If you are a Digital Marketer who wants to start their own agency, you should look no further than Dubai as the ultimate destination to do so! Dubai has a reputation as a hub for startups and businesses of all natures. Couple this with the ever growing need to establish an online presence to succeed in the world of commerce and business, and you will understand that the need for Digital Marketing Agencies in Dubai is always on the rise.
Understanding the Market in Dubai
Now that this idea has entered your mind, the first step is to understand why Dubai is the perfect place for such a venture. Many businesses from varying industries are making the shift towards the digital space in terms of marketing efforts. This is the main factor that is driving the growth of digital marketing service providers.
The macro factors that support this growth would be the environment that enables for businesses to take place in Dubai. Positioned as a global city, Dubai welcomes startups from all over the world. This has created a competitive and lucrative market for a digital marketing company in Dubai. There is also high speed internet, an e-commerce sector that is enjoying some serious growth and a healthy expat population that needs these services.
Steps to Start a Digital Marketing Agency in Dubai
1. List Down Your Services and Define Your Niche
You will not be the first to enter this market in Dubai, and neither will you be last. So, in order for you to differentiate yourself from the competition, you need to figure out what your niche will be. Some options include:
- Social media marketing
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Content marketing
Once you understand what the businesses in Dubai need in terms of digital marketing, you can fine tune your offerings. Also look into the possibility of catering to small businesses, or luxury brands to set your agency apart from the others in the field. Make sure you put your expertise on display so that potential customers will understand what your strengths are.
2. Create a Business Plan
Just like any other business, a digital marketing agency will need a business plan. This plan will function as the backbone of your business and will ensure that you do not stray from your intended pathway to success. These are the points that you need to include in the plan.
- Mission and vision statement
- TG and client profile
- Financial projections
- Marketing and sales strategies.
- The company structure
3. Register Your Company and Obtain a License
For any business to legally operate in Dubai, you will need to register your company formally. Below are the key steps that you will need to follow:
Decide on a company name that follows the naming guidelines in Dubai
Make an application for initial approval with the Department of Economic Development (DED) or the relevant free zone authority
Secure a business license. For digital marketing agencies, you will need to obtain a professional license.
Register your business with the authorities. Depending on whether you are free zone or mainland business, you will have to do this via the free zone authority or the DED.
4. Build a Talented Team
Your employees will be your greatest asset. This is why you need to take special care when hiring them. You must have a team that excels in all areas of digital marketing. Also make sure you have people who are well versed with the local market and its unique needs in terms of digital marketing in Dubai.
5. Develop a Strong Online Presence
As a digital marketing agency, you can prove yourself to potential clients by making sure that your own digital marketing efforts are on point. Your own online presence will be an example of what you can do for clients, so make sure you put in a lot of time and effort to develop this.
You will need a website that serves as an easy to access portfolio of your work, strengths, team and so much more.
Social media is everything, so you must make sure that you are seen and heard across all channels.
Make sure your content marketing is excellent. From blogs to case studies and everything in between, you want to cover all aspects of your content marketing pillar.
6. Attract Clients
Now that you are all set up, you will need to build a loyal client base. This is the most challenging part, but with a seasoned team and a solid digital marketing strategy of your own, it will not be too difficult.
You will want to ensure that your team continues to network. You can achieve this by attending trade shows, seminars and networking events.
Put together a referrals program where happy customers can recommend your services to others in exchange for value additions or more.
Use paid advertising to target businesses that are looking for companies that offer the services you offer in Dubai.
In Conclusion,
This is a rewarding venture. But it does require you to plan carefully as the Digital Marketing Space in Dubai is already flooded with competition. If you follow these steps and get some insights from your own team as well, you can be well on the way to business success as a digital marketing agency in Dubai. We hope this guide has given you some general direction on where to start with this exciting venture!
If you feel like you could use some tailored advice, the expats at SetHub are always on hand and here to help you with any questions you may have. There is a reason why we are the preferred business setup consultant in Dubai! If you schedule a call now, our promise to you is that you will hear back from one of our experts in just one business hour! We have helped many digital marketing agencies get off the ground in Dubai, so we are sure that our advice will go a long way in your business journey in Dubai.