How to set up a Websta profile as a mover or courier in the United Arab Emirates

What to include on your Websta profile page

Your profile page is a single web address where customers see everything about your service: who you are, what you offer, photos of your work, how to contact you and how to book. For movers and couriers in the UAE, start with a clear description of what you do - whether you move household goods, offices, or small parcels; whether you offer packing or unpacking; whether you work within one emirate or across the country.

Photos matter more than text for this trade. Include images of your vehicle or vehicles, your team at work if you move households or offices, packed items, loading a van, and unloading at a destination. Customers need to see what size van you have and whether it looks well-maintained.

Add a services list with each type of work you do - household moves, office relocations, courier delivery, packing materials, storage or loading only. You set the prices for each service, or you can invite customers to request a quote instead.

Booking and quote requests on Websta

Websta lets customers either book directly with you or post a task and wait for you to make an offer. For movers and couriers, quote requests often work better than fixed prices because every move or delivery is different. A customer might ask you to move a flat in Dubai, and you need to know the size, destination and date before you quote.

Your profile can have both: some services at set prices (for example, a fixed rate for courier delivery within Dubai) and others as quote-only (household moves, where you need details first). When a customer requests a quote, they fill a form and you receive their request. You then message them, agree on details, and send a price.

Languages to publish in

The UAE has a large expatriate population and movers and couriers work across many language groups. English and Arabic are the most useful to publish in. If you speak Hindi, Tagalog, or other languages common among workers and residents in the UAE, adding these increases your visibility to those communities.

At minimum, use clear English and Arabic. Websta lets you create your profile in multiple languages, so customers can read it in the language they prefer.

How people search for movers and couriers in the UAE

On Websta, customers in the UAE find movers and couriers in two ways: they browse the marketplace by service type and location, or they post a task and wait for offers. The marketplace at /marketplace/transport shows providers by emirate and service.

Someone moving a flat in Abu Dhabi will search by location and service type - for example, 'movers in Abu Dhabi'. Someone needing a same-day courier delivery to Sharjah will do the same. A customer moving from one emirate to another might post a task with details of the route and items.

Your profile appears in these searches if your Websta page lists the right services and locations. Make sure your profile clearly states the emirates you work in - whether you cover only one city or the whole country, whether you take jobs in remote areas, and how far you will travel.

Working as an independent mover or courier in the UAE

The UAE has specific rules for operating as a self-employed service provider or sole trader. You should check with the Department of Commerce and Tourism in your emirate about what licences and registrations you need. Different emirates have different requirements, and rules for sole traders differ from rules for limited companies.

Make sure you have valid commercial registration for your trade in the emirate where you are based. You will also need vehicle registration and, if you transport goods for others, verify whether your insurance covers commercial transport. Check with your insurance provider that your policy covers courier or moving work - personal vehicle insurance often does not.

When you receive payments from customers through Websta, these come to your own bank account via Stripe. You are responsible for tax reporting and business compliance in your emirate. Keep records of all jobs and payments for your own accounting and to meet any obligations to local tax or business authorities.

What to write in your first hour on Websta

Start by writing a short description of your business. Say what type of moves or deliveries you do, which emirates you serve, and whether you offer additional services like packing or storage. Keep it factual and direct.

Add at least three photos: your van or vehicle, your team, and an example of a completed job. If you do not have recent photos, take them now. Clear, well-lit photos of your vehicle and a move or delivery in progress are more valuable than text.

List your main services - for example, 'Household moves within Dubai', 'Office relocations in the Northern Emirates', 'Courier delivery same-day'. Add a phone number or email so customers can contact you directly if they prefer not to use Websta's contact form.

Choose which services have set prices and which are quote-only. If you offer small deliveries, you might set a fixed rate. For large moves, ask customers to request a quote.

Building your profile over time

Your first profile does not need to be perfect. Add more photos as you complete jobs. Update your services list if you add new offerings. If you start working in a new emirate, update your coverage area.

Respond quickly to customer inquiries and quote requests. Websta customers expect a reply within a few hours. The more active your profile is, the higher it ranks in search results for movers and couriers in your area.