Did you know that for every $1 spent on email marketing, businesses can make back $36–$40?
While social media often gets more attention, email continues to bring better results. In fact, studies show email is almost 40 times more effective at getting new customers than Facebook or Instagram.
Many companies in the region are putting more money into social ads, thinking they’ll get the best returns. But the numbers show something else. Social media is good for awareness and interaction, but when it comes to sales, you can measure, email still comes out on top.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
When you look at the data, the difference is clear. Businesses earn about $36–$40 for every $1 spent on email marketing. Social media is harder to measure, since results are often based on likes or shares instead of real sales.
Key points that show why email works better:
- ROI: For every dollar put into email, companies see around $36–$40 in return.
- Customer Growth: Email is up to 40 times more effective than social media for getting new customers.
- Local Preference: Over 70% of people in the UAE prefer promotions by email rather than through social ads.
- Conversions: Emails bring trackable clicks, leads, and sales, while social media often stops at likes and comments.
Why Email Works Better in the UAE Market
- Direct Access to Inbox
Emails go straight to the inbox, without being filtered by social media algorithms that limit who sees your posts. - Trusted in Key Industries
Email feels more professional, which is why it works well for sectors like real estate, finance, and B2B services where trust matters. - Good Open Rates
Email engagement in the UAE averages 21–24%, which is a little higher than the global average of about 20%. - Mobile-Friendly Audiences
More than half of all emails in the UAE are opened on mobile phones, making mobile-friendly design a must. - Clear Consumer Preference
Over 70% of UAE consumers prefer receiving offers by email rather than through social media ads.
Where Social Media Shines—And Where It Falls Short
Where Social Media Adds Value
- Brand Awareness: Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn help brands stay visible and show their personality.
- Engagement: Social allows direct interaction through comments, shares, and feedback.
- Discovery: Popular for lifestyle, fashion, food, and entertainment, as many people use social media to find new brands.
- Storytelling: Features like reels, stories, and live streams help brands connect with people in a more personal way.
Where Social Media Falls Short
- Low Organic Reach: Facebook posts reach less than 5% of followers, while Instagram averages around 10%, so paid ads are often needed.
- Higher Costs: Ad prices in the UAE and MENA keep going up, which reduces overall returns.
- Hard to Track Sales: Likes and shares don’t always turn into revenue, making ROI unclear.
- Follower ownership is a risk on social media—brands don’t control their accounts, and pages can be restricted or removed without warning.
- Short Attention Spans: People scroll fast, and posts are quickly forgotten, unlike an email that stays in the inbox until read or deleted.
Email + Social: The Smart Combo
Email gives a stronger ROI, but the best approach is not to choose one over the other. When combined, email and social media work better together:
- Grow Your Email List: Use Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn ads to promote guides, offers, or event sign-ups and collect email subscribers.
- Cross-Promote Content: Share parts of your newsletters on social media and include social links inside your emails to reach people across both channels.
- Retarget for Better Results: Show ads on Facebook or Instagram to people who already opened your emails, keeping your brand fresh in their mind.
- Keep Messaging Consistent: Make sure the tone, offers, and CTAs match on both email and social, so customers get the same message wherever they see you.
- Example: An online store in the UAE might run a Ramadan campaign, using Instagram to build excitement and email to send exclusive discount codes that drive real sales.
Best Practices for High-ROI Email Marketing in the UAE
To get the most out of email marketing in the UAE, campaigns need to fit local habits and expectations:
- Segment Your Audience: Separate Arabic and English speakers, B2B and B2C, and high-value vs. new customers. Personalization can increase open rates and sales.
- Choose the Right Time: The UAE workweek runs Monday to Friday. Emails sent mid-morning or early evening perform best. During Ramadan, open rates often rise after sunset.
- Design for Mobile: More than half of emails in the UAE are opened on phones. Keep layouts simple, with clear buttons and fast-loading images.
- Use Clear CTAs: Phrases like “Shop Now,” “Book a Demo,” or “Chat on WhatsApp” work best. WhatsApp CTAs are especially effective in the region.
- Focus on Quality Over Quantity: Don’t spam. Regular, helpful emails build more trust than frequent promotional blasts.
- Follow Privacy Rules: Always use clear opt-ins and respect UAE data protection laws. This protects your brand and improves deliverability.
Conclusion
The evidence is clear: social media is valuable for awareness and engagement, but email marketing is still the most reliable channel for generating real ROI in the UAE. Email delivers higher returns, better customer acquisition, and lets you personalize content in both Arabic and English.
Social media should not be ignored; it helps build community, but it cannot replace the stability and sales power of email. The smartest approach is to use them together: social for discovery, email for conversions.
For businesses in the UAE, success comes from focusing less on vanity metrics like likes and more on channels that deliver revenue and long-term customer relationships.
Want to see better results from your campaigns? Work with Infobahn consultancy to create an email strategy built for ROI.