What does it really take for budding businesses to tap the Internet’s immense reach and power from a global perspective? First and foremost, it is necessary to conduct a thorough and independent research on specific markets they intend to enter. Once assured of product and process compatibility, necessary steps should be taken to align your online business identity with the prospective customers’ aspirations.
I shall provide you with some basic ideas to make your site compatible to successfully access international markets.
Flexible field formats
When asking users to give away specific information, a preferred option is to provide an online form plus an email option. However, this option may increase your spam. Online forms are ideal for filling up fields like city and country. Ask for details you really need to get rid of unnecessary fields.
Address formats often vary from one country to another. Make sure FREE TEXT is left for postal codes –12 digits, at least. For example, some countries do not make use of postal codes, whereas some combine numbers and letters. Your forms should be able to accept these changed formats in address lines. Allow for longer lines in forms, to accommodate surnames and multiple titles. Leave ample space for accommodating longer telephone numbers.
Mention of time date and measures
It is essential to keep in mind the fact that you are targeting a global audience through your site. Accordingly, mark the time zone. Also refer to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). For example, state Office Hours as follows: 9:00am-7:00pm PST (9H00-19H00 GMT -8). Mention dates in a way that there is no confusion.
Different style conventions exist in different countries for writing dates. Instead of speaking to the US convention, simply state: July 2, 2010. The traditional ‘month/day/ year’ format might be confusing for overseas clients. Make sure that the online calculators allow relevant inputs and also produce correct output according to universally accepted measures.
Quick response to client queries
Photographs or videos of your key products will allow you to avoid requests for dispatch of brochures and catalogs. Make sure that you have support staff to respond to client queries even on national holidays and other non-working days. Take in account the fact that international customers/clients may be working on these days. Create a separate contact page or a help desk for International Sales division.
Precise contact details
Be clear about your business terms and conditions. You may be put up a list of countries you can currently do business with. Include country and city field details so as to recognize international clients with ease. In the ‘CONTACT US’ page, make it easy for international customers to seek more information.
Watch out for links that may not work overseas like auto-open email systems. Avoid abbreviations of your state name, as they can get confusing. Include the country name in your address. Mention direct dial phone numbers apart from a domestic toll-free number. Make use of International Dial Code Format.
The above tips will certainly help in making your business website in tune with the needs of international clients and turning it universal in nature.
