Recommended reports
Global vs Local: Managing A Multinational Web Presence
A comprehensive look at the pros and cons of operating global websites, to identify whether it is best to manage the site from one centralised unit or via numerous local departments. The report features reviews of the multinational web strategi...
Managing Director at Cranmore Digital Consulting Ltd
21 March 2011 21:36pm
I'm doing research for a global client and the feedback is that the site doesn't look global enough, it looks too British. I wondered what features/design elements make you think of a site as global rather than as US, or British (this will be an English language site initially with country versions as phase two).
CEO at Econsultancy
22 March 2011 09:59am
Hi Sarah
I'd be very worried if I were being asked to create something 'global' looking? What on earth does that mean? I can only think that means 'completely neutral / nothing-y looking / can't offend anyone' which isn't great. Makes me think of that nasty corporate stock photography.
I think there are some broad differences between US and UK - look at our newspapers' designs for example. US tend to be more 'guru' led, tend to be more copy/CTA driven, less imagery, generally less 'designed'. Compare US and UK TV adverts and you quickly get the idea. But all that is still a gross generalisation. Within the US (as with the UK) there's a whole world of difference from what a New York crowd might expect versus the Mid West etc. etc.
I guess you can look at functional elements to give it a 'global' feel e.g. language settings, URLs and so on.
Managing Director at Cranmore Digital Consulting Ltd
23 March 2011 21:18pm
Thanks Ashley, I was a bit sloppy with my copy in that post. They are a genuinely global company but they feel the website doesn't reflect that. The URL is a good point. Cheers.