In light of
an e-marketing boom in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Waseem Saddique
Marketing urges SMEs all over the world to adopt an e-marketing strategy.
SMEs in the
UAE currently represent 40% of the nation’s GDP and they are considered
responsible for the generation of over 40% of domestic employment requirements.
What’s the
reason for the growing success of SMEs in the UAE? The answer is effective
e-marketing strategies. Waseem Saddique asserts: “When executed correctly, an
online marketing strategy holds the key to broadening the reach of a business
beyond the realms of its usual client base and into unknown territory.”
Due to the
cost effective nature of online marketing, when compared with traditional
methods, internet based marketing adds much more value to small and medium
enterprises (SMEs), according to a top executive at Genesis Consulting based in
Dubai.
Following the
rise of the global recession, SMEs have become an integral part of the economy
in countries such as Bahrain and other regions across the Middle-East. However,
this is not just a Middle-Eastern trend. Countries such as the UK are arguably
keeping their economies afloat, thanks in part, to the influence of SMEs
However,
where SMEs in countries like Bahrain and the UK are missing out is their
failure to recognise the value of internet marketing quickly enough to compete
with their competitors.
Waseem
Saddique states: “For instance, across the UK less ‘tech-savvy’ SMEs are
reportedly losing out on £122 billion in sales revenue by neglecting to develop
and establish a sustainable marketing plan, particularly one that involves an
online strategy, according to a survey published in March 2013 by the Centre
for Economics and Business Research.”
The
importance of SMEs adopting an online marketing strategy cannot be
underestimated according to marketing experts. The market potential is huge and
SMEs simply have to embrace platforms such as social media including: Facebook,
Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
Online
marketing is an ideal platform for SMEs particularly those just starting out as
it provides the perfect opportunity to promote and grow a company across a
worldwide audience.
The majority
of the consumer base, across many nations, is now based online and online
marketing now offers a much more effective solution than methods such as print
media advertising.
Recent media
trends highlight that the influence of online advertising continues to gather
pace and has a very distinct edge over other media platforms. The majority of
consumers now refer to the internet for information and to purchase products or
services.
One of the
biggest challenges faced by online marketing specialists across the UK and the Middle
East for instance, is how best to educate SMEs of the importance and value of
online marketing.
For many SMEs
the biggest barrier to committing to online marketing is their desire for
instant results. If an online marketing campaign does not deliver results
within a month they dismiss its value and move onto another strategy.
Waseem
Saddique comments: “This approach to marketing is just not sustainable, nor is
it time or cost effective. It’s better to adopt one strategy and do it well,
rather than have several strategies that deliver average results.”
Research
published by InternetWorldStats.com revealed that Facebook usage in Bahrain,
and the Middle East (excluding North Africa), stood at over 26% (24 million) of
the total internet user population of 90 million as of June last year.
This means
that the market is there for SMEs, they just need to switch onto the potential
and embrace the concept of online marketing.
Founded in 2007, Waseem Saddique Marketing Services has consistently provided small to medium enterprises as well as larger corporate firms with a range of digital marketing & online solutions.
