Market research company YouGov’s new research on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia concluded that Facebook’s Instagram platform will become the main marketing channel for 73% of SMEs in the Middle East and North Africa over the next five years.
According to Instagram, its community contains more than a billion people around the world.
According to the research, 77% of SMEs use Instagram as an effective way to reach new audiences globally, which is their main reason for Instagram usage.
The research added that 96% of SMEs consider Facebook an important marketing channel for their business, while 59% said it helps them communicate directly with customers.
Priya Patel, product lead in Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Facebook, said SMEs are the backbone of the Middle East and North Africa’s economy and are often amongst the most creative users on Instagram.
Research shows that Instagram is a powerful marketing tool that drives real business value, added Patel in a news release.
According to YouGov’s research, more than 90% of people follow a brand on Instagram. YouGov’s research shows that 74% of entrepreneurs and SMEs use the platform to show how they are different from competitors, 76% to reach new customers, and 77% to increase sales.
Instagram provides a range of free tools to support business growth around the world. This includes a business account which provides access to statistics and gives people the ability to promote.
SMEs believe in the long-term benefits of social media marketing, with two out of three companies expecting to increase their market spending on Instagram over the next five years.
75% of SMEs surveys show that Instagram has been effective in saving traditional and current advertising costs.
Yesterday, Instagram organised the first of its kind event in the Middle East and North Africa region to celebrate small businesses and entrepreneurs who base their business on Instagram. The audience met with a group of SMEs who used Instagram to successfully develop their business.
