Case Studies

Expanding the Reach of a Dubai-based Ecommerce Business Nationally and Globally

Client Overview

Our client, an ecommerce business based in Dubai, UAE, was thriving locally with a strong customer base and successful online sales. However, their ambitions were bigger. They wanted to expand their online presence beyond Dubai and capture customers from across the UAE and international markets. The brand had a unique value proposition, but their current marketing efforts were limited to the local market. The client needed a comprehensive strategy to scale up their ecommerce business, increase brand visibility, and drive sales from regions beyond Dubai, including international markets.

They approached us for our digital marketing expertise to help them achieve these ambitious goals. This case study outlines the steps we took to help them transform their business into a national and international ecommerce player.

Challenges

  1. Local Brand Awareness: The brand had a strong presence in Dubai but was relatively unknown outside the city. Their primary challenge was establishing a national and international brand identity that resonated with a broader audience.
  2. Limited Website Traffic: Most of their online traffic came from within Dubai, limiting their potential to scale beyond the local market.
  3. Low International Reach: The business had no strategy for targeting customers abroad. Expanding globally was a key goal, but they lacked the knowledge and tools to penetrate international markets.
  4. Ineffective Paid Campaigns: The client had run some paid advertising campaigns but had not seen strong returns on investment (ROI) due to poor targeting and optimization.
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Our Digital Marketing Strategy

To help the ecommerce business scale both nationally and internationally, we implemented a multi-faceted digital marketing strategy designed to boost visibility, generate traffic, and improve conversion rates. Here’s how we did it:

1. Market Research and Competitor Analysis

Before devising our strategy, we conducted thorough market research to identify the most lucrative target markets across the UAE and potential international markets. We analyzed competitor strategies, product demand, and customer behavior in different regions to tailor our marketing approach. This helped us understand where there was untapped demand and which regions had the highest potential for expansion.

2. SEO and Content Marketing Strategy

To improve their national and international visibility, we launched an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) campaign that focused on driving organic traffic to the website. We began by conducting extensive keyword research to identify high-traffic keywords for both national and global markets, such as “best online shopping UAE,” “Dubai products with global shipping,” and “top ecommerce platforms in UAE.”

We optimized their website content, product descriptions, and meta-tags with these keywords, ensuring that the brand would rank higher in Google search results for relevant queries. Additionally, we created blog content targeted at different regions, such as “Top Emirati Products to Buy Online” or “Why Customers Around the World Love UAE-based Brands,” appealing to international customers.

3. Localized and Multilingual Content

As part of the content strategy, we localized the website and product descriptions for different regions in the UAE and abroad. We implemented region-specific language options for the website, particularly in Arabic and English, making the site more accessible to global audiences. This helped the business connect with customers from different cultural backgrounds and improve engagement in both domestic and international markets.

4. Targeted National and International Paid Advertising

Paid advertising was key to scaling quickly. We designed a series of targeted ad campaigns on Google Ads, Facebook, and Instagram to reach both national and international audiences.

  • For domestic expansion, we segmented the UAE market by region and launched geo-targeted campaigns that promoted the brand’s most popular products in areas outside Dubai. Our ads highlighted the brand’s nationwide shipping and special offers for first-time customers in new regions.
  • For international growth, we launched paid ads targeting specific countries with a demand for Emirati products, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We emphasized the brand’s unique offerings and international shipping capabilities, using powerful calls-to-action like “Shop Emirati Products with Global Shipping.”
  • Additionally, we employed dynamic retargeting ads to reach potential customers who had visited the website but hadn’t made a purchase, showing them products they had viewed and offering incentives like discounts or free shipping.

5. Website Optimization and Enhanced User Experience

We made significant improvements to the client’s website to ensure a smooth shopping experience for customers nationwide and globally. This included optimizing the site’s loading speed, ensuring it was mobile-friendly, and improving the checkout process. We also added a currency converter feature to cater to international customers, allowing them to see product prices in their local currency, which reduced confusion and improved conversions.

6. International Shipping and Logistics Strategy

To support the international expansion, we worked with the client to establish partnerships with reliable shipping and logistics companies that specialized in global deliveries. We developed clear shipping policies for international customers, with transparent pricing and delivery timelines, making it easy for global shoppers to make informed decisions.

7. Social Media Revamp and Influencer Marketing

We revamped the client’s social media strategy to increase brand awareness both nationally and internationally. We began by creating engaging and visually appealing content that highlighted the brand’s products and customer success stories from different parts of the UAE and abroad. We ran social media contests and giveaways to increase engagement and encourage followers to spread the word about the brand.

To further amplify reach, we collaborated with influencers in different regions of the UAE as well as international influencers who had an affinity for Emirati products. These collaborations helped the brand reach new audiences and build trust in both national and international markets.

8. Email Marketing and Lead Nurturing

We implemented a lead nurturing strategy through email marketing. We segmented the email list based on geography and customer behavior and sent personalized email campaigns to each segment. For domestic customers, we shared region-specific promotions, product recommendations, and local testimonials, while for international customers, we sent emails focused on international shipping, exclusive offers, and customer success stories from abroad.

9. Performance Tracking and Continuous Optimization

Throughout the campaign, we tracked key performance indicators (KPIs) such as website traffic, conversion rates, ROI from ads, and customer acquisition costs. Using this data, we continuously optimized the ad campaigns and website experience, ensuring that our strategy was always aligned with the client’s growth goals.

Results

  • Website traffic increased by 250%, with a significant boost in visitors from regions outside of Dubai.
  • Organic search traffic grew by 180%, thanks to localized SEO efforts and optimized region-specific content.
  • Online sales grew by 200%, as more customers from across the UAE and abroad engaged with the platform.
  • Conversion rates improved by 160%, due to an optimized user journey and seamless checkout experience.
  • PPC campaigns delivered a 4x return on investment, driving high-quality traffic and conversions.
  • Social media engagement grew by 350%, increasing brand awareness and trust among national and international audiences.

Conclusion

Through a well-executed digital marketing strategy, we helped this Dubai-based ecommerce company transform from a local success into a national and international player in the competitive online shopping space. By combining localized SEO, targeted paid advertising, social media engagement, and conversion optimization, we expanded their reach, drove sales, and positioned the company for continued growth.

This case study demonstrates how a strategic digital marketing approach can help even well-established companies break into new markets and scale their operations successfully.

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