A Critique of Museum’s Web Presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Study of Selected Museums

This paper explores useful and practical utilisation of the theoretical concept of web-presence to increase museum audience in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A qualitative and quantitative research methodology is adopted relying on critical review of literature on web-presence to provide justifications for web-presence as innovative means of managing museums in KSA. Currently, KSA uses traditional methods for museum promotion, which can be problematic. However, by adopting internet technology, KSA is fast becoming an information-based society and there is a need for a paradigm shift to correct the misguided notion that museums are just for children or keeping worn-out artefacts. Effective use of web-presence provides certain benefits: wider dissemination of information on the museums to visitors, promotion of e-museums, promotion of Saudi’s heritage, faith and culture online, and improved visitors’ satisfaction. The paper concludes with further research plan to build a theoretical framework for web-presence design for Saudi museums.