Software for Global Audiences

Adapting software products to meet the cultural, linguistic, and regulatory requirements of users in different locations. This process is crucial for software developers and companies seeking to effectively reach and engage users across different regions. Making your application and website geolocation specified is a statement of how seriously you want to be in the market internationally.

It Starts With The Language

When it comes to spelling and vocabulary UK English has distinct spelling and vocabulary differences compared to other forms of English (e.g., US English). For instance, “localization” in US English becomes “localisation” in UK English, “colour” becomes “colour”, and “optimize” becomes “optimise”. Software must reflect these differences in its UI, help documentation, and marketing materials. On the other hand, grammatical differences need to be addressed. This includes the use of the present perfect tense, which is more common in UK English than in US English, and the placement of punctuation with quotation marks. Also considering making your website available in several languages like Spanish, Portuguese, French and German can elevate your clients’s overall experience and help to build trust towards your company. 

Culture

We’ve got to be careful not to throw in references or jokes that only make sense in other places. Instead, let’s sprinkle in stuff that Brits will get a kick out of. Visual elements should be localised to reflect local customs, symbols, and practices. For example, using images of landmarks like Big Ben or the London Eye can create a more familiar and engaging user experience for UK audiences.

Region-Specisifc Compliance

The UK has specific laws and regulations regarding data protection, such as the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK or EU GDPR). Software targeting UK or EU users must comply with these regulations to ensure user data is handled securely and lawfully. Each location has guidelines to ensure digital accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities. Software must adhere to these standards to provide an inclusive user experience.

Currency

When customers see prices in their local currency, it feels familiar. It’s like walking into a local shop where they know the prices are meant for them. This familiarity breeds trust, which is a gold dust in the online world. Let’s be honest, nobody wants to do currency conversions in their head while shopping online. It’s a hassle. Showing prices in the customer’s local currency saves them the challenge and makes the shopping experience smoother.

Pricing strategy

Prices that end in .99 or .95 might work well in some places, but not everywhere. When converting currencies, it’s smart to adjust the final price so it still feels “right” to the local market. A neat, psychologically appealing price in one currency might become a weirdly specific number in another. Tidying up those numbers can make a big difference. This is an old trick to play around the pricing limit filters but in the end, it is just giving your clients an easily misunderstandable message and statement about your brand. 

Beyond just converting currencies, consider the local economy. What’s affordable or considered a premium price can vary widely. Sometimes, you might need to adjust your prices beyond a straight currency conversion to match local buying power and expectations.

Consider Tax and Currency Regulations

In many countries, especially in Europe, prices are shown with tax included. This is a big shift if you’re coming from a market like the U.S., where taxes are added at checkout. Make sure your prices comply with local laws about how taxes should be displayed. Some countries have strict rules about which currencies can be used for transactions and how prices should be displayed. It’s crucial to do your homework and ensure your website complies with these regulations to avoid any legal consequences. 

Payment methods

Different regions prefer different payment methods, in some places, credit cards reign supreme; in others, bank transfers or digital wallets might be the norm. Offering prices in local currency but not supporting preferred local payment methods can be the end of the purchase process by experiencing a negative customer experience. Be transparent about any fees for currency conversion. Nobody likes surprise charges, and being upfront about any additional costs can help maintain trust.

Tools For Solution

There are plenty of tools and plugins available that can automatically detect a user’s location and display prices in the local currency. This tech can make your life a lot easier and improve the user experience. It’s also a good idea to let users choose their preferred currency. Sometimes, automatic detection might get it wrong, or users might have personal reasons for wanting to shop in a different currency.