| |
NewswireToday - /newswire/ -
Rochester Hills, MI, United States, 02/13/2007 - The power of the Internet at opening global markets has been verified by a recent report from comScore Network, an Internet rating service.
|
| |
According to their data, 14 of the top 25 websites based in the USA are visited more by users outside of the US than by Americans. Surprisingly, Google™, Yahoo!®, and Microsoft® receive fewer than 25% of their Web visitors from within US borders.
According to Multicultural Business Council the report verifies the Internet's importance in introducing products and services to buyers beyond a business's local trade area.
The Internet is a particularly valuable tool organizations in economically struggling regions. When MaxImpact, a leadership development company, saw the local economy tightening up, they turned to the Internet to sell their services outside of the borders of Michigan. Within a few months they had located the customers in 19 states. At My Neat Site of Siberia recognized they could not survive unless they reached across the Siberian border. They used the Internet to find new customers in the US, Canada, and England.
Although the Internet connects an organization to their customers, it requires due diligence.
“As with any new marketing campaign,” says Al Berro, MBC Marketing Director, “it's important to make sure you get the right message based on the culture you are trying to reach.”
MBC points out several key factors:
1. Use the right language. My Neat Site realized very quickly that the standard usage of English was different in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Referring to a “theater” may have been okay in the United States but not acceptable in Canada where it is called “theatre”. The inversion of those last two letters can prevent acceptance of your products to an entire nation.
2. Know you customer's needs. The selling process is always easiest when you know your customers needs, wants, and desires. Research the issues facing consumers in the countries you are targeting.
3. Make sure you have a delivery channel. It does no good to attempt to open up the market unless you fully know how you can deliver your product to that market. Examine transportation cost, tax policies, and local laws governing your product or service. Remember that sometimes special restrictions are placed on the country of origin or country of delivery.
4. Consider local customs and holidays. It is always common sense to make your customers feel welcomed and valued. If you place a notice on your webpage and late November that you will be closed for Thanksgiving Day, Americans will easily understand your message, however Canadians will assume your website is out of date as their Thanksgiving day was back at the beginning of October.
There is an abundance of opportunity for people of all regions and nations to connect to new commerce across the globe. From the savvy entrepreneur to Fortune 500 companies, growth awaits.
|
rick[.]mbcglobal.org 
