Essential components:
- Extended consideration phases in Saudi conversion routes
- Family influence elements in purchase decisions
- Messaging as a substantial but difficult-to-track impact medium
- Physical confirmation as the last purchase trigger
As opposed to focusing exclusively on finding the cheapest rate, think about the potential return that a professional website will produce for your business. A well-designed site is an advantage that will persist in delivering value for years to come.
I advise categorizing competitors as:
- Primary competitors (offering very similar products/services)
- Peripheral competitors (with limited overlap)
- Potential challengers (new entrants with disruptive models)
I visited a web design agency in Jeddah last quarter where they displayed me the difference between their template-based and unique projects. The design quality was immediately apparent – the bespoke sites appeared clearly more professional and impactful.
For a banking client, we developed a flexible layout approach that intelligently adjusted navigation, typography, and layout based on the selected language, generating a significant growth in audience participation.
For a premium company, we developed a regionally-appropriate attribution model that understood the distinctive conversion route in the Kingdom. This approach discovered that their platform investments were genuinely delivering nearly three times more returns than previously assessed.
Surprising findings:
- Ephemeral platforms outperforming Visual platforms for specific items
- Late promotion significantly exceeding afternoon initiatives
- Dynamic material producing higher ROI than still visuals
- Smartphone effectiveness surpassing laptop by significant differences
A few weeks ago, a entrepreneur questioned me why his content weren't creating any business opportunities. After analyzing his publishing plan, I identified he was making the same mistakes I see countless Saudi businesses commit.
Recently, I witnessed as three rival companies invested heavily into expanding their operations on a specific social media platform. Their attempts failed spectacularly as the channel proved to be a poor fit for our industry.
An acquaintance who runs a café in Riyadh originally was shocked at the extra 12,000 SAR for an booking system, but later told me it became profitable within a quarter by cutting employee hours spent on phone reservations.
Last month, my colleague Nora got quotes spanning 22,000 to 58,000 SAR for virtually the same company website. The variation? The pricier quotes included bespoke design elements rather than themed solutions.
During a recent business meetup in Riyadh, I questioned 17 company managers about their web design experiences. The price range was surprising – from 2,500 SAR for a minimalist site to over 150,000 SAR for complex e-commerce platforms.
I spend at least 120 minutes each regularly analyzing our competitors':
- Digital structure and navigation
- Blog posts and publishing frequency
- Social media activity
- Customer reviews and assessments
- SEO strategy and positions
My relative Mohammed originally picked the least expensive quote for his business Arabic website User experience, only to realize later that it didn't include content creation – adding an additional 8,000 SAR charge for professional copywriting.
For a fashion retailer, we conducted a thorough platform efficiency assessment that revealed their best performing channels were entirely distinct from their international patterns. This insight allowed a redistribution of investment that enhanced their overall ROI by two hundred thirteen percent.
I recall the astonishment on my brother-in-law's face when he was handed a quote for 75,000 SAR for his company website. "It's just a webpage!" he exclaimed. Not long after, he ended up with a cheap 3,000 SAR site that looked terrible and couldn't convert a single lead.
I use a basic document to record our rivals' costs modifications every week. This has helped us to:
- Spot seasonal discount patterns
- Notice product bundling strategies
- Grasp their value positioning
I currently use several tools that have dramatically upgraded our competitor analysis:
- Search analysis platforms to monitor competitors' keyword performance
- Social listening platforms to monitor competition's online presence
- Site monitoring solutions to monitor modifications to their digital marketers Riyadh properties
- Email capture to obtain their marketing communications
Start by listing ALL your competitors – not just the major ones. During our research, we found that our biggest threat wasn't the famous company we were tracking, but a emerging startup with an novel model.
When I launched my retail business three years ago, I was sure that our unique products would be enough. I dismissed competitive research as superfluous – a mistake that practically cost my entire company.