International Business and Technology Blog

Is it worth having a dedicated French website for France and if so, does that one website cover all other French-speaking markets? The answer is a clear yes to the French website and no to global coverage. France is a major economy that merits its own dedicated website to showcase your company and drive sales. But the website built for the French market is just not relevant for reaching your Quebecois or West African target customers. French is the 6^th most widely spoken language in the world but like most aspects of the worldwide web, it is being relevant to the local market – localization – that gets your company found, understood and doing business globally.

France is one of the largest economies in the world and French one of the most spoken languages, so it’s no wonder that so many companies looking to export globally opt for a French website. But the French spoken in France is dramatically different to that spoken in Quebec or in West Africa. This blog explains why your French website is not relevant to your other French-speaking business targets and sets out some tips on where and how to get you started on building sales, brands and business in the French-speaking world.

China’s online market is now the world's largest after several years of double digit growth. Many companies have managed to ride the wave and capitalize on the online frenzy. Small and medium-sized companies are increasingly taking on the market as well.

But China can be a daunting market for an exporter. Not only is everything from regulations, branding and marketing different to what you may be used to, but China is also a fast-evolving environment. Change can happen so quickly in China that the future arrives before the past is fully stripped away!

We thought it would be helpful therefore to share some of our experiences with exporters successfully doing business in China using online tools. Here are our top tips on how to get started in China in the online world.

A rose is a rose is a rose – except when it’s not. English is the most widely spoken language in the world, especially for business. So it might make sense to have just one English website for all English speakers. But in the online world, detail matters. Different English dialects use different keywords and getting the right keyword is essential to being found, understood and doing business globally. Some 63 countries claim English as a national language but having one English-language website will not give you instant access to those 1.5 billion English speakers. But the good news is that you don’t have to build 63 distinct English-language websites. In practice, regions can be grouped together and with some sharp proof-reading and keyword optimization for the local market, content can be re-used for multiple regions. In this blog, we look at some of the larger English-speaking regions and their distinct online linguistic profiles. 

The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are two key markets in the Middle East and part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which also includes Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Over 90% of the population in both countries access the internet regularly. For US exporters, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are great markets to enter because they are mobile, connected, and comfortable with ecommerce. If you get the online presence right, both markets can be very fruitful. 

We all know China has the largest population (1.4 billion and counting) and that it is the world’s largest exporter. But China is also one of the world’s leading importers of goods. This means that for companies with export ambitions, China is too big to ignore. Companies looking to export in today’s global economy know that many of their prospective clients, suppliers, competitors… are probably Chinese. So the good news is that a website localized for the China market, gives exporters great access to this huge market. The trick is to make sure that website is perfectly localized – allowing your company to be found, understood and able to do business in China. Language is one of the most critical criteria for a localized Chinese website. This blog sets out some of our key findings of using online tools to help exporters access and succeed in China. 

The United Kingdom is one of the largest economies of the world (ranked 7th) and the third largest ecommerce market globally. The UK is also amongst the most connected and internet-savvy consumers and businesses anywhere. Some 95% of the population access the internet regularly. For US exporters, the UK is a prime destination market: large, accessible and with a low language barrier. It's a great market for exporters, especially those that get their online presence right!

The North Carolina Online Global program is the fastest way to grow your international business. The top 3 benefits are: 1) be found, be understood and be easy to do business with in your top target markets 2) grow your exports, sales, brand and business faster and 3) access grants to invest in your international business development. Does that work for you?

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world boasting over 400 million native speakers across 21 countries. These numbers make the Spanish-speaking world an especially appealing target for exporters. But this major trade language has variations that impact your global trade and online strategy. What are the differences between Spanish in Spain and Latin America? How different is Spanish to English? And most importantly from your online point of view, will one Spanish website cover all Spanish speaking countries? We want to share with you some of our experiences in helping our clients to get found, be understood and do business in Spanish-speaking markets using their online presence. 

Did you know that Spanish is….

Germany is the largest economy in Europe, fourth largest in the world and among the top 3 exporters of the world. It is also a massive importer. The powerhouse of Europe, Germany is a priority destination for many exporters. German consumers and businesses are wary of the internet but are nonetheless ardent users, with 90% internet take-up. Ready to do business with US companies, Germans look to the internet for information before buying. Make sure your business is credible to your German prospects: get online, get localized websites! 

Use online tools to your advantage to be found, understood, and transact your business in Germany. 

Domain registration is one of the first steps you need to take when creating localized websites for your export markets. South America is not an exception, but which domains should you register?