable in mainstream stores.

• Live Promotions and Limited-Time Offers: Special discounts broadcasted live, creating urgency and exclusivity.

• Flexible Payment Options: Supports cash on delivery, installment plans, and major credit/debit cards.

• TV Schedule Integration: Users can view upcoming TV shows and featured product timings via the website/app.

• Customer Reviews and Video Testimonials: Authentic product reviews to enhance purchasing confidence.

Comprehensive Feature List

• Secure User Registration and Login (Email, Mobile, Social Media)

• Real-time Live TV Streaming Embedded into Website and App

• TV Show Schedule with Product Listings

• Live Countdown Timers for Flash Deals

• Personalized Product Recommendations

• Multi-Currency and Multi-Language Checkout (AED, SAR, KWD, BHD, QAR)

• Wishlist and Favorite Management

• Product Reviews, Video Demonstrations, and Testimonials

• Loyalty Programs and Cashback Rewards

• Responsive Mobile-First Web Design

• Mobile App (iOS and Android) Fully Synced

• Order Tracking and SMS/Push Notifications

• Multiple Payment Gateway Integration (Checkout.com, PayTabs, Tabby)

• In-App Customer Support (Live Chat, WhatsApp Integration)

• Admin Dashboard for TV Show, Product, and Inventory Management

• Influencer Collaboration Portal (optional future module)

Technologies Used for Building a Platform Like CitrussTV.com

• Frontend Development: Next.js (for SEO-optimized fast frontend) + Flutter (for cross-platform mobile apps)

• Backend Development: Node.js (Express) or Laravel PHP Framework (API-driven architecture)

• Database Management: MySQL/PostgreSQL for structured data
  MongoDB for flexible content management (product videos, schedules)

• Video Streaming Infrastructure: AWS MediaLive, AWS CloudFront for video delivery at scale

• Hosting and Cloud Infrastructure: Amazon Web Services (AWS) with auto-scaling and Elastic Load Balancers.

• Security Systems: SSL certificates, PCI DSS compliance for payment security, tokenized transactions

• CRM and Marketing Tools: HubSpot, Salesforce, or Klaviyo for email automation, lead nurturing.

• Analytics: Google Analytics, Hotjar (for user journey tracking), Facebook Pixel integration

How Long Will It Take to Develop a Platform Like CitrussTV.com? 

It can take anywhere around 8 to 12 weeks to build a feature-rich and stable website like CitrussTV.com. This timeframe includes the design, development, testing, and launch phases. Complex features, such as AI-driven recommendations or advanced social integration, may extend the development time.

Estimated Cost to Develop a Platform Like CitrussTV.com

The cost of developing a platform like CitrussTV.com with Royex Technologies starts from AED 45000. Factors influencing the cost include the number of features, design complexity, integration requirements, and scalability considerations.

Future Prospects of TV + E-commerce Platforms Like Citruss

• Growing E-Commerce Boom in MENA: The MENA e-commerce market is projected to surpass $50 billion by 2025.

• Rising Demand for Video Commerce: Globally, 45% of online shoppers prefer video demonstrations before purchasing.

• Shift Toward Omni-Channel Shopping: TV + Web + App + WhatsApp integration gives brands multiple touchpoints for customer acquisition and retention.

• Increased Smartphone Penetration: 92% smartphone penetration rate in the UAE supports seamless mobile shopping experiences.

• Niche Product Appeal: Unique, non-mass-market products showcased on TV grab more loyal customer attention and drive higher conversion rates.

Investing in a hybrid TV-commerce platform is the future of digital retail in the Middle East — it builds brand loyalty, emotional connection, and sales velocity.

Why Choose Royex Technologies to Build a Platform Like CitrussTV.com?

Established in 2013, Royex Technologies is a leading E-Commerce Web Design Company in Dubai that provides innovative solutions for small, medium, and large-scale companies. We specialize in responsive web development, mobile app development, CRM integration, AI solutions for website & mobile applications, and many more. Our extensive experience in mobile app development will help you to take your business to a high level.

• 12+ Years of Proven Experience: Successfully building powerful e-commerce platforms for the UAE and GCC markets.

• Video Commerce Expertise: Experience integrating live streaming, video hosting, and seamless product linking for maximum user engagement.

• Cost-Effective Development Packages: World-class development tailored for your budget without compromising on scalability or UX.

• Local Dubai Presence: In-depth knowledge of regional consumer behavior, payment habits, and logistics challenges.

• Speedy Go-To-Market Delivery: Agile development models ensure launch within 4-5 months.

• Full-Service Offering: Web Development, Mobile App, Cloud Infrastructure, Payment Integrations, SEO, CRM — everything under one roof.