THE E-COMMERCE INDUSTRY HAS TAKEN SAUDI ARABIA BY STORM

The buying or selling of good is referred to as E-commerce which stands for electronic commerce or EC. It is the transferring of data or funds over an electronic network mainly the internet. These transactions take place between consumer to business, consumer to consumer, business to business or business to consumer.

Various applications are used such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), File transfer Protocol (FTP), email, online catalogs, fax, shopping carts and Web services in conducting E-commerce. Generally, this service is used between business to business and some sectors use email and fax to promote their products to the consumers and other business prospects. Now a day, businesses are also sending out e-newsletters to subscribers.

E-commerce has a lot of benefits such as it is available round the clock, accessibility speed is very fast and the selection of goods and services can be done by global audience. Although, it has become the order of the day to purchase goods online but it comes with some minor drawbacks as well. The customer is not physically able to see or touch a particular product before purchasing it. Also, in some cases the customers have to wait for product shipping time.

The business owners should ensure security, effectiveness and privacy of e-commerce. They must authenticate business transactions and they should give control access to resources like web pages for selected or registered users. They should also implement security technologies like Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and encrypt communications in order to ensure overall security.

The e-commerce industry has taken Saudi Arabia by storm since it’s launched. According to a latest research, the market share in Saudi Arabia for e-commerce industry is expected to reach a whopping $13.2 billion in 2015. Pixheart has suggested that the profits will come from 25 percent of Saudi internet users who are already active in e-commerce.

A recent research suggests that if any country does a total of 8.5 % retails online then it is considered to be a developed online retail market. Germany’s online retail market accounts for 11.6 % where as Australia stands at 8.7 %.

In recent times, Saudi Arabia is getting very closer to this target. The kingdom’s online retail market is expected to reach 8 % in 2015. It is leaving behind France (6.2%), Japan (6.7) and the US (7.3). The prominent language in the e-commerce space is Arabic in Saudi Arabia. 40 % of online consumers are from Makkah province while 57% from Riyadh. The study also reveals that 80% of online customers prefer to use cash on delivery (COD) as the payment method. Most of the goods purchased come under electronics category. Among other leading categories for departmental stores, financial services, fashion retails followed by airline tickets transactions.

Latest analysis by Visa has shown that Saudi Arabia has topped the MENA’s region in highest e-commerce growth rate in the year 2014. The electronic payments network’s study shows that the kingdom witnessed an estimated 41 % overall e-commerce growth compared to 2012 and 2013 data. The domestic sector has witnessed a growth of 65% whereas the cross border e-commerce has registered up to 34% growth rate respectively.

Originally published at digitalmarketingland.com.

Daleeli – Available on App store and Android market

Daleeli – Mobile Apps and Mobile Site Available Now

Smart phones and other mobile devices are fast becoming the most preferred way of accessing the internet. A mobile phone is not just being used to play video games and chat. It is popularly being used to search for business listings and directory services in the Middle East region.

Daleeli has exclusively launched iPhone App, Android app and Mobile website for the ever growing mobile phone users. The main objective is to provide easy service and accessibility to a wide range of users in Saudi Arabia.

Latest Daleeli app is now available on App Store. The app is iOS 7 compatible, and it is designed in such a way to help the users search for anything on the go. Search box is provided wherein the user can enter the keyword related to his inquiry, the app is smart enough to detect the location and present the results near you using Geo tagging algorithm.

According to a latest survey,

• The number of users interested in Mobile app has grown up to 72%. Previously, it was only 26%.
• 62% Mobile users prefer to use Mobile App to search for business listings.
• 62% online shoppers used mobile device to do online shopping whereas 38% used desktops and laptops to do the same.

The mobile app is basically a directory and a map with over hundreds of thousands of business listings and locations in Saudi Arabia. The users can literally carry this huge information in their pockets.

Tapping on one of the home category icons will effectively help the users discover and explore local stores and venues near them. This is good news for businesses that want to acquire more customers from their neighborhood, or passing by customers that happen to be in this location at that specific time and need to buy a product or a quick access to a service.

New updates are released to the app every month. Each update has received accolades from the users and they have also voted in high numbers. The Arabic and English apps are merged into a single universal app. Users can change the language preference making it much better for the user experience.

Daleeli Android app can be downloaded on Google Play store by Android users. This app is compatible with 3,924 Android devices worldwide. The app is developed for high end Android gadgets such as Samsung S6 and Samsung Galaxy Note 5. At the same time, it works well with low end Android handsets like Galaxy Duos and Ace. It also works perfectly fine with 7 and 10 inch tablets.

Google maps integration is developed nicely, that makes it very convenient for the users to use voice navigation through Google Maps. The Android app is already a hit with the users and they have provided positive feedback. Almost thousands of users rated the app and over 86% of them rated 4 to 5 stars for it.

The Daleeli Android app has received very positive feedback from the users, over 680 users rated the app and over 82% of them rated 4 or 5 starts for it.

The new apps has already generated many downloads and it continues to grow rapidly. Daleeli has announced its intent to launch a new context-based relevant in stream mobile ads as an innovative way of mobile advertising that has a positive value on the user experience based on their interests rather than traditional mobile banner advertising.

Originally published at :- http://blog.daleeli.com/daleeli-available-on-app-store-and-android-market/

Daleeli – Saudi’s Local Business Directory

Al Wahda Express Saudi LLC is a subsidiary of Al Wahda Express Group of companies. Al Wahda Express has a dynamic, enthusiastic team of more than 700 people in 5 countries, who work in an environment that encourages responsiveness, learning, innovation and success. AWE’s strong sense of obligation to both our own employees and customers is reflected in the importance we place on personal and career development and providing exceptional return on investment to our valued advertisers.

In 2010, Al Wahda Express Saudi Co. developed its business and produced the Saudi Directory for All Business and Services and named it “Daleeli“, which is considered the most widespread directory, covering all commercial, industrial and service business sectors in the Kingdom.

Daleeli (www.daleeli.com) is a leading offline and online local business directory in Saudi Arabia. Daleeli Directories are circulated all over Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

The Directory is issued in eight editions in Arabic and English, Central Region, Western Region and Eastern Region (separate version in Arabic and another in English). For the Northern Region and Southern Region, it is (separate combined version in Arabic and English). Currently, Al Wahda Express Saudi is working on issuing the directory in four printed books, starting from the 8th Issue. One book will be in Arabic language, and the second one will be in English. The third and fourth book will be for Western, Northern and Southern regions, one will be in Arabic language and the second in English to facilitate and make easy searching process for users, and emphasize & enhance the advertisers by increasing the geographical scope of spread of their ads in printed directories.

These directories are distributed over business & services categories in Companies, Corporations, Factories, Hotels, Governmental Sectors, Embassies & Consulates and to limited category of Houses & Residential Compounds, in addition to delivery service with some local newspaper subscribers, and to their highness the princes, ministers and VIPs.

Distribution Statistics are given below.

S.No	Sector	Percentage
1	Hotels & Furnished Apartments	35%
2	Companies, Corporations & Factories	30%
3	Ministries & Government Offices	15%
4	Exhibitions & Conferences	10%
5	Individuals & Special Requests	5%
6	Advertisers for the all issues 2005 -2013 ( 9 Issues )	3%
7	Embassies & Consulates	2%
		100%

Also the company provides directory order service on the internet locally & globally, as it is keen to ensure directory access to largest segment of users either from inside or outside the kingdom.

In 01/10/2010, Al Wahda Express Saudi launched the directory search service through the entirely developed website (www.Daleeli.com). This website is characterized with its very high technology at the Middle East level. Some of its features are the Sophisticated Methodology of the Search Logic, Indexing System, the Search Engine Optimization System, the Text Prediction feature and Programming & Updating Operating System. This website became one of the most important search sites specialized in business and services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where the number of visitors (Buyers) exceeded 3 million users per year.

Originally published at blog.daleeli.com.

Special Offer! 2 Weeks Free Advertisement on Daleeli.com

Saudi Arabia Local online business directory www.daleeli.com presents a Special offer for all the business owners in Saudi Arabia.

The No 1 Online Business Directory in Saudi Arabia ensures you of better chance of getting better returns.

Grab this Wonderful Offer! Advertise your company 2 weeks for FREE on Daleeli.com.

Daleeli is always ahead in providing remarkable, trustworthy and precise information to the prospective consumers. This unique initiative offers the business holder a simple and transparent way to promote businesses as well as services.

Promote and advertise your business details for free on our website for 2 weeks. The idea is to help and promote the latest entrant to the ever growing and competitive business division.

By adding your company details like: Website URL – Working Hours – Location Map – Logo – Brief Company Profile – Brands – E-mail – Photos – Product Keywords – Branches – Qr Code – Video Clip.

Since you fill the following fields, your Company Name, Telephone Number, Address and Location Map will appear on our site within 24 working hours, and then a password will be sent to your private e-mail to login directly to our site and upload the services you want to display within 48 working hours. 

Only Saudi-based businesses are permitted to be listed free-of-charge in our products.

We have several Cost effective advertising opportunities exist within our printed and online directory products.

Click the below link for 2 Weeks Free Advertisement

http://www.daleeli.com/en/add-other-banner-survey

Submit Your Free Business Listing

http://www.daleeli.com/en/directory-listing.html

For more information Logon to: www.daleeli.com

To chat with our experts, Call us on: 9200 00020

Originally posted at :- http://blog.daleeli.com/

Is Coffee Shop an Ideal Place to hangout?

Coffee is a world famous drink which is gaining tremendous growth in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Locals as well as the expats are getting inclined to the Westernized coffee culture and this trend is resulting in opening up of many Coffee Shops such as independent coffee shops, chained outlets and major coffee brands and thereby increasing their presence in Saudi Arabia.

As per the latest survey conducted by Food Industry experts, Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest growing markets for coffee in the Middle East region. Market Analyst predicts that the gross coffee sales in Saudi Arabia will grow by more than 50% in the next five years. Therefore, various International Coffee chains are expected to invest massively in the coffee industry in the oil rich nation.

Coffee beans are considered to be very healthy and if consumed in right quantity is a real stress buster as it is loaded with anti oxidants and beneficial nutrients. It is scientifically proven fact that people who have regular coffee have much lower risk of several diseases. According to one of the medical expert reports of USA, Coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing diseases such as diabetes, colon cancer and liver related diseases.

Coffee shops in Saudi Arabia have become an ideal hangout for everyone to sit around and get themselves refreshed. A lot of people prefer going to a coffee shop as it provides an ideal ambience for them to sit, relax and have a conversation. It’s not just a stress buster as many corporate employees prefer to have business meetings over a cup of coffee these days.

Every city or town in Saudi Arabia has a list of coffee shops to choose from. Some coffee shops offer various bakery items served with their coffees. You will find different kinds of people from all walks of life visiting these coffee shops to have a relaxing time. You will also find elderly people talking on various topics including Businesses, Growth & Family affairs. Youths gather at coffee shops to spend time with their friends. Coffee shops offer various cookies, donuts & bakery items for the kids to enjoy.

Most of the coffee shops also have separate enclosed family sections to serve the families of that region. You find a lot of families coming in to enjoy the coffee and spend quality time with their loved ones.

Coffee shops in Saudi Arabia are strategically located in and around work places, educational institutions, and residential colonies to target different kinds of people. Many coffee shops also target commercial areas including Shopping Malls to serve their specialties to its audience. There are varieties of coffee that is prepared and served by different coffee shops. Most of the common and famous coffees that are served are Cold Coffees, Frappes, Americano, Cappuccino and Espresso. Irish coffee is fast gaining immense popularity in and across the region of Saudi Arabia. These coffees are usually served with biscuits, muffins, cakes & traditional desserts as well.  

Several coffee shops are available in every part of the Kingdom. With the help of Smart Phones, It’s no big deal to find coffee shops in and around your area. Daleeli.com is one such local search engine with all the business directory listings that also include your favorite coffee shops. People with smart phones usually use the Daleeli Mobile application to make their relevant searches.

SOURCE: http://blog.daleeli.com/is-coffee-shop-an-ideal-place-to-hangout/

The increasing demand for Managed IT Support Services

Maintaining a website to improve business and having online presence is very important in today’s world. Corporate companies usually outsource the task of building and designing of their website to IT Support Services Company.   The service provider offers a range of options depending on customers’ requirement. It provides you with many beneficial services and a number of purposes to choose from.

Managed InformationTechnology Service providers can present you solutions for both home and your business. Since the job of maintaining and developing is outsourced to them, the business owners can be assured that they get the end product as they have planned or visualized it.  At the same time, they no longer have to bother about managing their own IT.

The expert IT service providers are available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to lessen your burden and provide the best quality IT Services. Now a days to run a business successfully you must have online presence and this job is well carried out by the IT Service Providers and they never fail in providing required services when you need them. Hence, if you are looking to have an informative and elegant website that is designed and customized as per your requirement and that supports multiple platforms like PC, mobile, tabs etc you will definitely be in the need of the IT support services.

How Managed IT Support Services can benefit in the success of any business:

Managed IT Support Services is the solution for your problem when you realize that your business is not capable enough to take care of the IT or is inadequate in setting up separate IT department. There are IT experts who are well trained with the respective services from any sector and they are capable to serve the IT needs of any company. Hence, you can trust and rely on the services provided by them. There are several benefits of such services. Mentioned here are some of them:

Is finding a perfect solution to your problem is bothering you and your business in a negative manner? The first and foremost benefit of Managed IT Service provider is that they will help you in finding out the problem and providing solutions to them.

As mentioned earlier, the service provider will do web designing and development as per the client’s requirement. Depending upon your requirement the provider will design either an e-commerce website or a website that promotes your business to generate maximum sales and that also gives useful information to the users. Your computer networks may need some up gradations, so they may ask you to do some necessary changes with the hardware. With the help of necessary recommendations your network configuration remains up-to-date.  It will provide better facility to the workers and will create better business opportunities.

What’s more you will be benefited from their service in reducing the cost of ITinfrastructure and workforce and at the same time maintaining sales online.

Moreover, the IT experts and the service providers will provide 24/7 service to the clients. The service providers will be helping out with complete technological support of your company at any instance. Now, that will make you feel relaxed and it will definitely take your burden away to a great extent. This will help you to put more focus on your company’s business and not worried about any technological aspects. That means you will have more time to concentrate on your company’s business and surely it will help in increasing employees productivity and growth in your business.

Source: http://blog.daleeli.com/the-increasing-demand-for-managed-it-support-services/

Education and Economic Development in Saudi Arabia

 

Economical and political turmoil was witnessed in parts of North Africa and Middle East since 2011, but it has not affected Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom has remained stable and many foreign investors still view it as an attractive and promising place to do business.

The Kingdom’s currency, Saudi Riyal, is one of the world's most stable currencies and it has not witnessed any compelling change in its exchange value during the last three decades.

Saudi Arabia is one of the world's 25 largest economies. It is the largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA). Hence, major MNCs have invested in the Kingdom.

The country has a very fast growing economy, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2014 reached over 8%. Thus, the ever growing economy is creating great opportunities for both exporters and investors. The industry is rapidly growing because the economy is being diversified. It has further resulted in economic reform, market liberalization and a growing private sector.

Saudi Arabia has significant cost advantages because of low domestic cost of energy. The industrial lands are also available in the major vicinities due to generous subsidies and incentives. The Kingdom provides duty free access to other MENA and GCC economies and has good transport and infrastructure links.

Exporters and Investors in Saudi Arabia enjoy the benefits of well-developed business clusters and economic assurance that set the Kingdom apart from its neighbors and from other emerging economies. The World Economic Forum has ranked Saudi Arabia, 6th globally, for Local Supplier Quantity. It has placed the Kingdom at 24^th rank for Production Process Improvement and Value Chain Breadth. Saudi Arabia’s domestic industries are well established, competitive and economical. It varies from industrial projects to transportation, producing energy to providing education and provides exceptional opportunities for cost savings. Now, the industries like Oil, gas and petrochemicals are not only the major source of development.  Education, training and human capital development has seen tremendous growth over the years.

In recent times, The Kingdom has introduced a total reform of the present education system. It has sanctioned huge funds to build new educational institutes and collaborated with International Universities for training program and overseas degrees for Saudi students. Many investors are showing keen interest to be a part of this growing industry in Saudi Arabia, and hence making foreign investment in education to meet rapid growth demands.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is investing billions of dollars in setting up four Economic Cities in different parts of the country. They are Knowledge Economic City (Al Medina), King Abdullah Economic City (Rabigh, Jeddah), Jazan Economic City (Jazan City), and Prince Abdul Aziz bin Mousdaed Economic City (Hail).

These ventures will be public-private partnerships that will invite foreign companies to make attractive investments. Every project is designed to boost investment potential in all sectors, and deliver substantial advantages to business located in that region. All the cities will help in promoting economic diversification and the market analyst believe that it will create over a million new job opportunities.

Source: http://blog.daleeli.com/education-and-economic-development-in-saudi-arabia/