Advertising a New Business: A Simple Guide for Saudi Arabia
Quick answer: To handle advertising a new business in Saudi Arabia, pick a clear customer, make a simple offer, use two or three channels such as Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp Business, follow the local rules and measure what works.
Last updated: November 2026. Platforms and rules change, so check official sources.
You searched "advertising a new business". This is a how-to question, not a shop, so here is a plain guide for new business that works in the Saudi market. No big theory, just steps you can try this week, inshallah.
Step by step for new business
First, decide who your best customer is and what they need. Second, say what you offer in one simple sentence. Third, choose the places where those customers already spend time. Fourth, post, test and keep notes. That is the whole system, and the rest is detail.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Customer | Write who they are, where they live and what they worry about |
| Offer | One sentence, one price or promise, in Arabic and English |
| Channels | Two or three, such as Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Google Maps |
| Rules | Register the business, follow advert rules, charge VAT if required |
| Measure | Count calls, messages and sales, not only likes |
Tips for the Saudi market
Compare shops. Saudi Arabia has many supermarket and hypermarket chains, and the price of the same item can differ a lot. A month of checking two shops often shows where it pays to shop.
Count the travel cost. A saving across the city can cost more in fuel and time. If the saving is small, use the nearest shop or order online.
For expensive electronics and furniture, ask for a written quote and what it includes: delivery, installation and taking away the old one. These extras can be bigger than the price difference.
Before you buy from a site you don't know, find out who is behind it. Look for a company name, a commercial registration number or a Maroof listing, a return policy and reviews from more than one place.
If it's a gift, keep the gift receipt and ask about the exchange policy. Many shops allow exchanges within a few days, but they don't have to if the item is fine.
Protect your data. Saudi Arabia has a personal data protection law, and you can ask a company what it keeps about you. Give only the details a shop really needs, and read what you agree to in an app.
Don't buy under pressure. 'Only two left' and 'ends in ten minutes' banners are made to rush you. If the item is good, it will still be good after you compare one other price.
Ask someone who already has the product. A friend, a family member or a trusted review can tell you in one minute if a price or a listing looks wrong.
If you buy for your business, ask for a tax invoice with the company's VAT number. It helps with your accounts and with claiming VAT if you're registered.
Start with one clear customer. Write down who you want to reach: age, city, what they buy and what worries them. In Saudi Arabia, a young customer in Riyadh and a family in Dammam may use different apps and care about different things.
Be clear about what you offer. People buy a result, not a list of features. Say it in one simple sentence, in Arabic and English if both groups matter to you.
Pick two or three channels and do them well. Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and X are popular in Saudi Arabia, and WhatsApp Business is very useful for quick replies. Google Business Profile helps local customers find you on the map.
Make short video content. A simple phone video that shows how it works, the price and where to find you often beats a polished advert. Show real customers and real results, and ask for permission.
Use local search. Add your city, district and the Arabic name of your business to your Google Business Profile. Ask happy customers to leave an honest review.
Follow the rules. Register your business properly. If you sell online, check registration on the Maroof platform of the Ministry of Commerce. Influencer adverts in Saudi Arabia are expected to be done with a licensed creator, so ask for the licence.
Be honest in adverts. Claims about price, health or results should be true. Misleading adverts can lead to fines and lose trust.
Set a budget and test small. Start with a small spend on two adverts, see which one brings customers and then spend more on the winner. Write down what you spent and what you earned.
Measure what matters. Count calls, messages, visits and sales, not only likes. Ask each new customer how they found you.
Use offers carefully. Seasonal moments like Ramadan, Eid, National Day, Founding Day and White Friday bring buying, but everyone is shouting at the same time. A clear, honest offer beats a loud one.
Keep your promise. Reply fast, deliver on time and fix mistakes. In a small market, word of mouth in family and friends groups is very strong.
Think about VAT. If your sales pass the threshold set by ZATCA, you must register for VAT at 15 per cent. Check the current rules with ZATCA or an accountant.
Avoid common mistakes: no clear customer, too many channels, no tracking, copying a competitor's price and buying fake followers. Fake followers hurt trust and don't buy anything.
Be patient. Most marketing takes weeks to show results. Keep notes, improve one thing at a time and don't change everything every few days.
Know your rights. In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Commerce looks after consumer complaints. If a shop won't fix a problem, complain to the shop in writing first, keep your receipt and screenshots, and then take it to the Ministry.
Be careful with scams. A text, call or WhatsApp message about a prize, a missed delivery or a voucher from a shop you know can be fake. Don't click the link or share your card number or the code you got by SMS. Open the shop's own app and check there. If you've already shared details, call your bank straight away.
To sum up advertising a new business: know your customer, keep the offer simple, follow the rules and measure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first step for new business?
Decide who your customer is and what they need.
Which platform is best in Saudi Arabia?
It depends on your customer. Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp Business are widely used.
Do I need a licence?
You need to register the business properly. For influencer adverts, a licensed creator is expected. Check the rules with the authorities.
Sources
- Ministry of Commerce, Saudi Arabia: mc.gov.sa
- Saudi Food and Drug Authority: www.sfda.gov.sa
- ZATCA, Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority: zatca.gov.sa