How far has social media changed the way people do business in the UAE?

[Mr.right]

What is the reach of social media in the UAE? Do businesses know about it or use it?

[Sarcasticspark816]

As with many other parts of the world, people in the UAE have embraced social media and adoption is still growing. With more than 2 million Facebook users in the UAE (some 40% of the population) and 0.5 million LinkedIn users, it would be hard to argue that social media is not relevant to doing business and to purchasing in the UAE. Many people routinely look up business and purchasing information on the Internet and seek recommendations and opinions via social media. The last time Spot On PR asked its Twitter followers who Googles business contacts prior to a first meeting, 80% said they always looked up new contacts prior to a meeting. Our September Internet survey with Effective Measure found that 48% of UAE Internet users actually purchased online.

So, with so many people using social media on a daily basis, it would then make sense that B2B and consumer businesses in the UAE are tapping into the social media opportunity, right? Well, the truth is not so straight forward. It is true that many businesses have been experimenting with Facebook pages. An increasing number have moved on from static websites to sites that host more dynamic content. However, a scarce few have a plan or process that integrates and links-up different online and offline activities. Fewer still have done this in a transparent, consumer-centric fashion that social media now demands of business and marketers.