With the growing number of online stores in the Arab world, competition is fiercer than ever. But the good news is that smart marketing for your online store can greatly increase your chances of breaking into the e-commerce market successfully, growing your brand awareness, and consequently boosting your store's sales. There are many marketing strategies and ideas—some well-known and others unconventional but surprisingly effective in motivating customers to buy and significantly improving sales.
If you see users only as buyers, you're missing out. A user can be one of your strongest marketing tools when used correctly. Referral programs are one of the most effective unconventional marketing strategies, widely used by global stores. This involves creating personalized links or codes for users to share with their friends, in return for a gift or discount with every successful purchase. In this strategy, the user gains without losing anything, so they are more likely to share the link with anyone interested in your products—expanding your customer base and increasing sales.
This strategy was recommended by a marketer for an office furniture store. He used to focus on product features and materials. Then, he shared a customer story about buying an office chair and, after just one week, sending a review about how much he loved it. He said it relieved his back and neck pain—especially after long work hours—and helped him concentrate more. The marketer later noticed that demand for this chair tripled, and traffic to his online store grew significantly, which boosted sales. What do you think—is it better for me to tell you this story, or to simply state from the beginning that storytelling attracts more customers than listing features alone?
Social media marketing is essential—but you need to ensure you’re reaching your exact target audience. Using influencers to market your store or products allows you to reach your specific audience. It also combines product reviews and storytelling. You can even combine this with referral programs by giving influencers unique codes or links.
This is one of the most powerful marketing techniques. Instead of waiting for your ad to appear and hoping the user is interested, you put the product in the user’s hands to try for themselves, confirming its benefits and value. You can apply this to physical products—like sending small samples of personal care items—or digital services, like a one-week free trial for movie streaming platforms.
A brilliant strategy that can deliver amazing results in a short time is offering one-time payment deals where users get access to a service or product daily for a whole year. This is often a yearly subscription at a much lower cost than daily or monthly purchases. Think of online learning platforms—you pay an annual fee but get full access as if it were monthly. But does that mean every user will study every day? Or car wash subscriptions—do all subscribers have the time to wash their car daily?
Price plays a major role in purchasing decisions. Offering flexible payment methods like zero-interest installments increases customer trust and makes them more likely to complete their purchase.
About 80% of store visitors don’t buy on their first visit. I like to call this strategy “the hesitation cure.” It involves showing targeted ads to users who already visited your store—featuring products they viewed or added to the cart but didn’t purchase.
Customers don’t like feeling that you only care about making sales. One way to show them you genuinely care is through educational and interactive content. Here are a few ideas:
The post-purchase experience is just as important as the purchase itself. Add a small surprise in the package—like a discount code for the next order, a handwritten thank-you note, or a small gift. This thoughtful gesture increases customer satisfaction and the chances of repeat purchases and positive reviews.
Use analytics tools to track visitor behavior and create tailored offers. For example, if a customer frequently browses skincare products, offer them a discount on a full skincare kit. The more personalized the offer, the higher the chances of engagement and conversion.
Look for brands that complement your products and launch joint marketing campaigns. For example, a clothing store can partner with a shoe or accessory brand to offer bundles or exclusive deals. This type of collaboration helps you reach a new, genuinely interested audience.
Boosting your online store’s sales isn’t just about ads or discounts—it requires a smart, well-rounded strategy that combines customer insight, great experiences, and clever use of modern marketing tools. Start by trying two or three of the ideas in this article and monitor the results. Then, gradually expand your strategy. And always remember: Innovation is the key in the world of e-commerce.
