Although North Americans were the dominant population on the Internet, that has now changed, and the rest of the world has caught up rapidly. And while English is still the most widely used Internet language, it's not the language of choice for many, many Internet users.
So are YOU ready to communicate in this international medium? Whether you're building your own Web site, taking part in discussion groups, visiting a chat room, or just sending and receiving e-mail, you'll meet more and more "foreigners" on the Internet - and vice versa, of course.
Let's look at some tips for communicating effectively in this new global village.
1. Write in plain English
Write clearly, with small words and short sentences. If you're writing long messages or creating long Web pages, include a simple summary at the top.
Be very careful to write exactly what you mean. If you're writing for a general audience, avoid sarcasm, colloquialisms and other things that rely on a certain tone of voice or cultural background.
2. Watch out for phrases with two meanings
Although English is the de facto international language of the Internet, differences abound between, say, English and American English. It's easy enough to allow for differences in the way that we spell "colour", "apologise" and "organisation", but other - more subtle - differences can easily lead to misunderstandings.
For example, does "bi-weekly" mean twice a week or once every two weeks? It's different for Australians and Americans. Similarly, when Australians "table an issue", they are raising it for discussion, but for Americans, "tabling an issue" means putting it aside.
3. Include area codes in phone numbers
Any time you quote a telephone, fax or mobile (cell) phone number on the Internet, ask yourself whether your readers reside outside your local area. If you're potentially addressing distant readers, include your international code and area code in these numbers.
4. Allow for variations in postcodes
American zip codes and Australian postcodes use numbers only; U.K. postcodes contain letters and numbers; Singaporean postcodes use numbers only, but appear in a different place in the address; all have different lengths from each other.
If your Web site includes an order form or a demographic survey, allow for postcodes that fall outside your own local format.
5. Include your full postal address
If you're addressing an international audience, include your country in your postal address. Don't expect people to just figure it out. This seems obvious, but a surprising number of businesses on the Internet forget it.
6. Include international postage costs
If you're selling anything through e-mail or your Web site, cater for international orders, whether you expect them or not. Find out the cost of international postage and shipping, and publish the costs for your customers.
This is a complex area because of the variety of options, depending on the source and destination countries, methods and speed of delivery, customs and duties, and more.
Simplify this as much as possible for your customers. It's better to start with something very simple (for example, one postage price for all international orders, regardless of destination) and adapt it with experience. Or eliminate postage costs entirely, as Rachel Green does on her site by offering free postage anywhere in the world:
7. Explain your currency
If you use a currency that's common to other countries - such as dollars - make it clear which version you mean. Some Web sites quote their prices in American dollars as a kind of "universal currency", but most use local currency.
Include a link to a currency converter on your Web site to make it easy for your international visitors. Here's one to use:
8. Be aware of time zones
If you're writing a time (for example, the time when you're available in a chat room) for people in specific time zones, include their local times as well. When writing for an international audience, include the time in GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
Include a link to a time zone converter on your Web site - for example:
9. Use icons carefully
Choose icons on your Web site carefully. For example, not everybody understands what a "STOP" sign means; and a "thumbs up" sign can offend people from some cultures.
In fact, it's so easy to misunderstand icons - even within a culture - that you should always supplement them with clear descriptions.
10. Tolerate mistakes
The more you use the Internet, the more you'll communicate with people who don't speak or write English as well as you do. Be tolerant of poor spelling, bad grammar and typing mistakes when you receive e-mail or take part in Internet discussion groups.
Of course, this is just common courtesy, but again it's surprising to see how many people attack others when they think they can hide behind the safety of their keyboard.
About The Author
Gihan Perera is the author of "Make More Money From Your Web Site". Visit http://www.firststep.com.au and get your free e-book "The Seven Fatal Mistakes That Almost Every Business Owner Makes on Their Web Site" - PLUS free resale rights.
You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.
The boom of the dot-com era in 1999 brought the... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains, former Great Plains Dynamics is excellent fit... Read More
One of the key challenges for any business is to... Read More
I've either been involved with or held a process-related role... Read More
It is always said "If you Fail to Plan, you... Read More
Storytelling and writing a business plan actually go hand in... Read More
Writing a business plan is not an easy endeavor, nor... Read More
Running a business, whether it be an offline multi-billion dollar... Read More
A significant advantage of some business ideas is that the... Read More
( * - the word 'product' can be substituted to... Read More
Strategic planning is vital while starting a new business or... Read More
A well known, national chain of restaurants discovered that certain... Read More
1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More
From time to time there seems to be a flurry... Read More
Many companies are reluctant to dive into outsourcing ocean because... Read More
The Accountability/Alignment Process: Three Steps to an Accountable Organization Generating... Read More
Many business start-up kits or consultants will tell you one... Read More
Regroup?is this a new management trend? Not a chance! Regroup... Read More
"Did you hear what your competitor is doing?" This question... Read More
1. Largest Selection -One way that you can make your... Read More
Why cut costs now? Efforts are multiplying to cut costs... Read More
Have you ever done a SWOT analysis? No, it's not... Read More
So what makes a vision successful? Everyday companies try to... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains fits horizontal markets clientele and in case... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains serves mid-size and large clients... Read More
A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals,... Read More
Although North Americans were the dominant population on the Internet,... Read More
Some analysts credit [Larry] Ellison with anticipating the consolidation in... Read More
Making money doesn't make your reputation... your reputation makes you... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains does wonderful ERP job for horizontal markets... Read More
Most companies that are worthy of raising venture capital have... Read More
The trick is to determine what uniquely identifies your best... Read More
A strategic alliance is when two or more businesses join... Read More
Does your overall business strategy include the recruitment of college... Read More
You have heard that there is extra money on the... Read More
A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals,... Read More
Too much goal setting and strategic planning can leave you... Read More
One of the most powerful driving forces in human nature... Read More
Much of what we heard in the mass media about... Read More
The current state of the available technology at the disposal... Read More
I'm not talking about posting the HBO schedule on your... Read More
Every new business owner knows that a business plan is... Read More
More than $117 billion passed hands from Internet shoppers to... Read More
Last week we talked about a few of the ways... Read More
Note to Rite Aid and CVS: It's not about the... Read More
Six Sigma is becoming a proven approach for businesses and... Read More
What gets measured gets done.How do you keep your business... Read More
Does the competition drive you crazy?Are they relentless about taking... Read More
If you own a mobile franchise business and wish to... Read More
If you are looking for a partner, funding, angle investor... Read More
Writing a business plan is no easy task, sure you... Read More
Have you ever done a SWOT analysis? No, it's not... Read More
Succession planning requires the owner of a small or medium-sized... Read More
There are no "rules of thumb" in the pursuit of... Read More
Growth through acquisition should not be considered an option reserved... Read More
The format of a Business Plan is something that has... Read More
After 128 years of business, a household word, Montgomery Wards,... Read More
One of the most important initiatives in the domain of... Read More
The new check cashing instant clearing will take some time... Read More
You have invested a lot of time and energy on... Read More
One of the key challenges for any business is to... Read More
As a business owner, you've likely created a hurricane plan... Read More
"I don't need a business plan."Neither did Alice in Wonderland."Would... Read More
Here is an abstract thought on studying nature and the... Read More
This week I coached a wonderfully lovely woman I'll call... Read More
To stop a computer virus you must understand how it... Read More
Strategic Planning |