A DIFFERENT KIND OF DSS
Dubai Summer Surprises is here again but in its 23rd year can we expect something a little different? With fewer tourists and residents remaining cautious retailers should be investing in their online presence. E-commerce has been thriving in the UAE and with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic mall operators are also embracing online retail.
Having first-hand experience of working (and shopping) in Dubai, my opinion is that although e-commerce is booming, digital marketing is lagging behind. There is still a lack of long-term investment starting with a quality website and structured digital marketing strategy. The potential is enormous and growing the e-commerce sector will be vital to rejuvenating the economy as a whole.
HIGH POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH
According to a 2019 joint study by Dubai Economy and Visa, e-commerce transactions in the UAE were forecasted to hit $16 billion and annual growth expected to be above 20% in the coming years.
So what makes the UAE a perfect place for e-commerce?
Historically the lack of postal codes has been a hindrance, however logistics are improving. With it’s low logistics costs and superb infrastructure the UAE is a focal point for distribution and an ideal place for e-commerce.
WHAT IS REQUIRED?
As mentioned earlier a well functioning website is the starting point but optimising your online presence involves a fully inclusive strategy including customised and specific PPC campaigns, SMM and equally as important the free stuff, SEO.
More important, your strategy requires regular review and tweaks. But this should not be based on a notion. Instead after a few months the valuable data and insights gathered can help to improve your campaigns and increase ROI.
Yes short term wins are there but often at a high cost. I encourage all my clients to act responsibly. Campaigns should be highly targeted and based on quality using ethical techniques. From my experience this is the best way to increase conversion rates and make better use of budgets.
Remember the ultimate aim should be to connect, engage and grow!
For now I have listed a few tips but will expand on these in future posts.
Website Design
A quality website gives the consumer confidence and opens up new marketing channels for you.
BUDGETS
Cut out unnecessary spend. Define budgets by channel and objective.
STRATEGY
Define a strategy with measurable goals.
COMPETITION
Differentiate, keep an eye on your competition but don’t fight over the same keywords.
TESTING
Always test and experiment. Split test landing pages, creatives and audiences.
MOBILE
Mobile is key. Make sure your customers can get their hands on your goods and services via a tap, click or swipe!
Do get in touch if you would like to discuss website design and development. We would be happy to help you update your existing site or build a brand new one!