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.rachelgreen.com 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.
Barrington South Lincoln Stretch rentals .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareWriting a business plan can be tricky when all the... Read More
Writing a Business Plan these days is tough, venture capitalists... Read More
Businesses tend to avoid doing their annual business plan thinking... Read More
When developing the competition section of your business plan, companies... Read More
Want to become more strategic? Add these traits to your... Read More
For many consumers and producers, MSP is an acronym for... Read More
Writing a business plan for a franchised outlet of a... Read More
If ever there were an industry where we want zero... Read More
Most companies that are worthy of raising venture capital have... Read More
Part 1A few weeks ago I attended a seminar sponsored... Read More
Succession planning, like any business acumen, is both an art... Read More
Diversify - to make diverse, give variety, to balance, to... Read More
How often does your company make a quantum leap forward?... Read More
Possibly THE most frequently asked question of me is "What... Read More
Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More
Remember Chux? The disposable diaper that took the market by... Read More
Conventional wisdom has it that there are only three ways... Read More
"Rubbish!" shouted the large, aggressive man in the red-striped shirt... Read More
Let us look at a few of the big distribution... Read More
You have heard that there is extra money on the... Read More
One of the most important initiatives in the domain of... Read More
It is always said "If you Fail to Plan, you... Read More
Fun From The StartFor those with the will to start... Read More
No matter what product or service you provide you will... Read More
When someone mentions business planning we have been conditioned to... Read More
Downers Grove limo Chicago ..Here's a really simple way to make sure your plans... Read More
A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More
Imagine an office without a desk, or lights, a computer,... Read More
Growing your own small business can be one of the... Read More
Have you ever done a SWOT analysis? No, it's not... Read More
A well known, national chain of restaurants discovered that certain... Read More
In 1989, Sony founded its Institute of Wisdom at the... Read More
If you are a manufacturer wanting to use your business... Read More
Some analysts credit [Larry] Ellison with anticipating the consolidation in... Read More
The first task before hiring a contractor for home remodeling... Read More
A recent conversation started with a typical question, "How's business?"... Read More
The current state of the available technology at the disposal... Read More
"Rubbish!" shouted the large, aggressive man in the red-striped shirt... Read More
Mobile auto detailing equipment becomes very inexpensive around March each... Read More
Would you like to jumpstart your online or offline business... Read More
How often does your company make a quantum leap forward?... Read More
You have invested a lot of time and energy on... Read More
As fast as you can say business disaster, your business... Read More
If you're a solo professional like I am, you know... Read More
Succession planning requires the owner of a small or medium-sized... Read More
Human beings are rational agents. Rationality endorses one to take... Read More
All investors greatly desire and are motivated by a clear... Read More
If you've ever listened to Warren Buffett talk about investing,... Read More
Q: A key investor in my business has suggested that... Read More
As a business owner, you've likely created a hurricane plan... Read More
Strategic Planning |