Every web designer wants to make a website that speaks to the needs, affinities, and pain points of its target audience while also being aesthetically pleasing. Still, cultural differences frequently demand nuanced variations in approach, style, and expectations. What is effective in one nation may not be in another.
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Visuals, for instance, call for caution: what is considered “sensual” in the West may be considered “vulgar” in West and East Asia. It is important to consider and build like a local if you are designing a website for a foreign nation. If not, you risk creating a disconnect between the intended goals of your website and what users actually see.
Considerations When Creating Websites for Foreign Countries
Working with an overseas customer means delving into their culture to find out what makes it special. Learn about their nation’s customs, history, culture, and artistic expression. Look through websites to find out what matters most to web designers in that region, how they organize landing pages, and how they communicate with clients.
It’s possible that you’ll discover that your target market views colored websites as too busy or confusing and prefers simplicity. However, in other societies, a bold design or brutalist approach could be essential.
However, failing to recognize these distinctions might give the impression that your web design company doesn’t value research, which would make people view you as unprofessional. Failure to design a website that complies with local norms may also have an impact on the success and reach of your client’s business.
You may build websites that work well for the global market and attract more foreign customers by learning what constitutes a subpar website design in other nations.
Having worked with customers from around the world for more than ten years, including the UAE, the Netherlands, and the UK, I’ve come to realize how important it is to grasp the subtleties of style web design. You can improve lead generation, conversion, and client retention with the use of that expertise.
I’m sharing my knowledge in the hopes that it will enable you to become a more competent web designer and create websites that meet the needs of your global clientele.
Date Formatting and Calendar
In the United States, Sunday marks the start of the week, and the month is displayed at the beginning of the date (m/d/y). However, in many other nations, this is not the case. Europeans, for instance, usually begin with Monday and use the d/m/y pattern. China, meanwhile, observes the year as the first. Learn about how dates are formatted differently in different countries. The way your calendar is organized can have a big impact and potentially confuse others who are trying to reach you.
spelling
European websites usually designate an internationalized version of their content with the British English spelling and the U.K. flag, rather than the American spelling. Furthermore, there are minor grammatical distinctions between these two that might alter the overall context.
For instance, a lingerie company should market itself as selling “pants” to British consumers and “underwear” or “panties” to Americans. Examine the significance of language in nations with comparable vocabularies and historical connections.
Refrain from making assumptions and make sure you understand the best way to phrase your message for your intended audience. As another illustration, although you may assume that Brazilian and European Portuguese are interchangeable, the two have distinct accents, pronunciations, and word spellings.
Observance
Compared to, say, the European Union, privacy laws in the United States are less stringent. Although legislation might vary from state to state, most of the EU-27’s laws are common to all of them.
Unlike the United States, the European Union adopts a top-down strategy and has a comprehensive data protection statute (GDPR). The United Arab Emirates and Southeast Asia have more stricter regulations.
Multilingual Methods
Multilingual websites are less prevalent on US websites, in my experience. However, the majority of clients would rather buy a good or service from a website that offers information in their native tongue. Although it might be tempting, resist the urge to make English the primary language on your website unless specifically requested by your client. Work together with native speakers to develop a website that is genuine and appeals to its intended audience.
Establishment
American web designers often steer clear of anything that users may consider distracting. Rather, they want to make a strong impression that will make them devoted customers. However, not all nations have a decluttered approach to organizing websites.
Given that Chinese web design is known for its use of contrasting colors, writing, and several columns, a minimalist design would probably not work there. Because to the bad internet connection, it is rarely mobile-friendly.
Websites in the UK are usually clean, simple, and courteous to users. For instance, they would rather display goods pricing only when users linger over the images rather than actively promoting the conversation.
Scandinavian nations are recognized for putting web design to good use by providing relevant material, guaranteeing simple access and promoting inclusiveness. After all, the majority of their target market is tech-savvy and has access to a quick internet connection.
In the Netherlands, web design prioritizes effective approach and prompt client service. Conceptual work, clarity, and simplicity rank higher than inventiveness, and functional animations are more important than captivating ones.
Images And Colors
Southeast Asian websites frequently make use of GIFs, animations, and vibrant, contrasting colors. When working with consumers in the United Arab Emirates, steer clear of images that depict alcohol and provocative attire, and learn about the significance of various hues.
European web design has more comparable qualities with the U.S. French and Italian websites tend to include large photographs and portrayals of people in various activities, whilst the U.K. and the Netherlands favor more natural and subdued color schemes.
Voice
To better grasp what your audience wants from websites, take into account how national temperament and culture impact them. For instance, in Chinese and Japanese web design, linkages and obvious sales messaging are essential components.
UAE websites are more subdued, yet they may not always have clear messaging. Europeans are more likely to respond favorably to compelling recommendations and obvious calls to action.
In summary
Investigate your target audience’s expectations, culture, and behavior before creating an effective and accessible website. Make sure you pay attention to details and use colors, photos, and words that appeal to them. Even the smallest error might lead to misconceptions and a failure to establish a connection with your visitors.