Imagine sailing in the ocean without a lighthouse to guide you. You are closer to being lost than reaching your destination safely. That is what having a startup in Dubai looks like when you do not have a startup brand strategy.
Dubai is home to over 400,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The competition is tough. The market keeps changing and nothing is guaranteed. It is hard to find trusted brands as the market is filled with businesses with no identity.
A study by Forbes revealed that about 77% of consumers buy from brands they can trust. Trust comes with recognition. Recognition comes when there is an effective brand strategy in place.
Without an effective brand strategy in Dubai, startups risk being overlooked by potential customers. Put your money where your mouth is and see an increase in sales and customer retention.
For entrepreneurs and startups in Dubai, branding goes beyond a logo. It isn’t just about a catchy tagline, logo, or composition of many colours on a background. Branding is about creating an identity. Giving your startup a face. Something people see and your startup comes to their mind.
What is Startup Brand Strategy?
A startup brand strategy is a plan that helps a startup sell itself to customers. It makes up the major components of a brand strategy. It includes a brand identity, voice and messaging, target audience, and positioning.
You are one step closer to establishing credibility and attracting the right customers for your startup in Dubai when you create a startup brand strategy.
Why Brand Strategy is Important for Entrepreneurs & Startups in Dubai?
Brand strategy is essential for startups in Dubai due to the following reasons.
Builds trust and Credibility
Reports show that consumers are likely to buy from brands they trust. A well-crafted startup brand strategy helps businesses create a professional image. A reliable profile that appeals to the public and makes them want to part with their last change.
With consistency and quality delivery, consumers will come back for more. Just because they want to re-live the wonderful experience from your brand. What more convenient way to build trust and credibility?
Standing out from the competitors
Dubai’s startup ecosystem is very competitive. Making uniqueness an integral part of scaling. A strong brand strategy for startups can help you achieve that. You will be able to stand out. Conduct your business in a unique way and distinct pattern. Only then will you be able to attract organic loyal customers.
Boosts Customer Loyalty
When your startup brand strategy appeals emotionally to your customers, they tend to stay around for long. A startup that adds life to its operations creates long-term customer relationships.
The importance of branding for entrepreneurs lies in creating a bond that holds consumers.
Drives Business Growth
Startups with a clear and consistent brand strategy grow faster than those without. This is because, beyond communication, a brand strategy puts the customer’s experience into consideration.
A startup with a positive brand experience will foster more advocacy and growth than one without. Investing in branding can lead to higher customer retention and exponential revenue growth.
Market Recognition
Why do you think the likes of Burger King, Emirates, Etisalat, and the like are popular? It may not be because they have the best customer service. It may not be because they are the best in the service they offer. In fact, there may be other brands doing better than them in their niche.
What sets them apart, however, is a well-crafted effective brand strategy in Dubai. It ensures that people recognize your startup instantly. The more recognizable your startup is, the easier it becomes to market your product. And the easier it is for you to retain your customer.

How to Develop an Effective Brand Strategy in Dubai?
Know what you want
You cannot advertise buildings today and advertise travel tickets the next day. You need to define your brand purpose. Customers prefer brands they can resonate with. Ask yourself what you stand for. How can you improve your customer’s lives?
The answers you get will shape your brand purpose and values. It will also attract customers that align with your values.
Identify your key customers
You don’t want to be that brand with no defined customer base. A successful startup brand strategy includes knowing your target audience. Identifying your customers.
Age, pain points, buying behaviours, and what makes them buy or not are factors to consider. Also, age, gender, location, and income are what your research should focus on. Having a startup in Dubai without a target audience is like aiming at a point in the dark. The chance of hitting the bull’s eye is close to zero.
Apart from knowing your target audience, you also need to understand them. As it will help you create messages and design campaigns specifically directed at them.
Crafting a unique value proposition
Your value proposition exposes your customers to your strengths. It highlights why they should choose your startup over your competitors. Your startup’s unique brand proposition should be clear and simple. It should be focused on solving a specific problem and should be distinct from others.
For instance; instead of saying “We offer fast delivery”, you should say “We deliver your order within 30 minutes.”
A strong brand identity and leveraging digital marketing are other ways to develop an effective brand strategy in Dubai.

Why Dubai Suits Startup Branding?
Dubai is the perfect place for startup branding because of the following reasons;
1. It serves both local and international customers
2. Its tax benefits and business-friendly regulations make it easy for entrepreneurs to grow their startups
3. There is a strong digital presence. Aided by high internet penetration that gives startups a chance to thrive online.
Frequently Asked Questions on Startup Brand Strategy
How much does building a brand for a startup cost in Dubai?
Pricing for a startup brand strategy in Dubai depends on a variety of factors. Factors like marketing, design, and the type of strategy all influence costing. On average, a standard startup branding can range from AED 5,000 to AED 50,000.
Can a startup rebrand if the initial strategy fails?
Yes. Rebranding is possible after a falling out. It is also common when businesses target new customers. Rebranding can enhance market positioning and customer loyalty.
Conclusion
If you are ready to create an effective Brand Strategy in Dubai, Researchers.me provides insights to help grow your business.