هل تعرف متى توقف الإعلانات ومتى تعيش على التوصيات

Sahl Wednesday,30 Jul 2025

At the beginning of any project, advertising is the main driver. You pay and wait for the results. But after a while, you start asking yourself:
"How long? Will there ever come a day when I don't need to advertise so much?"
The answer is: Yes, it's possible... if you know how to do it right.
Let's clarify the picture further.
1. Advertising is important... but not forever
In the beginning, advertising is the means by which you introduce your store. People don't know you, don't trust you, and don't even know you exist.
So, of course, you'll start with paid campaigns that bring in the first, second, and tenth customer...
But the goal isn't to keep paying forever. The goal is to build a customer base that loves you and talks about you without you even asking.
2. When will you start seeing recommendations work?
• When a customer comes to you and says, "So-and-so tried you and said you're excellent."
• Or you receive a message, "My brother saw your products and told me to order from you."
This is where word-of-mouth marketing begins. Your store transforms from a place of sale into a brand that people trust and recommend.
3. What makes people recommend your store?
It's not the price or the appearance... but:
• A smooth ordering experience
• Beautiful packaging that conveys a sense of feeling
• Respectful and prompt treatment
• Excellent after-sales service
• Even a beautifully handwritten thank-you note or a small discount for the next customer
All of these are details that get the customer talking about you... without you even asking.
4. Smart ads leverage recommendations
Some stores mix the two:
• They create an ad... featuring a real customer experience
• They publish customer reviews with photos
• They remind followers: "We can serve your friend just like we served you."
This is where the ad becomes a mere means of highlighting actual recommendations.
5. When do you stop advertising (partially) and start living on recommendations?
✅ When more than 40% of your sales come from returning customers or recommendations
✅ When your follower count increases without you paying
✅ When you notice engagement becoming natural without a marketing push
✅ When customer reviews increase and become a persuasive tool
These are indicators that you're on the right track... and ads shouldn't be a daily priority, but rather a support tool only during large campaigns.
6. Customer Referrals = The Most Powerful Ad
Imagine someone close to the customer saying, "Try this store; their service is excellent."
What would be more powerful? A million-dollar ad?
Or a recommendation from someone they trust?
Here's the difference...and here's the real secret to the success of online stores in Saudi Arabia: people listen to each other more than they listen to ads.
Ads are a great start... but true success comes when your customers market for you without you even asking.
Focus on creating an unforgettable customer experience, and make every customer leave happy and ready to recommend you.
If you want your store to reach this stage, our team at Sahl can help you build a store that not only sells, but also lives and grows with the trust of your customers.