MGT402: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management Assignment 3 – Digital Marketing Strategy for Small Businesses Spring Semester 2025-2026 (2nd Semester)
Due Date: 10 April 2026 @ 23:59 Total Marks: 10 Assignment Type: Individual
General Instructions
Submit your work on Blackboard only, in WORD format, through the allocated folder. Email submissions will not be accepted. Present your answers clearly so the reader follows each step without confusion. Use Times New Roman, size 12, double-spaced. Include a cover page with your name, ID, course code and CRN. Late submissions receive zero marks. All work must remain original; plagiarism results in zero. Reference sources in APA 7th edition style.
Learning Outcomes Students complete this task to achieve the following:
- Demonstrate the ability to deliver and communicate marketing messages in a coherent and professional manner.
- Illustrate the ability to think independently and systematically when developing a viable business model.
Assignment Task Select a small business idea that operates in Saudi Arabia. Develop a practical digital marketing strategy that fits the local market and Vision 2030 goals. Base your plan on real tools and channels available today.
Part 1: Importance of Digital Marketing for SMEs (3 Marks) Explain why digital marketing matters for small businesses in Saudi Arabia. Include at least two specific benefits linked to customer reach or sales growth.
Part 2: Key Components of the Strategy (5 Marks) Outline four main elements of your digital marketing plan. Cover social media use, search engine optimisation, content creation and one paid advertising option. Show how each element connects to your chosen business idea.
Part 3: Implementation and Measurement (2 Marks) Describe two low-cost ways to launch the strategy. Explain how you will track results with simple metrics such as engagement rates or website visits.
Your total submission should stay between 750 and 950 words. Support every point with evidence from your research and at least two academic sources.
Submission Requirements & Marking Rubric
| Criterion | Marks | Excellent (full marks) | Good (partial) | Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 – Importance Explanation | 3 | Clear benefits tied directly to Saudi context | Basic reasons listed | Vague or no local connection |
| Part 2 – Strategy Components | 5 | Four elements explained with realistic links | Three elements covered adequately | Missing elements or weak application |
| Part 3 – Implementation Details | 2 | Practical steps and clear metrics | Some steps suggested | Unclear or missing measurement |
| Overall Presentation & Referencing | Integrated | Professional layout and correct APA style | Minor formatting or citation issues | Poor organisation or referencing errors |
Sample Response Excerpt
Small businesses in Jeddah reach more young customers when they post daily stories on Instagram and Snapchat. The owner of a local coffee shop shared customer photos and discount codes each morning and saw orders rise by 25 percent in one month. Search engine optimisation helped the same shop appear first when people typed “best coffee near me” on Google. Simple blog posts about Saudi coffee traditions attracted visitors who stayed longer on the website. The owner ran small Instagram ads for 200 riyals and tracked results through free insights tools. These steps turned a basic online presence into steady sales growth.
Digital marketing has helped many SMEs in Saudi Arabia improve overall performance in recent years.
References
Algumzi, A. (2022). Impact of digital marketing on SMEs performance in Saudi Arabia: Implications on building NEOM. Transnational Marketing Journal, 10(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.33182/tmj.v10i1.205
Alshagawi, M. (2024). The impact of strategic entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial marketing, entrepreneurship values on small and medium enterprises’ performance: Evidence from Saudi Arabia. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), Article 2316947. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2316947
Aljabari, M., Althuwaini, S., Bouguerra, A., Sharabati, A.-A. A., Allahham, M., & Allan, M. (2024). The impact of digital marketing strategies on innovation: The mediating role of AI. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 8(4), 2029–2036. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ijdns.2024.7.006