When I established my e-commerce business three years ago, I was certain that our special products would be enough. I overlooked competitive research as a waste of time – a decision that nearly ruined my entire venture.
For a luxury brand, we discovered that image and temporary channels substantially exceeded Facebook for interaction and purchases, resulting in a intentional shift of attention that improved complete effectiveness by over one hundred fifty percent.
Last month, a entrepreneur asked me why his blog posts weren't creating any business opportunities. After reviewing his content marketing strategy, I found he was making the same mistakes I see countless Saudi businesses commit.
Last week, a entrepreneur expressed frustration that his online presence was burning through massive amounts of riyals with little performance. After analyzing his approach, I identified multiple fundamental problems that are remarkably frequent among Saudi businesses.
Two quarters into business, our revenue were underwhelming. It wasn't until I chanced upon a comprehensive report about our market sector that I discovered how blind I'd been to the business environment around us.
Last year, I was sitting in this luxurious office in Riyadh (you know, one of those places with the glass walls and extravagant modern art), agreeing as an agency assured me the world. Six months and fifty thousand SAR later, our traffic had increased by a disappointing... wait for it... 3%. Not exactly the outcome I was hoping for! <20><><ED><A0><BE><ED>♂️
Through comprehensive research for a shopping business, we identified that posts released between 9-11 PM dramatically surpassed those published during typical prime times, achieving one hundred forty-three percent greater response.
I now utilize several resources that have significantly enhanced our competitive research:
- SEO tools to track other companies' keyword performance
- Mention tracking platforms to follow competition's online presence
- Website analysis tools to monitor changes to their digital properties
- Email capture to get their promotional messages
I invest at least two hours each Monday reviewing our competitors':
- Online architecture and navigation
- Blog posts and publishing frequency
- Digital channels activity
- Customer reviews and evaluations
- SEO strategy and rankings
I use a simple document to monitor our competitors' rates changes weekly. This has already helped us to:
- Spot cyclical promotion cycles
- Recognize package deal tactics
- Grasp their pricing psychology
Last year, I witnessed as three competitors poured resources into growing their business on a particular social media platform. Their attempts failed spectacularly as the medium turned out to be a poor fit for our sector.
Initiate by identifying ALL your competitors – not just the well-known ones. Throughout our investigation, we found that our biggest rival wasn't the famous brand we were watching, but a new business with an unique model.
The journey to finding the premier digital firm in KSA isn't easy, but getting it right will transform your business results. Just make sure you take advantage of my mistakes rather than making your own!
- Documented local success stories - Not just general case studies, but real results with Saudi businesses in your exact sector. When I met with our current agency, they showed me exactly how they helped a company resembling ours boost their Riyadh customer base by two hundred fifteen percent in eight months.
When evaluating digital marketing Comparing Search Optimization Services, don't be afraid to ask uncomfortable questions. I've learned to directly ask: "Can I speak to your most challenging client?" The responses to this question tell you EVERYTHING about an agency's ethics.
During a marketing workshop in Al Khobar last month, I was surprised when a business owner told me he was paying 5000 SAR monthly to his "digital expert" who turned out to be a college student running campaigns from his bedroom! No judgment on entrepreneurial students, but formal training and education matter enormously in this field.
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Regional understanding - This is ESSENTIAL and often ignored. Saudi consumers respond to completely different approaches than Western audiences. The leading digital company will understand nuances like the importance of Ramadan campaigns, regional preferences across different Saudi cities, and how to connect effectively with the Saudi demographic you're targeting.
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Honest reporting systems - My biggest annoyance with my previous agency was the lack of clarity around results. Now we get consistent reports that actually make sense, showing exactly what's performing and what isn't.
Look, I've been through the hellish experience of hiring the wrong marketing agency TWICE before eventually finding one that generated results. Take my word, it's a mistake you don't want to make when building your brand in Saudi Arabia's challenging market.